What is an El Nino Normal year? - ANSWER - cold nutrient rich water along south
america
- upwelling due to winds from south
- high productivity - plankton rich water
- large numbers of anchovies and sardines
- supports sustainable fisheries and bird species
what is an El Nino year? - ANSWER * every 2-10 years
- winds stop from east to southeast
- warm equatorial water is blown by abnormal winds from West
- pressure gradients in E to W are reversed
- reverse in winds and currents
- large area of warm water for in south america which causes cold water species
to die
- upwelling stops
- nutrient supply to top is reduced = lack of nutrients = primary production rapidly
decreases
- affects higher trophic levels
- collapse of commercial fish stocks
What negative effects does El Nino have on the ocean? - ANSWER - Due to the
lack of wind and current movement, warm water builds up and stops upwelling.
- Without upwelling off the south american coast, there is no fresh supply of
nutrients or colder water to reduce surface temperatures.
- Since temperatures are warmer and there are less nutrients, many cold water
species die in primary productivity and go into a steep decline due to lack of
nutrients.
- The Lack of producers affects the other levels of the food chain and causes the
fishing industry to collapse.
What are the requirements for El Nino formation? - ANSWER The main
requirements for an El Nino to form is extreme heat around the equator, stoppage
or reversal of Tradewinds leading to known upwelling and massive die offs.
What are the two parts to Binomial Nomenclature? - ANSWER - Genus (generic
name) 1st name
- Species ( specific name) 2nd name
What two factors affect an ecosystem? - ANSWER - Abiotic
- Biotic
