Growing season

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/growing-season

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the key climatic variables?Temperature thresholds, water availability, solar energy for photosynthesis, and photoperiodic cues
2. What is the modern influences?Anthropogenic climate change is altering historical growing season lengths and patterns globally
3. Why do plants need sunshine and rain to grow?Sunshine gives energy for photosynthesis, and rain waters the plants so they can absorb nutrients and stay firm.
4. How does the Earth's tilt affect when plants grow?The Earth's tilt makes one hemisphere lean toward the Sun in summer, giving longer, brighter days that help plants grow, while in winter the tilt away gives shorter days and cooler weather that slows growth.

Solar Insolation: The amount of solar radiation received at a particular location on Earth's surface.
Phenology: The study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life.
Anthropogenic: Originating in human activity.