Pedosphere, Biogeography, and Ecosystem Dynamics

The Pedosphere: Soil Formation and Structure

Components of the Pedosphere

• Inorganic Materials: Sand, gravel, and the whole planet's crust.
• Organic Matter: Decomposed biological material (dead bodies).

Stages of Soil Evolution (Pedogenesis)

1. Birth: Decomposition of substrate, development of thickness and certain features.
2. Maturity: Reaching full evolutionary potential.
3. Deterioration: Progressive destruction.
4. Death: Soil erosion.

Factors Determining Soil Evolution

• Parent Material: Composition determines soil characteristics.
• Climate and Vegetation: Enriches and protects the soil, but can also degrade and promote erosion.
• Age of the Soil: Development is slow and progressive.
• Relief Modeling.
• Human Action: Excessive use or mismanagement.

Soil Classification by Development

Incipient Soil Types (Type I)

These soils lack distinct horizons, cold, or aggregates:

• Fluvisols: Receive sediment from rivers.
• Lithosols (Rocky): Shallow soils over hard rock.
• Regosols: Sediments formed on sedimentary rocks.

Poorly Differentiated Soil Profiles

Horizons show little discernible development:

• Leptosols
• Xerosols
• Saline Vertisols
• Arenosols
• Andosols

Fully Developed Soils

Horizons are clearly differentiated:

• Brown Moist Soils
• Southern Lime Soils
• Mediterranean Soils

Biogeographic Domains

Major Biogeographic Regions

• Eurosiberia: Alpine, Subalpine, Montane baseline. High wildlife diversity, oceanic mountainous climate (e.g., 750mm precipitation, 10-30°C range), high humidity.
• Mediterranean: Characterized by Maquis, Garrigue, and Steppe (semi-arid areas). Vegetation adapted to temperature changes.
• Mountain Regions.
• Macaronesian (Canary Islands): Sub-desertic vegetation type. Features altitudinal range vegetation: basal, intermediate, upper mountain, and high mountain zones.
• Riverside Landscape.

Climate, Soil Types, and Landscape

Soil Types by Climate Zone

• Oceanic Climate Areas: Humid, featuring Brown Soils and Leptosols type.
• Mediterranean Climate Areas.
• Semi-Arid Climate Areas: Often feature Xerosols.
• Areas of Lithology and Limestone: Brown Limestone Soils and Leptosols type Rendzina.
• Areas of River Channels.

Landscape and Ecosystem Elements

• Landscape Definition: An ecosystem area influenced by economic, social, and cultural factors.
• Ecosystem Elements: Biocoenosis (the creatures that inhabit the earth) + Biotope (the physical environment they inhabit).

Factors Influencing Vegetation

• Abiotic Factors: Sunshine, temperature, and precipitation.
• Vegetation Types based on Adaptation:
  • Xerophile: Adapted to dry climates.
  • Hygrophile: Adapted to wet climates.
  • Umbrophile: Tolerant of lack of light (shade-loving).
  • Thermophile: Tolerant of temperature changes.
  • Cryophile: Adapted to cold weather.
• Relief Influence:
  • Sunny Slopes: More insolation and heat.
  • Shady Slopes (Obac): Less insolation, cold, and humid.

Community Dynamics and Species Origin

Community States

• Climax Community: Optimal equilibrium relationship between the Biocoenosis and the Biotope.
• Potential or Climax Vegetation: The vegetation that would naturally exist without human interference.
• Current Vegetation: The vegetation present now, often due to anthropogenic effects, natural disaster imbalance, or succession.

Species Origin and Classification

• Native Species:
  • Local Origin: Typical of the peninsula.
  • Wild: Developed without significant human action.
  • Endemic: Restricted to specific areas.
• Non-Native Species:
  • Allochthonous Species (Outside): Introduced by human action or ocean currents.
  • Cosmopolitan Species: Introduced unintentionally (often widespread).
  • Naturalized/Feral Species (Assilvestrades): Fully established and reproducing in the wild.
• Man-Made Elements: Extinction (pejorative effect), introduction of new species.