One of the most interesting and striking phenomena that the nature of our planet has is the way in which the different cycles that are part of it happen. Of all these cycles, one of the most important, both for its striking nature and for the consequences it has for life forms on our planet, are the seasons. If you want to know why do the seasons of the year exist, and how important they are for life on Earth, keep reading Green Ecologist and we will tell you about it.
Why the different seasons of the year exist
The seasons of the year are four: Spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each of them has its own characteristics. However, although in our perception they are four well-determined periods, from a physical perspective, the seasons are the natural consequence of the movement of the planet's axis with respect to its orbit.
Even if the movements of the planet Earth best known are the translation (around the Sun) and rotation (around itself), there are other movements that it performs and, of all of them, one is responsible for the existence of the seasons of the year. This movement is what the Earth's axis makes with respect to the orbit around the Sun. Although we do not perceive it, the Earth's axis is only perfectly perpendicular to the Sun during the spring and autumn equinoxes (when day and night are just as long). The rest of the year, the axis is inclined, reaching its maximum inclination on the days of the summer and winter solstice (the longest or shortest day and night of the year respectively). This is due to the fact that the axis is in constant motion in which, when it reaches its end (one of the solstices), it returns to its position perpendicular to the orbit (equinoxes). You will then repeat the same tilt, but in the opposite hemisphere.
Although a priori it may seem insignificant, the movement of the Earth is responsible for the fact that the hours of light throughout the year are not the same despite being in the same geographical point. The consequence of these light cycles is there longer and shorter days, with their corresponding nights. In consecuense, temperatures also vary and, in this way, it is how what we perceive as seasons from the human and biological perspective take place.
How important are the seasons of the year for life on Earth
This natural movement of the Earth that causes changes in the hours of light and in the temperature that reaches the same geographical region has a fundamental importance for life on Earth. Keep in mind that these seasonal cycles They have existed on our planet practically since its birth and, consequently, life has developed from this previous situation, which has led to it adapting to its existence.
Some examples of the importance of the seasons are the flowering cycle, which begins in spring in most plants, which corresponds to the time when the heat begins and, with it, the presence of pollinating insects like bees. Another example are Trees of feeble leaves, which lose their leaves when there is not much light and, in this way, use their biological resources more efficiently. It can also be taken as an example migrations of some animals, especially in the case of birds and some insects, which move geographically depending on the climatic conditions, usually, seeking more pleasant temperatures and adapting their reproductive cycles to these conditions.
How to explain the seasons of the year to children
A simple way to explain how the seasons work to children is using a globe and light of a gooseneck or flashlight. With these two tools, and taking as reference different points on the surface of the globe, the inclination of the spherical map can be changed so that it is the child himself who can check how, by changing the axis, the same place has more or less when we rotate the balloon.
It is a very simple experiment but, at the same time, very illustrative, and it is sure to be of great help when the little ones understand what the seasons of the year are from a global and large-scale perspective.
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