What is a natural area? Types and features. Geographical envelope of the Earth
In order to find out what natural zones are, let us remember that they are formed on the basis of geographical zones: equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate, subarctic and arctic. If you wonder how many of them there are, then in geography it is customary to count nine categories. Let's consider natural areas and their features.
Equatorial and tropical forests
Characterized by heat and big amount tropical showers. It has the highest humidity on Earth. The top layer of soil is very fertile, which makes it possible to grow fruit and vegetable crops all year round and harvest several times.
Largest a tropical forest in the world is located in the Amazon River Valley. Many places in this impenetrable thicket have still not been explored by people. Equatorial forests are rich in different types flora and fauna. Here you can meet the smallest birds - hummingbirds, bloodthirsty alligators and apes.
Rice. 1. Equatorial forests
Equatorial deserts and semi-deserts
These areas are characterized by a very arid climate with scorching sun most of the year. The flora and fauna are very scarce; living organisms have to adapt to the harsh conditions of the desert. There are practically no minerals in the soils, and moisture is so far away that the roots of plants (cacti) have to go hundreds of meters deep.
The largest desert on Earth is the Sahara Desert in Africa.
Rice. 2. Desert
Savannas and woodlands
Already from the name it is obvious that this is an area of rare trees. The vegetation here is predominantly herbaceous, characterized by low bushes and rare trees. There is very little rainfall per year and it is hot for most of the year.
Hard-leaved forests and shrubs
This zone is typical for Mediterranean countries. A variety of plants and many trees, mostly conifers, are found here. The characteristic fauna can now only be found in zoos. Urbanization and technological progress have led to the fact that forests have practically disappeared in Europe, and with them the ancient fragile natural world. The soils here are red-brown.
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Steppes and forest-steppes
The most fertile lands, chernozems, are formed in this zone. The climate is mild, with moderate winters and an arid climate. The forest-steppe has a rich flora and fauna; the steppes are inhabited mainly by rodents, predators, and large birds.
Broadleaf and mixed forests
Most of Russia is just a forest zone. Temperate climate, warm summer And Cold winter allow a large number of animals to survive here. The flora is represented by hundreds of species of bushes and trees.
Taiga
The Taiga zone is found in northern countries such as Canada, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. Winter here is getting colder and there is less summer. The entire area is covered evergreen forests, consisting of coniferous trees: spruce, pine, larch. Representatives of the fauna are mainly predators.
Tundra and forest-tundra
The climate zone in which it is located is subarctic. You can find it in two countries: Russia and Canada. In the forest-tundra there are still low-growing trees and shrubs, in the tundra there are only mosses and lichens. The soil is peaty and swamps predominate. Due to the fact that it is winter here most of the year, the earth does not warm up. Among the animals there are hares, arctic foxes, and reindeer.
Natural areas
The location of ecological communities on Earth has a pronounced zonal structure associated with changes in thermal conditions (primarily the flow of solar energy) at different latitudes. Natural zones are elongated in the latitudinal direction and replace each other when moving along the meridian. Own, altitudinal, zoning is formed in mountain systems; In the world's oceans, the change in ecological communities with depth is clearly visible. Natural areas are closely related to the concept of habitat - the area of distribution of a given type of organism. Biogeography studies the patterns of distribution of biogeocenoses on the surface of the Earth.
The earth's land is divided into 13 main latitude zones: Arctic and Antarctic, subarctic and subantarctic, northern and southern temperate, northern and southern subtropical, northern and southern tropical, northern and southern subequatorial, equatorial.
Let's consider the main biogeographical zones of land. The area around the poles is covered by cold arctic (in Southern Hemisphere– Antarctic) deserts. They are characterized by an extremely harsh climate, extensive ice sheets and rocky deserts, undeveloped soils, and the scarcity and monotony of living organisms. Animals of the Arctic deserts are mainly associated with the sea - these are the polar bear, pinnipeds, and in Antarctica - penguins.
To the south of the Arctic deserts is the tundra (Finnish tunturi “treeless hill”); in the Southern Hemisphere, tundra is represented only on some subantarctic islands. Cold climate and soils underlying permafrost determine the predominance of mosses, lichens, herbaceous plants and shrubs here. To the south, small trees (for example, dwarf birch) appear, and the tundra gives way to forest-tundra. The fauna of the tundra is quite homogeneous and scarce: reindeer, arctic foxes, lemmings and voles, as well as extensive bird markets. Mosquitoes are abundant among insects. Most vertebrates leave the tundra with the onset of winter (migrate or fly away to warmer regions). Near the seas and oceans, tundra and forest-tundra give way zone of oceanic meadows.
To the south the forest-tundra begins temperate forests; first coniferous (taiga), then mixed, and finally broad-leaved (the southern temperate zone almost completely covers the world's oceans). Temperate forests occupy vast areas in Eurasia and North America. The climate here is already much warmer, and the species diversity is several times greater than in the tundra. On podzolic soils, large trees dominate - pine, spruce, cedar, larch, and to the south - oak, beech, birch. Common animals include carnivores (wolf, fox, bear, lynx), ungulates (deer, wild boars), songbirds, separate groups insects
Zone temperate forests replaced by forest-steppe and then steppe. The climate is becoming warmer and drier, among soils greatest distribution chernozems and chestnut soils are obtained. Cereals predominate, among animals - rodents, predators (wolf, fox, weasel), birds of prey (eagle, hawk), reptiles (vipers, snakes), beetles. A large percentage of the steppes are occupied by agricultural land. Steppes are common in the Midwest of the United States, Ukraine, the Volga region and Kazakhstan.
The next zone after the steppe is the zone of temperate semi-deserts and deserts (Central and Central Asia, western North America, Argentina). The desert climate is characterized by low precipitation and large daily temperature fluctuations. As a rule, there are no bodies of water in deserts; Only occasionally the deserts are crossed by large rivers (Huang He, Syrdarya, Amu Darya). The fauna is quite diverse; most species are adapted to living in arid conditions.
As you approach the equator, the temperate zone is replaced by subtropics. In the coastal zone (northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, southern coast of Crimea, the Middle East, southeastern USA, extreme south of South Africa, southern and western coasts of Australia, North Island of New Zealand) evergreens are common subtropical forests; far from the sea there is a forest-steppe (in North America - prairies), steppe and deserts (the latter - in South Australia, on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in Iran and Tibet, northern Mexico and western South Africa). The fauna of the subtropics is characterized by a mixture of temperate and tropical species.
Tropical rain forests(South Florida, West Indies, Central America, Madagascar, Eastern Australia) are largely plowed and used for plantations. Large animals have been practically exterminated. Western Hindustan, Eastern Australia, Parana basin in South America and South Africa - areas of more arid tropical savannas and woodlands. The most extensive area tropical zone– deserts (Sahara, Arabian Desert, Pakistan, Central Australia, Western California, Kalahari, Namib, Atacama). Vast areas of pebble, sand, rocky and salt marsh surfaces are devoid of vegetation. The fauna is sparse.
The equatorial belt (Amazon basin, Central Africa, Indonesia) is located closest to the equator. The abundance of precipitation and high temperatures determined the presence of evergreens here. rain forests(in South America such a forest is called hylea). The equatorial belt holds the record for the diversity of animal and plant species.
Similar patterns are observed in the change of biogeographic zones in the mountains - altitudinal zone. It is caused by changes in temperature, pressure and air humidity with increasing altitude. There is, however, no complete identity between the altitudinal, on the one hand, and latitudinal, on the other hand, belts. Thus, the alternation of polar day and night inherent in the typical tundra is deprived of its high-mountain counterparts in lower latitudes, as well as alpine meadows.
The most complex spectra of altitudinal zones are characteristic of the high mountains located near the equator. Toward the poles, the levels of altitudinal belts decrease, and their diversity decreases. The spectrum of altitudinal zones also changes with distance from the seashore.
The same natural areas are found on different continents, however, forests and mountains, steppes and deserts have their own characteristics on different continents. The plants and animals that have adapted to exist in these natural zones also differ. In biogeography, there are six biogeographic regions:
Palearctic region (Eurasia without India and Indochina, North Africa);
Nearctic region (North America and Greenland);
Eastern region (Hindustan and Indochina, Malay Archipelago);
Neotropical region (Central and South America);
Ethiopian region (almost all of Africa);
Australian region (Australia and Oceania).
Living organisms inhabit not only land, but also the oceans. The ocean is home to about ten thousand species of plants and hundreds of thousands of animal species (including more than 15 thousand species of vertebrates). Plants and animals inhabit two very different regions of the world's oceans - the pelagic (surface layers of water) and benthic ( sea bottom). Latitudinal zones are well expressed only in the near-surface waters of the ocean; With increasing depth, the influence of the sun and climate decreases, and the water temperature approaches +4 °C typical for the ocean thickness.
Published: 06.04.2018 Category: Author's essayIn 1807, German geographer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt discovered a science called landscape science. After his research in world geography, the concept of “natural areas” was born. Russia (as a transcontinental country) got 9 of them. After all, this is a sixth of the land, equal in area to 17,125,191 square kilometers. Despite this, our country is ahead of the United States in terms of the number of PZs. The fact is that two states and a couple of dependent territories of this state are already in the tropics. This review will present characteristics of natural zones in Russia.
Arctic desert
The natural zones of Russia begin with the huge archipelagos of the Arctic - Novaya and Severnaya Zemlya. Such biocomplexes also have “branches” in the far north of the Urals and in Siberia - in the lower reaches of the deep Ob, Khatanga, Lena, Indigirka, Kolyma.
The named groups of islands lie in the Arctic, representing a wasteland covered with snow and ice, in places crossed by ravines and hills. In total (including the Asian areas) the “dubious wealth” amounts to 9,000,000 sq. km.
Soils and climate
Summer in this zone is short and very cold. Zero degrees can only be expected in August. That is, snow and ice are a year-round phenomenon. Those spaces that are still free of glaciers are bound by permafrost. The absolute minus in January exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. There is little precipitation throughout the year, up to 400 mm. The so-called “polar night” lasts 150 days. The soil here is least humified, giving life only to primitive forms of lichens and mosses (cladonia, nephroma, parmelia).
Flora and fauna
Biota is all fungi and microorganisms. Of the mammals, unusual, polar animals live. There are many natural areas in Russia, but you will find some species of seals, walruses, seals, and northern fish (for example, killer whale) only here. The same goes for birds (snowy owl, pink gull and guillemot). Polar bears are also found exclusively in snowy expanses - on the northernmost pieces of Russian land. Or in Antarctica! Arctic waters are home to 25% of salmon and almost the entire reindeer population. Representatives of the indigenous population of those regions of Russia that are occupying Arctic lands are allowed to hunt this species.
Recreational potential
Only 2 places are open to tourists in the Arctic - Wrangel Island and the Great Arctic Nature Reserve. They are the northernmost protected natural areas in our Fatherland. Affordable recreation is educational. The most popular excursion is to the islands where tiny creatures live - lemmings. Since July 15, fishing tourism has become famous in these places, permitted at a special training ground (a rather expensive tour is called “Fishing at the ends of the earth”). Some operators organize snowmobile races.
Tundra
The natural areas of Russia, located at the northern tip of Eurasia, are called tundra. In fact, this is the northernmost steppe on the planet. Similar landscapes exist on the upper “floors” of mountains or on very high plateaus.
Geographical location and relief
This refers to the geographic area north of the dendrosphere (tree zone). In Russia, it covers the Arctic Circle, as well as adjacent strips of land. This is the northern quarter European Russia and the northern third of Siberia. The desired natural region has mountainous areas and lowlands (usually swampy). In the Russian Federation, tundra and forest-tundra together occupy about 19,000,000 square kilometers (on both continents).
Soils and climate
Natural belts of Russia like this are characterized by extremely low precipitation (up to 300 mm per year) and cold temperature(although it is already warmer here than in the Arctic). In July-August the thermometer can rise to 10 degrees Celsius, but at the height of the “polar night” (almost as long as in the Arctic) -30°C reigns here.
Flora and fauna
This circumstance is the reason for the poor biocenosis. Lichens and mosses are joined only by angiosperms, and in the south of the subarctic climate zone– stunted shrubs (birberry, bush willow and marsh sedge).
In such an environment live the same reindeer, arctic fox, fox, wolf, bighorn sheep, lemming and even brown hare (in the far south). Among the winged animals, the most common are the red-breasted pipit, the bunting, the white-winged plover and, of course, the polar owl. The ichthyofauna is represented by vendace, omul, whitefish, and nelma. It is the relict species of the animal world that are listed. Scientists consider the threat of environmental disaster to be the main biotopic difference of the tundra. This belt is home to the most exploited oil and gas fields. Where people come, more and more species of flora and fauna disappear. In particular, the pristine landscape has been severely damaged by the appearance of so-called “burning lakes” - ignited oil spills.
Recreational potential
Protected areas are the “gateway” to the tundra natural zones of Russia. Among the gas conservancies located here are Taimyrsky, Ust-Lensky, Laplandsky and Pasvik. In addition to the familiar ecological and educational tourism, extreme adventures are practiced - river rafting, jeep safari, and in winter - dog and reindeer sled racing. The low mountains of these surroundings (especially in the Murmansk region) are increasingly becoming interesting to speleologists and climbers. Fishing and hunting (especially photographic) are popular. A large number of Russians come to photograph the northern lights. The southern “branch” of the tundra is the Lagonaki plateau. This is a fragment of the Caucasian State Reserve in southern Adygea, where there is a famous ski infrastructure and countless tourist centers. However, the northern tundra can also boast of hospitality. For example, Pasvik is a territory in the contiguous lands of the Russian Federation and Norway, which is the border of the tundra and taiga (in the west the forest rises to high latitudes...). There are several tourist areas on both sides of the border. There is also a small building of an ecological museum (the village of Rajakoski), as well as a waterfall of the same name.
Forest-tundra and northern meadows
Forest-tundra and taiga are the largest natural zone in Russia, stretching from the south Kola Peninsula to the tip of Kamchatka. The main feature of that part, which is named in the title, is oppressed open forests and shrubs, the presence of “northern meadows” in the south of the Kamchatka Territory. The zone is typical for a third of the US states and most of Canada.
Geographical location and relief
A map of Russia’s natural zones immediately makes clear the enormous scale of the “kingdom” of low-growing birch, dwarf spruce, shrubs and tall marsh grass. This is the 3rd part of all Siberia (middle), Southern Kamchatka, part of the Arkhangelsk region and the Komi Republic. More than 20 million sq. km. In terms of altitudinal division, this land is plains with a large number of swampy lowlands and shallow river channels. Highlands, however, are present in Komi - northern end Ural mountains, as well as the Timan ridge... Geological formations of approximately the same stratification exist in the south of Kamchatka.
Soils and climate
The weather in this area is the same as in other tundra zones, with the only difference being that the above-mentioned elevations protect the adjacent locations from many winds, creating a microclimate rich in dwarf forest vegetation.
Local soils contain a lot of peat, and in the south of the landscape they are already podzolic - this is where the so-called “white soils” begin, which are already considered a “cushion” for the boreal forests going south. Their “business card” is an 85% layer of so-called silica.
Flora and fauna
This area contains all those plants of natural zones of Russia that have one feature. The grass here is as tall as a tree. Because the trees are short. The conversation turned to Karelian birch, dwarf spruce, tall birch and larch. In the north, their trunks are often bent to the ground. And sometimes it is so bizarre that such a pseudo-forest is called “dancing”. In the south they are straighter and higher. At the southern geographic boundary, tall open forest begins, in places interspersed with full-fledged pines, cedars and fir trees. The fauna is actually no different from the tundra. However, there is an animal that is found exclusively in the North Siberian Lowland. Putorana "variety" bighorn sheep. After all, here is the Putorana Plateau, famous for biologists, where the reserve of the same name is located. We will talk about it in the next paragraph.
Recreational potential
The Putorana Plateau State Reserve is known as the “lakeiest” within the forest-tundra. Its most famous is the Khantai reservoir (Kutarmo). The length reaches 80 kilometers, and the depth is as much as 420 meters. A few tourists wander along the shores of a small “sea” (made up of rocks from a glacial basin), stopping at the village of Khantayskoe Lake (west of the mouth of Khatancha). And yet, the most pronounced landscapes of the described natural-climatic region are the tracts of the Kronotsky (Southern Kamchatka) and Pechero-Ilychsky reserves, as well as the Yugyd Va State Nature Reserve (Komi Republic). The first is known for thermal springs in the craters of volcanoes, on the shores of which unnaturally bright greenery grows (grass as tall as a person), as well as a huge population of bears.
The second two are of interest to extreme sports enthusiasts and lovers of North Ural ethnic music. It is possible to find tourist centers in an unguarded area. Many of them are intended for hunters and fishermen. Moreover, “Yugyd-Va” gives travelers the chance to book a visit directly on the national park’s website. The most popular hike is to the hill called Narodnaya. Its upper level is a picturesque alpine meadow, which is simply impossible to forget! The environmental trend captivates “hikers”. There are parking spaces. There are historical trips to GULAG sites. For example, ordinary tourists from Arkhangelsk have access to a tour to the historical museum-reserve on the Solovetsky Islands. They are located right in the forest-tundra zone - at the exit from the famous Onega Bay.
Taiga
The natural zones of Russia, traditional for our ancestors (Proto-Slavic, Proto-Baltic and Finno-Ugric), are associated with coniferous forests. In geography it is designated by the word “taiga”. It is divided into southern (found in the Caucasus and Crimea) and northern. The latter occupies the space from the southern limits of the Murmansk Pasvik Nature Reserve and Veliky Novgorod in the west to Kamennaya Kolyma and the tip of Kamchatka in the south.
Geographical location and relief
This nickel of the planet was in first position in the ranking of landscapes northern forest(forest-tundra and taiga). After all, it occupies 15,000,000 square kilometers, stretching in a strip of 800 km. ( European part RF), and then 2150 km. (Eastern Siberia).
The geological history of the region of the Earth where the boreal forest grows is associated with increased mountain formation, as well as the appearance of the deepest rivers at the junctions of different platforms. In fact, there are lowlands, hills, mountains, foothills, plains, and deep river beds. But the varied topography partially explains some natural areas in Russia. In this piece of Eurasia, all conditions have been created for the growth of huge coniferous thickets. More on this below.
Soils and climate
Taiga is located in the “kingdom” of a cold-temperate, and partly mid-temperate climate. "Coniferous". At the height of summer, the temperature here ranges from +20 to +25°C, in January - from -15 to -30°C (the exception is parts of the “Mediterranean” taiga, where it is much warmer in winter). In the west, rainfall is almost double that of the eastern tip of this geographical country. In the middle – average humidity (climatic norm). The soils are podzolic (they are described in the chapter above), and the swampy part of the dense spaces is rich in peat. Bad weather reigns in the Murmansk, Leningrad and Novgorod regions. This is where the influence of the cloudy Atlantic comes into play.
Flora and fauna
The boreal vegetation of natural zones of Russia includes all types of coniferous flora (cedar, fir, larch, spruce, pine) with frequent inclusions of birch trees. In the southern (Caucasian and Crimean) taiga, yew dominates (in Crimea - berry yew, Crimean pine and Steven maple, included in the Red Book). Trees of this family grow only on slopes. Don't fall under straight lines Sun rays... Cedar is more of a Siberian phenomenon. Extraction of his cones (with the rich in useful material nuts) is the most common type of Siberian gathering. In “northern Russian Asia” there is a lot of pine and birch. Different types.
Recreational potential
The southern taiga is better characterized by the coniferous protected areas “Crimean” and “Caucasian”. These reserves include many tourist routes of varying difficulty, climbing and speleological attractions, starting points for extreme river rafting, objects of historical value (such as cave cities in the upper part of the slopes of the South Coast mountains or dolmens in Adygea). Both GZs have shelters (numbered) on their climbing trails. And at the start of famous routes there are cozy recreation centers. The brands of the northern taiga are the nature reserves of southern Karelia, the Kologrivsky Forest (Kostroma Region), as well as the arboretums of the Kirov Region. And yet the most famous is considered to be... Barguzinsky GZ. These are the shores of Lake Baikal, the cleanest and deepest in the world. There is a tour “The Charm of Olkhon”, during which you will reveal all the secrets of this area of the continent, and also take a health course on thermal spring"Davsha." Similar sanatoriums include “Berezki” (GZ “Caucasian”) and “Martialnye Vody” (Karelia).
Zone of mixed and deciduous forests
We would place this one in the rating of “the most beautiful natural areas of Russia”. Mixed thickets are especially striking in the fall, shimmering with green, golden, yellow and brown shades. In the literature, the European section of this region is called “central Russia.” In its north is her “Golden Ring”.
Geographical location and relief
When there is a map of Russia’s natural zones on the table, it is immediately clear that the territory described occupies its historical core, starting from the southern half of the Novgorod and northern half of the Belgorod regions in the west, and ending with Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands in the east. Separate sections of this natural reserve are the northern half of Kamchatka, as well as Western and Central Ciscaucasia. It is worth noting that in Siberia the taiga strongly presses this described biotope to the south, cutting it greatly in the Far East.
Most of the world's mixed and broadleaf forests lie on the plains, hills, shallow lowlands, and middle strata of the mountainous uplands of Eurasia.
Soils and climate
This PZ gravitates towards a zone of medium-temperate climate, the areas of which are no different from each other in terms of warmth. The exception is the Novgorod and Pskov regions, where there are slightly more cloudy days and precipitation. And the most striking example is the Moscow and Vladimir regions. Summer in these regions of the federation is ideal - sunny days alternate evenly with slightly rainy ones, average temperature+22°C. In winter, the temperature ranges from – 10°C to – 20°C. The winds are often squally, but not hurricane-force. In January they lead to frost of only – 25°C. Humidity is above normal in the west.
Flora and fauna
The greatest diversity of flora and fauna - words about “central Russia”. Relict arboretums contain both northern inhabitants (pine, spruce, fir and birch) and “taiga-deciduous” black alder. To the south grow ash, linden, poplar, oak and maple. Even closer to the forest-steppe is the heat-loving elm. Lilac, apple tree, hazel, honeysuckle, rowan, and hazel get along well. And in the riverbeds a weeping willow bent towards the water. A habitat of berries rich in species composition grows in swamps and forests. A lot of mushrooms. The grass cover in forests, around fields, in swamps, as well as in water meadows is denser, “juicier” and more varied. We are talking about the northern frontier of gardening, floriculture and gardening. In dachas and on the outskirts of villages, viburnum blooms red, and in the Amur region frost-resistant grapes grow! The difference between the local vegetation is the richest undergrowth, consisting of hundreds of species of ferns and shrubs (including berries).
Fauna - the habitat of bear, deer, elk, and roe deer. And also a wolf, a brown hare and a white hare. There are also foxes, weasels, stoats, beavers, hori, raccoon dogs and 4 species of rodents. In this geographical area we will meet more than 170 types of avifauna, and in its reservoirs - hundreds of “varieties” of fish. Excessively active forms of fishing and hunting (the area has been overpopulated since the century before last) led to the fact that many of the listed fish and animals began to quickly disappear here. Now populations are being restored artificially, including by limiting the hunting regime.
Recreational potential
For obvious reasons, the most common type of recreation here is cultural and educational. You can tour the estates yourself. And you can tour the historical cities of Russia “in bulk”, using the tourism product “Golden Ring of Russia” (by the way, this can also be a cruise). There is a rural cluster. After all, 3 years ago, studying the ethnic characteristics of the local agricultural complex became a trend among Moscow operators. In second place is forest trekking with tents. The third is multi-day fishing and hunting. In the Siberian half of this reserve, as well as on the middle “floors” of the Crimean and Caucasus mountains, speleological and mountaineering activities, river rafting and jeep safaris are practiced. Speaking about the Far East, one cannot help but mention the Ussuriysk State Plant (Shkotovsky district of Primorsky Krai). Only in the latter does he live Ussurian tiger. Saving its population is one of the tasks set by the President of our country, V. Putin. As for flora, the forests of the Ussuri region are probably the richest in species composition. Judge for yourself: cedar, southern pine and fir get along with linden, maple, walnut and wild apple trees. Among the “short plants” there are rose hips, viburnum, hazel, and honeysuckle. In the south, the variety is complemented by cherries, maakia and bird cherry.
Hundreds of forest sanatoriums are considered to be medical resorts in the strip of the specified natural reserve. The most typical health resorts that practice climatotherapy are located around such natural parks Western Russia like Botchinsky, Bryansky forest, Vishera, Voroninsky, Daursky, Belogorye and Kaluga zaseki. The Central Federal District is known for its unique sanatoriums in the Moscow region - “Orbita”, “Izumrud”, “Podmoskovye” and “Sosny”. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the Gorky Sea sports complex is popular - on the shore of the reservoir of the same name. In addition to forest walks, various procedures are practiced here. But they have special value broadleaf forests Western and Central Ciscaucasia, where most thermal mineral springs are discovered. Most of them have sanatoriums built (region Mineralnye Vody, Hot Key, CBD).
Forest-steppe
From the latitude of the northern and eastern Black Earth Region, the natural zones of Russia fragmentarily transform into the “kingdom of the steppes.” Moreover, in the western half they are all already plowed. In terms of territory size, this geographical sphere is larger than only desert and semi-desert.
Geographical location and relief
The forest-steppe covers several administrative units of the state. Part of Oryol, Orenburg and Chelyabinsk. All Belgorod, Voronezh, Tambov, Lipetsk, Saratov and Penza. This natural reserve is also found in the foothills of Altai, decorating the beds of the largest rivers of this picturesque mountain system.
Geological biography explains one fact to us. Mostly forest-steppe is located on a hilly plain, representing part of the southeast of the Russian Platform.
Soils and climate
A transitional climate prevails - from medium-temperate to sharply continental (arid). The standard of the local variety of temperate climate is the weather in the Lipetsk region. The average winter temperature is −10 °C, summer +22 °C. Precipitation is normal. Half the days are sunny. The soil composition of the forest-steppe is characterized by the presence of so-called “northern”, and in the Belgorod region – “saturated” chernozems. As for the “northern” soils, we are talking about podzolic-humus-rich substance (“gray” soils). The 2nd variety is an example of chernozem saturated with organic matter, second only to the Stavropol and Krasnodar soil (the reason for the phenomenon is the rich cultural layer).
Flora and fauna
In the forest-steppe, oaks, linden, willow and ash are more common. Only in the far south are elm and acacia. Pyramidal poplar and hornbeam begin to appear. The latter prefers loose soils rich in humus (as in the Belgorod and Voronezh regions). However, northern birch and pine trees are still widely scattered even here (although not as densely as in the mixed forest zone). Moreover, pine loves sand. The “Central Russian” animals of Russia’s natural zones live here - the same representatives of the running, crawling, flying and swimming fauna that we talked about in the previous chapter. There is only one difference – a slightly larger number of field rodents. After all, there are more agricultural areas on the southern side of “middle Russia” - there are already black soils in the south.
Recreational potential
In this “region” there are five protected areas that have become popular among travelers. There are also little-known ones. So, about the top five. These are the reserves: Forest on Vorskla (very old oaks of the Belgorod region), Voronezh (the border of the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions - vegetation on unique sandy terraces). And also national parks: Khvalynsky (coniferous forest on chalk ravines overlooking the Volga), Volga forest-steppe (Penza region, a community of meadows and 9 species of trees), as well as “Arkaim” (steppe and forest-steppe territories with the remains of ancient settlements of the Sintashta culture). Recreation in all reserves is ecological and historical. There are the most protected biological reserves, as well as, on the contrary, hunting and fishing grounds.
The agricultural direction is represented mainly by trips to Michurinsk (Tambov region). In its suburbs there is a large museum-reserve demonstrating what the famous Russian geneticist Michurin, as well as his outstanding students, did. The main difference is that the transition zone to the steppe contains many archaeological excavations (with museums at the entrance), as well as wild boar hunting grounds. Fans of water extremes will find ideal rivers for rafting: the Don, Sosna, Vorskla, Khoper and Oskol, and in the Saratov region there are the quiet upper reaches of the Medveditsa and Bolshoy Irgiz. The forest-steppe zone has quite a few resort establishments, being an agricultural complex.
The only exception is the sparsely forested part of the Chelyabinsk region. First of all, we are talking about a recreational zone on the border of the Ural and Uvelsky regions, located between countless lakes. The Ural hospital (Lake Podbornoe) is world famous - the “Ural Artek”, where absolutely everything is treated, and also develops intelligence and motor skills! On the border of mixed forest and forest-steppe there are five lakes that “create” wonderful landscapes.
Steppe
From 53 degrees northern latitude(in the east to the south) the natural zones of Russia turn into the steppe - a plain with exclusively grass vegetation. These are not only agricultural lands (53 and 52 degrees latitude), but also virgin lands of 4 types... On this moment There is only one Black Sea steppe in the Russian Federation - in the north of the Republic of Crimea.
Geographical location and relief
The peculiarities of the natural zones of Russia in the south lie in their shorter extent from west to east. This is how Russian Eurasia works. Other states wedge in from the west, and in the east the Pacific coast goes southwest, not south. The steppes run in a sharply narrowing strip from some hills of the Crimea and Belgorod in the west to the Ob itself in the east. In Western (Altai) and Eastern Siberia (Transbaikalia) they are also present, but in the form of 7 areas isolated from each other, interspersed with forest.
Soils and climate
The weather here is sharply continental. Summer is prone to extreme heat and drought, while winter is prone to frost. It's a little warmer in the North Caucasus. The best black soils are found on the plains and foothills of this strip. This piece of land looks like a picturesque rural idyll... Every year, tall grass, feather grass, xerophytic and mountain (subalpine) plains are blown by winds from all sides. Area from the Belgorod region, Taganrog and steppe Crimea to the Volga - chernozems. In the Volga region the steppes are non-chernozem. And they continue to the north - from the Saratov region (where humus is diluted with loess), moving to the Orenburg region... The soil composition of the Trans-Volga and Siberian steppes is somewhat different than the western ones. In terms of soil, it is closer to semi-desert. We are talking about chestnut soils, the level of humus in which is only 3%, and the main layer is clay. For centuries there were only pastures here.
Flora and fauna
“Desert-plain” plants of natural zones of Russia are divided into 4 groups, which have already been listed above. It is clear that there is more fauna in the black earth west of the zone.
In the steppes there are wolves, foxes, brown hare, wild boar, roe deer, polecats and a lot of rodents. Among the birds are marsh-meadow and raptors (including three species of eagle and heron).
Recreational potential
Tourists call the most popular parts of the steppe the natural parks “Donskoy”, “Ust-Medveditsky” and “Nizhnekhopersky” (Volgograd region), the reserve of the Saratov region “Snake Mountains”, as well as the state reserve in the Rostov region - “Sholokhovsky”. All this is an example of a classic steppe landscape, where ecological recreation, horseback riding, rafting on safe rivers (some sections of the Don, Khopru, Medveditsa and Buzuluk), as well as fishing, are available. In winter, skiing, sledding and snowboarding are common on the Saratov “Snake Mountains”. All Volgograd and Rostov protected areas provide guides telling about the Cossacks... The fact is that in the Volgograd and Rostov regions most of the regional museums and almost half of the exhibitions in major cities associated with Cossack material culture and traditions. In Volgograd, Kamyshin (Kamyshinsky district) and Engels, there are institutions that tell the story of the Volga Germans who once lived here.
Semi-desert
In the left bank part of the Volgograd region, throughout the Astrakhan region and Kalmykia, as well as in the southeast of Dagestan, the natural zones of Russia are being transformed into a semi-desert - an arid biotope, a transition from steppe to desert. As for the first two subjects of the federation, they even have salt marshes.
Geographical location and relief
In Russia, semi-desert is found only in Kalmykia, Astrakhan region, on the left bank of the Volgograd region (north of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain), and also in the tiny southeastern corner of Dagestan, which is the gap between Nogai steppe and the coast of the Caspian Sea. These are the wide lower reaches of the Sulak River. The entire zone is an absolutely flat section of the East European Plain, with the exception of the Elton Lowland (a salt marsh in the southeast of the Palassovsky district of the Volgograd region).
Soils and climate
This area of the continent is a zone of harsh continental climate. It differs from the steppe in that in summer it is 4-5 degrees warmer here. By the way, only northern and eastern winds reach the lower reaches of Sulak, since its delta is surrounded from the west and south by the Caucasus, which is rapidly gaining altitude. The semi-desert is a storehouse of only chestnut soils.
Flora and fauna
The “kings” of the semi-desert are wormwood, prickly cocklebur, fescue, twig and tumbleweed. In spring, ephemeris appear in some areas - snowdrops, poppies and tulips. Those animals of the natural zones of Russia that inhabit the east of the northern half of the Southern Federal District are best represented by field rodents, brown hares and wild boars. Most birds, for obvious reasons, are predators. The white-tailed eagle, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, vulture, and black vulture are protected by the Red Book. There are endangered species among the floodplain avifauna - the mute swan and the whooper swan. In the Lower Volga, due to the increased level of poaching, they are disappearing sturgeon breeds. The Volga-Akhtuba floodplain is the largest “transit” bird habitat in the world.
Recreational potential
The Lower Volga (especially the oasis in the semi-desert - the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain) attracts fishermen. People with pulmonary diseases are attracted to the Eltonsky Nature Reserve, where a sanatorium has been set up near the salt lake Elton.
Not only lovers of salt and healing mud, but also speleologists flock to another salt marsh - Baskunchak (Bolshaya Bagdo Mountain has interesting caves). Talking about the borderlands of the 61st and 34th regions, I would like to inform the reader that there is a green sea here. The Tsimlyansk Reservoir blooms at the end of summer. The algae generates so much heat that even at night you sleep on the sand without a tent or sleeping bag! By the way, in the Tsimlyansky Sands natural park (a hotbed of semi-desert in the middle of the steppe) tent camps with equipment rental, viewing of mustangs and a tour of the former places habitat of the Old Believers. People go to the Kalmyk “Black Lands” to hunt and see Buddhist datsans and mustangs. And the end of April is the traditional photo hunt for tulips. There is a Chess City in Elista.
They head to the lower reaches of the Dagestan Sulak to look at the remains of ancient Shamkhal (the former capital of the Kumyk principality). They also plunge into the Caspian Sea - on the shore. From a historical point of view, Derbent is more interesting. Caucasian Islam began in the southernmost city of the Russian Federation. Aul Kubachi is now a “jewelry and weapons” center North Caucasus. Iranian shahs bought sabers and daggers from local craftsmen. Tours from Volgograd, Astrakhan, Rostov-on-Don and Makhachkala are dedicated to each of the phenomena.
Subtropics
A color map of Russia's natural zones demonstrates the diversity on the southern border of Russian Europe and Russian Asia. As you guessed, we were talking about the urban districts of the Southern Coast of Crimea, the municipality of Sudak and the Caucasus mountain system (or, more precisely, the Watershed Range itself and the Caspian coast of the Republic of Dagestan). There are three types of subtropics.
Geographical location and relief
Here we mean the urban districts of Sudak, Alushta, Yalta, Western Caucasus (Anapa, Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, Tuapse, Sochi districts) and Dagestan (namely the lower Samur).
Soils and climate
Oddly enough, the Russian subtropics represent three different climatic zones.
Dry (“Mediterranean” climates, which are essentially a transition from a temperate to a subtropical climate) include the South Coast, Sudak (Crimea) and the Western Caucasus (except for Greater Sochi). Semi-humid - 9 kilometers of the lower reaches of the Samur River (low-lying border of Dagestan with Azerbaijan). And Greater Sochi is considered wet.
The Russian “Mediterranean” is distinguished by the fact that in summer there is dry air formed in the zone high pressure descends onto a layer of sea air characterized by variable humidity. Thanks to this, there is no precipitation here. Instead there are only thunderstorms. And the heat is no stronger than “steppe”. In winter, the thermometer does not drop below -16°C, since the area is sheltered from cold (eastern and northern) winds by mountains (yayla in the Crimea and the Watershed Range in the Caucasus).
The Samur forest lies in the belt of semi-humid or “oceanic” subtropics. They are more susceptible to attacks by sea winds and currents. At the height of summer, it is not hot and windy here... The humidity is ideal (there is a normal amount of precipitation). In winter, temperatures range from -1°C to +4°C, and are only affected by the eastern winds of the hot Central Asian deserts. The problem is the wind.
Finally, humid subtropics are similar to semi-humid ones only in winter. There's just no wind here. In summer there are clouds almost every day. But the fact is that they quickly dissipate, just like constant, but very fine and short-term rain. The humidity here is high, the average July temperature ranges from +21°C to +27°C. And spring is very long and rainy. It ends, in fact, only in the first third of June.
All these pieces of Russia on the southern border of Russian Europe and Asia are tightly squeezed between high mountains and the sea. And, therefore, they are represented by the so-called mountain soils. Such soil consists of a thin meadow layer, under which there is a pebble surface.
Flora and fauna
Natural belts of Russia like this are the habitat of birds of prey and quite large (including poisonous) snakes. Mountain goats, mouflons, bison, lynxes, aurochs, Caucasian chamois, roe deer, wild boars, jungle cats and dangerous forest cats. All these animals are found on the slopes of the mountains, most species - on their lower (seaside) “floor”. In Crimea, such a stratum is represented by pistachio obtufolia, juniper, Crimean pine and Crimean cistus. In the Western Caucasus, beech and yew can be added to them. IN Greater Sochi This company is joined by thickets of hornbeam, Caucasian oak and plane tree. The Samur Forest is the owner of the only liana forest in Russia! It’s worth talking about it in more detail in order to instill tourist interest in it. Quite tall “green brothers” are entwined with vines: cork trees, wild apple trees, walnuts and hornbeams. Between their trunks you can find huge flowers of extraordinary beauty and plants whose leaves look like water lilies (on the rocky banks of river rapids).
Recreational potential
The map of Russian natural zones clearly tells us that the majority of protected natural landscapes in our state are located precisely in the subtropical zone. There are so many of them, they are small, different from each other. Therefore, they are a topic for a separate discussion (read the article “Reserves of Russia” and others). For a northern country, subtropical terrain is exotic. Therefore, resort and ecological tourism is more developed here. And even sports and recreation (dozens of health paths have been set up in Crimea, Tuapse, the mountain and coastal cluster of Sochi). And all extreme sports, of course, are associated with sea recreation (windsurfing, kiting, yachting and diving) or mountain recreation (trekking, mountaineering and jumping). By the way, the Imereti port has the largest yacht marina in Russia (more than 700 places!), and Krasnaya Polyana is the largest network of ski resorts in the CIS.
There are also many coastal and mountain resorts available to vacationers. In Crimea, in the regions of Saki and Yevpatoria, there are the most Russian mud baths (this area is located in the middle of salty estuaries and deposits of healing mud). There are small mud volcanoes in Taman (there are also lotuses), and here and there in the Anapa urban district. The Adler microdistrict (Sochi) is the only place where banjo jumping is officially practiced (Sky Park extreme entertainment complex, Kazachiy Brod). The coastal (humid subtropical) zone of the Caucasian State Park is called “Sochi National Park”. It has 9 indigenous tourist routes of varying difficulty and dozens of historical and natural attractions. The zone of dry subtropics of Crimea has an even greater number of them - this is botanical gardens around noble estates and royal residences, and museums on the site of Scythian settlements, and the remains of ancient policies, and Karaite caves, and bizarre rocky tracts. Savage tourists have chosen 75 Crimean bays, half of which are protected.
Desert
This is the smallest natural zone in Russia, the smallest object on the entire list.
Geographical location and relief
The conversation will be about about a hundred dunes of the Kumtorkalinsky massif in the Republic of Dagestan. The location is equal in area to only the Bryansk region (approximately 30,000 square kilometers). It is located west of the Makhachkala agglomeration. The largest of the dunes has the simple name Sary-Kum. From the Turkic language it is translated as “yellow sand”. It lies further south than the others. This point is the highest sand mountain in the world, having a height of 262 meters. Sand deposits are asymmetrical. The leeward side of each has a concave appearance, the opposite is curved and manages to be covered with vegetation. Only Sary-Kum is completely naked.
Soils and climate
Once in a space where the weather is unfamiliar to them, the sands of Dagestan have properties that greatly distinguish them from their counterparts from Central Asia (they, by the way, are separated by 300 kilometers of the Caspian Sea). For example, the surface of Sary-Kum does not move at all under the influence of wind. Moreover, a real... river flows through the dune! The dunes are a product of the weathering of neighboring mountains, the former sides of an ancient river bed.
The surface of the specified tract is sand. However, on the windward side of the desert hills grows flora that is not characteristic of a desert, but of a semi-desert. In some places there is even a dry stand of trees! This will be discussed in more detail in the next section. Mountain "Yellow Sands", which has the size of an average Russian village, lies in a sharply continental (arid), but still temperate climate. Therefore, in January it is not above zero, and at the height of summer - no more than 31 degrees. At the same time, for several summer days, 576 hectares of the surface of the Sarykum sands still heat up to 60 degrees Celsius. You might even get burned!
Flora and fauna
The natural zones of Russia in the south of the country are more closely intertwined with each other. The result of this was a special zoological diversity in their rugged expanses (mountains and large wastelands). The Sarykum Dunes desert is the southwestern part of this massif. It is located 18 kilometers northwest of Makhachkala. As said, only it can be called “classic”. Among the plants there are only xerophytic shrubs related to saxaul, as well as some wormwood-grass vegetation. Monitor lizards and smaller lizards live on the sandy waves. At the same time, in the remaining tracts of the Kumtorkalinsky massif we will find a landscape transitional to semi-desert - a lot of wormwood, dry trees, shiblyak thickets. The most common flowers here are astragalus - Karakuginsky and Lemana. The sands are home to 21 species of reptiles (among them the funny Mediterranean turtle), 194 species of birds (as well as eagles - steppe and imperial eagle) and 251 species of terrestrial vertebrates (usually rodents).
Recreational potential
The sandy hills of the Kumtorkalinsky massif are part of the Dagestansky nature reserve. In fact, the most carefully protected recreation in the region. First of all, educational tourism is developed here. And no wonder. The protected area includes adjacent areas of 6 landscapes at once - steppes, semi-deserts, deciduous forests (in the foothills and in the valleys of large rivers), as well as mountain and sandy deserts. It is not for nothing that it is fashionable to call the place “the center eco travel" However, in the southernmost geographical region of the Russian Federation, extreme types of recreation are also exploited. These include speleology, mountaineering, sand skiing and several types of trekking. Please know: the Sulak River is suitable for rafting in spring. And travelers, in order to begin exploring the sands, must first get to the village of Korkmaskala (along the Caucasus highway) or to the Shamkhal station (on the Kizil-Yurt - Makhachkala railway route).
As you understand, natural areas of Russia have not only a latitudinal or meridian vector of movement. They also change in the altitudinal direction. Large elevations have strata where the distance from sea level corresponds to movement to the north. Continuing to develop the topic of relief, it is worth pointing out that some microlandscapes in the south, due to their isolation, may have features of the natural zones of northern Russia. And vice versa. We hope this information will help you on your journey.
3"" Photo: Aziz J.Hayat Belt zoning
The Sun heats the spherical surface of the Earth unequally: the areas above which it stands high receive the most heat. The farther from the equator, the greater the angle at which the rays reach earth's surface and therefore less thermal energy per unit area. Above the poles, the rays of the Sun only glide over the Earth. The climate depends on this: hot at the equator, harsh and cold at the poles. The main features of the distribution of vegetation and fauna are also associated with this. Based on the characteristics of heat distribution, seven thermal zones are distinguished. In each hemisphere there are zones of eternal frost (around the poles), cold, temperate. The hot zone at the equator is one for both hemispheres. Thermal zones are the basis for dividing the earth's surface into geographical zones: areas that are similar in the prevailing types of landscapes - natural-territorial complexes that have common climate, soil, vegetation and wildlife.
On the equator and near it there is a belt of humid equatorial and subequatorial forests (from the Latin sub - under), to the north and south of it, replacing each other, there are belts of tropics and subtropics with forests, deserts and savannas, a temperate zone with steppes, forest-steppes and forests, then the treeless spaces of the tundra extend, and finally, the polar deserts are located at the poles.
But the Earth's land surface in different places not only receives different amounts of solar energy, but also has many additional dissimilar conditions - for example, distance from the oceans, uneven terrain (mountain systems or plains) and, finally, unequal height above sea level. Each of these conditions greatly affects the natural features of the Earth.
Hot belt. The equator itself has virtually no seasons; it is humid and hot here all year round. When moving away from the equator, in subequatorial zones, the year is divided into drier and wetter seasons. There are savannas, woodlands and mixed evergreen deciduous tropical forests.
Near the tropics, the climate becomes drier; deserts and semi-deserts are located here. The most famous of them are the Sahara, Namib and Kalahari in Africa, the Arabian Desert and Thar in Eurasia, Atacama in South America, Victoria in Australia.
There are two temperate zones on Earth (in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres). There is a clear change of seasons here, which differ greatly from each other. In the Northern Hemisphere, the northern border of the belt is bordered by coniferous forests - taiga, which are replaced to the south by mixed and broad-leaved forests, and then by forest-steppes and steppes. In the interior regions of continents, where the influence of seas and oceans is almost not felt, there may even be deserts (for example, the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, the Karakum Desert in Central Asia).
Polar belts. The lack of heat leads to the fact that in these zones there are practically no forests, the soil is swampy, and permafrost is found in places. At the poles, where the climate is the harshest, there are continental ice(as in Antarctica) or sea ice (as in the Arctic). Vegetation is absent or represented by mosses and lichens.
Vertical zonality is also related to the amount of heat, but it only depends on the altitude above sea level. As you climb the mountains, the climate, soil type, vegetation and wildlife change. Interestingly, even in hot countries you can find tundra landscapes and even icy deserts. But in order to see it, you have to climb high into the mountains. Thus, in the tropical and equatorial zones of the Andes of South America and in the Himalayas, landscapes successively change from wet rain forests to alpine meadows and zones of eternal glaciers and snow. It can't be said that altitudinal zone completely repeats latitudinal geographic zones, because many conditions are not repeated in the mountains and plains. The most diverse range of altitudinal zones is near the equator, for example on the highest peaks of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Margherita Peak, and in South America on the slopes of the Andes.
Natural areas
Among the natural zones there are those confined to a specific zone. For example, the zone of Arctic and Antarctic ice deserts and the tundra zone are located in the Arctic and Antarctic belts; the forest-tundra zone corresponds to the subarctic and subantarctic zones, and the taiga, mixed and deciduous forests correspond to the temperate zone. And such natural zones as prairies, forest-steppes and steppes and semi-deserts are common in both temperate, tropical and subtropical zones, having, of course, their own characteristics.
Natural areas, their climatic features, soils, vegetation and fauna of each continent are described in Chapter 10 and in the table "Continents (reference information)". Here we will dwell only on the general features of natural zones as the largest natural-territorial complexes.
Arctic and Antarctic desert zone
Air temperatures are constantly very low and there is little precipitation. On rare ice-free areas of land - rocky deserts (in Antarctica they are called oases), sparse vegetation is represented by lichens and mosses, flowering plants are rare (only two species have been found in Antarctica), soils are practically absent.
Tundra zone
The tundra zone is widespread in the Arctic and subarctic zones, forming a strip 300-500 km wide, stretching along the northern coasts of Eurasia and North America and the islands of the Arctic Ocean. In the Southern Hemisphere, areas of tundra vegetation are found on some islands near Antarctica.
The climate is harsh with strong winds, snow cover lasts up to 7-9 months, the long polar night gives way to short and humid summers (summer temperatures do not exceed 10 °C). Precipitation falls a little - 200-400 mm, mostly in solid form, but it does not have time to evaporate, and the tundra is characterized by excessive moisture, an abundance of lakes and swamps, which is facilitated by widespread permafrost. The main distinctive feature of the tundra is treelessness, the predominance of sparse moss-lichen, and sometimes grass, cover; in the southern parts with dwarf and creeping shrubs and shrubs. The soils are tundra-gley.
Forest-tundra and woodland zone
Zone of forest-tundra and woodlands. This is a transition zone, which is characterized by alternation of treeless tundra areas and forests (open woodlands), and combines the characteristics of the zones bordering it. Tundra natural complexes are characteristic of watershed areas; open forests climb north along river valleys. To the south, the areas occupied by forests increase.
In the Southern Hemisphere (subantarctic belt), the forest-tundra on islands (for example, South Georgia) is replaced by oceanic meadows. For more information about the tundra zone, see characteristics of the tundra.
Forest zone
The forest zone in the Northern Hemisphere includes the subzones of taiga, mixed and deciduous forests and the subzone of temperate forests; in the Southern Hemisphere only the subzone of mixed and deciduous forests is represented. Some scientists consider these subzones to be independent zones.
In the taiga subzone of the Northern Hemisphere, the climate varies from maritime to sharply continental. Summers are warm (10-20 °C, the severity of winter increases with distance from the ocean (in Eastern Siberia up to -50 °C), and the amount of precipitation decreases (from 600 to 200 mm). The amount of precipitation exceeds evaporation, and watersheds are often swampy, rivers are rich in water. Dark coniferous (spruce and fir) and light coniferous (larch in Siberia, where permafrost soils are common) forests with an admixture of small-leaved species (birch, aspen) and pine predominate; in the east of Eurasia - cedar. -taiga.
The subzone of mixed and deciduous forests (sometimes two independent subzones are distinguished) is distributed mainly in the oceanic and transitional belts continents. In the Southern Hemisphere it occupies small areas, winters here are much warmer and snow cover does not form everywhere. Coniferous-broad-leaved forests on soddy-podzolic soils are replaced in the inner parts of continents by coniferous-small-leaved and small-leaved forests, and to the south (in North America) or to the west (in Europe) broad-leaved oak, maple, linden, ash, beech and hornbeam on gray forest soils.
Forest-steppe
Forest-steppe is a transitional natural zone of the Northern Hemisphere, with alternating forest and steppe natural complexes. Based on the nature of natural vegetation, forest-steppes with broad-leaved and coniferous-small-leaved forests and prairies are distinguished.
Prairies are a subzone of forest-steppe (sometimes considered a subzone of steppe) with abundant moisture, stretching along the eastern coasts of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada with tall grasses on chernozem-like soils. Almost no natural vegetation has been preserved here. Similar landscapes are characteristic of the subtropics of eastern South America and East Asia.
Steppe
This natural zone is distributed in the northern temperate or both subtropical geographical zones and is a treeless area with herbaceous vegetation. Unlike the tundra, the growth of woody vegetation here is hampered not by low temperatures, but by a lack of moisture. Trees can grow only along river valleys (so-called gallery forests), in large erosive forms, such as ravines, collecting water from the surrounding interfluve spaces. Now most of the zone is plowed, in subtropical zone Irrigated agriculture and pasture cattle breeding are developing. Soil erosion is highly developed on arable lands. Natural vegetation is represented by drought- and frost-resistant herbaceous plants with a predominance of turf grasses (feather grass, fescue, tonkonogo). The soils are fertile - chernozems, dark chestnut and chestnut in the temperate zone; brown, gray-brown, in places saline in the subtropical).
The subtropical steppe in South America (Argentina, Uruguay) is called pampa (i.e. plain, steppe in the language of the Quechua Indians). See vegetation and animals of the steppe.
Deserts and semi-deserts
These natural zones are distributed in six geographical zones - temperate, subtropical and tropical on both sides of the equator, where precipitation falls so little (10-30 times less evaporation) that the existence of living organisms is extremely difficult. Therefore, the grass cover is sparse and the soils are poorly developed. In such conditions, the rocks that make up the territory become of great importance, and depending on them, clay deserts (takyrs in Asia), rocky deserts (hamads of the Sahara, Central Asia, Australia), sandy deserts (Thar desert in India and Pakistan, North American deserts) are distinguished. ). In the temperate zone, deserts are formed in areas with a sharply continental climate; subtropical and tropical deserts owe their existence to constant pressure maxima of 20-30° latitudes. Rare areas of increased moisture (high groundwater levels, spring outlets, irrigation from nearby rivers, lakes, wells, etc.) - centers of population concentration, growth of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation are called oases. Sometimes such oases occupy vast areas (for example, the Nile Valley stretches over tens of thousands of hectares). For more information, see: natural desert area.
Savannah
Savanna is a natural zone, distributed mainly in subequatorial zones, but also found in tropical and even subtropical zones. main feature The climate of the savannas is a clear change of dry and rainy periods. The duration of the rainy season decreases when moving from equatorial regions (here it can last 8-9 months) to tropical deserts (here the rainy season is 2-3 months). Savannas are characterized by dense and tall grass cover, trees standing alone or in small groups (acacia, baobab, eucalyptus) and so-called gallery forests along rivers. The soils of typical tropical savannas are red soils. In deserted savannas, the grass cover is sparse and the soils are red-brown. Tall grass savannas in South America, on the left bank of the river. Orinoco is called llanos (from Spanish “plain”). See also: vegetation and animals of the savanna.
Forest subtropics
Forest subtropics. The monsoon subtropical subzone is characteristic of the eastern margins of the continents, where seasonally changing circulation of air masses is formed at the contact between the ocean and the continent and there is a dry winter period and a wet summer with heavy monsoon rains, often with typhoons.
Thermal zones and natural areas
Evergreen and deciduous (losing leaves in winter due to lack of moisture) with great diversity tree species They grow here on red earth and yellow earth soils.
The Mediterranean subzone is characteristic of the western regions of the continents (Mediterranean, California, Chile, southern Australia and Africa). Precipitation occurs mainly in winter; summer is dry. Evergreen and broad-leaved forests on brown and brown soils and hard-leaved shrubs are well adapted to summer drought, the plants of which have adapted to hot and dry conditions: they have a waxy coating or pubescence on the leaves, thick or dense leathery bark, and secrete fragrant essential oils. See: animals of the subtropics.
Rainforests
More on the topic:
Taiga zone, plants and animals
Savannah
Characteristics of forest-tundra
Characteristics of the tundra
equatorial forest
Equatorial rainforests. Equatorial climate. Warm all year round (around 25°C), slight temperature fluctuations throughout the year, high rainfall all year round. Low pressure.
Savannah. Subequatorial climate. It's hot all year round. Precipitation falls unevenly throughout the year; there are dry and wet seasons. The main vegetation is grasses.
Deserts. IN tropical deserts Precipitation is very rare. There is very little vegetation. Temperate deserts have a wet spring period (March-April).
Steppes. Continental climate with cold winters with little snow and hot, dry summers.
Broad-leaved and mixed forests. Favorable climatic conditions - enough moisture, many sunny days, a frost-free period of about or more than six months.
Taiga. There is enough moisture, but the cold period is significant. Summers are quite warm (up to 20 °C), winters are severely frosty (average temperature –30 °C).
Tundra. The soil is permafrost. The climate is subarctic.
Natural areas
Strong winds. Long cold winter, polar night in many parts. In summer the temperature is about +5 °C.
Arctic desert. The dominance of ice, the absence of plants, the animal world is quite poor. In winter, the average temperature is -30 °C and strong winds; in summer it can be slightly above 0, with frequent rain and fog. Polar night and day.
Antarctic desert. In winter up to –70 °C, in summer no higher than –20 °C (on the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula it rises to 10 °C). Strong winds blowing towards the coast and central regions of Antarctica.
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Natural zones of Russia and their features
Nature is a complex of interconnected components that are in constant relationship with each other and depend on each other. Changes in one natural chain will certainly lead to disturbances in related components. There is a constant exchange of resources and energy between individual participants in the natural community. The presence of certain relationships is characteristic of each specific territory. This is how natural areas are formed. They, in turn, influence human economic activity and its characteristics.
The natural areas of Russia are very diverse. This is due to the vast territory, differences in relief and climatic conditions.
Among the main natural zones of our country are steppes, semi-deserts, taiga, forests, forest-steppes, tundra, arctic desert, forest-tundra. Natural areas of Russia have enough large area, which stretches for thousands of kilometers. Each of them is characterized by a specific climate, soil types, flora and fauna, as well as the degree of moisture in the area.
The Arctic desert zone is characterized by the presence of large amounts of snow and ice all year round. The air temperature here varies between 4-2 degrees. Glaciers arise from the fall of solid precipitation. The soil is poorly developed and is at an elementary level. Salt stains are observed to form in dry, windy weather. The climatic conditions of this zone also affect the nature of vegetation. Low mosses and lichens predominate here. Less common are polar poppy, saxifrage and some other plants. The fauna is also not very rich. Arctic fox, deer, owl, partridge and lemming are practically the only inhabitants of the Arctic desert.
Natural zones of Russia include the tundra zone. This is a less cold zone than the Arctic deserts. But, nevertheless, it is characterized by cold and strong winds, which is due to the proximity of the Arctic Ocean. Frosts and snowfall are possible all year round. The climate of the tundra zone is humid. The soil is also very poorly developed, which affects the vegetation cover. Mostly low shrubs and trees, mosses and lichens predominate.
Natural zones of Russia are gradually replacing each other. Next comes the forest-tundra. Warmer weather is already observed here summer period, but winter is cold with a lot of snow. Among the plants, spruce, birch and larch predominate. During the warm season, the forest-tundra serves as a pasture for deer.
The forest-tundra is replaced by taiga. It is characterized by warmer weather and less severe winters. The relief is characterized by the presence of a large number of reservoirs (rivers, lakes and swamps). The soil here is more favorable for flora, which is why the fauna here is numerous. The taiga is home to sable, hazel grouse, wood grouse, hare, squirrel, bear and many other species.
The semi-desert zone is the smallest in area. It typically has hot summers and harsh winters with little rainfall. It is mainly used for pasture.
The division of territory into zones also affects human activities. Russia's numerous natural and economic zones also determine its extensive economic activities.
Each zone is subdivided into smaller species.
Natural areas of the world: brief description. Table "Natural areas of the world"
There are also transition zones, which are characterized by the climatic characteristics of each adjacent region. Therefore, each natural area is inextricably linked with the neighboring one. Disturbances occurring in a certain region of the country lead to changes not only in the climate, but also in the animal and plant world of another zone.
The characteristics of Russian natural zones imply the characteristics of each of them, but they do not have clear boundaries and the division is conditional. In addition, human activities can affect the nature and climate of the environment.
Natural zones of the Earth differ most clearly in their vegetation cover, therefore The names of natural areas are given according to the main distinguishing feature - vegetation.
Natural zones of the equatorial and subequatorial geographical zones.
The largest areas are occupied in Africa, South America, South-East Asia and Oceania. Equatorial moist forests (hylaea) are formed under conditions of constantly high temperatures and large amounts of precipitation throughout the year. These are the richest forests on the planet in terms of species composition. They are characterized by density, multi-layered structure, abundance of vines and epiphytes (plants growing on other plants - mosses, orchids, ferns) (Fig. 20).
Rice. 20 Equatorial rainforest
In South America, under the giant ceiba and bertoletia trees grow trees with valuable wood - rosewood and pau brazil, as well as ficus and hevea; V lower tiers- palm trees and chocolate tree. In Africa, oil palms, wine palms, cola trees, breadfruit trees grow, and bananas and coffee trees grow in the lower layers. Mahogany, ironwood, ebony, and sandalwood are valuable woods. Equatorial forests of Southeast Asia and. New Guinea is poorer in species composition: palms, ficuses, tree ferns. Hylaea form on poor red-yellow ferrallitic soils.
Hylaea animals are adapted to life in trees. Many have a prehensile tail, such as the sloth, opossum, and prehensile-tailed porcupine. Only in the gilae of the Old World have they been preserved apes- gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees. Land animals include forest antelopes and tapirs. There are predators: jaguar, leopard. Many birds: parrots, guinea fowl, peacocks, toucans, hummingbirds.
Transition zone between equatorial forests and savannas are subequatorial variable-humid forests. The presence of a dry period causes the appearance of deciduous trees. Among the evergreen trees, ficus and palm trees predominate.
Savannah And woodlands located mainly in subequatorial geographic zones, the largest areas are concentrated in Africa, South America, Australia and South Asia. Savannas are predominantly open grass plains with isolated trees and groves. They are characterized by alternating dry winter and wet summer seasons. Depending on the moisture content, wet, typical and desert savannas are distinguished, under which red, brown-red and red-brown soils develop, respectively. The grass cover is formed by bearded vultures and feather grass. Among the trees in the savannas of South America, palms (Mauritian palms, wine palms, wax palms) are typical. In African savannas, in addition to palm trees (oil palm, doum), baobabs are often found (Fig. 21).
Rice. 21 Baobab savannah
Casuarinas are typical for Australia. Acacias are ubiquitous.
African savannas are characterized by an abundance of ungulates (antelope, giraffe, elephant, zebra, buffalo, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses) and predators (lion, leopard, cheetah). Animals with protective brown coloring (spice-horned deer, maned wolf), rodents (capybara) and incomplete teeth (armadillo, anteater) are typical for South American savannas. An integral part of the Australian savannas are marsupials (kangaroos, wombats) and large flightless birds (emu, cassowary).
Natural zones of tropical and subtropical geographical zones.
Forests form in the eastern oceanic regions of the tropics, and deserts and semi-deserts form in the central continental and western oceanic regions washed by cold currents.
Tropical deserts and semi-deserts - the most extensive natural zone of the tropical zones. The largest desert areas are concentrated in tropical latitudes Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and central Australia. (Use the atlas map to determine which deserts are located inland and which are on the western coasts.) These are very hot and dry areas with poor plant cover and animal life. Based on the vegetation, deserts are divided into cereal-shrub, dwarf shrub and succulent deserts. Tropical semi-deserts and deserts of North Africa - cereals and shrubs (acacia, tamarisk, wild millet, dwarf saxaul, camel thorn). In the oasis, the main cultivated crop is the date palm. For deserts South Africa Characterized by moisture-storing succulents (aloe, euphorbia, wild watermelons), as well as irises and lilies that bloom during short rains. The soils of semi-deserts are gray soils, while those of deserts are rocky or sandy (Fig. 22).
The deserts of Australia are characterized by bushy grass spinifex, while semi-deserts are characterized by thickets of quinoa and salt-tolerant species of acacia. Dry cereals and cacti grow on the gray soils of the coastal deserts of South America, and creeping and cushion-shaped grasses and thorny bushes grow on the gravelly soils of high-mountain deserts.
In the well-moistened east of the tropical zone they develop humid and variable tropical forests on red soils. In South America, palm trees, ficus, mahogany, and ceiba grow in them.
In the humid tropics of Madagascar, the “traveler’s tree”, iron and ebony trees, and rubber trees grow. Lemurs are preserved on the island. The tropical forests of Australia are characterized by eucalyptus trees, evergreen beeches, and araucarias.
Marsupials live (tree kangaroo, koala)
Rice. 22. Tropical sandy desert and “living fossils” - platypus and echidna.
On the western edge of the subtropical geographical zone in a Mediterranean climate, they are widespread tough-leaved evergreen forests And bushes . Classically hard-leaved evergreen forests are represented in the Mediterranean: cork and holm oak, Aleppo pine, pine, Atlas and Lebanese cedars, cypress with a rich undergrowth of wild olive, laurel, pistachio, myrtle, and strawberry tree.
The species composition of the vegetation of this natural zone differs on different continents. North America is home to fir, cedar, thuja, pine and ancient redwood trees. In South America - evergreen beeches, teak, and persea. The forests of South Africa consist of silverwood, Cape olive, African walnut; Australia - from eucalyptus and "grass wood".
The natural vegetation of the natural area has been largely eliminated, replaced by depleted thickets of shrubs on gray-brown soils. Brown forest soils have high fertility, so they are plowed for the cultivation of subtropical crops (olives, citrus fruits, grapevine and etc.).
The eastern margin of the subtropics is occupied by subtropical moist (including monsoon) forests of evergreen deciduous and coniferous species, with an abundance of lianas and epiphytes. Red soils and yellow soils are formed under these forests.
The richest forests remain in East Asia. They are characterized by a mixture of plants from different latitudes. Magnolia, lacquer tree and even palm trees and tree ferns grow next to maple and birch. The fauna is also characterized by a mixture of species: lynx, red deer, macaque, raccoon dog and the endangered panda.
IN continental areas subtropical zones are located subtropical steppes, semi-deserts and deserts . In Asia they have a mosaic distribution and occupy the largest areas in the south Central Asia and in the interior parts of the highlands of Western Asia. A dry climate with hot summers and warm winters allows it to grow on gray soils and brown soils. desert soils only drought-resistant grasses and shrubs (caragana, feather grass, wormwood, onions). Giant cacti (prickly pear and cereus), yucca and agaves give the subtropical deserts of North America their unique appearance. The richest subtropical steppes are in South America. On chernozem soils, forb-grass meadows of wild lupine, pampas grass, and feather grass grow.
The fauna of semi-deserts and deserts of the tropics and subtropics is represented by species adapted to high temperatures and lack of moisture. Ungulates (gazelles, mountain sheep, antelopes) travel long distances in search of food and water. “Ship of the desert” - a camel can be without food and water for a long time, storing it in its humps. Rodents dig holes: marmots, jerboas, gophers. Inhabited by scorpions, phalanges, geckos, skinks, boas (sand, steppe), snakes (vipers, rattles), monitor lizards.
Natural areas of temperate zones.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the temperate geographic zone includes most of Europe, Northern, Eastern and Central Asia, and the middle regions of North America. It has received limited distribution in the Southern Hemisphere. (Study the location of the temperate geographic zone on the atlas map.)
The largest area in temperate latitudes is occupied by forest zones. Their characteristic feature is a pronounced seasonality natural processes. In the northern part of the belt there is a continuous wide strip coniferous forests (taiga) on podzolic soils. Severe moderate continental and sharp continental climate(with the exception of the western coasts) is the reason for the predominance of coniferous species - larch, pine, spruce, fir, cedar, and in the Eastern Hemisphere - also thuja, hemlock and Douglas fir. With sufficient moisture, dark coniferous spruce-fir forests are formed, and with insufficient moisture, light-coniferous pine-larch forests are formed on frozen soils. IN southern taiga small-leaved species (aspen, alder, birch) are mixed with conifers.
Large areas are occupied by swamps.
In the southern part of the temperate zone, under conditions of marine and transitional to continental climate types, mixed and broad-leaved forests . In the Northern Hemisphere, coniferous species are gradually replaced by broad-leaved deciduous trees - beeches, oaks, chestnuts, hornbeams, maples, lindens, elms, ash trees - with an admixture of small-leaved trees, forming forests of mixed composition (Fig. 23). To the south, coniferous species disappear, completely giving way to broad-leaved ones. Soddy-podzolic soils develop under mixed forests, and brown forest soils develop under broad-leaved forests. Rice. 23. Mixed forest In the monsoon region of East Asia, unique in composition have been preserved monsoon mixed and deciduous forests . They are dominated by local species of conifers - Korean spruce and cedar, Daurian larch, as well as Manchurian and Amur species of oak, linden, chestnut, maple with a rich undergrowth of chokeberry and Amur lilac. The healing eleutherococcus and ginseng are found under the forest canopy.
Rice. 23 Mixed forest In the monsoon region
The fauna of forest zones is diverse. There are many ungulates - elk, roe deer, deer, wild boar; bison and bison are protected. The owner of the taiga is the brown bear. Valuable fur possessed by ermine, mink, marten, sable, squirrel, and weasel. Predators include wolf, fox, lynx, wolverine, and the rare Amur tiger. The ponds are inhabited by beavers, otters, and muskrats. There are many birds: wood grouse, black grouse, hazel grouse, woodpecker, blackbird, oriole, crossbill, owl, heron. The nature of the taiga has largely preserved its pristine nature.
To the south, as the climate becomes more continental, forest zones gradually turn into forest-steppe . Here, areas of pine or aspen-birch forests on gray forest soils alternate with rich forb-grass meadows on chernozems.
Steppe zone occupies significant areas in the south of the East European Plain and Western Siberia, the north of Central Asia, and the south of the plains of the central regions of North America. The climate is continental with hot, dry summers and cold winters with thin snow cover. Low-grass dry cereal steppes (feather grass, fescue, wheatgrass) predominate; in more humid areas - forb-grass steppes. As a result of the decay of the rich grass cover in the steppes, chestnut and the most fertile chernozem soils were formed. Therefore, steppe and forest-steppe areas are almost everywhere plowed, the “sea of grasses” has been replaced by grain fields.
The world of steppe and forest-steppe birds is rich: in Eurasia - cranes, larks, bustard, falcon, golden eagle, steppe harrier, in North America - turkey vulture, meadow grouse.
Deserts And semi-deserts temperate zones occupy part of Central Asia, the interior plateaus of the US Cordillera in North America, and the plains of Patagonia in South America. Hot, dry summers are replaced by cold and snowless winters. As in tropical deserts, the flora and fauna are not distinguished by the richness of their species composition. Feather grass, tamarisk, ephedra, and saxaul grow on brown and gray-brown desert soils; wormwood and quinoa grow on saline soils.
Among the animals, ungulates, rodents and reptiles dominate. Representatives of ungulates in Asia are gazelle and gazelle antelopes, kulan, mountain goats, wild ass, rare saiga antelope and Przewalski's horse. Typical predators are the caracal and wild cat; the snow leopard (irbis) is preserved in the mountains; rodents include pikas and gerbils.
Natural zones of the subarctic and subantarctic belts. In the subarctic geographical zone there are two natural zones - forest-tundra and tundra, occupying the northern outskirts of North America and Eurasia, extending beyond the Arctic Circle in Eastern Siberia. Long frosty winters and damp and cool summers lead to severe freezing of soils and the formation of permafrost. Thawing in summer of only the top soil layer leads to waterlogging of the area. Tundra-gley and peat-bog soils are poor in humus.
Forest-tundra - transition zone from taiga to tundra. Forest woodlands in river valleys of low larches, spruce and birch trees alternate with herbaceous and shrub vegetation in the interfluves.
In harsh conditions tundra low-growing grasses and creeping shrubs dominate. Lots of swamps. The shrub tundra in the south is characterized by dwarf birch, polar willow, wild rosemary, lingonberry, and cloudberry (Fig. 24). To the north, in the moss-lichen tundra, a continuous cover is formed by reindeer moss (moss), over which arctic poppy, forget-me-not, buttercup, and saxifrage rise. In the Arctic tundra in the north, only mosses, rare sedges and cotton grass grow.
Rice. 24 Lesotundra
To survive in harsh conditions, tundra animals acquired thick fur and stored fat for the winter. The Arctic fox has a protective white-gray coloration. Reindeer are almost completely domesticated. In summer, migratory birds (geese, waders, osprey) arrange nesting sites. Snowy owl and ptarmigan remain for the winter.
IN Arctic and Antarctic geographical zones- kingdom Arctic and Antarctic Pus tink . They occupy the extreme insular margin of North America, the island of Greenland, the far north of Asia and Antarctica. Rice. 25. Arctic desert
In conditions of constantly low temperatures, thick layers of snow and ice accumulate - ice deserts are formed. Mountain and shelf glaciers are common on the islands, and thick ice sheets are found in the central part of Greenland and Antarctica. The flora here is extremely sparse and scarce. Only in ice-free areas - rocky deserts - are mosses and lichens found.
Rice. 25 Polar bear
There are few terrestrial animals; tundra species enter. In the Arctic, polar bears hunt seals (Fig. 25). The only large ungulate is the musk ox. There are many birds on the coasts, including migratory ones. In summer, guillemots, loons, gulls, petrels, and cormorants set up “bird markets” on the rocks. Amazing flightless birds live in Antarctica - penguins. Whales and seals live in coastal waters.
Bibliography
1. Geography 8th grade. Textbook for the 8th grade of general secondary education institutions with Russian as the language of instruction / Edited by Professor P. S. Lopukh - Minsk “People's Asveta” 2014