You have seen that Earth's terrestrial biomes reflect regional variations in climate. But what determines these climatic variations? Interpret the following diagrams in reference to how each represents effects on global patterns of temperature, rainfall, and winds. a. Solar radiation and latitude: b. Earth's orbit around the sun: c. Global patterns of air circulation and rainfall:

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1. Solar radiation and latitude: The diagram shows that solar radiation is most intense at the equator (0° latitude) because sunlight strikes this region directly. As latitude increases toward the poles (30°N and 30°S), the angle of sunlight becomes more oblique, spreading the energy over a larger area and reducing its intensity. This explains why equatorial regions are warmer and polar regions are cooler.
2. Earth's orbit around the sun: The diagram illustrates Earth's constant axial tilt of 23.5° and its orbit around the sun. This tilt causes seasonal variations in temperature and daylight. For example, during the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, resulting in longer days and warmer temperatures, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences shorter days and cooler temperatures. The reverse occurs during the December solstice.
3. Global patterns of air circulation and rainfall: The diagram shows how warm air rises at the equator due to intense solar heating, creating low-pressure zones. As the air rises, it cools and condenses, leading to heavy rainfall in the tropics. The cooled air then moves toward the poles, descending at approximately 30°N and 30°S, creating high-pressure zones and dry conditions in these regions, such as deserts. This cycle is part of the Hadley cell circulation.
4. The combination of solar radiation, Earth's axial tilt, and global air circulation patterns explains the distribution of Earth's biomes. Tropical rainforests are found near the equator due to high rainfall, while deserts are located at 30° latitude due to descending dry air.
5. Understanding these diagrams helps explain how Earth's climate systems interact to create diverse biomes, each with unique temperature and precipitation patterns influenced by latitude, Earth's orbit, and atmospheric circulation.