Key Concepts

CONCEPT 2.1 Climate is the most fundamental component of the physical environment.

CONCEPT 2.2 Winds and ocean currents result from differences in solar radiation across Earth's surface.

CONCEPT 2.3 Large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns establish global patterns of temperature and precipitation.

CONCEPT 2.4 Regional climates reflect the influence of oceans and continents, mountains, and vegetation.

CONCEPT 2.5 Seasonal and decadal climate variation are associated with changes in Earth's position relative to the sun and the strength of atmospheric pressure cells.

CONCEPT 2.6 Salinity, acidity, and oxygen concentrations are major determinants of the chemical environment.

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