Why has temperature change been erratic, even though carbon dioxide levels have risen steadily?
Because other factors beside CO2 concentrations affect global temperatures. For example, in 1991 the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines produced much ash that circulated in the atmosphere, blocking the sun and leading to a short-term decrease in temperature. Self Test 1). A rain shadow results in a). extremely wet conditions due to loss of moisture from winds rising over a mountain range. b). dry air moving toward the poles that cools and sinks in regions 15° to 30° north/south latitude. c). global polar regions that rarely receive moisture from the warmer, tropical regions, and are therefore dryer. d). desert conditions on the down-wind side of a mountain due to increased moisture-holding capacity of the winds coming from the seas. Answer: d 2). What two factors are most important in biome distribution? a). temperature and latitude b). rainfall and temperature c). latitude and rainfall d). temperature and soil type Answer: b 3). Savannas are best described as areas with a).
