Briefly describe all natural areas. Geographical envelope of the Earth. Natural zones of the Earth. Moist equatorial forests

Arctic desert zone. Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya, Severnaya Zemlya, and the New Siberian Islands lie in this zone. 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.

The arctic air prevails here all year round, the radiation balance for the year is less than 400 mJ/m 2 , the average temperature in July is 4-2°C. Relative humidity is very high - 85%. Precipitation is 400-200 mm, and almost all of it 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, with an increase in temperature and a strong wind, a large lack of it is formed and strong evaporation of snow occurs.

The soil-forming process in the Arctic takes place 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 drained polygonal plains and polar desert solonchak soils in saline coastal areas. They are characterized by a low content of humus (up to 1.5%), weakly expressed genetic horizons and very small thickness. In the Arctic deserts, there are almost no swamps, few lakes, and salt spots form on the surface of the soil in dry weather with strong winds.

The vegetation cover is extremely sparse and patchy, it is characterized by poor species composition and exceptionally 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 close groupings 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 scale lichens. Hypnum mosses are common, sphagnum mosses appear only in the south of the zone in very limited quantities. Of the higher plants, saxifrage, polar poppy, grains, chickweed, arctic pike, bluegrass and some others are characteristic. Cereals grow luxuriantly, forming hemispherical pillows up to 10 cm in diameter on a fertilized substrate near nesting gulls and lemming burrows. An ice ranunculus and a polar willow grow near the snow patches, 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 among the birds the white partridge and snowy owl are ubiquitous. On the rocky shores there are numerous bird colonies - mass nesting of sea birds (guillemots, little auks, white gulls, fulmars, eiders, etc.). The southern shores of Franz Josef Land, the western shores of Novaya Zemlya are a continuous bird colony.

Published: 06.04.2018 Category: Author's essay

In 1807, the German geographer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt discovered a science called landscape science. After his research in world geography, the concept of "natural areas" was born. Russia (as a transcontinental country) got 9 of them. After all, this is a sixth of the land, equal in area to 17,125,191 square kilometers. Despite this, our country is overtaken by the United States in terms of the number of PZs. The fact is that two states and a couple of dependent territories of this state are already in the tropics. This review will present a description of the natural zones of Russia.

arctic desert

The natural zones of Russia begin with the huge archipelagos of the Arctic - Novaya and Severnaya Zemlya. Such biocomplexes also have "branches" in the far north of the Urals and in Siberia - in the lower reaches of the full-flowing Ob, Khatanga, Lena, Indigirka, Kolyma.

The named groups of islands lie in the Arctic, representing a wasteland covered with snow and ice, in some places crossed by gullies and hills. In total, (together with the Asian sites) "dubious wealth" is 9,000,000 sq. km.

Soils and climate

Summer in this zone is short and very cold. Zero degrees can be expected only in August. That is, snow and ice are a year-round phenomenon. Those spaces that are still free from glaciers are bound by permafrost. The absolute minus in January exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. Precipitation for the whole year is low, up to 400 mm. The so-called "polar night" lasts 150 days. The soil here is the least humus, giving life only to primitive forms of lichens and mosses (cladonia, nephrome, parmelia).

Flora and fauna

Biota - continuous fungi and microorganisms. Of the mammals, unusual, polar animals live. There are many natural areas in Russia, but you will find some species of seals, walruses, seals, northern fish (for example, killer whales) only here. The same applies to birds (polar owl, pink gull and murre). Polar bears are also found exclusively in snowy expanses - on the northernmost pieces of Russian land. Or in Antarctica! Arctic waters are home to 25% of salmonids and nearly the entire reindeer population. It is allowed to hunt this species for representatives of the indigenous population of those regions of Russia that capture the Arctic lands.

Recreational potential

Only 2 places are open for tourists in the Arctic - Wrangel Island and the Great Arctic Reserve. They are the northernmost protected natural areas in our Fatherland. Affordable rest is educational. The most popular excursion is to the islands where tiny creatures live - lemmings. Since July 15, fishing tourism has become famous in these places, allowed at a special training ground (a rather expensive tour is called "Fishing at the End of the Earth"). Some operators arrange snowmobile races.

Tundra

The natural zones of Russia, located at the northern tip of Eurasia, are called tundra. In fact, this is the northernmost steppe on the planet. There are landscapes similar to it on the upper "floors" of the mountains or on too high mountain plateaus.

Geographical position and relief

This refers to the geographical area north of the dendrosphere (zone of trees). In Russia, he captures the Arctic Circle, as well as the adjacent strips of land. This is the northern quarter of European Russia and the northern third of Siberia. The desired natural region has mountainous areas and lowlands (usually swampy). In the Russian Federation, tundra and forest-tundra together occupy about 19,000,000 square kilometers (on both continents).

Soils and climate

Russian natural belts like this one are characterized by extremely low precipitation (up to 300 mm per year) and cold temperatures (although it is already warmer here than in the Arctic). In July-August, the thermometer can rise to 10 degrees Celsius, but at the height of the "polar night" (almost as long as in the Arctic), -30°C reigns here.

Flora and fauna

This circumstance is the reason for poor biocenosis. Lichens and mosses are joined only by angiosperms, and in the south of the subarctic climatic zone - stunted shrubs (dwarf birch, shrub willow and marsh sedge).

In such an environment, the same reindeer, arctic fox, fox, wolf, bighorn sheep, lemming and even the hare (in the extreme south) live. Of the winged animals, the red-throated pipit, punka, white-winged plover and, of course, the polar owl are common. The ichthyofauna is represented by vendace, cisco, broad whitefish, white salmon. It is the relict species of the animal world that are listed. Scientists consider the threat of an ecological catastrophe to be the main biotopic difference of the tundra. This belt is home to the most exploited oil and gas fields. Wherever a person comes, an increasing number of species of flora and fauna disappear. In particular, the original landscape is badly damaged by the appearance of the so-called "burning lakes" - ignited oil spills.

Recreational potential

Reserved places are the "gates" to the tundra natural belts of Russia. Among the GCs located here are Taimyr, Ust-Lensky, Lapland and Pasvik. In addition to the familiar ecological and educational tourism, extreme adventures are practiced - river rafting, jeep safari, and in winter - dog and reindeer sled races. The low mountains of these surroundings (especially in the Murmansk region) are increasingly becoming interesting to speleologists and climbers. Fishing and hunting (especially photographic) are popular. A large number of Russians come to photograph the northern lights. The southern "branch" of the tundra is the Lagonaki plateau. This is a fragment of the Caucasian GZ in southern Adygea, where there is a well-known ski infrastructure and countless camp sites. However, the northern tundra can also boast of hospitality. For example, Pasvik is a territory on the adjacent lands of the Russian Federation and Norway, which is the border of the tundra and taiga (in the west, the forest rises to high latitudes ...). There are several tourist tracts on both sides of the border. There is also a small building of the ecological museum (Rajakoski village), as well as the waterfall of the same name.

Forest tundra and northern meadows

The forest-tundra and taiga is the largest natural zone in Russia, stretching from the south of the Kola Peninsula to the tip of Kamchatka. The main feature of the part named in the title is the oppressed woodlands and shrubs, the presence of "northern meadows" in the south of the Kamchatka Territory. The zone is typical for a third of the US states and most of Canada.

Geographical position and relief

The map of Russia's natural zones immediately makes it clear the huge scale of the "kingdom" of low-growing birch, dwarf spruce, shrubs and tall marsh grass. This is the 3rd part of all Siberia (middle), South Kamchatka, part of the Arkhangelsk region and the Komi Republic. More than 20 million sq. km. In terms of altitudinal division, this land is a plain with a large number of swampy lowlands and shallow river channels. Hills, however, are present in Komi - the northern end of the Ural Mountains, as well as the Timan ridge ... Geological formations of approximately the same stratification exist in the south of Kamchatka.

Soils and climate

The weather in this area is the same as in the rest of the tundra zones, with the only difference that the above-mentioned elevations protect the surrounding locations from many winds, creating a microclimate rich in dwarf forest vegetation.

Local soils contain a lot of peat, and in the south of the landscape they are already podzolic - here the so-called “white soils” begin, which are already considered a “cushion” for the boreal forests going south. Their “business card” is an 85% layer of so-called silica.

Flora and fauna

In this area, all those plants of the natural zones of Russia that have one feature have gathered. The grass here is as tall as a tree. Because the trees are short. The conversation turned to Karelian birch, dwarf spruce, high dwarf birch and larch. In the north, their trunks are often bent to the ground. And sometimes it is so bizarre that such a pseudo-forest is called "dancing". In the south they are straighter and higher. At the southern geographical boundary, already high light forest begins, in some places interspersed with full-fledged pines, cedars and firs. The fauna is actually no different from the tundra. However, there is an animal found exclusively in the North Siberian Lowland. Putorana "grade" of the bighorn sheep. After all, here is the Putorana Plateau, famous for biologists, where the reserve of the same name is located. We will talk about it in the next paragraph.

Recreational potential

The State Reserve "Putorana Plateau" is known as "the most lacustrine" within the forest-tundra. The most famous is its Khantai reservoir (Kutarmo). The length reaches 80 kilometers, and the depth is as much as 420 meters. A few tourists roam along the shores of a small “sea” (composed of rocks from a glacial basin), who camp in the village of Khantai Lake (to the west of the Khatanchi mouth). And yet, the most pronounced landscapes of the described natural and climatic region are the tracts of the Kronotsky (South Kamchatka) and Pechero-Ilychsky reserves, as well as the Yugyd Va GBZ (Komi Republic). The first is famous for its thermal springs in the vents of volcanoes, on the banks of which unnaturally bright greenery grows (grass as tall as a person), as well as a huge population of bears.

The second two are of interest to extreme people and lovers of North Ural ethnicity. In an unguarded zone, it is really possible to find camp sites. Many of them are intended for hunters and fishermen. Moreover, "Yugyd-Va" gives travelers a chance to book a visit directly on the website of the national park. The most popular hike is on a hill called Narodnaya. Its upper level is a picturesque alpine meadow, which is simply impossible to forget! The ecological direction captivates "hikers". There are places for parking. There are historical trips - to the objects of the Gulag. For example, a tour to the historical museum-reserve on the Solovetsky Islands is available to ordinary tourists from Arkhangelsk. They are located just in the forest-tundra zone - at the exit from the famous Onega Bay.

Taiga

Traditional for our ancestors (Proto-Slavic, Proto-Baltic and Finno-Ugric) natural areas of Russia are associated with coniferous forests. In geography, it is denoted by the word "taiga". It is divided into southern (found in the Caucasus and Crimea) and northern. The latter occupies a space from the southern limits of the Murmansk reserve Pasvik and Veliky Novgorod in the west to Kamennaya Kolyma and the tip of Kamchatka in the south.

Geographical position and relief

This penny of the planet was in the first position in the ranking of landscapes of the northern forest (forest-tundra and taiga). After all, it occupies 15,000,000 square kilometers, stretching first in a strip of 800 km. (European part of the Russian Federation), and then 2150 km. (Eastern Siberia).

The geological history of the region of the Earth on which the boreal forest grows is associated with increased mountain building, as well as the appearance of the most full-flowing rivers at the junctions of different platforms. In fact, there are lowlands, hills, mountains, foothills, plains, deep river channels. But the diverse relief partially explains some natural areas on the territory of Russia. On this piece of Eurasia, all conditions have been created for the growth of huge coniferous thickets. More on this below.

Soils and climate

The taiga is located in the "kingdom" of a cold-temperate, and partly medium-temperate climate. "Coniferous". At the height of summer, the temperature ranges here from +20 to +25°C, in January - from -15 to -30°C (the exception is pieces of the "Mediterranean" taiga, where it is much warmer in winter). In the west, the amount of precipitation is almost double that of the eastern tip of this geographic country. In the middle - average humidity (climatic norm). The soils are podzolic (they are described in the chapter above), and the swampy part of the dense spaces is rich in peat. Bad weather reigns in the Murmansk, Leningrad and Novgorod regions. This is where the influence of the cloudy Atlantic comes into play.

Flora and fauna

The boreal vegetation of the natural zones of Russia includes all types of coniferous flora (cedar, fir, larch, spruce, pine) with frequent inclusions of birch forest. In the southern (Caucasian and Crimean) taiga, yew dominates (in Crimea, berry yew, Crimean pine and Steven's maple, included in the Red Book). Trees of this family grow only on slopes. They do not fall under direct sunlight ... Cedar is more of a Siberian phenomenon. The extraction of its cones (with nuts rich in nutrients) is the most common type of Siberian gathering. In "northern Russian Asia" there are a lot of pine and birch. Different types.

Recreational potential

The southern taiga is better characterized by coniferous protected areas "Crimean" and "Caucasian". These reserves include many tourist routes of varying difficulty, climbing and speleological attractions, starting points for extreme river rafting, objects of historical value (such as cave cities in the upper slopes of the South Coast mountains or dolmens in Adygea). Both GZs have shelters (numbered) on the climbing trails. And at the start of famous routes there are cozy recreation centers. The brands of the northern taiga are the reserves of southern Karelia, the Kologrivsky Les (Kostroma region), as well as the arboretums of the Kirov region. And yet the most famous is considered ... Barguzinsky GZ. These are the shores of Lake Baikal, the cleanest and deepest in the world. There is a tour "The Charm of Olkhon", during which you will reveal all the secrets of this area of ​​​​the continent, as well as take a health course at the thermal spring "Davsha". Such sanatoriums include "Berezki" (GZ "Caucasian") and "Marcial Waters" (Karelia).

Zone of mixed and deciduous forests

In the rating of "the most beautiful natural areas of Russia" we would put this one. Mixed thickets are especially striking in autumn, shimmering at the same time with greens, golden, yellow and brown hues. In the literature, the European section of this region is called the "middle zone of Russia." In its north is its "Golden Ring".

Geographical position and relief

When a map of the natural zones of Russia lies on the table, it is immediately clear that the described territory occupies its historical core, starting from the southern half of the Novgorod and northern half of the Belgorod regions in the west, and ending with Sakhalin and the Kuriles in the east. Separate sections of this RoW are the northern half of Kamchatka, as well as the Western and Central Ciscaucasia. It is worth noting that in Siberia, the taiga strongly presses this described biotope to the south, severely cutting it in the Far East.

Much of the world's mixed and broad-leaved forests lie in the plains, hills, shallow lowlands, and middle strata of the Eurasian uplands.

Soils and climate

This PZ gravitates toward the zone of medium-temperate climate, the sections of which do not differ from each other in terms of heat. The exceptions are the Novgorod and Pskov regions, where there are slightly more cloudy days and precipitation. And the most striking example is the Moscow and Vladimir regions. Summer in these subjects of the federation is ideal - sunny days evenly alternate with slightly rainy ones, the average temperature is +22°C. In winter, the run-up goes from -10°C to -20°C. Winds are often squally, but not hurricane-like. In January, they result in a frost of only -25°C. Humidity is above normal in the west.

Flora and fauna

The greatest variety of flora and fauna - the words about the "middle zone of Russia." Relic arboretums contain both northern inhabitants (pine, spruce, fir and birch) and "taiga larch" black alder. To the south, ash, linden, poplar, oak and maple grow. Even closer to the forest-steppe - heat-loving elm. Lilac, apple tree, hazel, honeysuckle, mountain ash, hazel coexist. And in the riverbeds, a weeping willow leaned towards the water. In swamps and forests, a range of berries, rich in species composition, grows. A lot of mushrooms. The grass cover in forests, around fields, in swamps, as well as in water meadows, is denser, “juicy” and varied. We are talking about the northern border of gardening, floriculture and horticulture. In the dachas and outskirts of villages, viburnum blushes, and frost-resistant grapes grow in the Amur region! The difference between the local vegetation is the richest undergrowth, consisting of hundreds of species of ferns and shrubs (including berry bushes).

The animal world is the distribution area of ​​the bear, deer, elk, and roe deer. And also a wolf, a brown hare and a white hare. There are also foxes, weasels, stoats, beavers, polecats, raccoon dogs and 4 species of rodents. In this geographical area, we will meet more than 170 types of avifauna, and in its reservoirs - a hundred "varieties" of fish. Excessively active forms of fishing and hunting (the area has been overpopulated since the century before last) led to the fact that many of the listed fish and animals began to quickly disappear here. Now populations are restored artificially, including restrictions on the hunting regime.

Recreational potential

For obvious reasons, the most common type of recreation here is cultural and educational. You can visit the estates yourself. And the historical cities of Russia - to travel around "wholesale", using the tourist product "Golden Ring of Russia" (by the way, this can be a cruise). There is a rural cluster. Indeed, 3 years ago, the study of the ethnic characteristics of the local agricultural complex fell into a trend with Moscow operators. In second place is forest trekking with tents. On the third - multi-day fishing and hunting. In the Siberian half of this NR, as well as on the middle "floors" of the Crimean and Caucasus mountains, speleological and mountaineering fun, river rafting and jeep safaris are practiced. Speaking of the Far East, one cannot fail to mention the Ussuriysky GZ (Shkotovsky district of Primorsky Krai). The Ussuri tiger lives only in the latter. Saving its population is one of the tasks set by the President of our country, V. Putin. As for the flora, the forests of the Ussuri Territory are probably the richest in species composition. Judge for yourself: cedar, southern pine and fir get along with linden, maple, walnut and wild apple. Of the "undersized" here are wild rose, viburnum, hazel, honeysuckle. In the south, cherry, maakia and bird cherry complete the variety.

Hundreds of forest sanatoriums are considered to be medical resorts in the strip of the specified NR. The most characteristic health resorts practicing climatotherapy are built around such natural parks in Western Russia as the Botchinsky, Bryansk forest, Vishera, Voroninsky, Daursky, Belogorye and Kaluga Zasaki. The Central Federal District is known for the unique sanatoriums of the Moscow Region - Orbita, Emerald, Moscow Region and Sosny. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the Gorky Sea complex is popular - on the shore of the reservoir of the same name. In addition to forest walks, visits to various procedures are practiced here. But the broad-leaved forests of the Western and Central Ciscaucasia, where most of the thermal mineral springs are discovered, are of particular value. Most of them have sanatoriums (Mineralnye Vody, Goryachiy Klyuch, KBR).

forest-steppe

From the latitude of the northern and eastern Chernozem regions, the natural zones of Russia fragmentarily pass into the “kingdom of the steppes”. Moreover, in the western half they are all already plowed up. In terms of the size of the territory, this geographical sphere overtakes only the desert and semi-desert.

Geographical position and relief

The forest-steppe captures several administrative units of the state. Part of Oryol, Orenburg and Chelyabinsk. All Belgorod, Voronezh, Tambov, Lipetsk, Saratov and Penza. This nature reserve is also found in the foothills of Altai, decorating the channels of the largest rivers of this picturesque mountain system.

Geological biography explains one fact to us. Mostly forest-steppe is located on a hilly plain, representing part of the southeast of the Russian platform.

Soils and climate

A transitional climate prevails - from medium-temperate to sharply continental (arid). The standard of the local variety of temperate climate is the weather in the Lipetsk region. The average winter temperature is −10 °C, summer +22 °C. Rainfall is the norm. Half of the days are sunny. The soil composition of the forest-steppe is characterized by the presence of the so-called "northern", and in the Belgorod region - "saturated" chernozems. As for the "northern", we are talking about podzolic-humus substance ("gray" soils). The 2nd variety is an example of a chernozem saturated with organic matter, second only to the Stavropol and Krasnodar soils (the cause of the phenomenon is a rich cultural layer).

Flora and fauna

Oaks, linden, willow and ash are more common in the forest-steppe. Only in the extreme south - elm and acacia. Pyramid poplar and hornbeam begin to come across. The latter prefers loose soils rich in humus (as in the Belgorod and Voronezh regions). However, northern birch and pine are still widely scattered even here (although not as densely as in the zone of mixed forests). And pine loves sand. The “Central Russian” animals of the natural zones of Russia live here - the same representatives of the running, crawling, flying and swimming fauna that we talked about in the previous chapter. There is only one difference - a slightly larger number of field rodents. After all, there are more agricultural territories on the southern side of "middle Russia" - black soil is already growing in the south.

Recreational potential

In this "land" there are five protected areas, which have become popular among travelers. There are also unknown ones. So, about the five. These are the reserves: Forest on Vorskla (very old oaks of the Belgorod region), Voronezh (border of the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions - vegetation on unique sandy terraces). As well as national parks: Khvalynsky (coniferous forest on the Cretaceous ravines overlooking the Volga), Privolzhskaya forest-steppe (Penza region, commonwealth of meadows and 9 species of trees), as well as Arkaim (steppe and forest-steppe territories with remnants of ancient settlements of the Sintashta culture). Recreation in all reserves is ecological and historical. There are the most protected biological reserves, and vice versa - hunting and fishing grounds.

The agricultural direction is represented mainly by trips to Michurinsk (Tambov region). In its suburbs, a large museum-reserve has been set up, demonstrating what the famous Russian geneticist Michurin, as well as his outstanding students, did. The main difference is that the transition zone to the steppe contains many archaeological sites (with museums at the entrance), as well as wild boar hunting grounds. Fans of extreme water sports are waiting for the rivers ideal for rafting: Don, Sosna, Vorskla, Khoper and Oskol, and in the Saratov region - the quiet upper reaches of the Medveditsa and the Big Irgiz. The forest-steppe zone has quite a few resort facilities, being an agricultural complex.

The only exception is the sparsely forested part of the Chelyabinsk region. First of all, we are talking about a recreational area on the border of the Ural and Uvel regions, located between countless lakes. The world-famous hospital "Ural" (Lake Podbornoe) - "Ural Artek", where absolutely everyone is treated, and also develop intelligence and motor skills! On the border of mixed forest and forest-steppe, there are five lakes that “create” wonderful landscapes.

Steppe

From 53 degrees north latitude (in the east to south), the natural zones of Russia pass into the steppe - a plain with exclusively grassy vegetation. These are not only agricultural lands (53 and 52 degrees of latitude), but virgin lands of 4 types ... At the moment, there is only one Black Sea steppe in the Russian Federation - in the north of the Republic of Crimea.

Geographical position and relief

Features of the natural zones of Russia in the south are their smaller extent from west to east. This is how Russian Eurasia works. Other states are wedged in from the west, and in the east the Pacific coast goes southwest, not south. The steppes run in a sharply narrowing strip from some of the uplands of the Crimea and Belgorod in the west to the Ob itself in the east. In Western (Altai) and Eastern Siberia (Transbaikalia) they are also present, but in the form of 7 isolated areas, interspersed with forests.

Soils and climate

The weather here is sharply continental. Summer is prone to intense heat and drought, while winter is prone to frost. Slightly warmer in the North Caucasus. The best of the chernozems are found on the plains and foothills of this strip. This piece of land looks like a picturesque rural idyll… Every year tall grass, feather grass, xerophytic and mountain (subalpine) plains are blown by winds from all sides. The area from the Belgorod region, Taganrog and the steppe Crimea to the Volga is chernozem. In the Trans-Volga region, the steppes are non-chernozem. And they continue to the north - from the Saratov region (where the humus is diluted with loess), passing into the Orenburg ... The soil composition of the Trans-Volga and Siberian steppes is somewhat different than the western ones. On the ground, it is closer to semi-desert. We are talking about chestnut soils, the humus level in which is only 3%, while the main layer is clay. For centuries there were only pastures.

Flora and fauna

"Desert-plain" plants of the natural zones of Russia are divided into 4 groups, which have already been listed above. It is clear that there are more fauna in the chernozem west of the zone.

The steppes are inhabited by a wolf, a fox, a hare, a wild boar, a roe deer, a polecat and a lot of rodents. Among the birds are marsh-meadow and predatory (including three varieties of an eagle and a heron).

Recreational potential

The most popular parts of the steppe are the Donskoy, Ust-Medveditsky and Nizhnekhopersky natural parks (Volgograd region), the Zmeevy Gory reserve in the Saratov region, and the Sholokhovskiy natural park in the Rostov region. All this is an example of a classic steppe landscape, where ecological recreation, horseback riding, rafting on safe rivers (some parts of the Don, Khopr, Medveditsa and Buzuluk), as well as fishing are available. Skiing, tobogganing and snowboarding are common in the Saratov Zmeevy Gory in winter. All Volgograd and Rostov protected areas provide guides who tell about the Cossacks... The fact is that in the Volgograd and Rostov regions, most of the regional museums and almost half of the expositions in large cities are associated with the Cossack material culture and traditions. In Volgograd, Kamyshin (Kamyshinsky district) and Engels there are institutions that tell about the Volga Germans who once lived here.

semi-desert

In the left-bank part of the Volgograd region, throughout the Astrakhan region and Kalmykia, as well as in the southeast of Dagestan, the natural zones of Russia are transforming into a semi-desert - an arid biotope, a transition from steppe to desert. As for the first two subjects of the federation, they even have salt marshes.

Geographical position and relief

In Russia, the semi-desert is located only in Kalmykia, the Astrakhan region, on the left bank of the Volgograd region (north of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain), and also in the tiny southeastern corner of Dagestan, which is the gap between the Nogai steppe and the coast of the Caspian Sea. These are the wide lower reaches of the Sulak River. The entire zone is an absolutely flat area of ​​the East European Plain, with the exception of the Elton Lowland (salt marsh in the southeast of the Palasovsky district of the Volgograd region).

Soils and climate

This area of ​​the continent is a zone of action of a sharply continental climate. It differs from the steppe one in that it is 4-5 degrees warmer here in summer. By the way, only northern and eastern winds fall into the lower reaches of the Sulak, since from the west and south its delta is surrounded by the Caucasus, which is rapidly gaining height. The semi-desert is a storehouse of only chestnut soils.

Flora and fauna

The “kings” of the semi-desert are wormwood, cocklebur, fescue, prutnyak and tumbleweed. In spring, ephemerides appear in some areas - snowdrops, poppies and tulips. Those animals of the natural zones of Russia that inhabit the east of the northern half of the Southern Federal District are best represented by field rodents, hare and wild boar. Most birds, for obvious reasons, are predators. Under the protection of the Red Book are the white-tailed eagle, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, vulture, black vulture. There are endangered species among the floodplain avifauna - mute swan and whooper swan. In the Lower Volga, sturgeon breeds are disappearing due to an increased level of poaching. The Volga-Akhtuba floodplain is the world's largest "transit" habitat for birds.

Recreational potential

The Lower Volga (especially the oasis in the semi-desert - the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain) attracts fishermen. People with lung diseases are attracted by the Eltonsky reserve, where a sanatorium is set up near the salt lake Elton.

Not only lovers of salt and therapeutic mud, but also speleologists flock to another salt marsh - Baskunchak (there are interesting caves in Bolshaya Bagdo mountain). Talking about the borderlands of the 61st and 34th regions, I would like to inform the reader that there is a green sea here. The Tsimlyansk reservoir blooms at the end of summer. Algae generate so much heat that even at night you sleep on the sand without a tent and a sleeping bag! By the way, in the natural park "Tsimlyansky Sands" (the hearth of a semi-desert in the middle of the steppe), tent camping with equipment rental, inspection of mustangs and a tour of the former habitats of the Old Believers are available. In the Kalmyk "Black Lands" they go hunting to see Buddhist datsans and mustangs. And the end of April is the traditional photo hunting for tulips. There is a Chess City in Elista.

They head to the lower reaches of the Dagestan Sulak to look at the remains of the ancient Shamkhal (the former capital of the Kumyk principality). They also plunge into the Caspian Sea - on the shore. From a historical point of view, Derbent is more interesting. In the southernmost city of the Russian Federation, Caucasian Islam began. The village of Kubachi is now the "jewelry and weapons" center of the North Caucasus. Iranian shahs bought sabers and daggers from local craftsmen. Tours from Volgograd, Astrakhan, Rostov-on-Don and Makhachkala are dedicated to each of the phenomena.

Subtropics

A color map of the natural zones of Russia demonstrates the diversity on the southern border of Russian Europe and Russian Asia. As you guessed, we were talking about the urban districts of the Southern Coast of Crimea, the Sudak municipality and the mountain system of the Caucasus (or, more precisely, the Dividing Range itself and the Caspian coast of the Republic of Dagestan). There are three types of subtropics.

Geographical position and relief

Here we mean the urban districts of Sudak, Alushta, Yalta, the Western Caucasus (the districts of Anapa, Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, Tuapse, Sochi) and Dagestan (precisely the lower reaches of the Samur).

Soils and climate

Oddly enough, the Russian subtropics are three different climatic zones.

Dry (“Mediterranean”, which, in fact, is a transition from a temperate to a subtropical climate) include the South Coast, Sudak (Crimea) and the Western Caucasus (except for Greater Sochi). To semi-humid - 9 kilometers of the lower reaches of the Samur River (the lowland border of Dagestan with Azerbaijan). And Greater Sochi is considered wet.

The Russian "Mediterranean" is different in that in summer the dry air formed in the high-pressure zone descends onto a layer of sea air, which is characterized by variable humidity. As a result, there is no rainfall. Instead, only thunderstorms. And the heat is not stronger than the "steppe". In winter, the thermometer does not fall below -16 ° C, since the area is sheltered from cold (eastern and northern) winds by mountains (yaila in the Crimea and the Dividing Range in the Caucasus).

The Samur forest lies in the belt of semi-humid or "oceanic" subtropics. They are more susceptible to attack by sea winds and currents. In the midst of summer it is not hot and windy here ... The humidity is ideal (there is a normal amount of precipitation). In winter, the temperature fluctuates from -1°C to +4°C, only the easterly winds of the hot Central Asian deserts get here. The problem is the wind.

Finally, humid subtropics are similar to semi-humid ones only in winter. Only there is no wind. In summer there are clouds almost every day. But the fact is that they quickly dissipate, as well as constant, but very fine and short-term rain. Humidity is high here, the average July temperature ranges from +21°C to +27°C. Spring is very long and rainy. It ends, in fact, only in the first third of June.

All these pieces of Russia on the southern border of Russian Europe and Asia are tightly squeezed between high mountains and the sea. And, therefore, they are represented by the so-called mountain soils. Such soil consists of the thinnest meadow layer, under which there is a pebble surface.

Flora and fauna

The natural belts of Russia, like this one, are the habitat of birds of prey, rather large (including poisonous) snakes. Mountain goats, moufflons, bison, lynxes, tours, Caucasian chamois, roe deer, wild boars, jungle cats and dangerous forest cats. All this animal is found on the slopes of the mountains, most of the species are on their lower (seaside) "floor". In Crimea, such a stratum is represented by pistachio pistachio, juniper, Crimean pine and Crimean cistus. In the Western Caucasus, beech and yew can be added to them. In Greater Sochi, hornbeam thickets, Caucasian oak and plane tree join this company. Samur forest is the owner of the only liana forest in Russia! It is worth talking about it in more detail in order to instill tourist interest in it. Quite tall “green brothers” are braided with creepers: cork trees, wild apple trees, walnut and hornbeam. Between their trunks you can find huge flowers of extraordinary beauty and plants whose leaves look like water lily leaves (on the rocky banks of the river rapids).

Recreational potential

The map of Russia's natural zones clearly tells us that most of the protected natural landscapes of our state are located precisely in the subtropical zone. There are so many of them, they are small, unlike each other. Therefore, they are the topic of a separate conversation (read the article "Reserves of Russia" and others). For a northern country, subtropical terrain is exotic. Therefore, resort and ecological tourism is more developed here. And even sports and recreation (in the Crimea, Tuapse, the mountain and coastal cluster of Sochi, dozens of health paths are arranged). And the whole extreme, of course, is associated with sea recreation (windsurfing, kiting, yachting and diving) or mountain (trekking, climbing and jumping). By the way, the port of Imereti has the largest yacht marina in Russia (over 700 seats!), and Krasnaya Polyana is the largest network of ski resorts in the CIS.

There are also many coastal and mountain sanatoriums for vacationers. In the Crimea, in the regions of Saki and Evpatoria, there are the most Russian mud baths (this area is located in the middle of salty estuaries and deposits of healing mud). There are small mud volcanoes on Taman (there are lotuses right there), in some places in the urban district of Anapa. The Adler microdistrict (SO Sochi) is the only place where banjo jumping is officially practiced (the Sky Park extreme entertainment complex, Kazachiy Brod). The coastal (humid-subtropical) zone of the Caucasus State Reserve is called the Sochi National Park. It has 9 indigenous tourist routes of varying difficulty and dozens of historical and natural attractions. The zone of dry subtropics of Crimea has even more of them - these are botanical gardens around noble estates and royal residences, and museums on the site of Scythian settlements, and the remnants of ancient policies, and caves of the Karaites, and bizarre rocky tracts. Tourists-savages have chosen 75 Crimean bays, half of which are reserved.

Desert

This is the smallest natural zone in Russia, the smallest object from the entire list.

Geographical position and relief

The conversation will focus on about a hundred dunes of the Kumtorkala massif of the Republic of Dagestan. The location is equal in area to only the Bryansk region (about 30,000 square kilometers). It is located to the west of the Makhachkala agglomeration. The largest of the dunes bears the uncomplicated name of Sary-Kum. From the Turkic language it is translated as "yellow sand". It lies south of the others. This point is the highest sand mountain in the world, having a height of 262 meters. Sand deposits are asymmetric. The leeward side of each has a concave appearance, the opposite side is curved and has time to be covered with vegetation. Absolutely naked only Sary-Kum.

Soils and climate

Once in a space where unfamiliar weather reigns for them, the sands of Dagestan have properties that greatly distinguish them from their counterparts from Central Asia (by the way, they are separated by 300 kilometers of the Caspian Sea). For example, the surface of Sary-Kum absolutely does not move under the influence of wind. Moreover, a real ... river flows through the dune! The dunes are a product of the weathering of neighboring mountains, the former sides of an ancient river channel.

The surface of this tract is sand. However, on the windward side of the desert hills, flora grows that are not characteristic of the desert, but of the semi-desert. In some places there is even a dry forest stand! This will be discussed in more detail in the next section. Mountain "Yellow Sands", which has the dimensions of an average Russian village, lies in a sharply continental (arid), but still temperate climate. Therefore, in January it is not above zero here, and in the height of summer - no more than 31 degrees. At the same time, for several summer days, 576 hectares of the surface of the Sarykum sands still heat up to 60 degrees Celsius. You might even get burned!

Flora and fauna

The natural zones of Russia in the south of the country are more closely intertwined with each other. The result of this was a special zoological diversity in their rugged (mountains and large wastelands) expanses. The desert "Sarykum dunes" is the southwestern part of the indicated massif. It is located 18 kilometers northwest of Makhachkala. As said, only it can be called "classical". Of the plants - only xerophytic shrubs related to saxaul, as well as a little wormwood-grass vegetation. Monitor lizards and smaller lizards live on sandy waves. At the same time, in the rest of the tracts of the Kumtorkala massif, we will find a landscape transitional to a semi-desert - a lot of wormwood, dry trees, thickets of shibleak. Of the flowers, astragalus is most often found here - Karakuginsky and Leman. The sands are inhabited by 21 species of reptiles (among them the funny Mediterranean tortoise), 194 species of birds (as well as eagles - steppe and imperial) and 251 species of terrestrial vertebrates (usually rodents).

Recreational potential

The sandy hills of the Kumtorkalinsky massif are part of the Dagestansky nature reserve. In fact, the most carefully protected recreation of the region. First of all, educational tourism is developed here. And no wonder. The protected area includes adjacent sections of 6 landscapes at once - steppes, semi-deserts, broad-leaved forests (on the foothills and in the valleys of large rivers), as well as mountain and sandy deserts. No wonder the place is fashionable to call "the center of ecological travel." However, in the southernmost geographical region of the Russian Federation, extreme types of recreation are also exploited. These include caving, mountaineering, downhill sandy slopes and several types of trekking. Know: the Sulak River is suitable for rafting in spring. And travelers, in order to start exploring the sands, must first get to the village of Korkmaskala (along the Kavkaz highway) or to the Shamkhal station (on the Kizil-Yurt - Makhachkala railway line).

As you understand, the natural zones of Russia have not only a latitudinal or meridian vector of movement. They also vary in height. Large uplands have strata where the remoteness of the position from sea level corresponds to the movement to the north. Continuing to develop the topic of relief, it is worth pointing out that some micro-landscapes of the south, due to isolation, may have features of the natural zones of Russia in the north. And vice versa. We hope this information will help you on your journey.

4

What is a natural area? natural area- physical-geographical zone - is part of the geographic shell of the Earth and the geographic belt, has the characteristic components of its natural components and processes. What are natural areas?

1. Arctic (Antarctic) desert.
2. Forest tundra and tundra.
3. Taiga, mixed, deciduous forests, tropical forests.
4. Forest-steppe and steppe.
5. Deserts and semi-deserts.
6. Savannah.

Arctic and Antarctic deserts - such deserts occupy about 5 million square kilometers (the largest places are Greenland, Antarctica, the northern parts of Eurasia of North America), mainly consist 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 happens in these areas is up to -30 degrees Celsius, in winter -60 degrees, in warm seasons, the temperature is +3 degrees maximum. Such deserts are practically devoid of vegetation. Of the animals in the Arctic, polar bears, walruses, seals, arctic foxes, and seals live. In Alaska, Canada and Russia, the Arctic deserts are already gradually turning into tundra.

Forest-tundra and tundra - The largest areas of the tundra and forest-tundra are located in the north of North America and Eurasia (mainly Russia and Canada), mainly, such areas are located in the subarctic climatic zone. In the southern hemisphere of our planet, tundra and forest tundra are practically absent. The vegetation is very low, the most common are mosses and lichens. There are a large number of trees in the tundra, such as Siberian larch, dwarf birch, 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 areas are characterized by a mild climate and fertile soils. It is formed in temperate zones with an average amount of precipitation. Usually located in the temperate zone of Russia, Canada, Scandinavia. Cold winters and rather warm summers are typical. From the vegetation, a large number of coniferous trees: pine, fir, larch, spruce. Taiga, has become famous for its dark coniferous boreal forests. There is also a large number of deciduous trees: birch, poplar, aspen. The main seasons in the taiga and broad-leaved, tropical forests are winter and summer. Autumn and spring are so short that you won't even notice that they exist. Taiga 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. A very large number of wild animals: brown bear, wolf, fox, wolverine, ermine, sable, there are deer, elk, roe deer. But usually, they live in an area where there is a very large number of deciduous trees.

Forest-steppe and steppe - these are areas of the earth's part that do not have forests, occupy quite vast territories in Eurasia, North America and in the subtropical belts of South America. Very low rainfall. The forest-steppe zone runs in the north between the steppes and forests in the north, namely, from the steppes, a transition is formed to semi-deserts, and then deserts begin. In the forest-steppes, just the opposite, there is a rather humid climate (up to 600 mm) than in the steppe, so such an element as the meadow steppe is formed here. The temperature in the steppes, as well as in the forest-steppes, is 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 sagebrush. From animals there are ground squirrels, marmots, bustards, steppe eagles. There are also hedgehogs, squirrels, foxes, hares, snakes, moose, storks, 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): in Africa, Australia, the tropics of South America, and also on the Arabian Peninsula in Eurasia. The driest desert is Atacama, which is located in Chile, there is practically no rain there. In the largest desert of the Earth - the Sahara, there is also very little rainfall, in summer the temperature can be up to +50 for deserts, this is a very common occurrence. There are frosts in winter. Deserts have almost no flora, due to the low humidity and very dry climate, there are very few plants that can survive in such a climate. There are enough animals: jerboas, ground squirrels, 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 is located in South America, Africa, Indochina, the Hindustan Peninsula, the northern regions of Australia. Very diverse fauna, mostly herbaceous vegetation, various trees and shrubs. Of the animals that live in shrouds, the following can be distinguished: elephants, cheetahs, lions, rhinos, leopards, zebras, giraffes, antelopes. Lots of birds and insects.

At the core geographic zoning lie climate change, and above all differences in the flow of solar heat. The largest territorial units of the zonal division of the geographical shell - geographic zones.

natural areas - natural complexes occupying large areas, characterized by the dominance of one zonal landscape type. They are formed mainly under the influence of climate - the features of the distribution of heat and moisture, their ratio. Each natural zone has its own type of soil, vegetation and wildlife.

The external appearance of the natural area is determined vegetation type . But the nature of vegetation depends on climatic conditions - thermal conditions, moisture, illumination.

As a rule, natural zones are elongated in the form of wide strips from west to east. There are no clear boundaries between them, the zones gradually move into one another. The latitudinal location of natural zones is disturbed by the uneven distribution of land and ocean, relief, and remoteness from the ocean.

For example, in the temperate latitudes of North America, natural zones are located in the meridional direction, which is associated with the influence of the Cordilleras, which prevent the passage of moist winds from the Pacific Ocean into the interior of the mainland. In Eurasia, there are almost all zones of the Northern Hemisphere, but their width is not the same. For example, the zone of mixed forests gradually narrows from west to east as the distance from the ocean increases and the continentality of the climate increases. In the mountains, natural zones change with height - high-risezonation . The altitudinal zonality is due to climate change with uplift. The set of altitudinal belts in the mountains depends on the geographical position of the mountains themselves, which determines the nature of the nature of the lower belt, and the height of the mountains, which determines the nature of the highest altitudinal belt for these mountains. The higher the mountains and the closer they are to the equator, the more altitudinal zones they have.

The location of the altitudinal belts is also affected by the direction of the ridges relative to the sides of the horizon and the prevailing winds. Thus, the southern and northern slopes of the mountains may differ in the number of altitudinal zones. As a rule, there are more of them on the southern slopes than on the northern ones. On slopes exposed to moist winds, the nature of the vegetation will differ from that of the opposite slope.

The sequence of changes in altitudinal belts in the mountains practically coincides with the sequence of changes in natural zones on the plains. But in the mountains, belts change faster. There are natural complexes that are typical only for mountains, for example, subalpine and alpine meadows.

Natural land areas

Evergreen tropical and equatorial forests

Evergreen tropical and equatorial forests are located in the equatorial and tropical zones of South America, Africa and the Eurasian islands. The climate is humid and hot. The air temperature is constantly high. Red-yellow ferralitic soils are formed, rich in iron and aluminum oxides, but poor in nutrients. Dense evergreen forests are the source of a large amount of plant litter. But organic matter entering the soil does not have time to accumulate. They are absorbed by numerous plants, washed out by daily precipitation into the lower soil horizons. The equatorial forests are characterized by multilayered.

The vegetation is represented mainly by woody forms that form multi-tiered communities. Characterized by high species diversity, the presence of epiphytes (ferns, orchids), lianas. Plants have hard leathery leaves with devices that get rid of excess moisture (droppers). The animal world is represented by a huge variety of forms - consumers of rotting wood and leaf litter, as well as species that live in tree crowns.

Savannahs and woodlands

Natural areas with their characteristic herbaceous vegetation (mainly cereals) in combination with individual trees or their groups and shrub thickets. They are located north and south of the equatorial forest zones of the southern continents in tropical zones. The climate is characterized by the presence of a more or less long dry period and high air temperatures throughout the year. In savannahs, red ferrallitic or red-brown soils are formed, which are richer in humus than in equatorial forests. Although nutrients are washed out of the soil during the wet season, humus accumulates during the dry season.

Herbaceous vegetation with separate groups of trees predominates. Umbrella crowns are characteristic, life forms that allow plants to store moisture (bottle-shaped trunks, succulents) and protect themselves from overheating (pubescence and wax coating on the leaves, the location of the leaves with an edge to the sun's rays). The fauna is characterized by an abundance of herbivores, mainly ungulates, large predators, animals that process plant litter (termites). With distance from the equator in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the duration of the dry period in the savannas increases, the vegetation becomes more and more sparse.

Deserts and semi-deserts

Deserts and semi-deserts are located in tropical, subtropical and temperate climatic zones. The desert climate is characterized by extremely low rainfall throughout the year.

The daily amplitudes of air temperature are large. In terms of temperature, they vary quite a lot: from hot tropical deserts to deserts of the temperate climate zone. All deserts are characterized by the development of desert soils, poor in organic matter, but rich in mineral salts. Irrigation allows them to be used for agriculture.

Soil salinization is widespread. The vegetation is sparse and has specific adaptations to an arid climate: the leaves are turned into thorns, the root system greatly exceeds the aerial part, many plants are able to grow on saline soils, bringing salt to the surface of the leaves in the form of plaque. Great variety of succulents. Vegetation is adapted either to "capture" moisture from the air, or to reduce evaporation, or both. The animal world is represented by forms that can do without water for a long time (storage water in the form of fat deposits), travel long distances, survive heat by going into holes or hibernating.

Many animals are nocturnal.

Hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs

Natural zones are located in subtropical zones in a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and wet, mild winters. Brown and red-brown soils are formed.

The vegetation cover is represented by coniferous and evergreen forms with leathery leaves covered with a wax coating, pubescence, usually with a high content of essential oils. So the plants adapt to the dry hot summer. The animal world is strongly exterminated; but herbivorous and leaf-eating forms are characteristic, there are many reptiles, birds of prey.

Steppes and forest-steppes

Natural complexes characteristic of temperate zones. Here, in a climate with cold, often snowy winters and warm, dry summers, the most fertile soils, chernozems, are formed. The vegetation is predominantly herbaceous, in typical steppes, prairies and pampas - cereals, in dry variants - sagebrush. Almost everywhere natural vegetation has been replaced by agricultural crops. The animal world is represented by herbivorous forms, among which ungulates are heavily exterminated, mainly rodents and reptiles, which are characterized by a long period of winter dormancy, and birds of prey have survived.

broad-leaved and mixed forests

Broad-leaved and mixed forests grow in temperate zones in a climate with sufficient moisture and a period of low, sometimes negative temperatures. The soils are fertile, brown forest (under deciduous forests) and gray forest (under mixed forests). Forests, as a rule, are formed by 2-3 species of trees with a shrub layer and a well-developed grass cover. The animal world is diverse, clearly divided into tiers, represented by forest ungulates, predators, rodents, and insectivorous birds.

Taiga

Taiga is distributed in the temperate latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere in a wide strip in climate conditions with short warm summers, long and severe winters, sufficient precipitation and normal, sometimes excessive moisture.

In the taiga zone, under conditions of abundant moisture and relatively cool summers, intensive washing of the soil layer occurs, and little humus is formed. Under its thin layer, as a result of washing the soil, a whitish layer is formed, which in appearance looks like ash. Therefore, such soils are called podzolic. The vegetation is represented by various types of coniferous forests in combination with small-leaved ones.

The tiered structure is well developed, which is also characteristic of the animal world.

Tundra and forest tundra

Distributed in subpolar and polar climatic zones. The climate is harsh, with a short and cold growing season, long and harsh winters. With a small amount of precipitation, excessive moisture develops. The soils are peat-gley, under them there is a layer of permafrost. The vegetation cover is represented mainly by grass-lichen communities, with shrubs and dwarf trees. The fauna is peculiar: large ungulates and predators are common, nomadic and migratory forms are widely represented, especially migratory birds, which spend only the nesting period in the tundra. There are practically no burrowing animals, few grain eaters.

polar deserts

Distributed on islands in high latitudes. The climate of these places is extremely severe, winter and polar night dominate most of the year. Vegetation is sparse, represented by communities of mosses and scale lichens. The animal world is connected with the ocean, there is no permanent population on land.

Altitude zones

They are located in a variety of climatic zones and are characterized by a corresponding set of altitudinal zones. Their number depends on the latitude (in the equatorial and tropical regions it is larger and on the height of the mountain range) the higher, the greater the set of belts.

Table "Natural areas"

The spherical shape of our planet is the reason for the uneven distribution of sunlight. As a result, in some areas the surface of the earth warms up more, in others - much less. As a result, natural zones were formed, each of which has unique properties and climatic conditions.

What are natural areas

Natural complexes are impressive land areas, which are characterized by the same climate, soil composition, flora and fauna. The main reason for the emergence of natural zones is the uneven distribution of heat and moisture on Earth.

Table "Characteristics of natural areas"

natural area	climate zone	Average temperature in Celsius (winter/summer)
Antarctic and Arctic deserts	Antarctic, arctic
Tundra and forest tundra	Subarctic and Subantarctic
	Moderate
mixed forests	Moderate
broadleaf forests	Moderate
Steppes and forest-steppes	subtropical and temperate
temperate deserts and semi-deserts	Moderate
hardwood forests	Subtropical
Tropical deserts and semi-deserts	Tropical
Savannahs and woodlands		20+24 and above
Variable rainforests	subequatorial, tropical	20+24 and above
Permanently wet forests	Equatorial

This characteristic is concise, since a lot can be said about the features of the natural zones of the world.

temperate climate zone

• Taiga . It occupies the largest area - almost 30% of all forests on the planet. Taiga is the realm of coniferous forests that can withstand low temperatures. Huge areas of this zone are covered with permafrost.

Rice. 1. Taiga forests occupy vast territories.

• mixed forests . They have good resistance to long frosty winters. The soil, although not distinguished by fertility, but, unlike the taiga, is already suitable for agriculture.
• broadleaf forests . This area is characterized by mild winters. The soil is fertile, with a high content of humus. A significant part of broad-leaved forests is represented by deciduous trees. The fauna is very diverse.
• temperate deserts and semi-deserts . Their distinguishing feature is the meager flora and fauna, aridity and sharp temperature fluctuations during the seasons.

Arctic deserts and semi-deserts

These are vast areas covered with a thick layer of ice and snow. By and large, the Arctic deserts are a lifeless place. Only on the coast you can find a few representatives of the local fauna: seals, walruses, polar bears, arctic foxes and penguins. Mosses and lichens grow on small areas of land that are not covered with ice.

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Rice. 2. Arctic desert.

Moist equatorial forests

The very hot climate and consistently high humidity created ideal conditions for the equatorial forests. The impenetrable jungle is home to 70% of all living beings inhabiting our planet. The trees remain evergreen throughout the year as they shed their leaves gradually.

The flora of this natural zone is incredibly diverse. But most of all, it is striking that such an abundance of plants became possible on soils in which the humus content is very small.

Fig.3. The nature of the equatorial forests is rich.

Equatorial and subtropical climate zone

• Variable rainforests . Heavy rainfall occurs only during the rainy season, followed by a long dry period. Fauna and flora are also very diverse.
• Woodlands and savannas . They appear on those parts of the land where there is no longer enough moisture for variable-humid forests. The rainy season is very long and lasts at least six months.

hardwood forests

They got their name due to the dense shell of the leaves, which contributes to the retention of moisture. This zone is characterized by not too abundant precipitation. Such forests grow along the coasts of the seas and oceans.

Steppes and forest-steppes

They are vast areas overgrown with grass. Steppe soils are the most fertile due to their high humus content and are often used for agriculture.

Tundra and forest tundra

It has a harsh climate that even resistant coniferous trees cannot withstand. This zone is characterized by a lack of heat and high humidity, which leads to swamping of the area. The flora of the tundra is represented only by lichens and mosses, there are no trees at all.

To date, the tundra is the most fragile and unstable ecosystem. Active development of minerals has led to the fact that this zone is on the verge of complete extinction.

What have we learned?

A wide variety of natural zones is due to the uneven distribution of humidity and heat on the planet. Each natural complex has its own unique flora and fauna, soil composition, climate.

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