zonális

Zonális is a Hungarian adjective meaning relating to or divided into zones. It derives from zóna (zone) with the suffix -ális, used to form adjectives that describe characteristics or relations. The closest English equivalent is zonal or zonally, depending on the function.

In geography and urban planning, zonális describes systems organized by geographic zones or land-use zones. Phrases such as zonális eloszlás (zonal distribution) or zonális terület (zonal area) are used to discuss how phenomena vary across zones, for example climate zones, administrative zones, or market zones.

In meteorology, zonális describes patterns that run along latitudinal bands, such as zonális (west-to-east) flow rather than meridional (north-south) flow. The term contrasts with patterns driven by local contrasts and is used in studies of jet streams, atmospheric circulation, and climate patterns.

In ecology and biology, zonális gradients refer to systematic changes in species composition or ecosystem structure across environmental gradients, such as altitude, moisture, or temperature. Zonation is a related concept describing the layered or banded arrangement of communities on a landscape or shoreline.

Etymology and usage note: zonális is characteristic of Hungarian scientific and descriptive language, but the underlying idea—organization by zones—is cross-linguistic, and the English cognate zonal is used in many disciplines. See also zonation, zoning, and zonal flow.