Biometeorology
The Biometeorology (formed from ancient Greek βίος bios "life", ancient Greek μετέωρον METEORON " celestial phenomenon ", " meteor ", and ancient Greek λόγος lógos "teaching" ) is a branch of meteorology and interdisciplinary science. It deals with direct and indirect relationships between the atmosphere and outer space and biological systems such as humans and even entire ecosystems. Synonymous terms are medicine meteorology, Bioclimatology and Meteoro - biology. Participants are asked to relations between weather and health.
Areas
Biometeorological disciplines are the Phytologische Biometeorology, dealing with weather effects on plant growth and geographical spread, the zoological Biometeorology, the Humanbiometeorologie well as other specific areas. Closely interlinked with the life sciences and in particular the ecology as well as in terms of most higher mammals with medicine.
Research objects and tasks
The reaction of biological (and also purely biochemical ) processes on weather conditions is referred to as Biotropie, whereas the corresponding reactions of entire biological systems as Meteorotropie.
A majority of the population confirmed in demoscopic surveys to be under the weather. However, the correlations themselves are often complex in nature, sometimes difficult to detect, and sometimes contradictory.
The investigation of the influence of strong natural electromagnetic fields, such as during storms; also by the natural sferics are subject biometeorological research.
History
Since at least 5000 years man asks generally in accordance with the weather conditions and geographical position on the current health status and health. The Nisaba song from the 4th millennium BC (Tell Halaf culture see also the Epic of Gilgamesh ) is first recorded biometeorological notes. In the Book of Job in the Old Testament there is a further such notice. In the 5th century BC, Hippocrates wrote his work " air, water, location ", the detail devoted to these issues.
The Frisian " Lex Frisionum " from the 9th century refers explicitly for sentencing on assault on the weather, which had to be considered when pain and suffering.
Alexander von Humboldt (1796-1859) emphasized the importance of the atmosphere for plant growth, and the health of humans and introduced the term climate.
Today's modern term Biometeorology was founded in 1956 at a symposium in Paris.
Methods and sizes
Interdisciplinary sets the Biometeorology on observed physiological studies, weather simulations in climate chambers and statistical evaluation of existing meteorological and medical data. It uses essentially the working methods of micro- climatology.
The Humanbiometeorologie determined in particular the specific conditions under which the human body works. The most important is the perceived temperature and with her windchill and humidex. In the interest are also the specific differences in the weather compatibility of healthy and sick people.
To assess the climate in terms of temperature sensation, the Predicted Mean Vote ( PMV) is often used, a computed from the comfort equation, expressed how many people expected to evaluate a climate as unpleasant. The climate -Michel- model of the German Weather Service uses such as the PMV in order to make statements about the well-being of the average person can. This " Michel " is 1,75 m tall 75 kg in weight, has a body surface area of 1.9 m and an age of around 35 years.
Medical - meteorological forecasts
Results of meteorological research led to the introduction of various warning services to affected weather-sensitive people, or certain populations from various weather-related impairments (eg by Föhnwind ) or weather-related allergen concentrations, exposure to dust or ozone levels to warn. For about 15 years the media disseminate daily " Biowetterberichte ".
Only a few factors, however, are scientifically proven. In particular, forecasts were problematic, make certain weather conditions for specific complaints responsible. Jürgen Klein Schmitt of the University of Munich called such predictions " like horoscopes ". Hans Richner from ETH Zurich said, " to warn me before colic, scar pain and other symptoms, is nonsense."
Literature on the subject
- Von Humboldt, Alexander ( 1845): Cosmos I. pp 340.361 ( orig ). JG Cotta'scher Verlag, Stuttgart and Augsburg
- Volker Faust: Biometeorology. Hippocrates Publishing 1979 ISBN 3-7773-0394-1
- SW Tromp (1963 ): Medical Biometeorology. 991 pp. Elsevier Publ Co, Amsterdam