What plants grow in the steppe zone - names, photos and characteristics. If you plant more trees in the steppe, then why are there no trees in the steppe?
SPRING OUTLOOK
WHY IS THE STEPPE BALD?
Scientists have been occupied with the problem of treeless steppes for centuries, but they found the answer only recently. Research by domestic specialists on this topic was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research.
Plants on our planet are divided into zones. Trees dominate in the forest zone, grasses dominate in the steppe zone, and shrubs dominate in the hot desert zone. Scientists have long been interested in the causes of zonation. They were especially interested in the relationship between forest and steppe vegetation. In fact, why shouldn’t trees grow in sunny and warm steppes?
Over the years, experts have offered different answers to this question. About two hundred years ago, scientists believed that the natural conditions of the steppes were quite favorable for the growth of trees, and in the past the steppe spaces were covered with forests, which were then destroyed by humans. In the middle of the 19th century, the prevailing opinion was that the nature of the steppes was unsuitable for forest vegetation, especially since attempts to grow forest in the steppe ended unsuccessfully. By the end of the century before last, experts came to the conclusion that the forest was encroaching on the steppe, and human activity was preventing the successful completion of this process. And only relatively recently it became clear that the zonation of vegetation depends on the degree of moisture and energy balance of plants. Employees of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution named after. A.N. Severtsov RAS B.D. Abaturov and V.N. Lopatin, relying on data from domestic scientists, explains why there are no forests in the steppes and under what conditions trees can grow there.
The plant receives all its energy through photosynthesis, which occurs in the leaves. The leaves inside are very wet and also evaporate moisture, so only plants in humid places can afford a lush crown. The drier the area, the less leaves, and therefore less energy. In dry steppes, the plant receives moisture mainly from the soil, and therefore must have a powerful root system. The proportion of roots in the total mass of steppe grass is six times higher than that of meadow grass in the humid forest zone. In order for the energy that a steppe plant receives from its several leaves to be enough to maintain its roots, it has to sacrifice everything that does not photosynthesize and does not absorb moisture, that is, woody stems and branches. That's why grasses predominate in the steppes. Perhaps rare trees could grow in the steppe zone if grass did not compete with them. Proof of this is the experiments in growing artificial forests in the arid zones of the northern Caspian Sea - for the success of this endeavor it was necessary to constantly destroy all herbaceous plants.
But there are cases when a plant is forced to maintain a tree trunk, despite a severe lack of water. In deserts, where it is much drier than the steppes, it is also very hot, for example in the Eastern Karakum, the temperature at the surface of the earth reaches 50–75 degrees. Photosynthesis does not occur under such conditions. But at a meter altitude the air is heated only to 40 degrees, you can live. So desert plants have to place their leaves in a cooler place, away from the ground. Of course, being a tree in the desert is an unaffordable luxury, but shrubs have taken root there, fortunately they do not have to compete for moisture with herbaceous plants, which simply cannot survive in such conditions.
Forests are possible only in humid places, where plants compete not for moisture, but for light. This is where the trees, which bring their spreading multi-tiered crown to the sun, finally win over the grasses, which are literally left with no place in the sun. Receiving plenty of light and water, trees can afford to spend energy on maintaining a mighty trunk and numerous long branches.
Researchers believe that the physiological basis of the zonal distribution of vegetation is obviously not limited only to the characteristics of plant energy. Other physiological parameters of different plant forms may also play a significant role, but assessing this role requires special analysis.
“INFORMSCIENCE”
© "Literary newspaper", 2003
Steppe is a belt of plains in temperate and subtropical regions, covered predominantly with low grassy vegetation. The Eurasian steppe stretches 8,000 km from Hungary in the west through Ukraine, Russia and Central Asia to Manchuria in the east. Mountain ranges interrupt it, dividing it into separate fragments.
The steppe soils are rich in minerals but contain little organic matter due to little rainfall. Annual precipitation is approximately 960 mm (of which 460 mm is rain and 500 mm is snow) in the northern regions of the steppe and about 360 mm (of which 260 mm is rain and 100 mm is snow) in the southern regions. Summer lasts from four to six months, with average temperatures of about 21-23° C. Winter lasts for three to five months with temperatures ranging from -13° to 0° C. There are also few trees in the Steppe, so some of the strong and cold winds or dust storms.
Flora of the steppe
Steppe flora typically consists of plants such as small shrubs and grasses that can withstand drought and lack of soil nutrients. There are also trees, but only along the river banks. Tall grasses, growing up to one and a half meters in height, are found near trees near water sources. Shorter grasses - up to one meter in height - can be found in areas closer to deserts. Due to the dryness of the vegetation, sometimes in the summer the grass catches fire and fires spread very quickly, covering large areas.
The vegetation of the steppe is dominated by grasses, growing in small tufts, between which bare soil cover can be seen. Various types of feather grass are widespread, such as John's feather grass ( Stipa pennata). It often occupies vast territories. In densely overgrown areas of the steppe, feather grass species flourish, characterized by a much larger size. On arid, infertile steppes, small species of feather grass predominate. There are also various species from the genus Tonkonog ( Koeleria). They grow everywhere in the steppes, but are especially common east of the Ural Mountains, and some species serve as excellent food for grazing.
Since the steppe is very diverse, the flora growing in the steppes also varies greatly depending on the region. Regarding most plants, there is no general agreement as to which of them belong exclusively to steppe species.
The flora of the steppe differs, for example, from the forest, in its resistance to heat and drought. The color of the plants is usually grayish or bluish-green, the leaf blades are small, and the cuticles are thickened. In most cereal plants of the steppe, the leaves have developed an adaptation that allows them to curl up in dry weather, which provides them with protection from severe loss of moisture.
Among the steppe flora there are plants of great economic importance. This is mainly forage vegetation that grows in the steppe and forms pasture lands. Other steppe plants valuable to humans are honey-bearing and medicinal herbs. Cereals and legumes also deserve special attention, but among other plants, united by the concept of forbs, there are also valuable species.
Below is a list of some plants of the steppe zone with a brief description and photo:
Common mullein
This biennial reaches one and a half meters in height, its leaves have felt pubescence. The spike-shaped inflorescences of mullein are dotted with yellow flowers. The flowering period lasts from July to September. All parts of the plant are widely used in medicine. Decoctions and infusions of the leaves are used as expectorants, analgesics, and anticonvulsants.
Adonis spring
Adonis vernatum is a rhizomatous perennial from the buttercup family. It tolerates strong temperature changes well and reaches 20 cm in height. The erect stems are covered with small green leaves. Bright yellow flowers stand out against their background. They open early in the morning and close in the afternoon, and on cloudy days they do not open at all. The flowering period occurs in April - May. The lifespan of a plant in one place is about 50 years. Adonis preparations have been used in folk medicine for more than a century for heart disease and diseases of the nervous system.
Thin-legged crested
A representative of the cereal family prefers dry fields. The height of the thin-legged comb is 65 cm. The lower leaves are pubescent, the stems have a dense base. The inflorescence is an elongated panicle, the shade of which varies from green to silver. The plant bears fruit abundantly. Infusions from the leaves have a wound-healing effect.
Schizonepeta multicut
It is a good honey plant and grows on hillsides and meadows. The plant has a woody root and a simple stem, the height of which can exceed 60 cm. The pinnately dissected leaves have 3–5 lobes. Schizonepeta, or anise grass, blooms from June to August. Purple flowers are collected in a spike. The plant has high nectar productivity. Schizonepeta has been used in folk medicine for many centuries: a decoction is used as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory drug. The plant is included in hypoallergenic cosmetics. In cooking it is used as a seasoning, especially for fish dishes.
Leafless iris
The herbaceous perennial is considered a rare species, therefore. Iris, or iris, is found in thickets of steppe bushes and along river valleys. The rhizome of the plant is short and creeping. The height of the peduncle is about 50 cm. The leaves, covered with a bluish coating, appear later and grow higher than the peduncle. The flowers themselves are large and purple in color. The middle is painted yellow. You can admire the irises in late May - early June. The fruit is a capsule that opens with flaps. Some forms are characterized by remontability, i.e. the ability to bloom again.
Cornflower blue
The plant belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its life span can be one or two years. During this time, the cornflower stretches 60 cm. The green mass is thin and pointed, covered with a felt coating, the lower leaves are trifoliate. Flower baskets are arranged singly. The edges are painted blue. The flowers in the middle of the plant are purple in color. The flowering period occurs in June – July. This species is considered a weed; its favorite habitat is rye crops. The fruits of cornflower are smooth achenes with a red tuft. The marginal flowers, colored blue, are often harvested and dried. They are the basis for various medicinal preparations. Powder from the seeds is used to treat skin inflammations.
Meadow bluegrass
A perennial plant from the grass family very quickly grows dense turf. Withstands waterlogging, severe frosts and drought. The bluegrass reaches full development in the fourth year of life. The rhizome of the plant does not penetrate deeper than 100 cm, so the bluegrass forms loose turf. The bright green leaves are narrow and rough. The spikelets form a pyramidal panicle. Meadow bluegrass is a valuable pasture plant. It is high-yielding, rich in proteins and vitamins.
White clover
A biennial from the legume family reaches a height of 2 m. The root is tap root, up to two meters deep. Excellent honey plant. The plant is light-loving and very cold-resistant. The leaves are trifoliate, small white flowers are collected in racemes. The plant does not tolerate waterlogging and acidic soils; arid, rocky and saline steppes are an ideal growing area for sweet clover. The flowering period is from June to August; even in dry summers the plant produces a lot of nectar. White clover is widely used in medicine as an antiseptic, anticonvulsant, analgesic and antihypertensive agent.
Prairie sage
The perennial plant prefers meadows and grassy slopes of steppe and. The height of the pubescent stems is 80 cm. It blooms in the second year after planting. Purple flowers are collected in a tall inflorescence. These bright brushes stand out against the green grass. Sage blooms from May to July. The aerial part of the plant is used in medicine and cosmetology. The leaves of the plant are used as medicinal raw materials. They have anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and antimicrobial properties. In folk medicine it is used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of internal organs.
Feather grass
The perennial herbaceous plant belongs to the grass family. The height of an adult plant is 80 cm. A special feature is the silvery panicle inflorescences. Feather grass forms a dense turf. The plant has succulent stems, so it is widely used as feed for sheep and horses. The fruit, a grain, is equipped with upward-pointing hairs and a special spine. It carries seeds hundreds of meters from the mother plant.
The close relationship between the flora and fauna of the steppes is a consequence of the fact that the vegetation cover of the steppes already in the most distant times was influenced by grazing, and therefore adapted to it in its organization.
WHY DOESN'T A FOREST GROW IN THE STEPPE?
The first and, it would seem, most likely reason for the treelessness of our steppes was put forward by the climatic conditions of the steppe strip unfavorable for the growth of trees: low rainfall, general dryness of the air along with drying winds, strong evaporation of soil moisture, etc. However, we know many large forests in the steppe zone, such as Buzuluksky pine forest in the Chkalov region, Khrenovsky forest, Shipov forest and Tellerman grove in the Voronezh region and many others, the existence of which seems to contradict the fact that the climate prevents the growth of woody vegetation in the steppe. In addition, this point of view is completely inapplicable to the forest-steppe zone, where forest and steppe are equal members of the natural landscape.
The reason for the treelessness of the steppes was also sought in the salinity of the steppe soils and soils. It has long been noticed that the trees around the salt licks, as, for example, in the Thorn Forest, suffer greatly and are stunted and dry-topped. A large amount of salts in the soil is unfavorable for the growth of trees in the sense that the roots in this case have to take water from concentrated solutions, making it even more difficult for the already scarce moisture to enter the plant.
In 1843, in the open steppe, in the Mariupol region, the famous Veliko-Anadol forestry was founded, where a number of local and foreign tree species were planted over a vast territory. For 40 years, the trees grew excellently, and the issue of steppe afforestation was already considered resolved, but after the drought of 1891, the trees began to noticeably suffer, and in the end this artificial forest largely died. Supporters of the climatic reasons for the treelessness of the steppes saw in this fact a confirmation of the correctness of their point of view; However, those who argued for the paramount importance of soil salinity in this matter believed that the forest could grow well only until the roots of the trees reached deeper and more saline soil layers, after which the death of the forest began.
Among other views expressed to explain the reasons for the treelessness of the steppes, we also point out the opinion that the physical properties of the steppe soil, in particular its fine earthiness, adversely affect the growth of forests. Chernozem, consisting of very fine clay soil particles, is poorly permeable to water, which does not have time to seep into the deeper layers of the soil where the roots of woody plants are located. That is why, according to this view, forests cannot grow on black soil, but settle in the steppe zone only on soils of a coarser mechanical composition, in particular on sand (Buzuluksky and Khrenovsky forests).
Most researchers explaining the treelessness of the steppes, one way or another, proceeded from the lack of moisture necessary for the growth of trees in the steppe, but the opposite point of view was also expressed, according to which, in the conditions of the steppe plain, the forest cannot grow due to stagnation of moisture in the soil and the absence of drains . They were inclined to consider the fact that the forest in the steppe zone is huddled along ravines and gullies that drain the area as confirmation of this view. However, the fact of forest growth in ravines was interpreted by supporters of the climatic causes of treelessness in their favor, as well as by supporters of the adverse effects of soil salinization, who believed that in ravines the soil is more leached, and therefore more suitable for forest settlement.
We do not have the opportunity to present here all the numerous views that have been expressed to explain the reasons for the treelessness of the steppe. We will dwell on some of them in the future, but now we will only note that none of the proposed hypotheses can be extended to the entire steppe region.
It can be considered that different views explaining the treelessness of the steppes do not exclude, but mutually complement each other, and in different areas of our vast steppe strip, one or the other causes of treelessness come to the fore. In most cases, there is a combined effect of various factors, since it is impossible to separate, for example, the unfavorable influence of the steppe climate in the southern steppes from the influence of salinity and especially from human activity.
In the section on the question Why don’t trees grow in the steppes? given by the author capable the best answer is There are three reasons why trees cannot grow in the steppe zone. The first reason is that there is too little water in the soil and it is difficult to pump it to a high altitude. Therefore, in the steppe zone, trees (usually small) grow only along the banks of rivers.
The second reason is that a continuous cover of fast-growing grasses suppresses the seedlings of trees, which grow much more slowly than grass.
The third reason is that the steppe is home to many large herbivores that trample both grass and trees. At the same time, the grass wrinkles, but quickly rises, while the tree shoots break and die. Just like in the famous fable by I. A. Krylov.
Reply from roast beef[guru]
the wind blows away the fertile soil
they grow if you plant them correctly
Reply from Neurosis[guru]
The steppe inhabitants cut down all the trees for firewood.
Reply from Natasha Kornienko[newbie]
Hello, my name is Natasha. I am a resident of the village of Stepnoye. And it’s steppe because it’s located on the steppe. And we have a bunch of trees, bushes, flowers, fruits and vegetables growing. And no one cuts down all the trees for firewood, this is just a myth. Potatoes grow very well in the steppe. Last summer, my parents and I dug up 83 tons of hoya and planted 2. And this is a plus of the fact that the hail damaged the potatoes.