Ch 3: Holt McDougal Introduction to Geography Chapter 3: Climate, Environment & Resources

1. Natural Factors That Determine a Region's Climate

Climate is influenced by factors like atmosphere, ocean currents, landforms and plate tectonics. This lesson explains how these effects affect our weather patterns, which determine climate.

2. The General Circulation of the Atmosphere

The Sahara Desert, tropical rainforests, and cold polar winds are all due to Earth's rotation. In this video lesson, you will learn how this rotation has created global air circulation patterns on Earth and how it is responsible for such diverse climate patterns across the globe.

3. Ocean Circulation: Patterns & Effect on Climate

The ocean waters are always in motion and as they travel around the globe they carry and distribute heat, which affects the global climate. Learn about the ocean circulation patterns and how they impact the climate.

4. Types of Air Masses & Their Effect on Weather

Air masses affect weather in a number of different ways. In this lesson, you will learn about the different types of air masses found on Earth and how the movement of air masses creates changes in the weather.

5. What is a Climate? - Definition & Examples

Learn what climate is, and how not to confuse it with weather. Once you understand what a climate is, figure out what type of climate you live in by going over examples of Earth's different climate types.

6. Climate Classifications & Their Global Distribution

Earth has many climates, but we can categorize them based on common characteristics. In this video lesson you will identify the 5 major climate classifications on Earth, as well as where on Earth these climates are found.

7. The Environment, Levels of Ecology and Ecosystems

Do you know the difference between an environment and an ecosystem? In this lesson, you'll find out what makes an environment, and what makes an ecosystem. You'll also learn what ecology is and some of the ways that scientists study ecology using organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems and even the entire biosphere.

8. Ecosystems, Habitats and Ecological Niches

Check out this video lesson to understand the many complex aspects of an ecosystem. See how animals live in habitats and survive amongst their surroundings.

9. Human Impacts on the Environment

The human population continues to grow, but the size of Earth and the resources available for our use are limited. Humans greatly impact the world around them, and our actions can and often do have dramatic and long-lasting consequences.

10. The Formation and Composition of Soil: Definition and Factors

In this video lesson you will learn how soil is formed and what it is made of. You will also learn about how soil is classified and distributed in layers underground.

11. Land & Natural Resources: Scarcity & Allocation

This lesson explores the importance of two very unique resources to economic development: land and natural resources. It explains how land can last forever, while some natural resources can run out. That said, both require expert management.

12. What Is a Renewable Energy Source? - Definition & Example

Right now, you are using electricity to power your computer. Most of our power comes from nonrenewable sources that can run out. In this lesson, learn about the many types of renewable energy sources that will never run out and could be used instead.

13. Nonrenewable Resources: Definition & Examples

We use a variety of resources in our everyday lives, but did you know that once some of these resources run out, they can't be replenished? In this lesson, we will learn what nonrenewable resources are and take a look at some examples.

14. What Are Minerals? - Types, Properties & Examples

In this lesson, you will learn about minerals and their properties. You will also understand the importance and everyday use of different types of minerals found on Earth.

15. What Are Natural Resources? - Definition & Types

Natural resources are materials provided by the Earth that humans can use to make more complex (human-made) products. In this lesson, you will learn some examples of natural resources and how to classify them.

16. Population Size: Impacts on Resource Consumption

What are the things you need to survive? Humans all need resources, and in this lesson, we will discuss how the growth of the human population is influencing the natural resources we rely on.