A latitudinal natural strip of land or the World Ocean, which has uniform thermal conditions and atmospheric moisture, and, accordingly, relatively homogeneous landscape elements, is an integral part of the Earth's geographic zone. Syn.:… … Dictionary of Geography

natural area- — EN natural area An area in which natural processes predominate, fluctuations in numbers of organisms are allowed free play and human intervention is minimal. (Source: LANDY) EN sensitive natural area Terrestrial or aquatic area or other fragile natural setting with unique or highly valued environmental features. (Source: EPAGLO)… … Technical Translator's Guide

Specially protected natural area- 025 Specially protected natural area (Figure A.24) Standardized graphic content: silhouette of a tree next to the silhouette of an animal. Purpose: indication of the location of a protected area intended to protect flora and fauna. Region... ... Dictionary-reference book of terms of normative and technical documentation

GEOGRAPHICAL ZONE- natural zone, regional landscape unit, meaning a significant territory with a special type of climate, specific plant and soil cover and fauna. The geographic zone is one of the highest levels of latitudinal zonal physics... ... Ecological dictionary

ARID ZONE- natural area with an arid climate; zone of deserts and semi-deserts. Here farming is possible only with artificial irrigation. Ecological encyclopedic Dictionary. Chisinau: Main editorial office of Moldavian Soviet encyclopedia. I.I. Dedu. 1989 ... Ecological dictionary

SECONDARY CONTACT AREA- zone of secondary intergradation, a natural zone within the range of a species in which secondary contact (meeting, gene exchange) of previously geographically isolated (diverging, allopatric) populations occurs. Is of decisive importance when... Ecological dictionary

MORPHOCLIMATIC ZONE- a natural zone, distinguished by the characteristics of relief-forming processes. Ecological encyclopedic dictionary. Chisinau: Main editorial office of the Moldavian Soviet Encyclopedia. I.I. Dedu. 1989 ... Ecological dictionary

Antarctic desert zone- The natural area, including Antarctica and nearby islands, has a harsh Antarctic climate and sparse polar vegetation... Dictionary of Geography

Books

  • The Fleeing World: The Ecological Consequences of Habitat Loss, by I. Hanski. The book analyzes the ecological consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation resulting from intensive economic activity people who are of great importance to...
  • An elusive world. Ecological consequences of habitat loss, Ilkka Hanski. The book is devoted to the analysis of the environmental consequences of the loss and fragmentation of habitats that occur as a result of intensive human economic activity and are of great importance for...
Arctic desert zone. This zone includes Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya, Severnaya Zemlya, and the New Siberian Islands. The zone is characterized by a huge amount of ice and snow in all seasons of the year. They are the main element of the landscape.

All year round Arctic air prevails here, the annual radiation balance is less than 400 mJ/m 2, average July temperatures are 4-2°C. The relative humidity is very high - 85%. Precipitation amounts to 400-200 mm, almost all of which falls in solid form, which contributes to the formation of ice sheets and glaciers. However, in some places the supply of moisture in the air is small and therefore, when the temperature rises and strong winds, a large lack of moisture occurs and strong evaporation of snow occurs.

The soil-forming process in the Arctic occurs in a thin active layer and is at the initial stage of development. In the valleys of rivers and streams and on sea terraces, two types of soils are formed - typical polar desert soils on polygonal drained plains and polar desert solonchak soils on saline coastal areas. They are characterized by a low humus content (up to 1.5%), weakly expressed genetic horizons and very low thickness. In the Arctic deserts there are almost no swamps, few lakes, and salt spots form on the soil surface in dry weather with strong winds.

The vegetation cover is extremely sparse and spotty, characterized by a poor species composition and extremely low productivity. Low-organized plants dominate: lichens, mosses, algae. The annual growth of mosses and lichens does not exceed 1-2 mm. Plants are extremely selective in their distribution. More or less closed groups of plants exist only in places sheltered from cold winds, on fine earth, where the thickness of the active layer is greater.

The main background of the Arctic deserts is formed by crustose lichens. Hypnum mosses are common; sphagnum mosses appear only in the south of the zone in very limited quantities. Higher plants include saxifrage, arctic poppy, semolina, chickweed, arctic pike, bluegrass and some others. The grasses grow luxuriantly, forming hemispherical cushions up to 10 cm in diameter on a fertilized substrate near the nesting areas of gulls and lemming burrows. Ice buttercup and polar willow grow near patches of snow, reaching only 3-5 cm in height. The fauna, like the flora, is poor in species; There are lemmings, arctic foxes, reindeer, polar bears, and the most common birds are the ptarmigan and the polar owl. On the rocky shores there are numerous bird colonies - massive nesting grounds for seabirds (guillemots, little auks, white gulls, fulmars, eiders, etc.). The southern shores of Franz Josef Land and the western shores of Novaya Zemlya are a continuous bird market.

Zoning - changes in natural components and the natural complex as a whole from the equator to the poles. Zoning is based on the different supply of heat, light, atmospheric precipitation, which, in turn, are already reflected in all other components, and above all - soils, vegetation and wildlife.

Zoning is characteristic of both land and the World Ocean.

The largest zonal divisions of the geographical envelope are geographical zones. The belts differ from each other primarily in temperature conditions.

The following geographical zones are distinguished: equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate, subpolar, polar (Antarctic and Arctic).

Inside the belts on land there are natural areas, each of which is characterized not only by the same type of temperature conditions and moisture, which leads to common vegetation, soils and fauna.

You are already familiar with the arctic desert zone, tundra, temperate forest zone, steppes, deserts, wet and dry subtropics, savannas, moist evergreen equatorial forests.

Within natural zones, transitional areas are distinguished. They are formed due to gradual changes in climatic conditions. Such transition zones include, for example, forest-tundra, forest-steppe and semi-deserts.

Zoning is not only latitudinal, but also vertical. Vertical zoning is a natural change in natural complexes in height and depth. For mountains, the main reason for this zonation is the change in temperature and amount of moisture with height, and for the depths of the ocean - heat and sunlight.

The change in natural zones depending on the height above sea level in mountainous areas is called, as you already know, altitudinal zone.

It differs from horizontal zoning in the length of the belts and the presence of a belt of alpine and subalpine meadows. The number of belts usually increases in high mountains and as one approaches the equator.

Natural areas

Natural areas- large subdivisions of the geographical envelope, having a certain combination of temperature conditions and moisture regime. They are classified mainly according to the predominant type of vegetation and change naturally on the plains from north to south, and in the mountains - from the foothills to the peaks. Natural zones of Russia are presented in Fig. 1.

The latitudinal distribution of natural zones on the plains is explained by the supply of unequal amounts of solar heat and moisture to earth's surface at different latitudes.

The resources of flora and fauna of natural zones are biological resources territories.

The set of altitudinal zones depends primarily on what latitude the mountains are located at and what their height is. It should also be noted that for the most part the boundaries between altitudinal zones are not clear.

Let us consider in more detail the features of the location of natural zones using the example of the territory of our country.

polar desert

The very north of our country - the islands of the Arctic Ocean - are located in a natural area polar (arctic) deserts. This zone is also called ice zone. The southern border approximately coincides with the 75th parallel. The natural zone is characterized by the dominance of Arctic air masses. Total solar radiation is 57-67 kcal/cm2 per year. Snow cover lasts 280-300 days a year.

In winter, the polar night dominates here, which is at a latitude of 75° N. w. lasts 98 days.

In summer, even round-the-clock lighting is not able to provide this area with enough heat. The air temperature rarely rises above 0 °C, and the average temperature in July is +5 °C. There may be drizzle for several days, but there are practically no thunderstorms or showers. But there are frequent fogs.

Rice. 1. Natural areas of Russia

A significant part of the territory is characterized by modern glaciation. There is no continuous vegetation cover. The glacial areas of land where vegetation develops are small areas. Mosses and crustose lichens “settle” on placers of pebbles, fragments of basalt and boulders. Occasionally there are poppies and saxifrages, which begin to bloom when the snow has barely melted.

The fauna of the Arctic desert is mainly represented by Marine life. This is a harp seal, a walrus, a ringed seal, sea ​​hare, beluga whale, porpoise, killer whale.

The species of baleen whales in the northern seas are diverse. Blue and bowhead whales, sei whales, fin whales, and humpback whales are rare and endangered species and are listed in the Red Book. Inner side the long horny plates that replace teeth for whales are split into hairs. This allows the animals to filter large volumes of water, extracting plankton, which forms the basis of their diet.

The polar bear is also a typical representative of the animal world of the polar desert. The “maternity hospitals” of polar bears are located on Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya, Fr. Wrangel.

In summer, numerous colonies of birds nest on the rocky islands: gulls, guillemots, guillemots, auks, etc.

There is practically no permanent population in the polar desert zone. The weather stations operating here monitor the weather and the movement of ice in the ocean. On the islands they hunt Arctic fox in winter and game birds in summer. Fishing is carried out in the waters of the Arctic Ocean.

Steppes

To the south of the forest-steppe zone there are steppes. They are distinguished by the absence of forest vegetation. The steppes stretch not wide solid stripe in the south of Russia from the western borders to Altai. Further to the east, steppe areas have a focal distribution.

The climate of the steppes is moderate continental, but drier than in the zone of forests and forest-steppes. The amount of annual total solar radiation reaches 120 kcal/cm2. average temperature January in the heat of -2 °C, and in the east -20 °C and below. Summer in the steppe is sunny and hot. The average temperature in July is 22-23 °C. The sum of active temperatures is 3500 °C. Precipitation is 250-400 mm per year. In summer there are frequent showers. The humidification coefficient is less than one (from 0.6 in the north of the zone to 0.3 in the southern steppes). Stable snow cover lasts up to 150 days a year. In the west of the zone there are often thaws, so the snow cover there is thin and very unstable. The predominant soils of the steppes are chernozems.

Natural plant communities are predominantly represented by perennial, drought- and frost-resistant grasses with a strong root system. These are primarily cereals: feather grass, fescue, wheatgrass, snake grass, tonkonog, bluegrass. In addition to cereals, there are numerous representatives of forbs: astragalus, sage, cloves - and bulbous perennials, such as tulips.

The composition and structure of plant communities change significantly both in the latitudinal and meridional directions.

In the European steppes, the basis is made up of narrow-leaved grasses: feather grass, fescue, bluegrass, fescue, tonkonogo, etc. There are many brightly flowering forbs. In summer, feather grass sways like waves in the sea, and here and there you can see lilac irises. In drier areas southern regions In addition to cereals, wormwood, milkweed, and cinquefoil are common. There are many tulips in spring. Tansy and cereals predominate in the Asian part of the country.

Steppe landscapes are fundamentally different from forest ones, which determines the uniqueness of the animal world of this natural zone. Typical animals in this zone are rodents (the most large group) and ungulates.

Ungulates are adapted to long movements across the vast expanses of the steppes. Due to the thinness of the snow cover, plant food is also available in winter. Bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes play an important role in nutrition. For many animals, plants are also the main source of moisture. Typical representatives of ungulates in the steppes are aurochs, antelopes, and tarpans. However, most of these species were exterminated or pushed south as a result of human economic activity. In some areas, saigas, which were widespread in the past, have been preserved.

The most common rodents are the ground squirrel, the vole, the jerboa, etc.

Ferrets, badgers, weasels, and foxes also live in the steppe.

Among the birds typical of the steppes are the bustard, little bustard, gray partridge, steppe eagle, buzzard, and kestrel. However, these birds are now rare.

There are significantly more reptiles than in the forest zone. Among them we will highlight the steppe viper, snake, common grass snake, quick lizard, and copperhead.

The wealth of the steppes is fertile soils. The thickness of the humus layer of chernozems is more than 1 m. It is not surprising that this natural zone is almost completely developed by humans and natural steppe landscapes are preserved only in nature reserves. In addition to the high natural fertility of chernozems, maintaining Agriculture contribute and climatic conditions, favorable for gardening, cultivation of heat-loving grains (wheat, corn) and industrial crops (sugar beets, sunflowers). Due to insufficient precipitation and frequent droughts, irrigation systems were built in the steppe zone.

The steppes are a zone of developed livestock farming. Big ones are bred here cattle, horses, poultry. Conditions for the development of livestock farming are favorable due to the presence of natural pastures, feed grain, waste from processing sunflowers and sugar beets, etc.

Various industries are developed in the steppe zone: metallurgy, mechanical engineering, food, chemical, textile.

Semi-deserts and deserts

In the southeast of the Russian Plain and on Caspian lowland semi-deserts and deserts are located.

The total solar radiation here reaches 160 kcal/cm2. The climate is characterized by high air temperatures in summer (+22 - +24 °C) and low in winter (-25-30 °C). Because of this, there is a large annual temperature range. The sum of active temperatures is 3600 °C or more. In the semi-desert and desert zones there is a small amount of precipitation: an average of up to 200 mm per year. In this case, the humidification coefficient is 0.1-0.2.

Rivers located in semi-deserts and deserts are fed almost exclusively by spring melting snow. A significant part of them flows into lakes or is lost in the sands.

Typical soils in the semi-desert and desert zones are chestnut. The amount of humus in them decreases in the directions from north to south and from west to east (this is primarily due to a gradual increase in the sparseness of vegetation in these directions), therefore in the north and west the soils are dark chestnut, and in the south they are light chestnut ( the humus content in them is 2-3%). In depressions of the relief, the soils are saline. There are solonchaks and solonetzes - soils from upper layers of which, due to leaching, a significant part of the easily soluble salts is carried into the lower horizons.

Plants in semi-deserts are usually low and drought-resistant. The semi-deserts of the south of the country are characterized by such plant species as tree and gnarled saltwort, camel thorn, and juzgun. At higher elevations, feather grass and fescue dominate.

Steppe grasses alternate with patches of wormwood and romance of yarrow.

The deserts of the southern part of the Caspian lowland are the kingdom of semi-shrub wormwood.

To live in conditions of lack of moisture and soil salinity, plants have developed a number of adaptations. Solyanka, for example, have hairs and scales that protect them from excessive evaporation and overheating. Others, such as tamarix and kermek, “acquired” special salt-removing glands to remove salts. In many species, the evaporative surface of the leaves has decreased and their pubescence has occurred.

The growing season for many desert plants is short. They manage to complete the entire development cycle during a favorable time of year - spring.

Animal world semi-deserts and deserts are poor in comparison with the forest zone. The most common reptiles are lizards, snakes, and turtles. There are many rodents - gerbils, jerboas and poisonous arachnids - scorpions, tarantulas, karakurts. Birds - bustard, little bustard, lark - can be seen not only in the steppes, but also in semi-deserts. Of the most large mammals Let's note the camel, saiga; there are corsac dogs and wolves.

A special area in the semi-desert and desert zone of Russia is the Volga delta and the Akhtuba floodplain. It can be called a green oasis in the middle of a semi-desert. This territory is distinguished by its thickets of reeds (it reaches a height of 4-5 m), shrubs and shrubs (including blackberries), intertwined with climbing plants (hops, bindweed). In the backwaters of the Volga delta there are a lot of algae and white water lilies (including the Caspian rose and water chestnut preserved from the pre-glacial period). Among these plants there are many birds, including herons, pelicans and even flamingos.

The traditional occupation of the population in the semi-desert and desert zones is cattle breeding: sheep, camels, and cattle are raised. As a result of overgrazing, the area of ​​unconsolidated dispersed sand increases. One of the measures to combat the onset of the desert is phytomelioration - a set of measures for cultivating and maintaining natural vegetation. To secure dunes, plant species such as giant grass, Siberian wheatgrass, and saxaul can be used.

Tundra

Vast areas of the coast of the Arctic Ocean from the Kola Peninsula to the Chukotka Peninsula are occupied tundra. The southern border of its distribution is almost
e falls with the July isotherm of 10 °C. The southern border of the tundra has moved farthest north in Siberia - north of 72° N. In the Far East, the influence of cold seas has led to the fact that the tundra border reaches almost the latitude of St. Petersburg.

The tundra receives more heat than the polar desert zone. Total solar radiation is 70-80 kcal/cm2 per year. However, the climate here continues to be characterized low temperatures air, short summers, harsh winters. The average air temperature in January reaches -36 °C (in Siberia). Winter lasts 8-9 months. At this time of year, southern winds blowing from the mainland dominate here. Summer is characterized by an abundance of sunshine and unstable weather: strong northern winds often blow, bringing cold temperatures and precipitation (especially in the second half of summer there are often heavy drizzles). The sum of active temperatures is only 400-500 °C. The average annual precipitation reaches 400 mm. Snow cover lasts 200-270 days a year.

The predominant soil types in this zone are peat-bog and slightly podzolic. Due to the spread of permafrost, which has water-resistant properties, there are many swamps here.

Since the tundra zone has a significant extent from north to south, climatic conditions within its boundaries change noticeably: from severe in the north to more moderate in the south. In accordance with this, arctic, northern, also known as typical, and southern tundras are distinguished.

Arctic tundra occupy mainly the Arctic islands. The vegetation is dominated by mosses and lichens, and there are flowering plants, compared to the Arctic deserts, there are more of them. Flowering plants are represented by shrubs and perennial herbs. Polar and creeping willow, dryad (partridge grass) are widespread. Of the perennial grasses, the most common are polar poppy, small sedges, some grasses, and saxifrage.

Northern tundra distributed mainly on the mainland coast. Their important difference from the Arctic is the presence of closed vegetation cover. Mosses and lichens cover 90% of the soil surface. Green mosses and bushy lichens predominate, and moss is often found. Species composition flowering plants are also becoming more diverse. There are saxifrage, saxifrage, and viviparous knotweed. Shrubs include lingonberry, blueberry, wild rosemary, crowberry, as well as dwarf birch (ernik) and willows.

IN southern tundras, as in the northern ones, the vegetation cover is continuous, but it can already be divided into tiers. The upper tier is formed by dwarf birch and willows. Middle - herbs and shrubs: crowberry, lingonberry, blueberry, wild rosemary, sedge, cloudberry, cotton grass, cereals. Lower - mosses and lichens.

The harsh climatic conditions of the tundra “forced” many plant species to “acquire” special devices. Thus, plants with creeping and creeping shoots and leaves collected in a rosette are better able to “use” warmer temperatures. ground layer air. Short stature helps to survive the harsh winter. Although the snow cover in the tundra is small due to strong winds, it is enough for shelter and survival.

Some devices “serve” plants and summer time. For example, cranberries, birchberries, and crowberries “fight” to retain moisture by “reducing” the size of the leaves as much as possible, thereby reducing the evaporating surface. In dryad and polar willow, the underside of the leaf is covered with dense pubescence, which impedes the movement of air and thereby reduces evaporation.

Almost all plants in the tundra are perennial. Some species are characterized by the so-called viviparity, when instead of fruits and seeds, the plant develops bulbs and nodules that quickly take root, which provides a “gain” in time.

Animals and birds that constantly live in the tundra have also adapted well to the harsh natural conditions. They are saved by thick fur or fluffy plumage. In winter, animals are white or light gray in color, and in summer they are grayish-brown. This helps with camouflage.

Typical animals of the tundra are the Arctic fox, lemming, mountain hare, reindeer, white polar and tundra partridge, and polar owl. In summer, the abundance of food (fish, berries, insects) attracts birds such as waders, ducks, geese, etc. to this natural area.

The tundra has a fairly low population density. The indigenous peoples here are the Sami, Nenets, Yakuts, Chukchi, etc. They are mainly engaged in reindeer herding. Mining of minerals is actively carried out: apatites, nephelines, non-ferrous metal ores, gold, etc.

Railroad communication in the tundra is poorly developed, and permafrost is an obstacle to road construction.

Forest-tundra

Forest-tundra- transitional zone from tundra to taiga. It is characterized by alternating areas occupied by forest and tundra vegetation.

The forest-tundra climate is close to the tundra climate. The main difference: the summer here is warmer - the average July temperature is + 11 (+14) ° C - and long, but the winter is colder: the influence of the winds blowing from the mainland is felt.

The trees in this zone are stunted and bent to the ground, with a twisted appearance. This is due to the fact that permafrost and swampy soil prevent plants from having deep roots, and strong winds bend them to the ground.

In the forest-tundra of the European part of Russia, spruce predominates, pine is less common. Larch is common in the Asian part. The trees grow slowly, their height usually does not exceed 7-8 m. Due to strong winds, a flag-shaped crown shape is common.

The few animals that remain in the forest-tundra for the winter are perfectly adapted to the local conditions. Lemmings, voles, and tundra partridge make long passages in the snow, feeding on the leaves and stems of evergreen tundra plants. With an abundance of food, lemmings even give birth to offspring at this time of year.

By small forest areas and bush thickets along the rivers, animals from the forest zone enter the southern regions: the white hare, Brown bear, white partridge. There are wolves, foxes, ermines, and weasels. Small insectivorous birds fly in.

Subtropics

This zone occupies Black Sea coast The Caucasus is characterized by the smallest length and area in Russia.

The amount of total solar radiation reaches 130 kcal/cm2 per year. Summer is long, winter is warm (average temperature in January is 0 °C). The sum of active temperatures is 3500-4000 °C. Under these conditions, many plants can grow all year round. In the foothills and mountain slopes, 1000 mm or more of precipitation falls per year. In flat areas, snow cover practically does not form.

Fertile red earth and yellow earth soils are widespread.

Subtropical vegetation is rich and varied. Vegetable world represented by evergreen hard-leaved trees and shrubs, among which we name boxwood, laurel, and cherry laurel. Forests of oak, beech, hornbeam, and maple are common. The thickets of trees are intertwined with liana, ivy, and wild grapes. There are bamboo, palm trees, cypress, eucalyptus.

Among the representatives of the animal world, we note chamois, deer, wild boar, bear, pine and stone marten, and Caucasian black grouse.

The abundance of heat and moisture makes it possible to grow subtropical crops such as tea, tangerines, and lemons here. Significant areas are occupied by vineyards and tobacco plantations.

Favorable climatic conditions, proximity to the sea and mountains make this area a major recreational area of ​​our country. There are numerous tourist centers, holiday homes, and sanatoriums here.

IN tropical zone located rain forests, savannas and woodlands, deserts.

Largely plowed tropical rain forests(South Florida, Central America, Madagascar, Eastern Australia). They are used, as a rule, for plantations (see atlas map).

The subequatorial belt is represented by forests and savannas.

Subequatorial rain forests located primarily in the Ganges Valley, southern Central Africa, the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea, northern South America, northern Australia and the islands of Oceania. In drier areas they are replaced savannah(Southeast Brazil, Central and Eastern Africa, central areas Northern Australia, Hindustan and Indochina). Characteristic representatives of the animal world subequatorial belt- ruminant artiodactyls, predators, rodents, termites.

At the equator there is an abundance of precipitation and heat determined the presence of a zone here evergreen rain forests (Amazon and Congo basin, on the islands South-East Asia). The natural zone of evergreen moist forests holds the world record for the diversity of animal and plant species.

The same natural areas are found on different continents, but they have their own characteristics. First of all we're talking about about plants and animals that have adapted to exist in these natural areas.

The natural zone of the subtropics is widely represented on the coast Mediterranean Sea, the southern coast of Crimea, in the southeastern USA and in other regions of the Earth.

Western Hindustan, Eastern Australia, Parana basin in South America And South Africa- zones of distribution of more arid tropical savannas and woodlands. The most extensive natural area of ​​the tropical belt - desert(Sahara, Arabian desert, deserts of Central Australia, California, as well as Kalahari, Namib, Atacama). Vast areas of pebble, sand, rocky and salt marsh surfaces are devoid of vegetation. The fauna is small.

My small homeland- Mari El Republic. This is the land of lakes and pine forests. It is located at the junction of forest and forest-steppe natural zones. But besides it there are many other natural areas. Each corner of the earth is unique in its own way with its climate, topography, flora and fauna. And each continent has its own natural areas. I will tell you about this in more detail. :)

What are natural areas

This natural complexes with similar soils, flora and fauna, temperature regimes. The names of natural areas are determined by the type of vegetation, for example, subtropical forest. Typically, natural areas stretch in wide stripes from west to east. They do not have clear boundaries and they smoothly transform into one another. The main natural areas are:

  • arctic desert;
  • taiga;
  • tundra;
  • mixed forest;
  • steppes;
  • deserts;
  • subtropical forest;
  • savannas and woodlands;
  • tropical seasonally moist forest;
  • tropical permanent rain forest.

Founder Russian geologist and soil scientist V.V. Dokuchaev is rightfully considered to be a science of natural zonation. He defined zonality as a law of nature, equally manifested on land and sea, in the mountains and on the plains.


The reason for the formation of natural areas

The reason for the wide variety of zones is the energy of the Sun, which heats the earth unevenly. Thus, within one natural zone, it is clear that the part of it that is closer to the ocean is more humidified than its continental part. The reason lies in the ratio of solar heat and moisture. Thus, some continents have humid climate, while others are arid. In the subtropics, excess moisture leads to the formation of swamps, and lack of moisture in the hot tropical zone causes the formation of deserts.


Features of the natural zones of the continents

We found out that the Earth, having the shape of a ball, is heated by the sun unequally. Those areas where the Sun is high warm up the most, and where the rays slide across the surface they are cooler and even colder. And although the plants and animals of different continents are similar, the climate and relief leave their mark. There are continents with species of animals unique to them ( endemic). In Australia these are the platypus, kangaroo, koala, and wombat. And in the Arctic - a polar bear.

Plan

1. Arctic deserts
2. Tundra
3. Forest zone
a) taiga
b) mixed forests
c) deciduous forests
4. Steppes
5. Desert
6. Subtropics

Arctic deserts

Arctic - this is the zone of islands lying around North Pole. It's long here Cold winter The summer is short, cold, and therefore the vegetation is sparse - mosses and lichens.

In the Arctic, the sun does not set for several months - the polar day continues. For several months it is light around the clock, but not warm. The temperature is only a few degrees above 0. In winter, the polar night sets in. The dark ones are dark and very cold. The darkness is illuminated by the moon, stars and Northern Lights.

This is a very cold zone. But this does not mean that there are no animals and plants on it.

Arctic - the kingdom of the polar bear. The lack of land does not bother him; his main habitat is the ice floes of the Arctic Ocean. The polar bear eats fish and hunts seals, seals, and walrus cubs.

Numerous pinnipeds also live in the Arctic - seals, seals, walruses, elephant seals. Their elongated, streamlined body shape helps them move through the water at tremendous speed.

Numerous birds find shelter and nest on the coastal cliffs in the summer, setting up “bird markets” on the rocks - geese, gulls, eiders, terns, waders. In rock cracks where small amounts of soil accumulate, in thawed areas of glacial deposits - moraines, mosses, lichens, some types of algae and even cereals and flowering plants settle near snowfields. Among them are bluegrass, cotton grass, polar poppy, sedge, dwarf willows, and birches. During the cold polar summer they manage to bloom and even bear fruit.

Unfortunately, due to human development of the Arctic, complex environmental problems have arisen here: pollution of the northern seas; destruction of commercial fish species; hunting for polar bears and seals. Currently, hunting rare Arctic animals is prohibited. Some bird colonies have been placed under protection. Fishing is limited. Nature reserves have been created, for example, the WRANGEL ISLAND nature reserve.

Tundra

The climate of the tundra is harsh - winter lasts longer than the school year. Fierce winds blow all year round, and snowstorms rage in winter. Even in summer, the ground practically does not thaw (only 10–25 cm), and permafrost remains below.Birches spread near the surface, hiding from the wind and cold in mosses and lichens.

Ptarmigan, snowy owl, gyrfalcon, reindeer, and wolves live permanently in the tundra; geese and cranes arrive in the summer.

The main occupation of the tundra population is reindeer herding. There is also mining of minerals - oil and gas.

Environmental problems have arisen in the tundra:

soil disturbance from the tracks of tractors and all-terrain vehicles - plants die.
The area is contaminated with oil during its extraction.
illegal hunting - poaching.
reindeer pastures are trampled down because the reindeer are not always moved to other places.

Forest zone

Taiga – coniferous forest, it occupies most of the zone.

Mixed forest - in it along with coniferous trees birch, aspen, and alder trees grow. Winter in such a forest is milder. U deciduous trees medium-sized leaves that they shed for the winter.

broadleaf forest - replaced by oak, linden, maple, ash, elm. These are heat-loving plants, so they have large leaves, shed their leaves in the winter, and reproduce by seeds.

Due to human fault arise ecological problems . If earlier the forest was cut down as needed, now everything that is possible is cut down. Excessive hunting has led to the complete or almost complete extinction of some animal species.

Steppes

The steppes stretch in a narrow continuous strip in the south of Russia from the western borders to Altai. Further to the east, steppe areas have a focal distribution.The average January temperature in the sun is -2 °C, and in the east -20 °C and below. Summer in the steppe is sunny and hot. The average temperature in July is 22-23 °C. In the west of the zone there are often thaws, so the snow cover there is thin and very unstable. The predominant soils of the steppes are chernozems.

Natural plant communities are predominantly represented by perennial, drought- and frost-resistant grasses with a strong root system. These are primarily cereals: feather grass, fescue, wheatgrass, snake grass, tonkonog, bluegrass. In addition to cereals, there are numerous representatives of forbs: astragalus, sage, cloves - and bulbous perennials, such as tulips.

In the European steppes, the basis is made up of narrow-leaved grasses: feather grass, fescue, bluegrass, fescue, tonkonogo, etc.
In the drier southern regions, in addition to cereals, wormwood, milkweed, and cinquefoil are common. There are many tulips in spring. Tansy and cereals predominate in the Asian part of the country.

Ungulates are adapted to long movements across the vast expanses of the steppes. Due to the thinness of the snow cover, plant food is also available in winter. Bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes play an important role in nutrition. For many animals, plants are also the main source of moisture. Typical representatives of ungulates in the steppes are aurochs, antelopes, and tarpans. However, most of these species were exterminated or pushed south as a result of human economic activity. In some areas, saigas, which were widespread in the past, have been preserved.

The most common rodents are the ground squirrel, the vole, the jerboa, etc. The ferret, badger, weasel, and fox also live in the steppe.

Among the birds typical of the steppes are the bustard, little bustard, gray partridge, steppe eagle, buzzard, and kestrel. However, these birds are now rare.

There are significantly more reptiles than in the forest zone. Among them we will highlight the steppe viper, snake, common grass snake, quick lizard, and copperhead.

The wealth of the steppes - fertile soils . This natural zone is almost completely developed by man and natural steppe landscapes are preserved only in nature reserves. Due to insufficient precipitation and frequent droughts, irrigation systems were built in the steppe zone.

Steppes - zone of developed livestock farming. Cattle, horses, and poultry are raised here. Various industries are developed: metallurgy, mechanical engineering, food, chemical, textile.

Desert

In Russia, the desert occupies small area- along the shores of the Red Sea. Huge deserts lie in other countries: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. It's very hot in the desert.Typical soils in the semi-desert and desert zones are chestnut.

Most animals in the desert are small because they have nowhere to hide from predators. The most common reptiles are lizards, snakes, and turtles.

Birds - bustard, little bustard, larks.

Of the largest mammals, we note the camel and saiga; there are corsac dogs and wolves.
Camel – he has many adaptations to live in the desert. Long thick eyelashes protect your eyes from sand. Both toes on each foot are connected by a calloused pad. Thanks to her, he doesn't fall into the sand.

The traditional occupation of the population is cattle breeding: They raise sheep, camels, and cattle. As a result of overgrazing, the area of ​​unconsolidated dispersed sand increases. One of the measures to combat the onset of the desert is phytomelioration - a set of measures for cultivating and maintaining natural vegetation.

People built canals to irrigate the land. This is good. But excessive irrigation led to a lot of salt in the soils. Poaching is also a problem.

The culprit of the problems created is man. Now people are faced with the difficult task of correcting their mistakes.

Subtropics

This zone, occupying the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, is characterized by the smallest length and area in Russia.Fertile red earth and yellow earth soils are widespread.

Subtropical vegetation rich and varied. Vegetable world represented by evergreen hard-leaved trees and shrubs, among which we name boxwood, laurel, and cherry laurel. Forests of oak, beech, hornbeam, and maple are common. The thickets of trees are intertwined with liana, ivy, and wild grapes. There are bamboo, palm trees, cypress, eucalyptus.

Among the representatives of the animal world, we note chamois, deer, wild boar, bear, pine and stone marten, and Caucasian black grouse.

The abundance of heat and moisture makes it possible to grow subtropical crops such as tea, tangerines, and lemons here. Significant areas are occupied by vineyards and tobacco plantations.

Favorable climatic conditions, proximity to the sea and mountains make this area a major recreational area of ​​our country. There are numerous tourist centers, holiday homes, and sanatoriums here.

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