The geographic shell of the Earth. Natural zones of the Earth. Natural zones of the hot zone Table natural zones Human use

In different ways, the sun is the source of all living things, 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, and moisture is supplied to different zones of the globe. These conditions define separate zones with their own special climate.

What is a natural area?

Natural zone - an area that is determined by uniform climatic conditions, flora and fauna.

The names of the natural zones correspond to the names of the prevailing vegetation in this zone.

And so, a journey from north to 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 territory of the zone (85%) is covered with glaciers. In the middle of summer there is no more than 4-2 degrees Celsius, and in winter frost is 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 debris. Only mosses and lichens grow on the rocks. Scarce flora and fauna.

Typical animals and birds
IN arctic desert reindeer, polar bears live, and seabirds live on the rocky shores of the ocean: auk, seagulls, polar owls and partridges. The Arctic Ocean is home to baleen whales, seals, walruses, seals, beluga whales.

Tundra zone

The tundra climate is harsh. This cold natural area has short, cool summers and harsh long winters with strong winds from the Arctic Ocean.

Location

• Along the coast of the Arctic Ocean is located 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 lichen and many cloudberries,
• In the south of the zone there is shrub tundra with more abundant vegetation: shrub willows, dwarf birches, grasses 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 huddle to the ground, using its warmth and hide 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 animal feed is made up by evergreens that hibernate under a cover of snow.

Ducks, geese, black geese and sandpipers inhabit the swamps. Herds of reindeer roam the tundra in search of lichen, the main food. Deer, white partridges, owls, crows 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
Forest tundra is a transitional zone from severe tundra to taiga forests. The width of the forest-tundra territory ranges from 30 to 300 km in different regions of the country. The climate is warmer than the tundra.

The soil
The soils of the forest-tundra are permafrost - boggy, peaty - podzolic. These are low-fertile soils with low humus and nutrient content, and high acidity.

Vegetable world
The meadows with willow bushes, sedge and horsetail grasses provide good pasture for deer. Due to the harsh climate, the forest islands are very sparse. These forests contain Siberian spruce, larch and birch trees.

Typical birds and animals
The animals of the forest-tundra are polar bears, wolves, arctic foxes.

Lakes and swamps are inhabited by geese, ducks, swans. In summer there are many blood-sucking horseflies and mosquitoes in the forest-tundra. Closer to the south, in the forest-tundra there are squirrels, moose, brown bears, wood grouses.

Taiga zone

Taiga is the largest natural zone in Russia, south of it there is a forest zone, or forest-steppe. Winter is quite warm, 16-20 degrees below zero, in summer 10-20 degrees.

Within the zone, there are significant natural differences as it is located in two climatic zones - subarctic and temperate. From south to north the zones flow large rivers Ob, Yenisei and Lena.

The soil
Taiga is rich in swamps, lakes, groundwater... The amount of heat and moisture is sufficient for the formation of fertile podzolic and bog-podzolic soils.

Vegetable world
In the taiga, coniferous trees grow - 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, wood grouse, hazel grouse, elk, squirrel. Brown bears, wolverines, and lynxes are widespread. There are many blood-sucking insects in the taiga.

Mixed and deciduous forest zone

To the south of the taiga there is a forest zone. It has a lot of heat and moisture, a lot deep rivers, lakes, and bogs are much smaller than in the taiga. Summer is long and warm (18-20 C), winters are mild. In this zone there are large reserves of wood, in the bowels of the earth there are deposits of minerals.

The vegetation of the zone has been heavily modified by humans, most of the territory is used for agriculture and livestock raising.

Location
Zone of mixed and broadleaf forests is located in the East European Plain and in the Far East.

Soil
The soils are formed by litter under the trees and are saturated with ash elements. They have a top layer of fertile humus. The soils are sod-podzolic, in the southern part - gray forest.

Vegetable world
In this zone different trees: in the northern part there are mixed forests with deciduous and coniferous trees: spruce, pine, birch, maple and aspen. Closer to the south, broad-leaved trees predominate: oak, elm, linden, maple.

There are many bushes in the forests: elderberry, raspberry; berries and mushrooms; an 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 marten, moose, brown bear, foxes, and from birds - orioles, woodpeckers, etc.

Forest-steppe

The forest-steppe zone is part of the temperate climatic zone. It is a transitional zone between the forest zone and the steppe zone, combining forest belts and meadows covered with grass. The flora and fauna are represented by plants and animals and forests and steppes. The closer you are to the south, the less forests, the fewer 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 temperate and subtropical climate... In Russia, the steppe zone is located in the south near the Black Sea and in the Ob river valleys.

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
Vegetation is mainly grains growing in bunches with bare soil between them. A lot of different types feather grass, which can serve as food for sheep.

Typical birds and animals
In summer, animals are active mainly at night: jerboas, gophers, marmots.
Birds typical of the steppe: bustard, kestrel, steppe eagle, lark. Reptiles live in the steppe.

Desert zone

Desert - an area 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
In the desert grow drought-resistant small shrubs, perennials that bloom and grow in early springwhen there is moisture. Some herbaceous plants, after they dry up, turn into balls of dry branches, they are called tumbleweeds. The wind drives them across the desert, scattering seeds.

Typical birds and animals
In deserts live - hedgehogs, gophers, jerboas, snakes, lizards. From 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 mountains of the Caucasus. In this zone there is a tropical summer, there is practically no winter.

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: thorny blackberries and rose hips. Pitsunda pine grows here, bushes: juniper, cherry plum.

Vegetable world
The mountains are covered with a dense green carpet of trees and bushes. There are broad-leaved trees - oaks, chestnuts, beech, coniferous yew, 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 molluscs on the coast: snails, slugs. Birds settle in the mountains - kites, eagles, owls.

The warmth of the sun fresh air and water - these 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 huge distances, are very similar, others are unique.

Natural areas of the world: what is it?

This definition should be understood as very large in area natural complexes (in other words, parts of the geographic belt of the Earth), which have similar, homogeneous 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"

This characteristic of the natural zones of the world is only for informational purposes, because you can talk a lot and for a long time about each of them, all the information will not fit into one table.

Natural zones of the temperate climatic zone

1. Taiga. Surpasses all other natural zones in the world in terms of land area (27% of the territory of all forests on the planet). It is characterized by very low winter temperatures. Deciduous trees they cannot withstand, 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. They are more characteristic of the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth. It is a kind of border between the taiga and broadleaf forest... They are more resistant to cold and long winters. Species of trees: oak, maple, poplar, linden, as well as rowan, alder, birch, pine, spruce. As the table shows " Natural areas peace ", soil in the zone mixed forests gray, not very fertile, but still suitable for growing plants.

3. Broadleaved forests. They are not adapted to harsh winters, they are deciduous. Cover most of Western Europe, south The Far East, northern China and Japan. Suitable for them is maritime climate or temperate continental with hot summers and enough warm winter... As the table "Natural zones of the world" shows, the temperature in them does not drop 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. 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 a meager fauna. There are a lot of natural zones of this nature, they are located mainly in the tropics. There are temperate deserts in Eurasia, and they are characterized by sharp temperature changes over the seasons. Animals are mainly represented by reptiles.

Arctic deserts and semi-deserts

They represent huge areas of land covered with snow and ice. The map of the natural zones of the world clearly shows that they are located in North America, Antarctica, Greenland and the northern tip of the Eurasian continent. In fact, these are lifeless places, and only along the coast are polar bears, walruses and seals, Arctic foxes and lemmings, penguins (in Antarctica). Where the land is free of ice, lichens and mosses can be seen.

Humid equatorial forests

Their second name is rain forests. They are located mainly in South America, as well as in Africa, Australia and the Greater Sunda Islands. The main condition for their formation is constant and very high humidity (more than 2000 mm of precipitation per year) and hot climate (20 ° C and above). They are very rich in vegetation, the forest consists of several tiers and is an impenetrable, dense jungle, which has become home to more than 2/3 of all species of creatures living on our planet. These rainforests surpass all other natural areas in the world. Trees remain evergreen, changing foliage gradually and partially. Surprisingly, the soil wet forests contain little humus.

Natural zones of the equatorial and subtropical climatic zone

1. Variable wet forests, they differ from rain forests in that precipitation falls there only during the rainy season, and during the period of drought that follows it, trees are forced to shed their foliage. Fauna and flora are also very diverse and rich in species.

2. Savannahs and woodlands. They appear where moisture, as a rule, is no longer sufficient for the growth of variably moist forests. Their development takes place in the interior of the continent, where tropical and equatorial air massesand the rainy season lasts less than half a year. They occupy a significant part of the territory of subequatorial Africa, hinterland South America, partly Hindustan and Australia. More detailed information about the location is reflected in the map of natural zones of the world (photo).

Stiff-leaved forests

This climatic zone is considered the most suitable for human habitation. Hard-leaved and evergreen forests are located along the sea and ocean coasts. Precipitation is not so abundant, but the leaves retain moisture due to the dense leathery shell (oaks, eucalyptus), which prevents them from falling off. In some trees and plants, they are modernized into thorns.

Steppe and forest-steppe

They are characterized by an almost complete absence woody vegetationThis is due to the meager rainfall. But the soils are the most fertile (chernozems), and therefore are actively used by humans for agriculture. The steppes occupy large areas in North America and Eurasia. The predominant number of inhabitants is reptiles, rodents and birds. Plants have adapted to the lack of moisture and most often have time to complete their life cycle for 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 is becoming more severe, and even conifers cannot withstand it. Moisture is abundant, but there is no heat, which leads to swamping of very large areas. In the tundra, there are no trees at all, the flora is mainly represented by mosses and lichens. It is believed to be the most volatile and fragile ecosystem. Due to the active development of gas and oil fields, it is on the verge of an environmental disaster.

All natural zones of the world are very interesting, be it a seemingly absolutely lifeless desert, endless arctic ice or thousand-year-old rain forests with boiling life inside.

The spherical shape of our planet is the cause of uneven distribution 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 appearance of natural zones is the uneven separation of heat and moisture on Earth.

Table "Characteristics of natural zones"

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

Moderate climatic zone

• Taiga ... It occupies the largest area - almost 30% of all forests on the planet. Taiga is the kingdom of a coniferous forest that can withstand low temperatures... The vast territories of this zone are covered with permafrost.

Figure: 1. Taiga forests occupy vast territories.

• Mixed forests ... They have good resistance to long frosty winters. The soil, although it does not differ in fertility, but, unlike the taiga, is already suitable for agriculture.
• Broadleaf forests ... This zone is characterized by mild winters. The soil is fertile, with a high humus content. A significant part of deciduous forests is represented by deciduous trees. The fauna is very diverse.
• Temperate deserts and semi-deserts ... Them hallmark is a scarce flora and fauna, aridity and sharp temperature jumps in the seasons.

Arctic deserts and semi-deserts

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

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Figure: 2. Arctic desert.

Humid equatorial forests

The very hot climate and consistently high humidity created ideal conditions for equatorial forests. Impenetrable jungle are home to 70% of all living things that inhabit our planet. Trees remain evergreen throughout the year as they shed their foliage gradually.

The flora of this natural zone is incredibly diverse. But what is most striking is the fact that such an abundance of plants became possible on soils, the humus content of which is quite insignificant.

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

Equatorial and subtropical climate zone

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

Stiff-leaved forests

They got their name from the dense leaf sheath, which helps to retain moisture. This zone is characterized by not too heavy precipitation. Such forests grow along the coasts of the seas and oceans.

Steppe and forest-steppe

They represent 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 hardy conifers cannot withstand. This zone is characterized by a lack of heat and high humidity, which leads to waterlogging of the area. The flora of the tundra is represented only by lichens and mosses, there are no trees at all.

Today 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 disappearance.

What have we learned?

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

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This is the largest natural complex, the surface of the globe, with a planetary nature.
A huge number of smaller natural complexes can be distinguished - territories with a similar nature, different from other complexes. Oceans, seas, continents, rivers, lakes, swamps and much more are all separate.

Natural areas - very large natural complexes with similar landscapes, fauna and flora. Natural zones are formed due to the distribution of heat and moisture on the planet: heat and low humidity is typical for equatorial deserts, high temperature and high humidity - for equatorial and rainforest etc.
Natural zones are located mainly sublatitudinal, but the relief, distance from the ocean affects the location of the zones and their width. In the mountains, there is also a change in natural zones, depending on the altitude; the change of zones occurs in the same order as the change of land zones from the equator to the poles. The lower natural zone corresponds to the natural zone of the territory, the upper one depends on the height of the mountain range.

Natural land areas

Equatorial and tropical forests

Deserts and semi-deserts

This zone is formed in the temperate zone with an average amount of precipitation; it is characterized by cold winters and moderately warm summers. Forests usually have two or three tiers, the lower ones are formed by shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. Forest ungulates, predators, rodents, insectivorous birds are widespread here. The soils in this zone are brown and gray forest.

This zone is formed in the northern hemisphere in a temperate zone with cold winters, short warm summers and a fairly large amount of precipitation. Multi-tiered forests, many conifers. Animal world is represented by many predators, including some that flow into hibernation... The soils are poor nutrients, podzolic.

This natural zone is located in the subpolar and polar zones, where it is quite low. The flora is represented mainly by low-growing plants with a poorly developed root system, mosses, lichens, shrubs, dwarf trees. Ungulates, small predators, many migratory birds live in the tundra. Soils in the tundra are peaty-gley, a large territory is located in the zone.

Arctic deserts

Arctic deserts are found on islands close to the poles. Vegetation includes mosses, lichens, or there is no vegetation at all. Animals found in this zone live most of the time in the water, birds arrive for several months.

Practical work "Natural zones of Russia"

Natural areas
Spread
Climatic conditions
Average temperatures
Precipitation,
mm per year
Organic world
Characteristic
elements of nature

january
july

Arctic deserts
Islands of the Arctic Ocean, north of the Taimyr Peninsula
Dominance of cold arctic air masses
up to - 40
· FROM
less
+ 5
· FROM
less
200
Plants - mosses and lichens, sometimes a dwarf birch. The animal world is scarce.
The sea feeds birds and polar bears. There are noisy bird colonies.
The presence of icebergs. Polar day and night. Glaciers form here

Tundra
Coast of the Arctic Ocean to the Arctic Circle. The greatest extent from north to south in Western and Central Siberia.
Low heat, permafrost, excessive moisture due to low volatility. In the west, sea air masses penetrate.
up to - 30
· FROM
up to + 10
· FROM
300- 600
Species composition organic world - poor.
There are many mosses and lichens, and plentiful shrubs. Herbaceous plants few.
This is a reindeer herding area, in the lakes there is fish. Lots of berries: cloudberries, blueberries, cranberries, lingonberries, blueberries.
Many mosquitoes and gnats (gnats)
There are many swamps, high soil and air humidity (low evaporation).
From north to south, the arctic tundra passes into moss - lichen, then shrub from dwarf birch and polar willows.

Forest tundra
Transitional zone with a combination of tundra and forest vegetation and fauna.
The climate is subarctic. Snow covers most of the year.
from - 10
· FROM
up to - 40
· FROM
+10
· FROM
+ 14
· FROM
200- 400
Along the river valleys there are strips of rather high forest. In the interfluves - islets of low-growing sparse forests with lichen cover
Combination of tundra and forest vegetation and fauna.

Taiga
The largest natural zone of the Russian Federation, with a maximum width in Central Siberia (more than 2000 km). Taiga is a coniferous forest.
Moderately warm summers and cold winters. Continentality is increasing in Central Siberia.
in the West
- 10
·-20
· FROM
in Siberia
up to 50
· FROM
from + 13
· FROM
up to + 19
· FROM
300- 600
The main tree species are larch, fir, spruce, cedar, and pine. Hardwoods: birch, aspen, alder.
Animals: brown bear, elk, squirrel, white hare; birds - wood grouse, hazel grouse, nutcracker, crossbill. Predators: wolf, lynx, sable, marten, fox.
Sufficient and excessive moisture, many swamps, meadows.

Mixed forests
South of the taiga zone (in the non-chernozem zone of European Russia and in the south of Western Siberia). Absent in Central Siberia.
Zone temperate zone... Located in the oceanic and transitional sectors of Eurasia.
- 5
S-14
· FROM
+10
· FROM
+20
· FROM
400-1000
Animals: Elk, European hare, beaver, desman, raccoon, dormouse, wild boar, fox.
Birds: black grouse, pheasant.
Mixed forest of the Far East: sika deer, tiger, black bear, harza.
In the north, mixed
broadleaf forests on sod-podzolic soils.

Broadleaf forests
Distributed in the Russian Plain and in the south of the Far East
Moderate in the Russian Plain and monsoon in the Far East.
- 5
S-10
· FROM
up to + 20
· FROM
up to 1000
Oak forests are heavily cut down.
In the southern part, there are multi-tiered deciduous forests on gray forest soils.
Far Eastern forests: next to Siberian species, there is a lot of flora and fauna of Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia.

Forest-steppe
They form a transition zone from forest to steppe.
Moderate continental with snowy winters.
up to - 5
·FROM
+ 18
· FROM
+ 25
· FROM
400- 1000
On the interfluves, broad-leaved (oak) and small-leaved forests alternate on gray forest soils with forb steppes on chernozems
Transitional zone from forest to steppe.

Steppe
Presented in the south of the Russian Plain and the West Siberian Lowland.
The climate is arid, with a predominance of evaporation over precipitation
negative
+ 20
· FROM
+ 25
· FROM
300-500
Animals: ferret, gopher, harvest mouse, wolf, hare-hare.
Birds: steppe eagle.
In the past, it was a steppe herb-gramineous vegetation and sod-gramineous vegetation on chernozems and chestnut soils. Now the steppes are mostly plowed up.

Semi-desert
Transitional zone from steppes to deserts. Distributed in the Caspian and Eastern Ciscaucasia.
Dry continental climate with cold winters (in places up to - 20
· FROM)
negative
up to + 30
· FROM

less than 300
Wormwood-grass vegetation is widespread.
Fauna: a combination of representatives of the steppe and desert zones. There are many diggers.
Inhabitants of semi-deserts: turtle, viper, scorpion, jerboa, long-eared hedgehog, lark.

Semi-deserts are characterized by transitional features from steppes to deserts. Their climate is continental.

Deserts
Have a limited distribution in the Caspian and Ciscaucasia
Extremely arid climate. In extra-arid conditions, precipitation is less than 100 mm per year
to 10
· FROM
+ 22
· FROM
+ 30
· FROM
200-250
Inhabitants of the deserts: turtle, viper, scorpion, jerboa, eared hedgehog, lark.
The soils are gray-brown; among them, salt marshes and solonetzes are often found.
Desert vegetation - valuable food for sheep and camels.

Mountain areas
Altitude zoning depends on the geographic location of the mountain systems. Climatic features determined by height. Alpine climate formed at altitudes of more than 2000 m. Above the forest border in the Caucasus and the Urals there are alpine meadows; in the mountains of Siberia - mountain tundra;
in the mountains of the Far East (the mountains of Kamchatka, Kurils, Sakhalin, Sikhote-Alin) - forest belts of stone birch and dwarf cedar thickets (these belts are absent in the mountains of other regions of the country), mountain tundra.