Because of this effect, the air in polar regions is very dry. At the equator, the earth moves about 1000 miles per hour at the surface. This results in a net east to west movement of air. Between 0 and 30 degrees, the air flows generally from east to west. Between 30 and 60 degrees N and S, the prevailing flow of air is from west to east.
Continents get in the way.
This produces rain or snow. After the air passes over the mountains and descends, it is compressed and both heats and dries. There is a decrease of 6 degrees C in average temperature for each 1000 meters increase in elevation. The entire portion of the earth inhabited by life. The biosphere is variable or patchy.