Ecosystems, Climate, and Weather: Essential Concepts
Ecosystems: Units of the Biosphere
Ecosystems are the fundamental units into which the biosphere is divided. An ecosystem consists of a community of living beings (biotic components) and the physical space where they live, interact with each other, and their environment (abiotic components).
Types of Ecosystem Components
There are two types of components found in an ecosystem:
- Biotic components: Living organisms.
- Abiotic components: Non-living factors like temperature, water, and soil.
Ecosystem Evolution
The evolution of an ecosystem can happen in two ways:
- Succession: The process that leads to a more complex and stable ecosystem.
- Regression: The process leading to the disruption and destabilization of the system.
Three prominent ecosystems in Extremadura are mountain pastures, Mediterranean scrub, and riverbanks.
Weather and Climate
What is Weather?
Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place. It refers to atmospheric conditions such as pressure, humidity, temperature, winds, latitude, and altitude.
Defining Climate
Climate is defined by the prevailing weather conditions over the long term.
Parameters to Determine Weather
To determine the weather in a region, the following parameters must be studied:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Pressure
- Rainfall
Factors Influencing Climate
Five factors that influence climate are:
- Latitude
- Altitude
- Distance to the sea or large bodies of water
- Presence of mountain ranges
- Vegetation
Proximity to Sea and Temperatures
Proximity to the sea moderates temperature extremes and provides more moisture when winds come from the sea towards the land.
Climate’s Influence on Vegetation
Climate determines vegetation. Vegetation, in turn, dries the lower layers of soil, keeps the upper layers wet, stops and prevents river flooding, and decreases wind speed.
General Types of Weather
Seven general types of weather include:
- Arid Intertropical
- Mediterranean
- Continental
- Oceanic
- Alpine
- Polar
Mediterranean Climate
The Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and warm, wet winters (e.g., Extremadura).
Continental Climate
Continental climate is typical of inland regions. The variation in temperature between seasons can be very large (e.g., Berlin).
Oceanic Climate
Oceanic climate is characteristic of temperate regions near the sea. Rainfall occurs throughout the year, and temperatures vary little (e.g., Santander).
Atmospheric Phenomena
Fronts
A front is a buffer zone between two air masses of different temperatures.
Cumulus Clouds
Cumulus clouds are white or gray spongy masses similar to cotton balls.
Stratus Clouds
Stratus clouds are a gray haze covering most of the sky.
Cirrus Clouds
Cirrus clouds are amorphous with frayed edges, dark gray.
Anticyclones
An anticyclone is a high-pressure area where the weather is stable and dry. The wind rotates clockwise.
Cyclones (Storms)
Cyclones, or storms, are areas of low pressure (below 1013 mb) associated with rainfall. The wind rotates counterclockwise.
Ecology and Biosphere
Biosphere
The biosphere is the whole living world.
Ecology
Ecology is the science that studies ecosystems.
Biotype
A biotype is the geographical space with its physical and climatic characteristics.
Biocenosis
Biocenosis is the set of creatures that inhabit a biotype and their relationships with each other.