Increases in elevation are accompanied by decreases in temperature.The rate at which temperature drops as elevation increases is referred to as the dry adiabatic lapse rate,which gives a drop in temperature of rising unsaturated air of about 10°C for every 1000 meters.If the temperature is 25°C at the base of the mountain,what temperatures do organisms experience 3000 meters upslope?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using the dry adiabatic lapse rate of 10°C per 1000 meters, we can calculate the temperature at 3000 meters upslope by multiplying the number of thousands of meters by 10 and subtracting from the base temperature of 25°C:

3000 meters upslope ÷ 1000 meters = 3 
3 x 10°C drop per 1000 meters = 30°C drop 
25°C - 30°C = -5°C

Therefore, organisms would experience a temperature of -5°C at 3000 meters upslope. Choice C is the correct answer.

Increases in Elevation Are Accompanied by Decreases in Temperature