Other Factors

## Greenhouse Gases:

Greenhouse gases are the predominant factor determining the global temperature; the higher the greenhouse gas levels the more heat they keep in the atmosphere. This is typically represented by carbon dioxide. It also increases the acidity in the oceans and the lysocline - the point below which calcified structures are not possible - to rise. More acidic oceans make it harder to form calcifying structures.
Extremely High = The global temperature is higher than 20c, the lysocline is 2000m deep, the ocean is more acidic

Very High = The global temperature is 20c, the lysocline is 2000m deep, the ocean is more acidic

High = The global temperature is 18c, the lysocline is 3000m deep, the ocean is more acidic

Quite High = The global temperature is 16c, the lysocline is 3000m deep

Moderate = The global temperature is 14c, the lysocline is 4000m deep

Low = The global temperature is 12c, the lysocline is 4000m deep

 The Vegetation Level:

Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide, a major component of greenhouse gases. The more vegetation, the more carbon dioxide they can absorb, so the carbon dioxide cycle will hit an equilibrium and a stable level based on the vegetation level. Plants also produce oxygen. Extremely high carbon dioxide levels will take 1 million years to drop a level, but all other levels, both greenhouse gases and oxygen will take 5 million years, up and down to drop a level byv egetation.

Limited Vegetation (No widespread land plants) = High Greenhouse Gases Level, Oxygen-Moderate Atmosphere

Medium Vegetation (Widespread little plants) = Quite High Greenhouse Gases Level, Oxygen-Moderate

Atmosphere
Normal Vegetation (Widespread large plants) = Moderate Greenhouse Gases Level, Oxygen-Rich

Atmosphere
Extensive Vegetation (Plants without decomposing bacteria, plants in many more biomes than animals) = Low Greenhouse Gases Level, Very Oxygen-Rich Atmosphere

## Global Temperature:

The global temperature determines the general layout of climates across the planet and the temperature also has other effects.

Above 20c = The three zones closest to the equator on either side become constantly very hot during the day, as does water in these zones, including seawater. This water is oxygen-poor. Most of the ocean becomes anoxic, except for shallow layers near the surface.

20c = Tropical climate expands three zones, polar climate expands to three zones lower than usual. Sea level rises to 75m above standard. The ocean below the thermocline is all oxygen-poor.

18c = Tropical climate expands two zones, polar climate retreats two zones lower than usual. Sea level rises to 50m above standard.

16c = Tropical climate expands, polar climate retreats. Sea level rises by 25m.

14c = Balanced climate. Continental slope on average at 200m below the surface.

12c = Polar climate expands, tropical climate retreats; tropical rainforest fragments and is taken up by a higher percentage of tropical monsoon forest and both merge into savannah. Sea level drops by 25m.

10c = Polar climate expands two zones, tropical climate retreats; tropical rainforest, tropical monsoon forest and savannah merge into hot steppe and subtropical desert. Sea level drops to 50m below standard.

8c = Polar climate expands three zones, tropical climate retreats; tropical rainforest, tropical monsoon forest, savannah, hot steppe and subtropical desert merge into chaparral. Sea level drops to 75m below standard.

## Altitude:

The climate of an area is heavily affected not just by its latitude, but also by its elevation. Elevated areas follow the seasonal patterns of the climate that they would have at sea level, but the altitude affects the temperature and level of precipitation. The temperature decreases by one level (e.g. From hot to warm) every 2,000m above sea level. Precipitation actually increases a level from 1,000m to 2,000m but after that it decreases a level every 1,000m increase in height.

Midnight Sun / Polar Night: At the ends of the earth, no matter what the climate is, it is at an angle to receive extraordinary amounts of sunlight. The period of nonstop sunlight is known as midnight sun and the period of nonstop darkness is known as polar night. Partial midnight sun means that at midnight the sun dips to a level equivalent to crepuscular times. Partial polar night means that at midday the sun rises to a level equivalent to crepuscular times. Midnight sun creates strong sunlight so it is bright and has normal daytime temperatures for the climate zone. Polar night creates no sunlight so is dark and has cold temperatures or normal nighttime temperature of the climate zone, if that is colder and precipitation is no greater than low. Water on land will be cold and may freeze, but oceans and seas will remain the normal temperature. Between 60 - 70 degrees latitude there is partial midnight sun in summer and partial polar night in winter. Between 70 - 90 degrees, there is partial midnight sun in late spring and early autumn and midnight sun in summer. There is partial polar night in late autumn and early spring and polar night in winter.