Final answer:
The mean annual temperature range is influenced by factors such as precipitation, geographical features, proximity to oceans, and solar intensity. Temperature changes are relevant to variations in climate, species distribution, and ecosystem health. Current trends indicate a relationship between global warming and more frequent extreme weather events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mean annual temperature range is primarily influenced by several climatic factors, including precipitation, proximity to oceans, and geographical features like mountain ranges. Notably, climatic variation such as the Little Ice Age and Medieval Warm Period have historically shown that changes in global temperature patterns can lead to significant shifts in climate and biomes. Recent changes in climate, which include temperature increases, especially in high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, are also linked to shifts in the distribution of species, as seen with the sugar maple and the Baltimore oriole. Additionally, solar intensity plays a vital role in influencing Earth’s temperature, where increases or decreases in solar power result in corresponding temperature changes.
The relationship between temperature and precipitation is also crucial, as warm air holds more moisture, leading to differences in rainfall patterns across the world. Ecosystems in both terrestrial and aquatic environments are sensitive to these changes, with temperature and pH being pivotal in aquatic systems, and temperature and precipitation being key on land. The ongoing climate change, increasing temperatures, and shifting precipitation patterns are also affecting water resources, natural habitats, biodiversity, and even human communities, possibly leading to more extreme weather events, wildfires, heat-related deaths, floods, and poorer air quality.