Season

Season

A season is a division of the year marked by changes in weather, ecology, and the amount of daylight. On Earth, seasons are the result of Earth's orbit around the Sun and Earth's axial tilt relative to the ecliptic plane.

Overview

In temperate and polar regions, the seasons are marked by changes in the intensity of sunlight that reaches the Earth's surface, variations of which may cause animals to undergo hibernation or to migrate, and plants to be dormant. Various cultures define the number and nature of seasons based on regional variations.

Causes and effects

The seasons result from the Earth's axis of rotation being tilted with respect to its orbital plane by an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees. (See Axial tilt)

Effects on life

Seasonal weather fluctuations (changes in day length, temperature, and rainfall) can affect the biological life in the surrounding environment. For example, in the tropics, various species depend on the seasonal rains to reproduce. Meanwhile, in the temperate and polar regions, seasons are of great importance to life.

Cultural aspects

Different cultures have different ways of recognizing or celebrating the changes of seasons. For example, some cultures, like the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, have a four-season model that includes spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Others, like in the Hindu calendar, have six seasons.

See also

• Climate
• Equinox
• Solstice
• Tropical year

References

Season Resources
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