Assignment: Geography Lab
The Keeling Curve Explore the Scripps website for the Keeling Curve: Specifically, click through the different temporal windows along the bottom of the graph. Answer the following questions related to the atmospheric carbon dioxide trends through time (e.g. one week, six months, one year, etc.):
• Look at the six month and yearlong graphs and explain the trends you see. Why does CO2 drop when the northern hemisphere enters summer? Why does it increase when we're in winter? Use outside resources if you need help answering this question.
• If record keeping began in 1958, how do we have a graph for 1700-present? What data do scientists use to create these graphs?
Precipitation Regimes via NCEI Data
In this lab, you will be graphing precipitation data for three locations across Washington state to investigate how average monthly precipitation patterns change across space. **Note: you will need access to data management and graphing software (e.g. Excel).
We will be using data collected and housed via the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the Office of the Washington State Climatologist. Search for and record your average monthly precipitation data by city:
Collect average monthly precipitation data from three cities of your choosing across Washington state. To ensure no outside variables are biasing your data, your city selections must follow the following rules:
• Choose cities at approximately the same elevation above sea level.
• Choose one city to the west of the Cascades, one in the central area of the state but to the east of the Cascades, and one on the eastern side of the state.
• Choose cities with a complete dataset - do not use a city with missing data. Good options are Seattle, Ellensburg, and Spokane, but you are free to choose.
• Finally, the goal of this exercise is two-fold: i) to show how topography is impacts climate, and ii) evaluate spatial variability in moisture and water resources.
Answer the following questions to complete Lab.
• Produce three graphs depicting the precipitation data you pulled from online. The graphs should be precipitation in inches for each month and should be represented by either bars or a connecting line for each month. Make sure your graphs have titles and that the scales of the axes are the same across all three graphs.
• The topography of Washington state creates latitudinal variation in moisture, with the west side of the state being much wetter than the east side. Postulate why this variability matters in terms of water resources in a changing climate - how might differences in water availability among disparate geographic locations impact water security and policy? For example, would it be appropriate or effective for Spokane to have the same water management plan as Seattle? Why or why not?
• How does Geography influence our perspectives of and connections to climate change? For example, does someone in Spokane view sea level rise and coastal flooding as someone in Seattle? Why or why not? Why does this matter?
Format your assignment according to the give formatting requirements:
• The answer must be using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, typed, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• The response also includes a cover page containing the student's name, the title of the assignment, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
• Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.