Natural areas of the world. Natural areas and their main features Natural areas and their animals and plants
Desert is a natural area characterized by the virtual absence of flora and fauna. There are sandy, rocky, clayey, and saline deserts. Arctic and Antarctic landscapes are called snow deserts. The largest sandy desert on Earth - the Sahara (from the ancient Arabic al-sahra - “desert, desert steppe”) - covers an area of more than 8 million square meters. km.
Deserts are located in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, subtropical and tropical zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Less than 200 mm falls in the desert per year, and in some areas less than 50 mm. Desert soils are poorly developed; the content of water-soluble salts in them exceeds the content of organic substances. Vegetation cover usually occupies less than 50% of the soil surface, and may be completely absent for several kilometers.
Due to the infertility of the soil and lack of moisture, the animal and plant worlds of deserts are quite poor. In such conditions, only the most resilient representatives of flora and fauna survive. The most common plants are leafless thorny bushes, and the animals are reptiles (snakes, lizards) and small rodents. The vegetation cover of the subtropical deserts of North America and Australia is more diverse, and there are almost no areas devoid of vegetation. Low-growing acacia and eucalyptus trees are common here.
Life in deserts is concentrated mainly near oases - places with dense vegetation and bodies of water, as well as in river valleys. Deciduous trees are common in oases: turanga poplars, jidas, willows, elms, and in river valleys - palms and oleanders.
Arctic and Antarctic deserts are located beyond the polar circles. The flora and fauna there are also quite poor, hence the comparison with the sandy deserts of the tropics. Plants include mosses and lichens, and animals include cold-resistant reindeer, arctic foxes, lemmings and other rodents. In the polar deserts, permafrost prevails; the snow cover usually does not melt throughout the year.
(savannah)
Forest-steppe (savanna) is a vast expanse in the tropical zone, covered with herbaceous vegetation with sparsely scattered trees and shrubs. Typical of a tropical monsoon climate with a sharp division of the year into dry and rainy seasons.
Savannas are steppe-like places characteristic of more elevated tropical countries with a dry continental climate. Unlike true steppes (as well as North American prairies), savannas, in addition to grasses, also contain shrubs and trees, sometimes growing as a whole forest, as, for example, in the so-called “campos cerrados” of Brazil. The herbaceous vegetation of savannas consists mainly of tall (up to 1 meter) dry and tough-skinned grasses, usually growing in turf. Mixed with the cereals are turfs of other perennial grasses and subshrubs, and in damp places flooded in spring, also various representatives of the sedge family (Cyperaceae).
Shrubs grow in savannas, sometimes in large thickets, occupying an area of many square meters. Savannah trees are usually short-growing; the tallest of them are no taller than our fruit trees, which they are very similar to with their crooked stems and branches. Trees and shrubs are sometimes entwined with vines and overgrown with epiphytes. There are not many bulbous, tuberous and fleshy plants in savannas, especially in South America. Lichens, mosses and algae are found extremely rarely in savannas, only on stones and trees.
The general appearance of savannas is different, which depends, on the one hand, on the height of the vegetation cover, and on the other hand, on the relative amount of grasses, other perennial grasses, subshrubs, shrubs and trees; for example, the Brazilian savanas (“campos cerrados”) represent actually light, sparse forests, where you can freely walk and drive in any direction; the soil in such forests is covered with herbaceous (and semi-shrub) plant cover 0.5 m and even 1 meter high. In savannas of other countries, trees do not grow at all or are extremely rare and are very stunted. The grass cover is also sometimes very low, even pressed to the ground.
A special form of savannah is made up of the so-called llanos of Venezuela, where trees are either completely absent or found in limited numbers, with the exception of damp places where palm trees (Mauritia flexuosa, Corypha inermis) and other plants form entire forests (however, these forests do not belong to savannas); in the llanos there are sometimes single specimens of Rhopala (trees from the family Proteaceae) and other trees; sometimes the grains in them form a cover as tall as a person; Between the cereals grow Compositae, legumes, Lamiaceae, etc. During the rainy season, many llanos are flooded by floods of the Orinoco River.
Savannah vegetation is generally adapted to a dry continental climate and to periodic droughts, which occur in many savannas for months at a time. Cereals and other herbs rarely form creeping shoots, but usually grow in tussocks. The leaves of cereals are narrow, dry, hard, hairy or covered with a waxy coating. In cereals and sedges, young leaves remain rolled into a tube. Tree leaves are small, hairy, shiny (“varnished”) or covered with a waxy coating. The vegetation of savannas generally has a pronounced xerophytic character. Many species contain large amounts of essential oils, especially species from the Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae and Myrtle families of South America. The growth of some perennial herbs, semi-shrubs (and shrubs) is especially peculiar, namely in that the main part of them located in the ground (probably the stem and roots) grows strongly into an irregular tuberous woody body, from which then numerous, mostly unbranched or weakly branched offspring. During the dry season, savannah vegetation freezes; savannas turn yellow, and dried out plants are often exposed to fires, due to which the tree bark is usually scorched. With the onset of rains, the savannas come to life, becoming covered with fresh greenery and speckled with numerous different flowers.
Savannas are characteristic of South America itself, but in other countries one can point out many places that are very similar in the nature of their vegetation to savannas. Such, for example, are the so-called Campine in the Congo (in Africa); in South Africa, some places are covered with vegetation consisting mainly of grasses (Danthonia, Panicum, Eragrostis), other perennial grasses, shrubs and trees (Acacia horrida), so that such places resemble both the prairies of North America and the savannas of South America; similar places are found in Angola.
The eucalyptus forests of Australia are quite similar to the "campos cerratos" of the Brazilians; they are also light and so sparse (the trees are far apart from one another and their crowns do not meet) that it is easy to walk in them and even drive in any direction; the soil in such forests in the rainy season is covered with green thickets, consisting mainly of cereals; During the dry season, the soil is exposed.
The fauna of forest-steppes is represented mainly by herbivores (giraffes, zebras, antelopes, elephants and rhinoceroses), which are capable of traveling long distances in search of food. Common predators are lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
Steppes are more or less flat, dry, treeless spaces covered with abundant herbaceous vegetation. The spaces are flat and treeless, but wet, and are not called steppe. They form either swampy meadows or, in the far north, tundras. Spaces with very sparse vegetation, which does not form a grassy cover, but consists of individual bushes scattered far from each other, are called deserts. Deserts are not sharply different from the steppe, and often mix with each other.
Hilly or mountainous countries are not called steppe. But they can just as well be treeless and can support the same flora and fauna as flat steppes. Therefore, we can talk about steppe mountains and steppe slopes as opposed to forested mountains and forest slopes. The steppe is, first of all, a primordial treeless space, regardless of the relief.
The steppe is characterized by special climatic conditions and special flora and fauna. The steppes are especially developed in southern Russia, and the purely Russian word steppe has passed into all foreign languages. The distribution of steppe spaces on the earth's surface is undoubtedly influenced by climate. All over the globe, deserts represent areas with a very hot and dry climate. Territories with a less hot climate and high annual precipitation are covered partly or entirely with steppe. Areas with a more humid climate, temperate or warm, are covered with forests.
Typical steppes represent a flat or gently rolling country, completely devoid of forests, with the exception of river valleys. The soil is chernozem, most often lying on a layer of loess-like clay with a significant lime content. This chernozem in the northern strip of the steppe reaches its greatest thickness and fatness, as it sometimes contains up to 16% humus. To the south, the black soil becomes poorer in humus, becomes lighter and turns into chestnut soils, and then completely disappears.
The vegetation consists mainly of grasses growing in small tussocks, with bare soil visible between them. The most common types of feather grass, especially the common feathery feather grass. It often completely covers large spaces and with its silky white feathery awns gives the steppe a special, undulating appearance. On very rich steppes, a special variety of feather grass develops, which is much larger in size. On the dry, barren steppes, smaller feather grass grows. After the types of feather grass, the most important role is played by the kipets or typets. It is found throughout the steppe, but plays a special role east of the Ural Mountains. Kipets is an excellent food for sheep.
This is a more or less dense in its natural state, usually inaccessible, coniferous thicket with swampy soil with windbreaks and windfalls. The northern border of the Taiga coincides with the northern border of the forests. The southern border runs in the European part of Russia from the Gulf of Finland to the northeast to the Urals, goes around it from the south and coincides further, in Siberia, with the northern border of the steppes to the Ob River. To the east, the taiga covers mountainous spaces from Altai to the Amur and Ussuri region. The extreme northeast of Siberia has no forests. In Kamchatka, the taiga occupies two small islands north of Petropavlovsk.
The main tree species of the taiga: spruce, European and Siberian pine, larch, fir, cedar. In Siberia the same species exist, with the exception of European spruce. In Eastern Siberia, Dahurian larch dominates, and cedar slate dominates high in the mountains. In the taiga of the Far East, new conifers appear: fir, Ayan spruce, Manchurian cedar, and on Sakhalin - yew. In European Russia, the taiga moves south into coniferous forests with an admixture of large-leaved species (oak and others), which are absent throughout Siberia, but appear again on the Amur. In the taiga, the only hardwood species available are birch, aspen, rowan, bird cherry, alder and willow. Of the large-leaved species in the taiga, only linden is found, and only in the European taiga and sometimes in Western Siberia up to the Yenisei River. There is a fairly large linden island in Altai, on the western slope of the Kuznetsk Alatau.
Relatively recently (until the mid-90s of the 19th century), the taiga and urman spaces of Siberia were completely unexplored and were considered unsuitable for settlement and, in particular, for agricultural colonization. It was assumed that the taiga and urmans consisted more or less entirely of mountainous or swampy spaces covered with dense forest. It was believed that these lands were inconvenient for agriculture due to both soil and climatic conditions (extreme severity of climate, excess moisture) and the difficulty of clearing forests for land.
Sometimes attempts were made to allocate land for settlement on the outskirts of the taiga almost always ended in failure: either the plots were not populated, or the settlers who settled on them moved to more convenient places. The question of settling taiga spaces was paid serious attention only in 1893 - 1895, when in general measures to settle Siberia were taken more broadly. It was considered impossible to ignore such vast expanses of land as the taiga.
Soil conditions in many places in the taiga are quite favorable for farming. Such obstacles as excess moisture and harsh climate are largely eliminated under the influence of settlement and culture. In view of this, work was opened in many taiga regions to create resettlement sites, which gave generally very satisfactory results.
Forest-tundra is a transitional type of landscape in which open forests alternate with shrubby or typical tundras. Forest-tundras are located in a strip from 30 to 300 km wide across all of North America and from the Kola Peninsula to the Indigirka basin.
The amount of precipitation in the forest-tundra is small (200-350 mm), however, due to permafrost and low temperatures, moisture evaporates very slowly. The result of this is the presence of a large number of lakes and swamps, which occupy up to 60% of the area of this natural zone. Average air temperatures in the forest-tundra territory in July are 10-12°C, and in January from −10° to −40°C. The soils here are peaty-gley, peat-swamp, and under open forests - gley-podzolic.
Forest-tundra vegetation varies depending on longitude. Of the trees in the forest-tundra zones, the most common are dwarf birches and polar willows; spruce, fir and larches are also found. Mosses and lichens, as well as small shrubs, are also common.
The fauna of the forest-tundra is dominated by lemmings, reindeer, arctic foxes, white and tundra partridges, polar owls and a wide variety of migratory, waterfowl and small bush-dwelling birds.
The tundra includes spaces with permafrost soil that lies beyond the northern limits of forest vegetation and is not flooded by sea or river waters. According to the nature of the surface, the tundra can be rocky, clayey, sandy, peaty, hummocky or swampy. The idea of the tundra as a space inaccessible is only true for swampy tundra, where permafrost can disappear by the end of summer. In the tundra of European Russia, the thawed layer reaches, by September, about 35 cm on peat, about 132 cm on clay, and about 159 cm on sand. In swampy places with standing water, the permafrost drops by mid-summer, depending on the amount of water and the admixture of solid plant residues on depth about 52 – 66 cm.
After very frosty and little snowy winters and in cold summers, the permafrost, of course, is closer to the surface, while after mild and snowy winters and in warm summers the permafrost descends. In addition, on level areas the thawed layer is thinner than on slopes, where permafrost may even disappear completely. On the Kola Peninsula, on Kanin and along the coast of the Czech Bay of the Arctic Ocean to the Timan Ridge, peaty-hilly tundra dominates.
The surface of the tundra here consists of large, about 12–14 m high and up to 10–15 m wide, isolated, steep-sided, extremely dense peat mounds, frozen inside. The spaces between the mounds, about 2–5 m wide, are occupied by a very watery, inaccessible swamp, “ersei” of Samoyeds. The vegetation on the hillocks consists of various lichens and mosses, usually with cloudberries on the slopes. The body of the mound is composed of moss and small tundra shrubs, which can sometimes even predominate.
The peaty-hilly tundra passes to the south or closer to the rivers, where there are already forests, into sphagnum peat bogs with cranberries, cloudberries, gonobol, bagoon, and birch dwarf. Sphagnum peat bogs extend very far into the forest area. To the east of the Timan Ridge, peat mounds and ersei are found rarely and only in small areas in low areas where more water accumulates. In the northeast of European Russia and Siberia, the following types of tundra are developed.
Peaty tundra. The peat layer, consisting of mosses and tundra shrubs, is continuous but thin. The surface is covered mainly with a carpet of reindeer moss, but cloudberries and other small shrubs are sometimes found in abundance. This type, developed on more level areas, is widespread especially between the Timan and Pechora rivers.
Bald, fissured tundra is very common in places that do not provide conditions for stagnant water and are exposed to the action of wind, blowing away snow and drying out the soil, which becomes covered with cracks. With these cracks, the soil is divided into small (the size of a plate, the size of a wheel, or larger) areas, completely devoid of vegetation, so that frozen clay or frozen sand protrude out. Such areas are separated from each other by strips of small shrubs, grasses and saxifrage sitting in cracks.
Herbaceous-shrub tundra develops where the soil is more fertile. Lichens and mosses recede into the background or disappear completely, and shrubs dominate.
Hummocky tundra. The hummocks, up to 30 cm high, consist of cotton grass with mosses, lichens and tundra shrubs. The spaces between the hummocks are occupied by mosses and lichens, and gray lichens also cover the tops of old, dead cotton grass tussocks.
Swampy tundra covers large areas of Siberia, where the swamps are dominated by various sedges and grasses. Swampy spaces, as already noted, also occupy the spaces between hillocks in the peat-hilly tundra.
Rocky tundra is developed on outcrops of rocky rocks (for example, the Khibiny Mountains on the Kola Peninsula, Kaninsky and Timansky Kamni, the Northern Urals, the mountains of Eastern Siberia). The rocky tundra is covered with lichens and tundra shrubs.
Plants characteristic of the tundra are reindeer moss or lichens, which give the surface of the tundra a light gray color. Other plants, mostly small shrubs clinging to the soil, are usually found in spots against a background of reindeer moss. In the southern parts of the tundra and closer to the rivers, where islands of forests are already beginning to appear, birch birch and some willows, about 0.7 - 8 m tall, are widespread in treeless areas.
What is a natural area? Natural area- physical-geographical zone - is part of the geographical shell of the Earth and the geographical zone, has characteristic components of its natural components and processes. What types of natural areas are there?
- Arctic (Antarctic) desert.
- Forest-tundra and tundra.
- Taiga, mixed, broad-leaved forests, tropical forests.
- Forest-steppe and steppe.
- Deserts and semi-deserts.
- Savannah.
Arctic and Antarctic deserts - Such deserts occupy about 5 million square kilometers (the largest places are Greenland, Antarctica, the northern parts of Eurasia and North America), mainly consisting of small rocks or scree, as well as glaciers. A characteristic feature of the polar desert is the absence of sunlight for a long period of time, approximately 10 months. Most of the soil is covered by permanent permafrost. The average temperature that occurs in these zones is up to -30 degrees Celsius, in winter -60 degrees, in warm seasons, the maximum temperature is +3 degrees. Such deserts are practically devoid of vegetation. Animals in the Arctic include polar bears, walruses, seals, arctic foxes, and seals. In Alaska, Canada and Russia, the Arctic deserts are already gradually turning into tundra.
Forest-tundra and tundra - The largest areas of tundra and forest-tundra are located in the north of North America and also Eurasia (mainly Russia and Canada), mainly, such areas are located in the subarctic climate zone. In the southern hemisphere of our planet, tundra and forest-tundra are practically absent. The vegetation is very low, the most common being mosses and lichens. The tundra has a large number of trees, such as Siberian larch, dwarf birch, and polar willow. Among the animals: deer, wolves, a large number of hares, arctic foxes. The average temperature in warm seasons is +5 +10 degrees, in winter the average temperature is -30 degrees. In the Tundra, winter can last up to 9 months. In the forest-tundra the average temperature is +10 +15 degrees. In winter from -10 to -45 degrees. In the tundra and forest-tundra there are a very large number of lakes, due to high humidity, as well as a large number of swamps.
Taiga, mixed, deciduous forests, tropical forests - These zones are characterized by a mild climate and fertile soils. Formed in temperate zones with average rainfall. Usually located in the temperate zone of Russia, Canada, and Scandinavia. Characterized by cold winters and fairly warm summers. Vegetation includes a large number of coniferous trees: pine, fir, larch, spruce. The taiga became famous for its dark coniferous boreal forests. There are also a large number of deciduous trees: birch, poplar, aspen. The main seasons in the taiga and deciduous tropical forests are winter and summer. Autumn and spring are so short that you won't even notice they exist. In the taiga it is either very cold or very hot. It happens that the temperature exceeds +30 degrees Celsius, mostly warm and rainy. In winter there are frosts and up to -50 degrees. There are a very large number of wild animals: brown bear, wolf, fox, wolverine, ermine, sable; there are also deer, elk, and roe deer. But usually, they live in areas where there are a very large number of deciduous trees.
Forest-steppe and steppe - These are areas of the earth that do not have forests, occupy quite vast territories in Eurasia, North America and in the subtropical zones of South America. Very low rainfall. The forest-steppe zone passes in the north between the steppes and forests in the north, namely, from the steppes, a transition to semi-deserts is formed and then deserts begin. In forest-steppes it is just the opposite; there is a rather humid climate (up to 600 mm) than in the steppe, so an element such as meadow steppe is formed here. The temperature in the steppes, as well as in forest-steppes, ranges from -16 to +10 degrees in winter, +15 +30 degrees in summer. Vegetation usually changes from north to south, grasses are replaced by feather grass, and it is replaced by wormwood. Among the animals there are gophers, marmots, bustards, and steppe eagles. There are also hedgehogs, squirrels, foxes, hares, snakes, moose, storks, and beavers.
Deserts and semi-deserts - This is one of the largest zones, it occupies one fifth of the earth's surface. It is clear that the largest part of these zones is located in the tropics (deserts and semi-deserts): Africa, Australia, the tropics of South America, as well as the Arabian Peninsula in Eurasia. The driest desert is the Atacama, which is located in Chile; there is practically no rain there. In the largest desert on Earth - the Sahara, there is also very little precipitation; in summer the temperature can reach +50; for deserts this is a very common occurrence. There are frosts in winter. In deserts there is practically no flora, this is explained by low humidity and a very dry climate; there are very few plants that can survive in such a climate. There are plenty of animals: jerboas, gophers, snakes, lizards, scorpions, camels.
Savannah - Such zones occur, for the most part, in the subequatorial belt of the Earth. The climate here is varied, sometimes very dry, and sometimes quite rainy. The average temperature for the year ranges from +15 to +25 degrees. The largest number of shrouds are found in South America, Africa, Indochina, the Hindustan Peninsula, and the northern regions of Australia. Very diverse fauna, mainly herbaceous vegetation, various trees and shrubs. Among the animals that live in shrouds, the following can be distinguished: elephants, cheetahs, lions, rhinoceroses, leopards, zebras, giraffes, antelopes. A large number of birds and insects.
- Remember what a natural area is.
- What patterns exist in the distribution of natural zones on Earth?
- What natural areas are located in Eurasia?
- What sources of geographic information can be used to characterize a natural area?
Natural zoning- one of the main geographical patterns.
The great German naturalist Alexander Humboldt analyzed changes in climate and vegetation and found that there is a very close connection between them, that climatic zones are also vegetation zones. Subsequently, it became clear that climate change causes the zonal distribution of not only plant communities, but also animal communities, as well as soils, the characteristics of surface and groundwater runoff, the water regime of rivers, exogenous processes of relief formation, etc.
At the end of the 19th century, the great Russian scientist Vasily Vasilyevich Dokuchaev proved that zonation is a universal law of nature. It manifests itself to a greater or lesser extent in all natural components, both on the plains and in the mountains. Since all components of nature are in close interaction with each other, a consequence of the law of zonation is the existence of large zonal natural-territorial complexes (NTC), or natural (natural-historical - according to V.V. Dokuchaev) zones (Fig. 67).
Rice. 67. Natural areas of the world
Each of them is characterized by a certain ratio of heat and moisture, which play a leading role in the formation of soil and vegetation cover.
Natural areas of our Motherland. On the territory of Russia there is a change from north to south of the following natural zones: arctic deserts, tundras, forest-tundras, taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests, forest-steppes, steppes, semi-deserts.
Almost all zones of our country stretch for thousands of kilometers from west to east, and yet throughout their entire length they retain significant common features determined by the prevailing climatic conditions, the degree of moisture, soil types, and the nature of the vegetation cover. Similarities can also be seen in surface waters and modern relief-forming processes.
Using Figure 67, determine how natural areas are located in our country. Why don't all zones extend from the western to the eastern outskirts of the country? Which zones are located only in the European part of the country? How can this be explained?
Academician Lev Semenovich Berg made a great contribution to the study of natural areas of our country. He characterized all natural zones of Russia and showed that each zone consists of a natural combination of landscapes. Natural areas are also called landscape or geographical. Natural zones are natural laboratories in which scientists study the natural features of a given territory, explore the possibilities of developing each zone, and predict the possible consequences of the influence of human activity on it. Therefore, biosphere reserves and protected areas have been created in each natural zone.
Rice. 68. Potential productivity of natural areas (shown by dotted line)
In a number of natural zones of our country, for example in the steppe and forest-steppe, the original virgin vegetation has hardly been preserved due to human agricultural activities. But in nature everything is interconnected, therefore, along with the vegetation, the soils, relief, water regime, and, of course, the animal world have changed greatly.
Modern natural zones such as tundra and forest suffered less damage. But we are talking about those territories of these natural zones that have not yet been sufficiently developed by humans. And these are primarily parts of the Siberian taiga and Siberian tundra.
Arctic desert zone located on the islands of the Arctic Ocean and in the far north of the Taimyr Peninsula. A significant part of the surface here is covered with glaciers; winters are long and harsh, summers are short and cold. The average temperature of the warmest month is close to zero (less than -1-4°C). In such conditions in the summer the snow does not have time to melt everywhere. Glaciers are forming. Large areas are occupied by stone placers. The soils are almost undeveloped.
Rice. 69. Interrelation of the components of nature within the natural area
Vegetation on a surface free of snow and ice does not form a closed cover. These are cold deserts. Mosses and lichens dominate among the plants. Flowering plants are represented by a small number of species and are rare. Among the animals, the predominant ones are those that are fed by the sea: birds and polar bears. The rocky shores are home to noisy bird colonies in summer.
Tundra zone occupies the coast of the seas of the Arctic Ocean from the western border of the country to the Bering Strait. The tundra in some places reaches the Arctic Circle. The zone reaches its greatest extent from north to south in Western and Central Siberia. This zone occupies almost 1/6 of the territory of Russia.
Rice. 70. Interrelation of the components of nature in the tundra zone
Compared to arctic deserts, the tundra is warmer in summer, but winter is long and cold. The average July temperature in the tundra zone is +5...+10°C. The southern boundary of the zone almost coincides with the July isotherm of +10°C. There is little precipitation, only 200-300 mm per year. But with a lack of heat, evaporation is small, so there is excessive humidification (humidification coefficient exceeds 1.5).
Permafrost is almost ubiquitous in the tundra, which thaws only a few tens of centimeters in the summer. In places where the permafrost thawed deeper, shallow basins filled with water appeared. Without seeping into the frozen soil, moisture remains on the surface. The tundra is literally dotted with shallow and small lakes. The river flow is also high. The rivers are full of water in the summer.
Rice. 71. A typical inhabitant of the Arctic deserts is the polar bear
The soils of the zone are thin, tundra-gley. Tundra vegetation of mosses, lichens and shrubs dominates here.
The treelessness of the tundra is caused not only by cold and permafrost, but also by strong winds. The blizzard, knocking down both people and deer, sweeps up snowdrifts in some places, and in others blows off the already small snow cover from the soil, burns the buds with ice crystals, grinds the trunks, and dehydrates plant tissue. That’s why the dwarf trees and shrubs got down on their knees here, crawled along the ground, clung to it, hiding under a cloak of snow.
The “forest” is knee-deep, even ankle-deep. The “trees” are slightly larger than a mushroom... The age of one juniper elfin tree, the trunk of which was only 8 cm in diameter, turned out to be 544 years. He grew up even before Columbus discovered America!
The total supply of plant mass in the tundra is much greater than in the Arctic deserts. The fauna here is also richer.
In the tundra there are plants that overwinter green. How do you explain this fact? Name the representatives of the flora and fauna of the tundra that you know. Consider how they adapt to harsh climates.
The tundra is heterogeneous throughout its entire area. From north to south, three subzones are distinguished: Arctic tundras are replaced by typical (moss-lichen) tundras, and then by shrubby ones of dwarf birch and polar willows.
It has become a custom to consider the nature of this zone to be sparse. But tundra experts do not exaggerate when they enthusiastically talk about its beauty and richness and strongly disagree to consider the tundra the “backyard” of the Earth. In addition, the subsoil of the tundra is just as generous as in more southern latitudes.
In the short months of summer, the tundra is replete with bright colors, blueberries turn blue, lingonberries and cranberries glow with red lights, and cloudberries glow with orange lights. There are also edible mushrooms in the tundra. Huge herds of reindeer graze in the tundra. In summer, they eat not only lichens here, but also the foliage of tundra shrubs. In winter, they extract their favorite “reindeer moss” - moss lichen - from under the thin snow cover.
Rice. 72. Typical inhabitants of the tundra
The tundra zone with poor heat reserves, the spread of permafrost, moss-lichen and shrub communities are areas of reindeer husbandry. Vegetables are also grown here and there, but only in greenhouses.
Arctic fox is caught here. There are a lot of fish in tundra lakes.
Determine on the map which of the largest mineral deposits in our country are located in the tundra zone.
Forest-tundra zone a narrow strip stretches along the southern border of the tundra zone.
The average July temperature is +10...+14°C, the annual precipitation is 300-400 mm. There is much more precipitation than can evaporate, so the forest-tundra is one of the most swampy natural zones. The rivers are fed by melted snow waters. Floods on the rivers occur at the beginning of summer, when the snow melts.
Forest-tundra is a transition zone from tundra to taiga. It is characterized by a combination of tundra and forest communities of plants and animals, as well as soils. Along the river valleys there are strips of fairly tall forest. In the interfluves there are small islands of open forests - low-growing sparse forests with lichen cover. They alternate with shrub tundra.
In winter, reindeer migrate to the forest-tundra for their winter pastures. In some places, potatoes, cabbage, turnips, radishes, lettuce, and green onions are grown in open ground. Together with the northern and middle taiga, the forest-tundra is included in the zone of focal agriculture.
Questions and tasks
- What components of nature make up a natural area?
- What determines the change in natural zones?
- Using our country as an example, justify the pattern of changing natural zones.
- Think about how the flora and fauna of the Arctic deserts are adapted to their habitat.
- Indicate the features of the tundra zone of our country and explain them.
- Think about the reason for the extreme vulnerability of the nature of the tundra zone.
The warmth of the sun, clean air and water are the main criteria for life on Earth. Numerous climatic zones have led to the division of the territory of all continents and waters into certain natural zones. Some of them, even separated by huge distances, are very similar, others are unique.
Natural areas of the world: what are they?
This definition should be understood as very large natural complexes (in other words, parts of the Earth’s geographic zone), which have similar, homogeneous climatic conditions. The main characteristic of natural areas is the flora and fauna that inhabit the given territory. They are formed as a result of the uneven distribution of moisture and heat on the planet.
Table “Natural areas of the world”
Natural area | Climate zone | Average temperature (winter/summer) |
Antarctic and Arctic deserts | Antarctic, Arctic | 24-70°C /0-32°C |
Tundra and forest-tundra | Subarctic and subantarctic | 8-40°С/+8+16°С |
Moderate | 8-48°С /+8+24°С |
|
Mixed forests | Moderate | 16-8°С /+16+24°С |
Broadleaf forests | Moderate | 8+8°С /+16+24°С |
Steppes and forest-steppes | Subtropical and temperate | 16+8 °С /+16+24°С |
Temperate deserts and semi-deserts | Moderate | 8-24 °С /+20+24 °С |
Hardleaf forests | Subtropical | 8+16 °С/ +20+24 °С |
Tropical deserts and semi-deserts | Tropical | 8+16 °С/ +20+32 °С |
Savannas and woodlands | 20+24°С and above |
|
Variably humid forests | Subequatorial, tropical | 20+24°С and above |
Permanently wet forests | Equatorial | above +24°С |
This characteristic of the natural zones of the world is only for informational purposes, because you can talk about each of them for a very long time, and all the information will not fit into the framework of one table.
Natural zones of the temperate climate zone
1. Taiga. It surpasses all other natural zones of the world in terms of land area (27% of the territory of all forests on the planet). It is characterized by very low winter temperatures. Deciduous trees cannot withstand them, so the taiga is dense coniferous forests (mainly pine, spruce, fir, larch). Very large areas of the taiga in Canada and Russia are occupied by permafrost.
2. Mixed forests. Characteristic to a greater extent for the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth. It is a kind of border between taiga and deciduous forest. They are more resistant to cold and long winters. Tree species: oak, maple, poplar, linden, as well as rowan, alder, birch, pine, spruce. As the table “Natural Zones of the World” shows, the soils in the mixed forest zone are gray and not highly fertile, but are still suitable for growing plants.
3. Broad-leaved forests. They are not adapted to harsh winters and are deciduous. They occupy most of Western Europe, the south of the Far East, northern China and Japan. The climate suitable for them is maritime or temperate continental with hot summers and fairly warm winters. As the table “Natural zones of the world” shows, the temperature in them does not fall below -8°C even in the cold season. The soil is fertile, rich in humus. The following types of trees are typical: ash, chestnut, oak, hornbeam, beech, maple, elm. The forests are very rich in mammals (ungulates, rodents, predators), birds, including game birds.
4. Temperate deserts and semi-deserts. Their main distinguishing feature is the almost complete absence of vegetation and sparse fauna. There are quite a lot of natural areas of this nature; they are located mainly in the tropics. There are temperate deserts in Eurasia, and they are characterized by sharp changes in temperature across the seasons. Animals are represented mainly by reptiles.
Arctic deserts and semi-deserts
They are huge areas of land covered with snow and ice. A map of the world’s natural zones clearly shows that they are located in North America, Antarctica, Greenland and the northern tip of the Eurasian continent. In fact, these are lifeless places, and only along the coast are polar bears, walruses and seals, arctic foxes and lemmings, and penguins (in Antarctica). Where the ground is free of ice, lichens and mosses can be seen.
Equatorial rainforests
Their second name is rain forests. They are located mainly in South America, as well as in Africa, Australia and the Greater Sunda Islands. The main condition for their formation is constant and very high humidity (more than 2000 mm of precipitation per year) and a hot climate (20°C and above). They are very rich in vegetation, the forest consists of several tiers and is an impenetrable, dense jungle, which has become home to more than 2/3 of all types of creatures now living on our planet. These rain forests are superior to all other natural areas in the world. The trees remain evergreen, changing foliage gradually and partially. Surprisingly, the soils of humid forests contain little humus.
Natural zones of the equatorial and subtropical climate zone
1. Variably humid forests, they differ from rain forests in that precipitation falls there only during the rainy season, and during the period of drought that follows, the trees are forced to shed their leaves. The flora and fauna are also very diverse and rich in species.
2. Savannas and woodlands. They appear where moisture, as a rule, is no longer sufficient for the growth of variable-humid forests. Their development occurs in the interior of the continent, where tropical and equatorial air masses dominate, and the rainy season lasts less than six months. They occupy a significant part of the territory of subequatorial Africa, the interior of South America, partly Hindustan and Australia. More detailed information about the location is reflected in the map of natural areas of the world (photo).
Hardleaf forests
This climate zone is considered the most suitable for human habitation. Hard-leaved and evergreen forests are located along sea and ocean coasts. Precipitation is not so abundant, but the leaves retain moisture due to their dense leathery shell (oaks, eucalyptus), which prevents them from falling. In some trees and plants they are modernized into spines.
Steppes and forest-steppes
They are characterized by an almost complete absence of woody vegetation, due to the poor level of precipitation. But the soils are the most fertile (chernozems), and therefore are actively used by humans for farming. The steppes occupy large areas in North America and Eurasia. The predominant number of inhabitants are reptiles, rodents and birds. Plants have adapted to the lack of moisture and most often manage to complete their life cycle in a short spring period, when the steppe is covered with a thick carpet of greenery.
Tundra and forest-tundra
In this zone the breath of the Arctic and Antarctic begins to be felt, the climate becomes more severe, and even coniferous trees cannot withstand it. There is an abundance of moisture, but there is no heat, which leads to swamping of very large areas. There are no trees at all in the tundra; the flora is mainly represented by mosses and lichens. It is considered to be the most unstable and fragile ecosystem. Due to the active development of gas and oil fields, it is on the verge of an environmental disaster.
All natural areas of the world are very interesting, be it a desert that seems at first glance absolutely lifeless, endless Arctic ice or thousand-year-old rain forests with boiling life inside.
A natural zone is a part of the earth's surface with the same type of relief, soil, flora and fauna. The main forming factor of a natural zone is climate. Eight natural complexes have formed on the territory of Russia. They replace each other from north to south. The largest territory is occupied by the taiga zone, and the smallest by semi-deserts and deserts. Below is a distribution map and geographical description of all natural zones in Russia, as well as a table with a brief description of each natural zone.
Read also:
Map of Natural Areas of Russia
Arctic desert
The upper boundary of the region runs along the Franz Josef Land archipelago, the lower boundary - on Wrangel Island. The main feature is the presence of ice and snow throughout the year. The average temperature in winter is about -50º C. During this period, a lot of snow falls and strong winds blow. The polar night lasts 4 months. Summer temperatures average +4º C. August is considered the warmest month of the year.
There are no lakes or swamps. The flora is represented mainly by lichens. Here you can count several endemics: arctic willow, cotton grass, forget-me-not and chickweed. few due to sparse flora. Polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer and lemmings thrive in the cold desert. The rocky coasts are favored by eiders, guillemots and other birds. The shores of some islands are complete bird colonies.
Tundra
The natural complex stretches from the Kola Peninsula to Chukotka. Its area is an eighth of the entire area of Russia. characterized by plains, only mountains and hills appear near the Urals. This region is characterized by harsh winters with average temperatures around -32º C and lasting more than six months. During the winter season, strong winds blow, which remove layers of snow from the soil. Because of this, the soil freezes and becomes waterlogged during the thaw. The polar night lasts from December to February.
The sun has not set since mid-summer. It does not rise high above the horizon, therefore, most of the rays are scattered in the atmosphere. The so-called polar day is coming. Average summer temperatures in the tundra do not exceed +5º C. Among the vegetation, lichens of all kinds and mosses are especially widespread. Perennial crops are represented by saxifrage, lingonberry, wild rosemary, cassandra and cloudberry. are a food source for reindeer and hares. In addition to them, wolves, arctic foxes and partridges. During the short summer you can observe loons, waders and geese.
Forest-tundra
The region stretches from the tundra to the taiga. The climate in this transition zone is much milder than in the neighboring northern one. In January, the thermometer does not rise above -40º C, and cold winds constantly blow. However, there is constant snow cover. Winter lasts up to eight months. The average summer temperature is 15º C. Due to high humidity and relatively low summer temperatures, the soil is very swampy.
Forest-tundra is characterized by forests consisting of deciduous trees, birch and spruce. Another feature of the plant world is meadows. In late spring, medicinal herbs bloom on them. The marshy area is rich in peat and mosses. In this natural area, reindeer moss grows, which is a source of food for deer. The world of mammals is more diverse than in the tundra. You can observe wolverines, bears, wolves and arctic foxes. Swamps, lakes and rivers are inhabited by waterfowl: ducks, swans and loons. The forest-tundra is home to unique birds: peregrine falcons, Siberian Cranes and geese. Some birds, such as the snowy owl and partridge, live in this natural area all year round without flying anywhere.
Taiga
Stretches from the western borders to the Pacific coast. The area of the biome is about 15 million km². Most of the territory is occupied by forests. For the most part, the area is virtually untouched by humans. Taiga winter is cold, the average temperature is -29° C. The snow cover does not melt for more than three months. Summer temperatures average +18º C. Precipitation comes in the form of heavy rains, which increases the humidity level.
The natural zone is represented by numerous rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. The soil layer consists of humus and a large amount of minerals. and unique. Coniferous and deciduous forests are widely represented in the taiga zone. In addition to them there are wetlands and meadows. Thanks to the stable climate and the absence of extreme temperatures, most animals do not change their habitat all year round. The hazel grouse, nutcracker, and capercaillie do not fly away, but constantly nest in the taiga.
The climate turned out to be harsh. A few frogs and lizards go into suspended animation with the onset of persistent frosts. The world is represented by wolverine, lynx, elk, brown bear, and sable. The taiga is full of blood-sucking insects that swarm in huge numbers. Frequently, midges are carriers of infectious diseases.
The territory extends from the East European Plain to the Far East. The biome is characterized by a mild climate. Winter temperatures do not exceed -25° C. Numerous anticyclones form over the Far East during this period. Snow evenly covers the entire territory of the natural complex. Summers are mostly mild and humid. The July air warms up to +20º C. The warm period lasts 4 months. At this time the maximum amount of rain falls.
The area of mixed and deciduous forests is known for its water potential. There are long flood rivers and lakes here. There are practically no swamps. The earth is saturated with nitrogen, magnesium, calcium and aluminum. Korean cedar, Manchurian walnut, Amur linden, and larch grow in the forests. A lot of bushes. Mosses and lichens cover the soil only in dark and damp places. The forests are rich in fruit and berry plants and mushrooms. This creates conditions for comfortable living for many species of animals. These forests are most used by humans in their activities. The greatest species diversity is found in lands untouched by humans.
Among the inhabitants, one can distinguish the viper, viviparous lizard, and snake. The forests are home to various birds: hazel grouse, black grouse, crossbill, eagle owl, and owl. The natural area is rich in predators - wolves, stoats, foxes, martens are its permanent inhabitants. Recently, the number of deer has decreased significantly. The forests remain home to hedgehogs, badgers, nutria, moles, hares and marsh turtles.
Forest-steppe zone
The territory that unites the East European Plain, the West Siberian Plain and the Southern Urals is transitional between forests and steppes. Winter in the western part of the natural area is very mild and snowy. Temperatures in the east drop to -20° C and little snow falls. Summer temperatures average +18º C, and there is little rainfall.
It is characterized by a combination of forests and grass cover. In the European part, maple, oak, and linden grow. In the Asian zone, aspen and birch trees predominate. The steppe regions are rich in bluegrass and clover. Almost the entire steppe is used for agriculture. People cultivate corn, rye, and wheat. Animals such as squirrel, marten, gopher, bustard, and elk live here.
The anthropogenic factor has led the forest-steppe zone to desertification; the land and water bodies are polluted with toxic substances and nitrates. Unsustainable flora cannot recover from human activity. The natural forest-steppe complex is gradually disappearing in Russia.
Steppe zone
The natural zone is located on the East European Plain and Western Siberia. In winter, the eastern part of the zone is colder than the west. In summer, the average temperature is +20° C. Maximum precipitation occurs in June. There is an alternation of wet and dry seasons. The soil is chernozem, well suited for growing cereals. Some areas are undergoing erosion.
The steppe is dominated by herbaceous vegetation: clover, bluegrass, and wild oats. Sometimes there are shrubs in the area: broom, spirea, wolfberry and blackthorn. All plants are excellent food sources for animals. In the steppes there are a large number of voles, marmots and pikas. The world is represented by ferrets, foxes and wolves. This natural complex is home to birds of prey: owls, hawks, harriers and buzzards.
Semi-deserts and deserts
The territory stretches from the Caspian lowland to the borders with Kazakhstan. In winter, the thermometer drops to -16º C, and gusty winds blow. There is practically no snow, so the soil freezes deeply. The maximum amount of precipitation occurs during the short spring period. The average temperature in summer is +25° C. The lands are saline, there is a lot of sand and salt marshes.
The flora is not diverse. Only here you can see remaria, malcomia, acacia, camel thorn, cacti and some cereals. During drought, some plants wither, preserving underground organs. The most recognizable desert tree is saxaul. There are practically no leaves on it, which significantly reduces moisture evaporation. Of the herbaceous plants, black wormwood is famous, which covers the ground, protecting it from drought.
Desert Dwellers Lead. Ground squirrels, jerboas and gerbils may hibernate when the weather gets hot. The amphibian world is represented by geckos, boas and monitor lizards. Predators include corsac, wolves and foxes. Saiga antelope and camel are considered large. Birds include lark, sajja and lapwing.
Table of natural zones of Russia
Name of the natural area | Geographical location | Climate | Soils | Animals and plants |
Arctic desert | The upper boundary of the zone runs along the Franz Josef Land archipelago, the lower boundary - on Wrangel Island. | The average temperature in winter drops to -50ºС. Summer temperatures average +4ºC. August is considered the warmest month. | Permafrost | Animals: polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer, lemmings, eiders and guillemots; Plants: lichens, arctic willow, cotton grass, forget-me-not and chickweed. |
Tundra | The tundra stretches from the Kola Peninsula to Chukotka, and occupies an eighth of the entire area of Russia. | The region is characterized by harsh winters with average temperatures around -32º C and lasting more than six months. Summer average temperatures in the tundra do not exceed +5º C. | Tundra-gley and peaty | Animals: wolves, arctic foxes, hares, reindeer and partridges. During the short summer you can observe loons, waders and geese. Plants: lichens and mosses. Perennial plants are represented by saxifrage, lingonberry, wild rosemary, cassandra and cloudberry. |
Forest-tundra | The region extends from the tundra to the taiga. | The climate is much milder than in the tundra. In January, the thermometer does not rise above -40º C, and cold winds constantly blow. The average summer temperature is 15º C. | Peat-gley, peat-swamp and gley-podzolic | Animals: lemmings, shrews, reindeer, brown bears, arctic foxes, partridges, polar owls, a variety of species of migratory and waterfowl. Plants: forests consisting of deciduous trees, birch and spruce. Grasses grow in the meadows, and the marshy areas are rich in mosses and lichens. |
Taiga | The taiga zone stretches from the western borders of the country to the Pacific coast. The area of the taiga is about 15 million km² | Winter is cold, the average temperature is -29° C. The snow cover does not melt for more than three months. Summer temperatures average +18º C. Precipitation comes in the form of heavy rain and snow. | Sod-podzolic | Animals: lynxes, wolverines, wolves, foxes, brown bears, otters, sables, weasels, stoats, hares, shrews, beavers, chipmunks, mice, voles, squirrels, flying squirrels, reindeer and red deer, moose, roe deer. Plants: coniferous and deciduous trees, juniper, honeysuckle, currants, blueberries, lingonberries and various types of herbs. |
Broad-leaved and mixed forests | The territory extends from the East European Plain to the Far East. | The climate of the zone is mild. Winter temperatures do not exceed -25° C. Snow evenly covers the entire territory of the natural complex. Summers are mostly mild and humid. The July air warms up to +20º C. The warm season lasts 4 months. At this time the maximum amount of precipitation falls. | Sod-podzolic | Animals: wolves, stoats, foxes, martens, hedgehogs, badgers, nutria, moles, hares, marsh turtles, vipers, viviparous lizards, grass snakes, hazel grouse, black grouse, crossbills, eagle owls, owls. Plants: Korean cedar, Manchurian walnut, Amur linden, larch. There are a lot of shrubs and herbs. Mosses and lichens cover the soil only in dark and damp areas. The forests are rich in fruit and berry plants and mushrooms. |
Forest-steppe | Transitional zone between forests and steppes. | Winter in the western part of the natural area is very mild and snowy. Temperatures in the east drop to -20° C and little snow falls. Summer temperatures average +18º C. | Chernozem | Animals: squirrels, martens, ground squirrels, bustards, moose. Plants: In the European part, maple, oak, and linden grow. In the Asian region, aspen and birch trees predominate. The steppe regions are rich in bluegrass and clover. People cultivate corn, rye, wheat, etc. |
Steppe | The natural zone is located on the East European Plain and Western Siberia. | In winter, it is colder in the eastern part of the steppe than in the west. In summer, the average temperature is +20° C. Maximum precipitation occurs in June. There is an alternation of wet and dry seasons. | Chernozem | Animals: voles, marmots, pikas, ferrets, foxes, wolves, owls, hawks, harriers and buzzards. Plants: clover, bluegrass, wild oats, broom, spirea, wolfberry and blackthorn. |
Semi-deserts and deserts | The territory stretches from the Caspian lowland to the borders with Kazakhstan. | In winter, the thermometer drops to -16º C, and gusty winds blow. There is practically no snow, so the soil freezes deeply. The maximum amount of precipitation occurs during the short spring period. The average temperature in summer is +25° C. | The soils are saline, there is a lot of sand, solonetzes and salt marshes. | Animals: gophers, jerboas, gerbils, geckos, boa constrictors, monitor lizards, corsacs, wolves, foxes, saigas, larks, sajs and lapwings. Plants: remaria, malcomia, acacia, camel thorn, cacti, cereals, saxaul and black wormwood . |
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