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    Lou Baldomar
    The document discusses abiotic factors and climatic elements that shape ecosystems. It describes macroclimate as large-scale weather patterns that set the overall environmental backdrop, and microclimate as small-scale variations influenced by terrain and vegetation. The main climatic elements are identified as precipitation, temperature, wind, solar radiation, and relative humidity. These factors profoundly impact ecosystem productivity, species distributions, and biodiversity.

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    Document

    Uploaded by

    Lou Baldomar
    22 views2 pages
    The document discusses abiotic factors and climatic elements that shape ecosystems. It describes macroclimate as large-scale weather patterns that set the overall environmental backdrop, and microclimate as small-scale variations influenced by terrain and vegetation. The main climatic elements are identified as precipitation, temperature, wind, solar radiation, and relative humidity. These factors profoundly impact ecosystem productivity, species distributions, and biodiversity.

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    The document discusses abiotic factors and climatic elements that shape ecosystems. It describes macroclimate as large-scale weather patterns that set the overall environmental backdrop, and microclimate as small-scale variations influenced by terrain and vegetation. The main climatic elements are identified as precipitation, temperature, wind, solar radiation, and relative humidity. These factors profoundly impact ecosystem productivity, species distributions, and biodiversity.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    22 views2 pages

    Document

    Uploaded by

    Lou Baldomar
    The document discusses abiotic factors and climatic elements that shape ecosystems. It describes macroclimate as large-scale weather patterns that set the overall environmental backdrop, and microclimate as small-scale variations influenced by terrain and vegetation. The main climatic elements are identified as precipitation, temperature, wind, solar radiation, and relative humidity. These factors profoundly impact ecosystem productivity, species distributions, and biodiversity.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    A.

    Abiotic Factors (Climatic Factors)

    1. **Macro Climate:** The macro climate refers to the long-term, large-scale weather patterns and
    conditions that prevail over a broad geographical area. It includes factors such as average temperature,
    precipitation levels, and seasonal variations. The macro climate sets the overall environmental backdrop
    for ecosystems and influences the types of species that can thrive in a particular region (Lutgens et al.,
    2020).

    2. **Weather:** Weather represents the short-term atmospheric conditions and fluctuations in


    temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover that occur on a daily or hourly basis.
    Weather is highly variable and can have immediate impacts on ecosystems and species behavior
    (Ahrens, 2018).

    3. **Climate:** Climate is a long-term average of weather patterns over a specific region. It provides a
    more stable and predictable environmental context for ecosystems. Climate encompasses factors such
    as average temperature, precipitation, and the seasonal distribution of these conditions. These long-
    term climate patterns influence the distribution of plant and animal species (Peel et al., 2007).

    4. **Microclimate:** Microclimate refers to localized, small-scale variations in climate within a specific


    area. It can be influenced by factors like terrain, vegetation, and human-made structures. Microclimates
    can create unique ecological niches, allowing certain species to thrive in areas where the overall
    macroclimate might not be suitable (Geiger, 1965).

    B. The Climatic Elements

    1. **Precipitation:** Precipitation includes all forms of water that fall from the atmosphere to the
    Earth's surface, such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail. The amount and distribution of precipitation
    profoundly affect the availability of water for plants, animals, and human activities. Regions with high
    rainfall support lush vegetation, while arid regions face water scarcity challenges (Trenberth, 2018).

    2. **Temperature:** Temperature is a fundamental climatic element that influences the metabolic


    processes, growth, and distribution of organisms. Extremes in temperature can limit the range of
    species, and temperature fluctuations can affect breeding and hibernation patterns. Rising global
    temperatures due to climate change have significant implications for ecosystems (Root et al., 2003).
    3. **Wind or air in horizontal motion:** Wind patterns determine the movement of air masses and the
    distribution of temperature and moisture across the Earth's surface. Winds can disperse seeds,
    pollinators, and even influence ocean currents, affecting marine ecosystems. Wind patterns play a role
    in shaping regional climates (Holton et al., 2020).

    4. **Solar radiation or light:** Solar radiation, or sunlight, is the primary source of energy for nearly all
    life on Earth. It drives photosynthesis in plants, which forms the base of food chains and ecosystems.
    The angle and intensity of sunlight vary with latitude, time of day, and season, influencing the
    productivity and biodiversity of ecosystems (Hartmann, 2016).

    5. **Relative humidity:** Relative humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air relative
    to its maximum capacity at a given temperature. It affects evaporation rates, plant transpiration, and the
    ability of organisms to regulate their body temperature. High humidity can exacerbate the effects of
    heat stress, while low humidity can lead to water loss in plants (Garratt, 1994).

    These climatic factors and elements are essential components of the environmental framework that
    shapes ecosystems and their inhabitants. Understanding their dynamics and interactions is crucial for
    predicting the impacts of climate change, managing natural resources, and conserving biodiversity.

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