The article considers the origin of the word "parcel", defines its meaning in different areas of human activity: the history of land use, in physics, in botany, in ecology, where it is one of the basic concepts. An attempt was made to define the very concept of partiality.
Parcel literally means "particle"
The meaning of the word parcel goes back to the Latin pars (partis) - "part", but with the diminutive suffix (cell) the word takes on the meaning - "a small particle of something".
But in the Middle Ages in Europe (France, Italy), the concept of partiality had a slightly different meaning, namely, "a piece", "a part of something concrete in something general, large, but fragmented into shapeless parts".
Therefore, a medieval parcel is a very small plot of land of a peasant economy, which was carried out in the most primitive way. Such a site could have the most unpredictable shape, in contrast to the Russian concept of "cell", which assumed some quadrangular shape.
What else is called "parcel"
Another meaning of this word is in the concept of partial pressure, known to us from a high school physics course. Partial pressure is the pressure exerted by one gas from a common mixture of gases if it alone filled the entire volume occupied by the entire gas mixture.
Parcella is also a rather capricious indoor plant - ficus, originating from the Pacific Islands. It loves watering very much and does not like strong illumination. The bright green leaves of this plant are dotted with white-yellow splashes, stripes, mottled marble spots of various shapes, for which the plant got its name.
Parcel as part of an ecosystem
The word "parcel" has acquired a special meaning in ecology. A parcel is a microgroup in ecology, artificially isolated in a horizontal section of a biogeocenosis (simply called an ecosystem). The selection is made according to one main plant species, usually trees. For example, a parcel of oaks in a deciduous forest biogeocenosis, which includes soil, grass, undergrowth, microorganisms, fungi and other species.
Parcels in ecosystems usually vary both in area and in configuration. Their boundaries are usually fuzzy, blurred, often of a transitional nature.
Heterogeneity, mosaicity, spotting (or partiality) is characteristic of most ecosystems, because their life activity is influenced by a huge number of factors:
- rough terrain;
- action of water and wind;
- fight between different speciesplants;
- illuminance;
- features of growth and reproduction;
- impact of animal ecosystems;
- random distribution and more.
The human factor influencing a parcel is often the main factor determining its sustainability, and, therefore, indicating the possibility of its existence, expansion or disappearance.
Parcels are not similar to each other, they differ in species composition, structure, food and other biological connections.
Why study parcels in ecosystems
Parcels in ecosystems are isolated for better study of the living conditions of certain species of living organisms. Particular attention is paid to parcels containing endangered species, as well as species of commercial value (valuable forest species, medicinal herbs, berries).
