Glossary of Environmental Terms
Ecosystem
A natural system consisting of all living things (community or biocenosis) and their physical environment (biotope), including all relationships among living things and between them and their environment. Example: A forest.
Pedogenesis
The process of soil formation, including bedrock weathering, humus formation, and transport of humus colloids and soluble substances, leading to soil horizons. It depends on climate, topography, bedrock, and biological activity, paralleling ecological succession.
Read MoreAzonal Climates: A Comprehensive Overview
Climatic Diversity
Classification of Weather and Azonal Climates
Climate and its Classification
The Concepts of Weather and Climate
Weather refers to the short-term state of the atmosphere at a specific location, characterized by variables like temperature, pressure, wind, humidity, and rainfall. Climate, on the other hand, represents long-term weather patterns over extended periods.
The Diversity of Climate Classifications
Numerous climate classifications exist, each serving a different purpose, such
Read MoreGlossary of Geography Terms
A
Anticyclone
A high-pressure center (A) where air masses rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The air moves downwards and spreads outwards on the surface, creating dry and cloudless conditions. A well-known example is the Azores anticyclone.
Aridity
The inverse relationship between temperature and humidity in a given area. Aridity increases with higher temperatures and lower rainfall.
Avenue Flood
A notable, temporary, and often casual torrent
Read MoreWeather Forecasting in Spain: Understanding Synoptic Situations
1. North Time Situation
Weather Map: The surface weather map for the North Time situation displays the state of the atmosphere at a specific time. Isobars connect points with the same atmospheric pressure. (Date of map not provided)
Cyclonic Action Centers:
- Anticyclone in the Northeast Atlantic, off the Iberian Peninsula.
- Anticyclone east of Iceland.
Depressionary Action Centers:
- Storm north of Iceland, associated with an occluded front.
- Powerful storm over the Nordic countries, related to a cold front.
Geography: Earth’s Surface, Climate, and Human Impact
Geography as a Scientific Discipline
Geography is the science of Earth’s surface, including land and spatial relationships.
Geographical Coordinates
Coordinates pinpoint locations on maps, plans, or Earth’s spherical surface using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Latitude measures North or South, while longitude measures East or West.
Map Scales
Numeric Scale: A fraction showing the relationship between map length and real-world length.
- 1/100,000: 1 cm on the map equals 1 km in reality.
- 1/250,000:
Kingdom Protista & Fungi: Characteristics, Classification & Examples
Classification of Protists
Protists are divided into three groups: Protozoa, Algae, and Fungi-like protists.
A) Protozoa
Protozoa are unicellular, microscopic organisms with a standard cellular structure. Some species have a hard carapace surrounding them, which can be made of calcium carbonate, silica, etc. They are always heterotrophs. Most live freely, but there are also symbionts and parasites of both animals and plants. The principal edges are:
- Zoomastigophora: They have one or more flagella. Some