Natural zones of the hot zone. Natural zones of Russia Natural zones description of each zone table
"" Photo: Aziz J. Hayat Belt zoning
The sun heats the spherical surface of the Earth differently: the areas above which it stands high receive the most heat. The farther from the equator, the greater the angle of the rays reaching the earth's surface and, consequently, less thermal energy per unit area. Above the poles, the Sun's rays only glide over the Earth. The climate depends on this: hot at the equator, harsh and cold at the poles. The main features of the distribution of vegetation and fauna are also connected with this. According to the features of heat distribution, seven thermal zones are distinguished. In each hemisphere there are zones of eternal frost (around the poles), cold, moderate. The hot belt at the equator is one for both hemispheres. Thermal belts are the basis for dividing the earth's surface into geographical zones: areas similar in their predominant types of landscapes - natural territorial complexes with a common climate, soils, vegetation and wildlife.
On the equator and near it there is a belt of humid equatorial and subequatorial forests (from Latin sub - under), to the north and south of it, replacing each other, belts of tropics and subtropics with forests, deserts and savannahs, a temperate belt with steppes, forest-steppes stretch and forests, then the treeless expanses of the tundra extend, and, finally, the polar deserts are located at the poles.
But the land surface of the Earth in different places receives not only a different amount of solar energy, but also has many additional dissimilar conditions - for example, remoteness from the oceans, uneven terrain (mountain systems or plains) and, finally, unequal height above sea level. Each of these conditions greatly affects the natural features of the Earth.
Hot belt. Near the equator there are practically no seasons, the whole year is humid and hot here. When moving away from the equator, in subequatorial zones, the year is divided into drier and wetter seasons. There are savannahs, woodlands and mixed evergreen deciduous tropical forests.
Near the tropics, the climate becomes drier, deserts and semi-deserts are located here. The most famous of them are Sahara, Namib and Kalahari in Africa, Arabian Desert and Thar in Eurasia, Atacama in South America, Victoria in Australia.
There are two temperate zones on Earth (in the Northern and Southern hemispheres). There is a clear change of seasons, which are very different from each other. In the Northern Hemisphere, coniferous forests adjoin the northern border of the belt - taiga, which gives way to the south with mixed and broad-leaved forests, and then forest-steppes and steppes. In the inner regions of the continents, where the influence of the seas and oceans is almost not felt, there may even be deserts (for example, the Gobi desert in Mongolia, the Karakum in Central Asia).
polar belts. The lack of heat leads to the fact that in these zones there are practically no forests, the soil is swampy, and permafrost occurs in some places. At the poles, where the climate is most severe, land ice (as in Antarctica) or sea ice (as in the Arctic) develops. Vegetation is absent or represented by mosses and lichens.
Vertical zonality is also related to the amount of heat, but it only depends on the height above sea level. When climbing mountains, the climate, soil type, vegetation and wildlife change. Interestingly, even in hot countries, you can find landscapes of the tundra and even the icy desert. But in order to see it, you have to climb high into the mountains. Thus, in the tropical and equatorial zones of the Andes of South America and in the Himalayas, landscapes consistently change from humid rainforests to alpine meadows and zones of eternal glaciers and snows. It cannot be said that the altitudinal zonality completely repeats the latitudinal geographic zones, because in the mountains and on the plains, many conditions do not repeat. The most diverse range of altitudinal zones is near the equator, for example, on the highest peaks of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Margherita Peak, in South America on the slopes of the Andes.
natural areas
Among the natural zones, there are those confined to a particular zone. For example, the zone of arctic and antarctic ice deserts and the zone of tundra are located in the arctic and antarctic belts; the forest-tundra zone corresponds to the subarctic and subantarctic belts, while the taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests correspond to the temperate zone. And such natural zones as prairies, forest-steppes and steppes and semi-deserts are common both in the temperate and in the tropical and subtropical zones, having, of course, their own characteristics.
Natural zones, their climatic features, soils, vegetation and wildlife of each continent are described in chapter 10 and in the table "Continents (reference information)". Here we will dwell only on the general features of natural zones as the largest natural-territorial complexes.
Zone of Arctic and Antarctic deserts
Air temperatures are constantly very low, there is little precipitation. On rare ice-free land areas - rocky deserts (in Antarctica they are called oases), sparse vegetation is represented by lichens and mosses, flowering plants are rare (only two species are found in Antarctica), soils are practically absent.
Tundra zone
The tundra zone is widespread in the arctic and subarctic belts, forming a strip 300-500 km wide, stretching along the northern coasts of Eurasia and North America and the islands of the Arctic Ocean. In the Southern Hemisphere, areas with tundra vegetation are found on some islands near Antarctica.
The climate is harsh with strong winds, the snow cover lasts up to 7-9 months, the long polar night is replaced by a short and humid summer (summer temperatures do not exceed 10 ° C). Precipitation is a little 200-400 mm, mostly in solid form, but they do not have time to evaporate, and the tundra is characterized by excessive moisture, an abundance of lakes and swamps, which is facilitated by the widespread permafrost. The main distinguishing feature of the tundra is treelessness, the predominance of sparse moss-lichen, sometimes grassy, cover; in the southern parts with shrubs and shrubs of dwarf and creeping forms. The soils are tundra-gley.
Zone of forest-tundra and light forests
Zone of forest-tundra and woodlands. This is a transitional zone, which is characterized by the alternation of treeless tundra areas and forests (light forests), combines the features of the zones bordering it. Tundra natural complexes are characteristic of watershed spaces, light forests climb north along river valleys. To the south, the areas occupied by forests increase.
In the Southern Hemisphere (subantarctic belt), the place of the forest-tundra on the islands (for example, South Georgia) is occupied by oceanic meadows. For more information about the tundra zone, see tundra characteristics.
forest zone
The forest zone in the Northern Hemisphere includes the subzones of taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests and the subzone of temperate forests, in the Southern Hemisphere only the subzone of mixed and broad-leaved forests is represented. Some scientists consider these subzones to be independent zones.
In the taiga subzone of the Northern Hemisphere, the climate varies from maritime to sharply continental. Summers are warm (10-20 °c, winter severity increases with distance from the ocean (up to -50 °c in Eastern Siberia), and precipitation decreases (from 600 to 200 mm). Dark-coniferous (from spruce and fir) and light-coniferous (from larch in Siberia, where permafrost soils are widespread) forests with an admixture of small-leaved species (birch, aspen) and pines, which are poor in species composition, prevail. - taiga.
The subzone of mixed and broad-leaved forests (sometimes two independent subzones are distinguished) is distributed mainly in the oceanic and transitional zones of the continents. It occupies small areas in the Southern Hemisphere, winters are much warmer here and snow cover is not formed everywhere. Coniferous-broad-leaved forests on soddy-podzolic soils are replaced in the inner parts of the continents by coniferous-small-leaved and small-leaved forests, and to the south (in North America) or west (in Europe) by broad-leaved oak, maple, linden, ash, beech and hornbeam forests on gray forest forests. soils.
forest-steppe
The forest-steppe is a transitional natural zone of the Northern Hemisphere, with alternation of forest and steppe natural complexes. According to the nature of natural vegetation, forest-steppes with broad-leaved and coniferous-small-leaved forests and prairies are distinguished.
Prairie is a forest-steppe subzone (sometimes considered as a steppe subzone) with abundant moisture, stretching along the eastern coasts of the Rocky Mountains in the USA and Canada with tall grass on chernozem-like soils. The natural vegetation here is practically not preserved. Similar landscapes are characteristic of the subtropics of the eastern regions of South America and East Asia.
Steppe
This natural zone is common in the northern temperate or both subtropical geographical zones and is a treeless expanse with grassy vegetation. The growth of woody vegetation here, unlike the tundra, is prevented not by low temperatures, but by a lack of moisture. Trees can grow only along river valleys (the so-called gallery forests), in large erosional forms, for example, gullies that collect water from the surrounding interfluve spaces. Now most of the zone has been plowed up, irrigated agriculture and pastoral cattle breeding are developing in the subtropical zone. Soil erosion is highly developed on arable lands. Natural vegetation is represented by drought- and frost-resistant herbaceous plants with a predominance of turf grasses (feather grass, fescue, thin-legged). The soils are fertile - chernozems, dark chestnut and chestnut in the temperate zone; brown, gray-brown, saline in places in the subtropical).
The subtropical steppe in South America (Argentina, Uruguay) is called the pampa (i.e. plain, steppe in the language of the Quechua Indians). See vegetation and animals of the steppe.
Deserts and semi-deserts
These natural zones are distributed in six geographical zones - temperate, subtropical and tropical on both sides of the equator, where precipitation is so small (10-30 times less than evaporation) that the existence of living organisms is extremely difficult. Therefore, the herbaceous cover is sparse, the soils are poorly developed. Under such conditions, the rocks that make up the territory are of great importance, and depending on them, clay deserts (takyrs in Asia), stony deserts (hamads of the Sahara, Central Asia, Australia), sandy deserts (Thar desert in India and Pakistan, North American deserts ). In the temperate zone, deserts form in regions with a sharply continental climate, subtropical and tropical deserts owe their existence to constant baric maxima at 20-30 ° latitudes. Rare areas of increased moisture (high groundwater levels, spring outlets, irrigation from nearby rivers, lakes, wells, etc.) - centers of population concentration, growth of tree, shrub and herbaceous vegetation are called oases. Sometimes such oases occupy vast areas (for example, the Nile Valley stretches over tens of thousands of hectares). For more details, see: natural zone of deserts.
Savannah
Savannah is a natural zone, distributed mainly in the subequatorial belts, but is also found in tropical and even subtropical regions. The main feature of the climate of the savannas is a clear change of dry and rainy periods. The duration of the rainy period decreases when moving from equatorial regions (here it can last 8-9 months) to tropical deserts (here the rainy season is 2-3 months). The savannahs are characterized by a dense and high grassy cover, standing alone or in small groups of trees (acacia, baobab, eucalyptus) and the so-called gallery forests along the rivers. The soils of typical tropical savannahs are red soils. In deserted savannahs, the grass cover is sparse and the soils are red-brown. Tall grass savannas in South America, on the left bank of the river. Orinoco, called llanos (from Spanish "plain"). See also: vegetation and animals of the savanna.
Forest subtropics
Forest subtropics. The monsoonal subtropical subzone is characteristic of the eastern margins of the continents, where seasonally changing circulation of air masses is formed at the contact between the ocean and the continent, and there is a dry winter period and a humid summer with heavy monsoon rains, often with typhoons.
Thermal belts and natural zones
Evergreen and deciduous (dropping leaves in winter due to lack of moisture) with a wide variety of tree species grow here on red earth and yellow earth soils.
The Mediterranean subzone is characteristic of the western regions of the continents (Mediterranean, California, Chile, southern Australia and Africa). Precipitation falls mainly in winter, summer is dry. Evergreen and broad-leaved forests on brown and brown soils and hard-leaved shrubs are well adapted to summer drought, the plants of which have adapted to hot and arid conditions: they have a wax coating or pubescence on the leaves, thick or dense leathery bark, emit fragrant essential oils. See: animals of the subtropics.
Rainforests
More on the topic:
Taiga zone, plants and animals
Savannah
Characteristics of the forest tundra
Characteristics of the tundra
equatorial forest
Equatorial rainforests. equatorial climate. Warm all year round (around 25°C), little temperature fluctuation throughout the year, high rainfall all year round. Low pressure.
Savannah. Subequatorial climate. Hot all year round. Precipitation falls unevenly throughout the year, there are dry and wet seasons of the year. The main vegetation is grasses.
desert. Rainfall is very rare in tropical deserts. There is very little vegetation. In the deserts of the temperate zone there is a wet spring period (March-April).
steppes. Continental climate with cold winters with little snow and hot dry summers.
Broad-leaved and mixed forests. Favorable climatic conditions - enough moisture, many sunny days, a frost-free period of about or more than six months.
Taiga. Enough moisture, but the cold period is significant. Summers are quite warm (up to 20 °C), winters are severely frosty (average temperature is -30 °C).
Tundra. The soil is permafrost. The climate is subarctic.
natural areas
Strong winds. Long cold winter, polar night in many parts. In summer the temperature is about +5 °C.
arctic desert. The dominance of ice, the absence of plants, the animal world is quite poor. In winter, the average temperature is -30 ° C and strong winds, in summer it can be a little above 0, frequent rains and fogs. Polar night and day.
antarctic desert. In winter it is down to –70 °C, in summer it is not higher than –20 °C (it rises to 10 °C on the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula). Strong winds blowing towards the coast and central regions of Antarctica.
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Natural zones of Russia and their features
Nature is a complex of interrelated components that are in constant relationship with each other and depend on each other. Changes in one natural chain will necessarily lead to disturbances in related components. There is a constant exchange of resources and energy between individual members of the natural community. The presence of certain relationships is typical for each specific territory. This is how natural areas are formed. They, in turn, affect the economic activity of a person and its features.
The natural areas of Russia are very diverse. This is due to the vast territory, the difference in relief and climatic conditions.
Among the main natural zones of our country are steppes, semi-deserts, taiga, forests, forest-steppes, tundra, arctic desert, forest-tundra. The natural zones of Russia have a fairly large area that stretches for thousands of kilometers. Each of them is characterized by a certain climate, soil types, flora and fauna, as well as the degree of moisture in the territory.
The Arctic desert zone is distinguished by the presence of a large amount of snow and ice all year round. The air temperature here varies within 4-2 degrees. Glaciers are formed as a result of solid precipitation. The soil is poorly developed and is at the initial level. The formation of salt spots is observed in dry windy weather. The climatic conditions of this zone also affect the nature of the vegetation. Low mosses and lichens predominate here. The polar poppy, saxifrage and some other plants are less common. The animal world is also not very rich. Arctic fox, deer, owl, partridge and lemming are almost the only inhabitants of the Arctic desert.
The natural zones of Russia also include the tundra zone. This is a less cold zone than the Arctic deserts. But, nevertheless, it is distinguished by cold and strong winds, due to the proximity of the Arctic Ocean. Frosts and snowfall are possible all year round. The climate of the tundra zone is humid. The soil is also very poorly developed, which affects the vegetation cover. Mostly low shrubs and trees, mosses and lichens predominate.
The natural zones of Russia are gradually replacing each other. Next comes the forest tundra. Here already there is warmer weather in summer, but winters are cold with lots of snow. Among the plants, spruce, birch and larch predominate. During the warm period, the forest-tundra serves as a pasture for deer.
The forest-tundra is replaced by the taiga. It is characterized by warmer weather and less severe winters. The relief is characterized by the presence of a large number of water bodies (rivers, lakes and swamps). The soil here is more favorable for the plant world, and therefore the animal world is numerous here. Sable, hazel grouse, capercaillie, hare, squirrel, bear and many other species live in the taiga.
The semi-desert zone is the smallest in area. It typically has hot summers and harsh winters with little rainfall. It is mainly used for pasture.
The division of the territory into zones also affects human activities. Numerous natural and economic zones of Russia also determine its extensive activities in the economic sphere.
Each zone is subdivided into smaller types.
Natural zones of the world: a brief description. Table "Natural zones of the world"
There are also transitional zones, which are characterized by the climatic features of each adjacent region. Therefore, each natural area is inextricably linked with the neighboring one. Violations occurring in a certain region of the country lead to changes not only in the climate, but also in the world of animals and plants in another zone.
The characteristic of the natural zones of Russia implies the features of each of them, but they do not have clear boundaries and the division is conditional. In addition, human activities can affect the nature and climate of the environment.
The Russian Federation ranks first in terms of area among other countries. For this reason, the territory of the country is divided into several natural zones. Their percentage of the area of Russia can be seen in the table below.
How many natural zones is the territory of Russia divided into
Zonal study is associated with the name of the famous geographer and traveler Alexander von Humboldt. This man is the progenitor of the whole science of landscape science.
It was Humboldt who introduced the concept of "natural areas". He classified Russia as a transcontinental (located in several parts of the world) countries. Allocated 10 natural zones. Despite the huge area, namely 17,000,000 sq. km, in terms of the number of natural zones, Russia is inferior to the United States due to the location of two states in the tropics.
Table of natural zones of Russia, occupied territory:
| Name of the natural area | Percentage of the area of Russia | annual rainfall | average temperature |
| Arctic deserts | 2 % | 150 or less | -24 -70°C in winter; 0 -+12°C in summer |
| Tundra | 7 % | 100-250 mm | -8 - -40°C in winter; +8 - +12°C in summer |
| Forest tundra and northern meadows | 9 % | 150-300 mm | -4 - -31°C in winter; +10+14°C in summer |
| Taiga | 62 % | 250-1000 mm | -8 - -57°C in winter; +3 - +20°С in summer |
| Mixed and deciduous forests | 3 % | 500-700 mm | -8 - -26°C in winter; +16- +20°C in summer |
| Forest-steppe | 3.5 % | 250-500 mm | -16 - + 8 ° С in winter; +16- +21°C in summer |
| steppes | 11 % | 200-400 mm | +5 - -35°С in winter; +7 - +35°С in summer |
| Subtropics | 0.5 % | 600-800 mm | +8+16°С in winter; +20+36°C and above in summer |
| semi-desert | 1 % | Less than 250 mm | +2°+24°C and above |
| Desert | 1 % | Less than 200mm | +13+20°С in winter; +23+50°C and above in summer |
Despite the occupied territory (17,000,000 sq. km), the United States, in terms of the number of natural regions, overtakes Russia due to the location of two states at once on the equator.
Arctic deserts
The natural areas of Russia, the table of which is given above, begin with the Arctic biome. It is adjacent to the North Pole. Numerous scientific expeditions are currently being conducted on this territory in order to study the landscape and living organisms that live inside the area.
The zone includes: the northern regions of the Taimyr Peninsula, Franz Josef Land, Severnaya Zemlya, part of the seas of the Arctic.
The Arctic desert has many glaciers. The coastlines of the islands, located in glaciation zones, have flat low plains that are distributed throughout the natural region. They give way to table plateaus and huge stalactites in the hinterland.
Soils and climate
Permafrost, reaching 1000 m in depth, permeates the soil through and through. Therefore, it remains frozen for most of the year. In summer, this situation changes somewhat. Abnormally low temperatures are getting warmer. This leads to the flooding of small lakes, which cover the surface of the deserts with melt water. The soil layer, although moistened in summer, is thin and poor in organic matter.
In areas with relatively high temperatures, soils contain more organic matter, and therefore are able to provide vital activity for frost-resistant plant species (mosses, lichens). Long frosty winters give way to cool summers. In terms of temperature difference, the Arctic desert zone surpasses the rest of the biomes of the country.
The natural zones of Russia, the table of which is given above, cause different weather at the same time throughout the country.
In the frosty months, the temperature in some regions drops to -70 o C, and in the summer it reaches +12 o C (June, July). During the year, it usually stays at the level of 0 o C to -22 o C. On average, the amount of precipitation does not exceed 150 mm per year.
Flora and fauna
The natural zone has approximately 700 species of plants and 120 animals, and they are united by the fact that they are able to survive in the most difficult frosty conditions. The same is true with animals. Many are covered with thick fur or have a dense layer of fat that protects them from frost. Some adaptation mechanisms are associated with procreation (reproduction during warm periods), winter migration.
Plant life is very scarce. Its main part consists of varieties of mosses and algae, the only representatives of the flora that can survive. The animal world is more diverse. Mammals live in the Arctic (polar bear and narwhals, sea hare); fish (flounder and cod, haddock); birds (pink gull and guillemots, snowy owl).
Recreational potential
Although scarce, the Arctic deserts hold some promise. Profitable crafts - hunting, fishing are real types of recreation for lovers of the exotic. Another popular activity is the collection of minerals. In terms of the volume of mined rocks and precious stones, the North is not inferior to the Altai Territory or the Ural deposits.
The tourism sector is associated with the Great Arctic Reserve, which is the largest object of tourist reception. The reserve shows the whole nature of the "Russian" North, the culture of ancient peoples and the life of the main representatives of flora and fauna. Tourists will be able to truly enjoy the magnificence of the Arctic.
Tundra
Geographer Fismer accurately described this zone: "High treeless mountain."
Geographical position and relief
The natural zone of the tundra covers part of the Kola Peninsula, the Urals, Kamchatka, according to the table, occupying 7% of the entire area of the country. On the territory of Russia, only 2 types of tundra are represented - arctic and alpine, which differ in some features.
The Arctic tundra has a predominantly flat relief with a partial presence of small mountain formations - hills covered with snow. In turn, the alpine tundra has a mixed relief - both mountains and plains predominate.
Soils and climate
The upper soil layer is more fertile, but still remains poor in organic matter. Therefore, the scarcity of flora and fauna is preserved. The remote location of the glaciers softens the severity of the climate.
Winter remains the same long, and summer - short. The average winter temperature is kept at -17 o C. In summer, the soil can warm up to +12 o C, the amount of annual precipitation does not exceed 250 mm.
Flora and fauna
The flora is about the same as in the Arctic deserts. Plants - mosses, lichens, dwarf trees.
Animals - northern hare, lemmings, polar bear, elk, arctic fox, reindeer, have exactly the same adaptation mechanisms as the inhabitants of the Arctic.
Recreational potential
The wealth of the tundra is associated with its mineral resources - oil, iron, nickel, and numerous ores. Fishing and hunting remain profitable occupations. For tourists, there are special reserves - Lapland, Altai.
Forest tundra and northern meadows
Being the "middle" of the tundra and taiga, it combines all the features of these regions.
Geographical position and relief
The forest-tundra zone runs along the border with tundra areas. The whole territory is located in low plains, partly there are plateaus and hills. The large length is the reason for the diversity of flora and fauna. The width of this zone from north to south is from 20 to 300 km.
The name "forest tundra" is associated with the peculiarity of the landscape. In some flat areas there are light forests. In appearance, they resemble clusters of low-growing forest trees and numerous shrubs hidden under the covers of tall "neighbors". The trees have a solid root system, the average height is up to 6 m. The minimum distance between them is 11 m.
Soils and climate
The upper soil layer is represented by peat-gley and podzolic soils, the fertility of which is low. It can be increased by drainage, the use of artificial fertilizers (phosphates, calcides, nitrogen minerals). The richest in humus are soils located on the slopes, the fertility of which is associated with constant exposure to sunlight.
Such lands give very good crops of grain, potatoes, fodder.
But after the end of the season for harvesting cultivated plants, it is necessary to restore soil fertility again. In winter, the forest-tundra is not much different from the Arctic desert or tundra. Climate improvement is associated with the summer period. Despite the short duration of this season, the average temperature stays at around +10 - +14 o C.
Flora and fauna
The mild climate, suitable conditions contribute to the abundance of flora and fauna. Woodlands are the reason for the development of lichens and mosses. Entering into symbiosis with more powerful trees, these primitive organisms receive all the substances they need, while protecting the stem bark from fungi and harmful bacteria.
Other representatives of the flora are cultivated plants (cereals, fodder) grown on the most fertile soils, dwarf birches, spruces and larches. The main animals living in the forest-tundra zone are arctic foxes and wolves, brown bears and hares, rabbits; birds - partridges, polar owls.
Recreational potential
A relatively suitable climate for growing crops makes it possible to engage in agriculture. But this activity in this zone brings a lot of expenses and is almost unprofitable. Another thing is reindeer breeding. The occupation, which the indigenous peoples have been engaged in for many centuries, has become the main income of the forest-tundra. Reindeer pastures alone cover up to 90% of the entire biome.
Especially for tourists, there is the Taimyr Reserve, which performs the function of protecting the current landscape and studying nature.
Taiga
“Taiga... Taiga... Without end and edge, it stretched in all directions, silent, indifferent. From a height, it seemed like a dark sea ... ”(Victor Astafiev)
Geographical position and relief
The natural zones of Russia (the table shows that the percentage of taiga from the country's area is more than 60%) determine the inconstancy of the weather in the state. Taiga forests cover most of the regions of Altai, the Far East, and the Urals.
In the south, the border passes through the following cities:
- Pskov.
- Read.
- Nizhny Novgorod.
- Tomsk.
The relief of the taiga is flat. Due to the impact of permafrost, hill formations are quite common, formed as a result of the melting of underground glaciers.
Soils and climate
The taiga is characterized by low soil fertility. The exception is those areas that are irrigated by man. Due to its large extent, the climate is quite diverse. In the western taiga, a mild climate prevails - warm summers and average winters.
Average temperatures are from +10 o C to -10 o C. In the East, things are different. The winter months are very severe due to the sharply continental climate. Temperatures drop to -57 o C.
Flora and fauna
The taiga zone has many different vegetation areas (swamps, windbreaks, dead woods). Deciduous species - birch, oak, aspen form huge areas of forests in which the flora reaches its diversity. Numerous shrubs, herbs, mushrooms, medicinal plants are the main inhabitants of the taiga forests.
The animal world is just as wide. Mammals, rodents, birds - most of them are sedentary. They live inside plant biomes, perfectly adapted to the conditions.
Recreational potential
The taiga is of great economic importance. This biome is the main source of the forest. More than 80% of wood is extracted from coniferous forests. Fur trade, agriculture, mining are the assets of the natural zone.
Zone of mixed and deciduous forests
"The combination of taiga anxiety with the heavenly beauty of larches" (Vladimir Sorokin).
Geographical position and relief
Biome sites are scattered and partially found in the Carpathians, the Caucasus, and the Far East. The relief is exactly the same as that of the taiga - flat with hills.
Soils and climate
Climatic conditions are characterized by humidity, high temperatures, especially in summer. A sufficient amount of heat contributes to the development of "whimsical" broad-leaved species. The soils are sod-podzolic.
Flora and fauna
Mixed forests are distinguished by the fact that in addition to coniferous trees, there are broad-leaved species. Low waterlogging frees up space for planting and reduces the number of lichens and mosses.
The diversity of animals is associated with the appearance of rare species that are now on the verge of extinction - the Amur tiger, marten.
Recreational potential
The main activities are agriculture and hunting. Podzolic soils suitable for planting cultivated plants, with proper irrigation, give a good harvest. Forest blanks from softer trees are used to create furniture, musical instruments, and decorative elements.
forest-steppe
It is an "intermediate" zone between forests and steppe.
Geographical position and relief
Covers the south of the Urals, part of Western Siberia and Altai. It combines flat terrain with elements of ravines that complicate farming.
Divided by:
- Steppe biome.
- Mountain - with forest formations and light forests.
Soils and climate
The upper soil layer is black earth. For this reason, the soils are very fertile. Average temperatures are kept at around 21 o C in summer and down to -26 o C in winter. The temperature balance is kept due to the temperate climate.
Flora and fauna
The mountain areas are dominated by oak, maple and linden, the steppe areas have many small shrubs and berry plants, herbs. The animals presented in the forests coincide with the fauna of the taiga. The steppe, in turn, has a unique world of organisms.
Antelopes, saigas, falcons, numerous rodents - hamsters, ground squirrels, voles.
Recreational potential
The fertile soils are suitable for agriculture. As you know, black soil gives a very good harvest. In the forest-steppe zone there are several national parks open to the public - "Chikhoy", "Aginskaya steppe".
Steppe
“... how quiet, how inexpressibly quiet everything is around! Everything has woken up, and everything is silent” (Ivan Turgenev, “Forest and Steppe”).
Geographical position and relief
They are located in the south of the country and capture part of the Black Sea, the Caucasus and regions of Transbaikalia. The steppe biomes are completely flat, occasionally there are small gullies and ravines that are covered with shrubs.
Soils and climate
Chernozem with sedimentary rocks provides very high soil fertility (16% content of humus and humus). The saturation of the soil layer decreases with an increase in temperature, which usually ranges from -19 o C to +19 o C. There are frequent deviations from -35 o C to +35 o C.
A small amount of precipitation - up to 400 mm "compensates" these suitable conditions for the development of living organisms.
Flora and fauna
The animal and plant world is represented mainly by organisms of small sizes. The exception is some types of horses. Basically, the entire habitat consists of small rodents, birds, vegetation - cereals, feather grass and other fodder that pasture animals feed on.
Recreational potential
Conducting some classes is difficult due to natural conditions. For example, the cultivation of many types of cultivated plants is impossible due to the dryness of the climate. The main unpretentious crops are vegetables, melons, cereals. Unlike crop production, livestock farming is much more successful. Huge areas for pastures allow you to breed all cattle, all kinds of sheep, horses.
semi-desert
It occupies mainly the territory of the south-eastern regions of the country.
Geographical position and relief
The zone is located on the Caspian lowland, the south of the Volga and in the Terek valley.
The features of the relief are associated with the dry continental climate and the influence of the wind, the work of which is expressed in the blowing of sands and their deposition in other places (formation of dunes).
Soil and climate
Desert soils are due to the influence of a dry climate. The semi-desert zone is characterized by very hot summers with minimal precipitation - up to 250 mm, and cold winters.
The only source of moisture is groundwater, which often dries up during the summer months.
Flora and fauna
In such climatic conditions, vegetation is sparse and is presented in the form of undersized thickets and shrubs (wormwood, tumbleweed).
These biomes are home to many small reptiles that have adapted to high temperatures (snakes, lizards, lemmings, voles).
Recreational potential
Semi-deserts have little economic value. Farming is possible only in meadow areas, which are sometimes found in this zone, if they are subjected to artificial irrigation. To preserve the flora and fauna, national parks were created - Aral-Paygambar, Tigrovaya Balka. They are often open to the public.
Subtropics
The biome covers only a small part of the country, but this does not make it any less valuable.
Geographical position and relief
The subtropical zone occupies the south of the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus (Sochi), the southern part of Crimea. The landscape is truly varied. There are flat, low-mountain and high-mountain regions.
Soils and climate
Two types of soils predominate - mountain-forest and humus. Dry climate with low precipitation is typical for dry subtropics. High humidity with moderate climatic conditions is inherent in the humid subtropics.
The natural zones of Russia (the table clearly shows that the average temperatures in the subtropical zone are kept at around +5 o C to +29 o C) are diverse. Dry climate with low precipitation is typical for dry subtropics. High humidity with moderate climatic conditions is inherent in the humid subtropics.
Flora and fauna
Rich deciduous forests consisting of oak, beech, maple, chestnut are mixed with evergreen trees - boxwood, rhododendron. Animals are varied. In the mountains there are bears, wild boars, wild lynxes, lizards.
Recreational potential
Humid and warm climate, which remains unchanged throughout the year, is well suited for growing whimsical and southern plants (watermelons, tangerines, oranges, tea, dates). The Black Sea coast is the main resort area of the country. The most famous children's camps, sports complexes are present in this zone.
Desert
Despite the high temperatures, the biome is diverse and deserves attention, although it occupies a small piece of the country.
Geographical position and relief
The border starts from the left bank of the Volga and ends with the northern borders of Kazakhstan, from the right bank to the foothills of the Caucasus. The relief is the same as in semi-deserts.
Soils and climate
The soil layer is dry and infertile.
Groundwater is very deep. High temperatures reign all year round and can reach up to +50 o C.
Flora and fauna
The vegetation is characterized by a wide distribution of cacti, wormwood plants, saxaul, acacia. The desert is home to many animals that are exclusively nocturnal, rodents digging deep holes.
Recreational potential
Artemisia and small shrubs are excellent food for animals, but there are very few areas suitable for pastures. Crop production is associated with the cultivation of crops - cotton, some varieties of grapes, pomegranate.
All natural regions of Russia have their own characteristics. In order to compile a detailed analysis of each biome, it is necessary to provide a lot of data and tables describing specific and up-to-date data.
Each zone is vast and has a wide range of applications in the economy and human activities. It must be remembered that this intervention should not disturb the balance of flora and fauna. Otherwise, the entire system may malfunction.
Article formatting: Lozinsky Oleg
Video about natural areas of Russia
Natural areas of Russia, what they are, features:
In different ways, the sun is the source of all living things, it illuminates and warms different parts of the globe.
Most heat falls on the equator of the earth, least of all on the North and South Poles.
A certain amount of heat, light, moisture enters different zones of the globe. These conditions define separate zones with their own special climate.
What is a natural area?
A natural zone is a territory that is determined by uniform climatic conditions, vegetation and wildlife.
The names of natural zones correspond to the name of the prevailing vegetation in this zone.
And so, a journey from the north to the south of the country ...
Arctic desert zone
In the very north of Russia, on the islands of the Arctic Ocean, there is a zone of Arctic deserts. Most of the area (85%) is covered by glaciers. In the middle of summer, there is no more than 4-2 degrees of heat, and in winter it is frost down to -50 ° C, strong winds, fogs. The climate is very harsh.
Soil, flora
The soils are very weak, there is no fertile layer, there are many stone ruins. Only mosses and lichens grow on the rocks. Poor flora and fauna.
Typical animals and birds
Reindeer, polar bears live in the Arctic desert, and sea birds settle on the rocky shores of the ocean: auks, gulls, polar owls and partridges. Baleen whales, seals, walruses, seals, white whales are found in the Arctic Ocean.
tundra zone
The climate of the tundra is harsh. This cold natural zone has short, cool summers and harsh long winters with strong winds from the Arctic Ocean.
Location
- Along the coast of the Arctic Ocean is arctic tundra with sparse vegetation in the form of mosses, lichens,
- Further south, in the middle of the zone lichen-moss tundra with islets of moss, lichens, among them reindeer moss and a lot of cloudberries,
- In the south of the zone is shrub tundra with more abundant vegetation: shrub willows, dwarf birches, herbs and berries.
The soil
Tundra soils are usually swampy, poor in humus, and have high acidity.
Vegetable world
Most of the tundra is treeless. Low-growing plants cling to the ground, using its warmth and hiding from strong winds. Lack of heat, strong wind, lack of moisture for the root system do not allow the shoots to turn into large trees.
In the south of the tundra zone, dwarf birches and shrub willows grow.
Typical birds and animals
In winter, the lack of food for animals is made up for by evergreens wintering under cover of snow.
Ducks, geese, black goose and sandpipers settle in the marshes. Herds of deer roam the tundra in search of reindeer moss - the main food. Deer, white partridges, owls, and crows constantly live in the tundra.
Forest-tundra zone
In the forest-tundra, summers are warmer and the winds are weaker than in the tundra. Winter is cold, snowy lasts more than 9 months.
Location
The forest tundra is a transitional zone from the harsh tundra to the forests of the taiga. The width of the forest-tundra ranges from 30 to 300 km in different regions of the country. The climate is warmer than in the tundra.
The soil
The soils of the forest-tundra are frozen-marsh, peaty-podzolic. These low fertile soils are low in humus and nutrients, with high acidity.
Vegetable world
Meadows with willow bushes, sedge and horsetail grasses serve as a good pasture for deer. Due to the harsh climate, the islands of the forest are very sparse. In these forests - Siberian spruce, larch and birch.
Typical birds and animals
Animals of the forest-tundra - polar bears, wolves, arctic foxes.
Geese, ducks, swans live on lakes and swamps. In the summer in the forest-tundra there are a lot of blood-sucking horseflies and mosquitoes. Closer to the south, in the forest-tundra, there are squirrels, elk, brown bears, capercaillie.
Taiga zone
Taiga is the largest natural zone in Russia, to the south of it there is a forest zone, or forest-steppe. Winter here is quite warm - 16-20 degrees of frost, in summer - 10 - 20 degrees of heat.
There are significant natural differences within the zone, as it is located in two climatic zones - subarctic and temperate. The large rivers Ob, Yenisei and Lena flow from the south to the north of the zone.
The soil
The taiga is rich in swamps, lakes, groundwater. The amount of heat and moisture is sufficient for soil formation of fertile podzolic and marsh-podzolic soils.
Vegetable world
Coniferous trees grow in the taiga - spruce, fir, cedar and deciduous trees: birch, aspen, alder, larch. There are many meadows in the forests, there are swamps, many berries and mushrooms.
Typical birds and animals
There are many different animals in the taiga - sable, capercaillie, hazel grouse, elk, squirrel. Brown bears, wolverines, lynxes are widespread. There are many blood-sucking insects in the taiga.
Zone of mixed and deciduous forests
To the south of the taiga is a forest zone. It has a lot of heat and moisture, many full-flowing rivers, lakes, and swamps are much smaller than in the taiga. Summers are long and warm (18-20 warm), winters are mild. There are large reserves of timber in this zone, and mineral deposits in the bowels of the earth.
The vegetation of the zone has been heavily modified by man, most of the territory is used for agriculture and cattle breeding.
Location
The zone of mixed and broad-leaved forests is located on the East European Plain and in the Far East.
Soils
Soils are formed by tree litter and are rich in ash elements. They have a top layer of fertile humus. The soils are soddy-podzolic, in the southern part - gray forest.
Vegetable world
There are different trees in this zone: in the northern part, mixed forests with deciduous and coniferous trees: spruces, pines, birches, maples and aspens. Closer to the south, broad-leaved trees predominate: oak, elm, linden, maple.
There are many shrubs in the forests: elderberry, raspberry; berries and mushrooms; abundance of herbs.
Typical birds and animals
The availability of food throughout the year allows animals and most birds to live in the forest. There are many different animals in the forests: squirrels, owls, pine martens, elks, brown bears, foxes, and from birds - orioles, woodpeckers, etc.
forest-steppe
The forest-steppe zone is part of the temperate climate zone. This is a transitional zone between the forest zone and the steppe zone, combining forest belts and meadows covered with herbs. Flora and fauna represent plants and animals and forests and steppes. The closer to the south, the less forests, the less forest animals.
Steppe
The south of the forest-steppe passes into the steppe zone. The steppe zone is located on plains with grassy vegetation in a temperate and subtropical climate. In Russia, the steppe zone is located in the south near the Black Sea and in the valleys of the Ob River.
The soil in the steppe is fertile black soil. There are many arable lands and pastures for livestock. The climate of the steppes is characterized by very dry weather, hot summers, and lack of moisture. Winters in the steppe are cold and snowy.
Vegetable world
The vegetation is mostly cereals growing in tufts with bare soil in between. There are many different types of feather grass that can serve as fodder for sheep.
Typical birds and animals
In summer, animals are active mainly at night: jerboas, ground squirrels, marmots.
Typical steppe birds: bustard, kestrel, steppe eagle, lark. Reptiles live in the steppe.
desert zone
Desert - a zone with a flat surface, sand dunes or clay and rocky surfaces. In Russia, there are deserts in the east of Kalmykia and in the south of the Astrakhan region.
Vegetable world
The desert grows drought-resistant small shrubs, perennials that bloom and grow in early spring when there is moisture. Some herbaceous plants, after they wither, turn into balls of dry branches, they are called tumbleweeds. The wind drives them across the desert, scattering the seeds.
Typical birds and animals
Deserts are inhabited by hedgehogs, ground squirrels, jerboas, snakes, lizards. Of the birds - larks, plovers, bustards.
subtropical zone
In Russia, the territory of the subtropics is small - it is a narrow part of the coastal land near the Black Sea to the Caucasus Mountains. In this zone - tropical summer, there is practically no winter.
According to climatic conditions, Russian subtropics are divided into dry and wet. From the southern coast of Crimea to the city of Gelendzhik - dry subtropics. Summers are dry, and only drought-resistant plants survive: prickly blackberries and wild roses. Pitsunda pine grows here, shrubs: juniper, cherry plum.
Vegetable world
The mountains are covered with a dense green carpet of trees and shrubs. Broad-leaved trees are present - oaks, beech chestnuts, coniferous yew is remarkable, evergreen shrubs grow: laurel, rhododendron and boxwood.
Typical birds and animals
In the forests near Sochi you can meet bears, wolves, forest cats, badgers, jackals. There are many rodents in the forests - squirrels, mice, there are snakes. There are many shellfish on the coast: snails, slugs. Birds settle in the mountains - kites, eagles, owls.
The Russian Federation stretches from west to east and from north to south for many kilometers, so the zonality of the territory is clearly visible. The sun illuminates and heats different parts of the earth in different ways. Most heat falls on the equator, least of all - on the North and South Poles. A certain amount of heat, light, moisture enters different zones of the globe. These conditions define separate zones with their own special climate.
There are such natural zones: arctic deserts, tundra, forest-tundra, taiga, forests, forest-steppes, steppes, semi-deserts, deserts, subtropics.
A natural zone is a territory that is determined by uniform climatic conditions, features of the soil, vegetation and wildlife. The names of natural zones correspond to the name of the prevailing vegetation in this zone.
Arctic desert zone or ice zone
The Arctic desert zone is located in the very north of Russia, on the islands of the Arctic Ocean. Most of the territory of the zone (about 85%) is covered with glaciers. In the middle of summer, there is no more than 2-4 degrees of heat, and in winter it is frost down to -50 ° C, strong winds, fogs. The climate is very harsh.
The soils in this zone are very weak, there is no fertile layer, and there are many stone ruins. Only mosses and lichens grow on the rocks.
Polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes live in the Arctic desert, and sea birds settle on the rocky shores of the ocean: auks, gulls, polar owls and partridges. Baleen whales, seals, walruses, seals, white whales are found in the Arctic Ocean.
As humans invade, the Arctic wilderness is changing. Thus, industrial fishing has led to a reduction in their populations, which is one of the environmental problems of this zone. Every year the number of seals and walruses, polar bears and arctic foxes decreases here. Some species are on the verge of extinction due to human activity. In the zone of the Arctic deserts, scientists have identified significant reserves of minerals. Sometimes accidents occur during their extraction, and oil spills on the territory of ecosystems, harmful substances enter the atmosphere, and global pollution of the biosphere occurs. It is impossible not to touch on the topic of global warming. Human activity contributes to the melting of glaciers. As a result, the territories of the Arctic deserts are shrinking, the water level in the World Ocean is rising. This contributes not only to changes in ecosystems, but also to the movement of some species of flora and fauna to other areas and their partial extinction.
tundra zone
The Arctic tundra spreads along the coast of the Arctic Ocean. The climate of the tundra is harsh. In this cold natural zone, summers are short, cool, and winters are long, with severe frosts and winds from the Arctic Ocean.
Vegetation is sparse, mostly mosses and lichens. Further to the south, in the middle part of the zone, there is a lichen-moss tundra with islands of moss, lichens, among them reindeer moss and many cloudberries. In the south of the zone there is a shrub tundra with more abundant vegetation: shrub willows, dwarf birches, herbs and berries. Tundra soils are usually swampy, poor in humus, and have high acidity.
For the most part, there are no trees in the tundra. Low-growing plants cling to the ground, using its warmth and hiding from strong winds. Lack of heat, strong wind, lack of moisture for the root system do not allow the shoots to turn into large trees. In the south of the tundra zone, dwarf birches and shrub willows grow. In winter, the lack of food for animals is made up for by evergreens wintering under cover of snow.
Ducks, geese, black goose and sandpipers settle in the marshes. Herds of reindeer roam the tundra in search of reindeer moss - their main food. Deer, white partridges, owls, and crows constantly live in the tundra.
Forest-tundra zone
The forest tundra is a transitional zone from the harsh tundra to the forests of the taiga. The width of the forest-tundra ranges from 30 to 300 km in different regions of the country. The climate is warmer than in the tundra. In the forest-tundra, summers are warmer and the winds are weaker than in the tundra. Winter is cold, snowy lasts more than 9 months.
The soils of the forest-tundra are frozen-marsh, peaty-podzolic. These low fertile soils are low in humus and nutrients, with high acidity.
The flora of the tundra - meadows with willow bushes, sedge and horsetail grasses serve as a good pasture for deer. Due to the harsh climate, the islands of the forest are very sparse. In these forests - Siberian spruce, larch and birch.
Animals of the forest-tundra - wolves, arctic foxes. Geese, ducks, swans live on lakes and swamps in summer. In the summer in the forest-tundra there are a lot of blood-sucking horseflies and mosquitoes. Closer to the south, in the forest-tundra, there are squirrels, elk, brown bears, capercaillie.
Taiga zone
Taiga is the largest natural zone in Russia, to the south of it there is a forest zone, or forest-steppe. Winter here is quite warm - 16-20 degrees of frost, in summer - 10 - 20 degrees of heat. There are significant natural differences within the zone, as it is located in two climatic zones - subarctic and temperate. The large rivers Ob, Yenisei and Lena flow from the south to the north of the zone.
The taiga is rich in swamps, lakes, groundwater. The amount of heat and moisture is sufficient for soil formation of fertile podzolic and marsh-podzolic soils.
Coniferous trees grow in the taiga - pines, spruces, fir, cedar and deciduous trees: birch, aspen, alder, larch. There are many meadows in the forests, there are swamps, many berries and mushrooms.
There are many different animals in the taiga - sable, capercaillie, hazel grouse, elk, squirrel. Brown bears, wolverines, lynxes are widespread. There are many blood-sucking insects in the taiga.
Zone of mixed and deciduous forests
To the south of the taiga, on the East European Plain and in the Far East, there is a forest zone. It has a lot of heat and moisture, many full-flowing rivers, lakes, and swamps are much smaller than in the taiga. Summers are long and warm (18-20 warm), winters are quite mild. There are large reserves of timber in this zone, and mineral deposits in the bowels of the earth.
The vegetation of the zone has been heavily modified by man, most of the territory is used for agriculture and cattle breeding.
Soils are formed by tree litter and are rich in ash elements. They have a top layer of fertile humus. The soils are soddy-podzolic, in the southern part - gray forest.
There are different trees in this zone: in the northern part, mixed forests with deciduous and coniferous trees: spruces, pines, birches, maples and aspens. Closer to the south, broad-leaved trees predominate: oak, elm, linden, maple. There are many shrubs in the forests: elderberry, raspberry; berries and mushrooms; abundance of herbs.
The availability of food throughout the year allows animals and most birds to live in the forest. There are many different animals in the forests: squirrels, owls, pine martens, elks, brown bears, foxes, and from birds - orioles, woodpeckers, etc.
forest-steppe
The forest-steppe zone is part of the temperate climate zone. This is a transitional zone between the forest zone and the steppe zone, combining forest belts and meadows covered with herbs. Flora and fauna represent plants and animals and forests and steppes. The closer to the south, the less forests, the less forest animals.
Steppe
The south of the forest-steppe passes into the steppe zone. The steppe zone is located on plains with grassy vegetation in a temperate and subtropical climate. In Russia, the steppe zone is located in the south near the Black Sea and in the valleys of the Ob River.
The soil in the steppe is fertile black soil. There are many arable lands and pastures for livestock. The climate of the steppes is characterized by very dry weather, hot summers, and lack of moisture. Winters in the steppe are cold and snowy.
The vegetation is mostly cereals growing in tufts with bare soil in between. There are many different types of feather grass that can serve as fodder for sheep.
In summer, animals are active mainly at night: jerboas, ground squirrels, marmots. Typical steppe birds: bustard, kestrel, steppe eagle, lark. Reptiles live in the steppe.
semi-deserts
The semi-desert zone is located in the southeast of the East European Plain, along the northwestern edge of the Caspian lowland.
A characteristic feature of semi-deserts is the dominance of wormwood-cereal plant communities. The vegetation cover is very sparse and does not have a continuous distribution: spots of drought-resistant soddy grasses and clumps of wormwood alternate with areas of bare soil.
The semi-deserts have a dry, sharply continental climate. This is due to the fact that cyclones are extremely rare here, and anticyclones come constantly from the depths of Eurasia. The annual amount of precipitation ranges from 250-400 mm, which is 2.5-3 times less than the evaporation rate. Despite the southern position, the winter in the semi-desert is cold. The average January temperature is from -5 to -8, and on some days the thermometer drops to -30. The average temperature in July is +20 - +25.
The soils of the semi-deserts are light chestnut, which makes them similar to the steppe, and brown soils are desert, often saline.
Despite the harsh climatic conditions, the flora in the deserts and semi-deserts of Russia is relatively diverse. Vegetation - steppe turf grasses and desert wormwood, shrubs and others
The fauna of semi-deserts has a number of features associated with specific living conditions. Many animals have devices for burrowing. Most are protective. Rodents play an important role in the fauna of the semi-deserts; their activity has led to the formation of a tubercular microrelief.
Many semi-deserts and deserts have significant reserves of oil and gas, as well as precious metals, which has led to the development of these territories by people. Oil production increases the level of danger, in the event of an oil spill, entire ecosystems are destroyed. But the main environmental problem is the expansion of desert territories. So many semi-deserts are transitional natural zones from steppes to deserts, but under the influence of certain factors they increase their territory and also turn into deserts. This process is most stimulated by anthropogenic activities - cutting down trees, exterminating animals (poaching), building industrial facilities, and depleting the soil. As a result, the semi-desert lacks moisture, plants die out, as do some animals, and some migrate. So the semi-desert quickly turns into a desert.
desert zone
Desert - a zone with a flat surface, sand dunes or clay and rocky surfaces. In Russia, there are deserts in the east of Kalmykia and in the south of the Astrakhan region.
The desert grows drought-resistant small shrubs, perennials that bloom and grow in early spring when there is moisture. Some herbaceous plants, after they wither, turn into balls of dry branches, they are called tumbleweeds. The wind drives them across the desert, scattering the seeds.
Hedgehogs, ground squirrels, jerboas, snakes, lizards live in deserts. Of the birds - larks, plovers, bustards.
The main ecological problem of deserts is their expansion due to irrational human activities. The problem of nuclear testing and disposal of nuclear waste is also on the list of environmental problems of the desert. Previously, many tests were carried out in deserts, which led to the problem of radioactive contamination. There is a problem of pollution by military waste. Various burials, military and nuclear, lead to groundwater pollution, the extinction of flora and fauna.
Today, desert and semi-desert territories are a specially protected natural zone in Russia. The desert and semi-desert is divided into special reserves, such as Astrakhan, Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky and Caucasian, as well as into reserves - Ilmenno-Bugrovaya, Stepnoy, Burley Sands and other protected areas.
Most of the plants and animals of the Russian desert were listed in the Red Book, and more than 35 natural monuments were created in the vast area of the Caspian lowland.
subtropical zone
In Russia, the territory of the subtropics is small - it is a narrow part of the coastal land near the Black Sea to the Caucasus Mountains. This zone has hot summers and mild winters. According to climatic conditions, the Russian subtropics are divided into dry and wet. From the southern coast of Crimea to the city of Gelendzhik - dry subtropics. Summers are dry, and only drought-resistant plants survive: prickly blackberries and wild roses. Pitsunda pine grows here, shrubs: juniper, cherry plum. Further along the coast, the amount of precipitation increases in summer, and from Gelendzhik to the border with Georgia, including the Sochi region, these are humid subtropics. The flora is very diverse and rich.
The mountains are covered with a dense green carpet of trees and shrubs. Broad-leaved trees are present - oaks, beech chestnuts, coniferous yew is remarkable, evergreen shrubs grow: laurel, rhododendron and boxwood.
In the forests near Sochi you can meet bears, wolves, forest cats, badgers, jackals. There are many rodents in the forests - squirrels, mice, there are snakes. There are many shellfish on the coast: snails, slugs. Birds settle in the mountains - kites, eagles, owls.
On the map, each natural zone is usually designated by its own color:
Arctic deserts - blue, light purple.
Tundra is purple.
Forest tundra - marsh.
Taiga, forests - different shades of green.
Forest-steppe - yellow-green.
Steppes - yellow.
Semi-deserts and deserts - orange.
Areas of high zonation are brown.
It is sad to realize, but even a slight intervention of people in the life of the natural world always leads to some changes in it, and, moreover, not always to favorable ones. Deforestation, destruction of animals (poaching), environmental pollution are the main environmental problems that exist in Russia, regardless of the climatic zone. And a lot depends on the person in changing the deplorable environmental situation for the better.
The warmth of the sun, clean air and water are the main criteria for life on Earth. Numerous climatic zones led to the division of the territory of all continents and water space into certain natural zones. Some of them, even separated by vast distances, are very similar, others are unique.
Natural areas of the world: what is it?
This definition should be understood as very large natural complexes (in other words, parts of the geographic belt of the Earth), which have similar, uniform climatic conditions. The main characteristic of natural zones is the flora and fauna that inhabits this territory. They are formed as a result of uneven distribution of moisture and heat on the planet.
Table "Natural zones of the world"
natural area | climate zone | Average temperature (winter/summer) |
Antarctic and Arctic deserts | Antarctic, arctic | 24-70°С /0-32°С |
Tundra and forest tundra | Subarctic and Subantarctic | 8-40°С/+8+16°С |
Moderate | 8-48°C /+8+24°C |
|
mixed forests | Moderate | 16-8°С /+16+24°С |
broadleaf forests | Moderate | 8+8°С /+16+24°С |
Steppes and forest-steppes | subtropical and temperate | 16+8 °С /+16+24°С |
temperate deserts and semi-deserts | Moderate | 8-24 °С /+20+24 °С |
hardwood forests | Subtropical | 8+16 °С/ +20+24 °С |
Tropical deserts and semi-deserts | Tropical | 8+16 °С/ +20+32 °С |
Savannahs and woodlands | 20+24°C and above |
|
Variable rainforests | subequatorial, tropical | 20+24°C and above |
Permanently wet forests | Equatorial | above +24°C |
This characteristic of the natural areas of the world is only introductory, because you can talk about each of them for a very long time, all the information will not fit in the framework of one table.
Natural zones of the temperate climate zone
1. Taiga. Surpasses all other natural zones of the world in terms of the area occupied on land (27% of the territory of all forests on the planet). It is characterized by very low winter temperatures. Deciduous trees do not withstand them, so the taiga is dense coniferous forests (mainly pine, spruce, fir, larch). Very large areas of the taiga in Canada and Russia are occupied by permafrost.
2. Mixed forests. Characteristic to a greater extent for the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth. It is a kind of border between the taiga and the broad-leaved forest. They are more resistant to cold and long winters. Tree species: oak, maple, poplar, linden, as well as mountain ash, alder, birch, pine, spruce. As the table "Natural areas of the world" shows, the soils in the zone of mixed forests are gray, not very fertile, but still suitable for growing plants.
3. Broad-leaved forests. They are not adapted to harsh winters and are deciduous. They occupy most of Western Europe, the south of the Far East, the north of China and Japan. Suitable for them is a maritime or temperate continental climate with hot summers and fairly warm winters. As the table "Natural zones of the world" shows, the temperature in them does not fall below -8 ° C even in the cold season. The soil is fertile, rich in humus. The following types of trees are characteristic: ash, chestnut, oak, hornbeam, beech, maple, elm. The forests are very rich in mammals (ungulates, rodents, predators), birds, including commercial ones.
4. Temperate deserts and semi-deserts. Their main distinguishing feature is the almost complete absence of vegetation and sparse wildlife. There are a lot of natural areas of this nature, they are located mainly in the tropics. There are temperate deserts in Eurasia, and they are characterized by sharp temperature changes during the seasons. Animals are represented mainly by reptiles.
Arctic deserts and semi-deserts
They are huge areas of land covered with snow and ice. The map of natural zones of the world clearly shows that they are located on the territory of North America, Antarctica, Greenland and the northern tip of the Eurasian continent. In fact, these are lifeless places, and polar bears, walruses and seals, arctic foxes and lemmings, penguins (in Antarctica) live only along the coast. Where the land is free of ice, lichens and mosses can be seen.
Moist equatorial forests
Their second name is rainforests. They are located mainly in South America, as well as in Africa, Australia and the Greater Sunda Islands. The main condition for their formation is a constant and very high humidity (more than 2000 mm of precipitation per year) and a hot climate (20 ° C and above). They are very rich in vegetation, the forest consists of several tiers and is an impenetrable, dense jungle that has become home to more than 2/3 of all types of creatures that now live on our planet. These rainforests are superior to all other natural areas of the world. Trees remain evergreen, changing foliage gradually and partially. Surprisingly, the soils of moist forests contain little humus.
Natural zones of the equatorial and subtropical climatic zone
1. Variably humid forests, they differ from rainforests in that precipitation falls there only during the rainy season, and during the period of drought that follows it, the trees are forced to shed their leaves. The animal and plant world is also very diverse and rich in species.
2. Savannas and woodlands. They appear where moisture, as a rule, is no longer enough for the growth of variable-humid forests. Their development occurs in the depths of the mainland, where tropical and equatorial air masses dominate, and the rainy season lasts less than six months. They occupy a significant part of the territory of subequatorial Africa, the interior of South America, partly Hindustan and Australia. More detailed information about the location is reflected in the map of natural areas of the world (photo).
hardwood forests
This climate zone is considered the most suitable for human habitation. Hardwood and evergreen forests are located along sea and ocean coasts. Precipitation is not so abundant, but the leaves retain moisture due to a dense leathery shell (oaks, eucalyptus), which prevents them from falling off. In some trees and plants, they are modernized into thorns.
Steppes and forest-steppes
They are characterized by the almost complete absence of woody vegetation, this is due to the meager level of precipitation. But the soils are the most fertile (chernozems), and therefore are actively used by man for agriculture. Steppes occupy large areas in North America and Eurasia. The predominant number of inhabitants are reptiles, rodents and birds. Plants have adapted to the lack of moisture and most often manage to complete their life cycle in a short spring period, when the steppe is covered with a thick carpet of greenery.
Tundra and forest tundra
In this zone, the breath of the Arctic and Antarctic begins to be felt, the climate becomes more severe, and even coniferous trees cannot withstand it. Moisture is in excess, but there is no heat, which leads to swamping of very large areas. There are no trees at all in the tundra, the flora is mainly represented by mosses and lichens. It is believed that this is the most unstable and fragile ecosystem. Due to the active development of gas and oil fields, it is on the verge of an ecological disaster.
All natural areas of the world are very interesting, whether it is a desert that seems completely lifeless at first glance, boundless Arctic ice or thousand-year-old rain forests with boiling life inside.