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The maximum level features of various natural areas. natural areas of the earth. Questions in a paragraph

Natural zones of the Earth

A comprehensive scientific study of nature allowed V. V. Dokuchaev in 1898 to formulate the law of geographical zonality, according to which climate, water, soil, relief, flora and fauna in a certain area are closely interconnected and should be studied as a whole. He proposed dividing the Earth's surface into zones that naturally repeat themselves in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Different geographical (natural) zones Earth are characterized by a certain combination of heat and moisture, soils, flora and fauna and, as a result, by the features of the economic activity of their population. These are zones of forests, steppes, deserts, tundra, savannas, as well as transitional zones of forest-tundra, semi-deserts, forest-tundra. The names of natural areas are traditionally given according to the prevailing type of vegetation, which reflects the most important features of the landscape.

The regular change of vegetation is an indicator of a general increase in heat. In the tundra, the average temperature of the warmest month of the year - July - does not exceed + 10 ° С, in the taiga it fluctuates between + 10 ... + 18 ° С in the strip of deciduous and mixed forests + 18 ... + 20 ° С, in the steppe and forest-steppe +22 ... + 24 ° С, in semi-deserts and deserts - above +30 ° С.

Most animal organisms remain active at temperatures from 0 to +30°C. However, temperatures from + 10 ° C and above are considered the best for growth and development. Obviously, such a thermal regime is characteristic of the equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, and temperate climatic zones of the Earth. The intensity of vegetation development in natural areas also depends on the amount of precipitation. Compare, for example, their number in the zone of forests and deserts (see map of the atlas).

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

The appearance of the natural zone is determined by the type of vegetation cover. But the nature of vegetation depends on climatic conditions - thermal conditions, moisture, illumination, soils, etc.

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

General characteristics of the main natural zones of the Earth

Let us characterize the main natural zones of the Earth, starting from the equator and moving towards the poles.

Forests are located on all continents of the Earth, except for Antarctica. Forest zones have both common features and special features that are characteristic only of the taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests or tropical forests.

The common features of the forest zone include: warm or hot summers, a fairly large amount of precipitation (from 600 to 1000 or more mm per year), large full-flowing rivers, and the predominance of woody vegetation. The equatorial forests, which occupy 6% of the land, receive the greatest amount of heat and moisture. They rightfully hold the first place among the forest zones of the Earth in terms of the diversity of plants and animals. 4/5 of all plant species grow here and 1/2 of all land animal species live.

The climate of the equatorial forests is hot and humid. Average annual temperatures are +24... +28°С. The annual amount of precipitation is more than 1000 mm. It is in the equatorial forest that you can find the largest number of ancient animal species, such as amphibians: frogs, newts, salamanders, toads or marsupials: opossums in America, possums in Australia, tenrecs in Africa, lemurs in Madagascar, loris in Asia; ancient animals are also such inhabitants of the equatorial forests as armadillos, anteaters, pangolins.

In the equatorial forests, the richest vegetation is located in several tiers. Many species of birds live in the crowns of trees: hummingbirds, hornbills, birds of paradise, crowned pigeons, numerous species of parrots: cockatoo, macaw, Amazon, Jaco. These birds have tenacious paws and strong beaks: they not only fly, but also climb trees beautifully. Animals that live in the crowns of trees also have tenacious paws and a tail: sloths, monkeys, howler monkeys, flying foxes, tree kangaroos. The largest animal that lives in the crowns of trees is the gorilla. In such forests, many beautiful butterflies and other insects live: termites, ants, etc. Various types of snakes. Anaconda - the largest snake in the world, reaches a length of 10 m or more. The high-water rivers of the equatorial forests are rich in fish.

The equatorial forests occupy the largest areas in South America, in the Amazon River basin, and in Africa - in the Congo River basin. The Amazon is the deepest river in the world. Every second it carries 220 thousand m3 of water into the Atlantic Ocean. The Congo is the second largest river in the world. Equatorial forests are also common on the islands of the Malaysian archipelago and Oceania, in the southeastern regions of Asia, in northeastern Australia (see the map in the atlas).

Valuable tree species: mahogany, black, yellow - the wealth of equatorial forests. The harvesting of valuable wood species threatens the preservation of the Earth's unique forests. Space images have shown that in a number of areas of the Amazon, forest destruction is proceeding at a catastrophic pace, many times faster than their restoration. At the same time, many species of unique plants and animals are disappearing.

Variable wet monsoon forests

Variably humid monsoon forests can also be found on all continents of the Earth, except for Antarctica. If it is summer all the time in the equatorial forests, then three seasons are pronounced here: dry cool (November-February) - winter monsoon; dry hot (March-May) - transitional season; humid hot (June-October) - summer monsoon. The hottest month is May, when the sun is almost at its zenith, the rivers dry up, the trees shed their leaves, the grass turns yellow.

The summer monsoon comes at the end of May with gale-force winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rains. Nature comes to life. Due to the alternation of dry and wet seasons, monsoon forests are called variable wet.

The monsoon forests of India are located in the tropical climate zone. Valuable species of trees grow here, distinguished by the strength and durability of wood: teak, sal, sandalwood, satin and ironwood. Teak wood is not afraid of fire and water, it is widely used for building ships. Sal also has a durable and strong wood. Sandalwood and satin wood are used in the manufacture of varnishes and paints.

The fauna of the Indian jungle is rich and varied: elephants, bulls, rhinos, monkeys. Lots of birds and reptiles.

Monsoon forests of tropical and subtropical regions are also characteristic of Southeast Asia, Central and South America, northern and northeastern regions of Australia (see the map in the atlas).

Temperate monsoon forests

Temperate monsoon forests are found only in Eurasia. The Ussuri taiga is a special place in the Far East. This is a real thicket: the forests are multi-tiered, dense, intertwined with lianas and wild grapes. Cedar, walnut, linden, ash and oak grow here. Rough vegetation is the result of an abundance of seasonal rainfall and a rather mild climate. Here you can meet the Ussuri tiger - the largest representative of its species.
The rivers of the monsoon forests are rain-fed and flood during the summer monsoon rains. The largest of them are the Ganges, Indus, Amur.

The monsoon forests are heavily cut down. According to experts, in Eurasia only 5% of the former forests remained. Monsoon forests suffered not so much from forestry, but also from agriculture. It is known that the largest agricultural civilizations appeared on fertile soils in the valleys of the Ganges, Irrawaddy, Indus and their tributaries. The development of agriculture required new territories - forests were cut down. Farming has adapted over the centuries to alternating wet and dry seasons. The main agricultural season is the wet monsoon period. The most important crops - rice, jute, sugarcane - are dated for it. In the dry cool season, barley, legumes, and potatoes are planted. In the dry hot season, agriculture is possible only with artificial irrigation. The monsoon is capricious, its delay leads to severe droughts and the death of crops. Therefore, artificial irrigation is necessary.

temperate forests

Temperate forests occupy significant areas in Eurasia and North America (see map in the atlas).

In the northern regions - this is the taiga, to the south - mixed and broad-leaved forests. In the forest zone of the temperate zone, the seasons of the year are pronounced. Average temperatures in January are negative everywhere, in some places up to -40°С, in July + 10 ... + 20°С; the amount of precipitation is 300-1000 mm per year. Vegetation of plants in winter stops, for several months there is a snow cover.

Spruce, fir, pine, larch grow both in the taiga of North America and in the taiga of Eurasia. The animal world also has a lot in common. The bear is the master of the taiga. True, in the Siberian taiga it is called a brown bear, and in the taiga of Canada it is called a grizzly bear. You can meet red lynx, elk, wolf, as well as marten, ermine, wolverine, sable. The largest rivers of Siberia - the Ob, Irtysh, Yenisei, Lena - flow through the taiga zone, which are second only to the rivers of the equatorial forest zone in terms of flow.

To the south, the climate becomes milder: mixed and broad-leaved forests grow here, consisting of such species as birch, oak, maple, linden, among which there are also conifers. Typical for the forests of North America are: white oak, sugar maple, yellow birch. Red deer, elk, wild boar, hare; from predators - a wolf and a fox - representatives of animal world of this zone known to us.

If the northern taiga is classified by scientists-geographers as a zone slightly modified by man, then mixed and broad-leaved forests have been cut down almost everywhere. Their place was taken by agricultural areas, such as the "corn belt" in the United States, in this zone many cities and highways are concentrated. In Europe and North America, the natural landscapes of these forests have been preserved only in mountainous regions.

Savannah

Savannah is a natural zone of low latitudes in the subequatorial, tropical and subtropical zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It occupies about 40% of the territory of Africa (south of the Sahara), distributed in South and Central America, Southeast Asia, Australia (see the map in the atlas). The savanna is dominated by herbaceous vegetation with isolated trees or groups of trees (acacia, eucalyptus, baobab) and shrubs.

The fauna of the African savannas is surprisingly diverse. To adapt to the conditions of endless dry spaces, nature endowed animals with unique properties. For example, the giraffe is considered the tallest animal on Earth. Its height exceeds 5 m, it has a long tongue (about 50 cm). All this is necessary for a giraffe in order to reach the high branches of acacias. Crowns of acacias begin at a height of 5 m, and giraffes have practically no competitors, calmly eating tree branches. Typical animals of the savannas are zebras, elephants, ostriches.

Steppes

Steppes are found on all continents of the Earth, except for Antarctica (in the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres). They are distinguished by an abundance of solar heat, low rainfall (up to 400 mm per year), as well as warm or hot summers. The main vegetation of the steppes is grasses. The steppes are called differently. In South America, the tropical steppes are called pampas, which in the language of the Indians means "a large expanse without a forest." Animals characteristic of the pampa are the llama, the armadillo, the viscacha, a rodent that looks like a rabbit.

In North America, the steppes are called prairies. They are located in both temperate and subtropical climatic zones. The "kings" of the American prairies have long been bison. By the end of the 19th century, they were almost completely exterminated. Currently, through the efforts of the state and the public, the number of bison is being restored. Another inhabitant of the prairies is the coyote - the steppe wolf. On the banks of the rivers in the bushes you can meet a large spotted cat - a jaguar. The peccary is a small boar-like animal also typical of the prairies.

The steppes of Eurasia are located in the temperate zone. They are very different from the American prairies and African savannas. It has a drier, sharply continental climate. It is very cold in winter (average temperature - 20°С), and very hot in summer (average temperature + 25°С), strong winds. In summer, the vegetation of the steppes is sparse, but in spring the steppe is transformed: it blooms with many varieties of lilies and poppies, tulips.

The flowering time does not last long, about 10 days. Then a drought sets in, the steppe dries up, the colors fade, and by autumn everything takes on a yellow-gray color.

The most fertile soils of the Earth are located in the steppes, so they are almost completely plowed up. The treeless expanses of the steppes of the temperate zone are distinguished by strong winds. Here, wind erosion of soils is very intensive - dust storms are frequent. To preserve soil fertility, forest belts are planted, organic fertilizers and light agricultural machinery are used.

desert

Deserts occupy vast spaces - up to 10% of the Earth's land mass. They are located on all continents and in different climatic zones: temperate, subtropical, tropical and even polar.

There are common features in the climate of the deserts of the tropical and temperate zones. Firstly, the abundance of solar heat, secondly, the large amplitude of temperatures in winter and summer, day and night, and thirdly, a small amount of precipitation (up to 150 mm per year). However, the latter feature is also characteristic of the polar deserts.

In the deserts of the tropical zone, the average summer temperature is +30°C, winter + 10°C. The greatest tropical deserts of the Earth are located in Africa: Sahara, Kalahari, Namib.

Desert plants and animals adapt to dry and hot climates. So, for example, a giant cactus can store up to 3000 liters of water and “not drink” for up to two years; and the Welwitschia plant, found in the Namib Desert, is able to absorb water from the air. A camel is an indispensable helper of a person in the desert. He can be without food and water for a long time, storing them in his humps.

The largest desert in Asia, Rub al-Khali, located on the Arabian Peninsula, is also located in the tropical zone. The desert regions of North and South America and Australia are located in tropical and subtropical climatic zones.

The deserts of the temperate zone of Eurasia are also characterized by a low amount of precipitation and a large amplitude of temperatures, both annual and daily. However, they are characterized by lower winter temperatures and a pronounced flowering period in spring. Such deserts are located in Central Asia to the east of the Caspian Sea. The fauna here is represented by various species of snakes, rodents, scorpions, turtles, lizards. A typical plant is saxaul.

polar deserts

Polar deserts are located in the polar regions of the Earth. An absolute minimum temperature of 89.2°C has been recorded in Antarctica.

Average winter temperatures are -30°С, summer - 0°С. Just like in the deserts of the tropical and temperate zones, little precipitation falls in the polar desert, mainly in the form of snow. The polar night here lasts almost half a year, the polar day lasts almost half a year. Antarctica is considered the highest continent on Earth, given the thickness of its ice shell of 4 km.

The indigenous inhabitants of the polar deserts of Antarctica are emperor penguins. They cannot fly, but they are excellent swimmers. They can dive to great depths and swim great distances, escaping from their enemies - seals.

The northern polar region of the Earth - the Arctic - got its name from the ancient Greek arcticos - northern. The southern, as it were, opposite polar region is Antarctica (anti - against). The Arctic occupies the island of Greenland, the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, as well as the islands and waters of the Arctic Ocean. This area is covered with snow and ice throughout the year. The owner of these places is considered to be a polar bear.

Tundra

Tundra is a treeless natural area with vegetation of mosses, lichens and creeping shrubs. Tundra is common in the subarctic climatic zone only in North America and Eurasia, which are characterized by harsh climatic conditions (little solar heat, low temperatures, short cold summers, low rainfall).

Moss lichen was called "reindeer moss" because it is the main food for reindeer. Arctic foxes also live in the tundra, lemmings are small rodents. Among the sparse vegetation there are berry bushes: blueberries, lingonberries, blueberries, as well as dwarf trees: birch, willow.

Permafrost in the soil is a phenomenon characteristic of the tundra, as well as the Siberian taiga. It is worth starting to dig a hole, as at a depth of about 1 m there will be a frozen layer of earth several tens of meters thick. This phenomenon must be taken into account in the construction, industrial and agricultural development of the territory.

In the tundra, everything grows very slowly. It is with this that the need for careful attention to its nature is connected. For example, pastures damaged by deer are restored only after 15-20 years.

Altitudinal zonality

Unlike flat territories, climatic zones and natural zones in the mountains change according to the law of vertical zonality, i.e., from bottom to top. This is because the air temperature decreases with altitude. Consider, as an example, the greatest mountain system in the world - the Himalayas. Almost all natural zones of the Earth are represented here: a tropical forest grows at the foot, at an altitude of 1500 m it is replaced by broad-leaved forests, which in turn turn into mixed ones at an altitude of 2000 m. fir and juniper. In winter, there is snow for a long time and frosts persist.

Above 3500 m, shrubs and alpine meadows begin, they are called "alpine". In summer, the meadows are covered with a carpet of brightly flowering herbs - poppies, primroses, gentians. Gradually the grasses become lower. Approximately from a height of 4500 m, eternal snow and ice lie. The climatic conditions here are very harsh. Rare species of animals live in the mountains: mountain goat, chamois, argali, snow leopard.

Latitudinal zonality in the ocean

The world ocean occupies more than 2/3 of the planet's surface. The physical properties and chemical composition of ocean waters are relatively constant and create an environment conducive to life. It is especially important for the life of plants and animals that oxygen and carbon dioxide coming from the air dissolve in water. Photosynthesis of algae occurs mainly in the upper layer of water (up to 100 m).

Marine organisms live mainly in the surface layer of water illuminated by the Sun. These are the smallest plant and animal organisms - plankton (bacteria, algae, smallest animals), various fish and marine mammals (dolphins, whales, seals, etc.), squids, sea snakes and turtles.

There is life on the sea floor too. These are bottom algae, corals, crustaceans, molluscs. They are called benthos (from the Greek benthos - deep). The biomass of the World Ocean is 1000 times smaller than the biomass of the land of the Earth.

The distribution of life in oceans uneven and depends on the amount of solar energy received on its surface. Polar waters are poor in plankton due to low temperatures and long polar nights. The greatest amount of plankton develops in the waters of the temperate zone in summer. The abundance of plankton attracts fish here. The temperate zones of the Earth are the most fishy areas of the oceans. In the tropical zone, the amount of plankton again decreases due to the high salinity of the water and high temperatures.

Formation of natural zones

From today's topic, we have learned how diverse the natural complexes of our planet are. The natural zones of the Earth are full of evergreen forests, endless steppes, various mountain ranges, hot and icy deserts.

Each corner of our planet is distinguished by its uniqueness, diverse climate, relief, flora and fauna, and therefore various natural zones are formed on the territories of each continent.

Let's try to figure out what natural zones are, how they formed, and what was the impetus for their formation.

Natural zones include such complexes that have similar soils, vegetation, wildlife and the similarity of the temperature regime. Natural zones got their names according to the type of vegetation, and they bear such names as the zone of taiga or broad-leaved forests, etc.

Natural areas are diverse, due to the uneven redistribution of solar energy on the Earth's surface. This is the main reason for the heterogeneity of the geographic envelope.

After all, if we consider one of the climatic zones, we can see that those parts of the belt that are closer to the ocean are more humid than its continental parts. And this reason lies not so much in the amount of precipitation, but rather in the ratio of heat and moisture. Because of this, on some continents we observe a more humid climate, and on the other - arid.

And with the help of the redistribution of solar heat, we see how the same amount of moisture in some climatic zones leads to excess moisture, and in others - to their lack.

So, for example, in a hot tropical zone, a lack of moisture can cause drought and the formation of desert territories, while in the subtropics, an excess of moisture contributes to the formation of swamps.

So you learned that due to the difference in the amount of solar heat and moisture, various natural zones were formed.

Patterns of placement of natural zones

The natural zones of the Earth have clear patterns of their location, extending in a latitudinal direction and changing from north to south. Most often, a change in natural zones is observed in the direction from the coast, making its way deep into the mainland.

In mountainous areas there is an altitudinal zonality, which changes one zone for another, starting from the foot and moving towards the mountain peaks.



In the oceans, the change of zones occurs from the equator to the poles. Here, changes in natural zones are reflected in the surface composition of waters, as well as the difference in vegetation and wildlife.



Features of the natural zones of the continents

Since the planet Earth has a spherical surface, the Sun also heats it unevenly. Those areas of the surface above which the Sun is high receive the most heat. And where the sun's rays only glide over the Earth, a more severe climate prevails.

And although vegetation and animals on different continents have similar features, they are influenced by climate, topography, geology and people. Therefore, it so happened historically that due to changes in the relief and climate, different types of plants and animals live on different continents.

There are continents where endemics are found, on which only a certain type of living creatures and plants live, which are characteristic of these continents. So, for example, polar bears can only be found in nature in the Arctic, and kangaroos in Australia. But in African and South American shrouds, similar species are found, although they have certain differences.

But human activity contributes to the changes that occur in the geographical shell, and under such influence, natural areas also change.

Questions and tasks for preparing for the exam

1. Make a diagram of the interaction of natural components in the natural complex and explain it.
2. How do the concepts of "natural complex", "geographical envelope", "biosphere", "natural zone" relate to each other? Show with a diagram.
3. Name the zonal soil type for the tundra, taiga, zones of mixed and broad-leaved forests.
4. Where is the soil cover more difficult to restore: in the steppes of the South of Russia or in the tundra? Why?
5. What is the reason for the difference in the thickness of the fertile soil layer in different natural zones? What does soil fertility depend on?
6. What types of plants and animals are characteristic of the tundra and why?
7. What organisms live on the surface of the oceans?
8. Which of the following animals can be found in the African savannah: rhinoceros, lion, giraffe, tiger, tapir, baboon, llama, hedgehog, zebra, hyena?
9. In what forests is it impossible to find out its age from a cut of a cut tree?
10. What measures, in your opinion, will help preserve the human habitat?

Maksakovskiy V.P., Petrova N.N., Physical and economic geography of the world. - M.: Iris-press, 2010. - 368 pp.: ill.

slide 2

The purpose of the lesson:

show how natural complexes are located on the surface of the Earth; explain the change of natural zones on Earth; show the change in natural areas under the influence of human economic activity.

Lesson objectives:

  • Educational: specify the concepts of "natural zone", "latitudinal zoning", "altitude zonation"; form the concept of natural zones of the Earth as zonal natural complexes; to reveal the pattern of distribution of natural zones on Earth.
  • Developing: to continue the formation of the ability to work with a geographical map, to compose complex characteristics of natural areas.
  • Educational: to cultivate interest in the study of geography, to show the uniqueness of each natural area, to form a careful attitude towards the animal and plant world.

  • slide 3

    The placement of most natural complexes on Earth is subject to the law of latitudinal

    zonality. The reason for zonality is the unequal amount of heat supplied to different latitudes, due to the sphericity of the Earth. Therefore, at the same latitude on land, there can be humid coastal areas and internal dry ones, protected by mountains or open to all winds.

    slide 4

    From the equator to the poles, natural complexes are replaced - natural zones. Natural zones -

    zonal natural complexes with different combinations of heat and moisture, regularly changing from the equator to the poles. Natural complexes regularly change in the mountains. The change of natural complexes in the mountains with height is called altitudinal zonation. Altitude zonation exists in the mountains of any natural zone.

    The temperature in the troposphere decreases with altitude.

    As we climb higher and higher into the mountains, we find ourselves in increasingly colder conditions.

    slide 5

    • Change of vegetation with altitude in temperate (right) and tropical (left) latitudes.
    • The change of natural complexes in the mountains is clearly visible from the change in vegetation.

  • slide 6

    Natural zones are zonal complexes, they are combined with azonal ones. Azanol natural complexes are

    complexes are

    • Small (oasis, altitudinal belt). (oasis, altitudinal belts). (continents and their parts, oceans).
    • Large
    • small

  • Slide 8

    Monkeys live in the crowns of trees, many birds,

    Snakes and lizards crawl. In high-water rivers are found

    Crocodiles, hippos. The most famous predator is the leopard.

    Slide 9

    Savannas are areas with grassy vegetation and individual groups of trees.

    There is a winter dry season and a summer rainy season. Tall grasses, thick bark of rare trees, like the African baobab, and small leaves, like the acacia, help store water.

    Slide 10

    Wild animals (antelopes, zebras) can run long distances in search of water and food, elephants step majestically. The most famous predators are lions, cheetahs.

    slide 11

    A distinctive feature of the desert is the lack of moisture, high temperatures throughout the year and their large daily amplitudes, the scarcity of vegetation and wildlife. On the African continent is

    One of the greatest deserts of the planet is the Sahara, in the west of South America the driest desert is the Atacama. In the oases grows the queen of the desert - the date palm.

    slide 12

    The fauna is represented by rodents (jerboas, gerbils), ungulates (antelopes, camels). There are snakes, lizards. Lots of insects - scorpions, spiders, ants.

    slide 13

    well

    It's hot in the steppes. Relatively dry summers and harsh winters, fertile soils and rich herbaceous vegetation. The steppes have been greatly altered by man

    (mostly plowed and densely populated).

    1. List the main natural zones of the Earth.
    Tundra, taiga, broad-leaved forest, grassy plain (savannah), deserts and semi-deserts, steppes and forest-steppes, tropical rainforest.

    2. What determines the distribution of natural zones on Earth?
    Natural zones are formed due to the distribution of heat and moisture on the planet. The relief, the distance from the ocean affect the location of the zones and their width.

    3. Give a brief description of the tundra.
    This natural zone is located in the polar zone (most of it is in the permafrost zone), where the air temperature 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, and many migratory birds live in the tundra.

    4. What trees form the basis of the taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests?
    The basis of the taiga is coniferous trees (pine, spruce, fir, larch, etc.)
    Mixed forests are characterized by a mixture of coniferous and broadleaf tree species.
    Broad-leaved forests consist of deciduous trees (oak, hazel, beech, linden, maple, chestnut, hornbeam, elm, ash, etc.)

    5. What do all the grassy plains of our planet have in common?
    It is characterized by low rainfall and constantly high air temperature. The savannas are characterized by the presence of a dry period, during which the grasses dry up, and animals tend to water bodies. The vegetation here is predominantly herbaceous, trees are rare. The savannas are characterized by an abundance of large herbivores and predators.

    6. Give a brief description of the desert.
    Deserts are distinguished by very low humidity; the flora and fauna of the deserts adapt to these difficult conditions. Animals have the ability to do without water for a long time, to wait out the driest months in hibernation, many are nocturnal. Many plants are able to store moisture, most have reduced evaporation, in addition, they have a branched root system that allows you to collect crumbs of moisture from a large volume. In general, flora and fauna are very limited. Of plants, mainly leafless thorny shrubs are common, of animals - reptiles (snakes, lizards) and small rodents.

    7. Why are there few trees in the steppes, savannahs and deserts?
    In the savannahs, steppes and deserts, there is very little rainfall, the trees simply do not have enough water.

    8. Why is the rainforest the most species-rich community?
    There is always high temperature and humidity. These conditions are especially favorable for plants and animals. The topsoil is very fertile.

    9. Using examples, prove that the distribution of natural zones on Earth depends on the distribution of heat and moisture.
    Natural zones are formed as a result of the distribution of heat and moisture on the planet: high temperature and low humidity are characteristic of equatorial deserts, high temperature and high humidity - for equatorial and tropical forests.
    Natural zones are stretched from west to east, there are no clear boundaries between them.
    For example, savannahs are located where there is no longer enough moisture for the growth of moist forests, in the depths of the mainland, and also far from the equator, where not equatorial, but tropical air mass dominates most of the year, and the rainy season lasts less than 6 months.

    10. Characteristic features of what natural zones are listed?
    A) the greatest variety of species;
    Humid tropical forest.
    B) the predominance of herbaceous plants;
    Savannah.
    C) an abundance of mosses, lichens and dwarf trees;
    Tundra.
    D) many coniferous plants of a few species.
    Taiga.

    11. Analyze the drawings on p. 116-117 textbook. Is there a connection between the color of animals and their habitat (natural zone)? What is it connected with?
    Yes, there is a connection. This is called protective coloring. Animals thus merge with the environment for various purposes. If it is a predator, then for the attack. For example, a striped tiger successfully hides in yellow grass, preparing for an attack. The polar bear and arctic fox are almost invisible against the background of snow.
    To protect themselves from predators, animals have also developed coloration to hide. Examples: jerboa, roe deer, green frog and more. others

    12. In what natural areas do these organisms live?
    Dwarf birch - tundra.
    The sloth is a tropical rainforest.
    Kedrovka - taiga.
    Zebra - savannah.
    Oak is a broad-leaved forest.
    Jeyran is a desert.
    The white owl is the tundra.

    13. Using the map on p. 118-119 of the textbook, name the natural zones found on the territory of our country. Which of them occupy the largest area?
    The territory of Russia has a large extent from north to south, the relief is mostly flat. Thus, the following natural zones are consistently represented on the vast plains: arctic deserts, tundra, forest-tundra, forests, forest-steppes, steppes, semi-deserts, deserts, subtropics. In the mountains - altitudinal zonality. A large area is occupied by taiga, steppe, mixed forest and tundra.

    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 zones 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.

    The natural complexes of the Earth are very diverse. These are hot and icy deserts, evergreen forests, endless steppes, bizarre mountains, etc. This diversity is the unique beauty of our planet.

    You already know how the natural complexes "mainland" and "ocean" were formed. But the nature of each continent, like each ocean, is not the same. In their territories there are various natural zones.

    A natural zone is a large natural complex with a common temperature and moisture conditions, soils, vegetation and wildlife. The formation of zones is due to climate, on land - the ratio of heat and moisture. So, if there is a lot of heat and moisture, that is, high temperatures and a lot of precipitation, a zone of equatorial forests is formed. If the temperatures are high, and there is little precipitation, then a zone of deserts of the tropical belt is formed.

    Natural areas of land outwardly differ from each other in the nature of vegetation. Of all the components of nature, the vegetation of the zones most clearly expresses all the most important features of their nature, the relationship between the components. If there are changes in individual components, then outwardly this affects primarily the change in vegetation. The names of the natural zones of the land were received according to the nature of the vegetation, for example, zones of deserts, equatorial forests, etc.

    Rice. 33. Natural belts of the oceans

    There are also natural zones (natural belts) in the World Ocean. They differ in water masses, organic world, etc. The natural zones of the ocean do not have clear external differences, with the exception of the ice cover, and are named according to their geographical location, like climatic zones (Fig. 33).

    Patterns of placement of natural zones on Earth. In the placement of natural zones on the earth's surface, scientists have found a clear pattern, which can be clearly seen on the map of natural zones. To understand this regularity, let us trace the change of natural zones on the map from north to south along 20°E. e. In the subarctic zone, where temperatures are low, there is a zone of tundra and forest-tundra, which gives way to taiga to the south. There is enough heat and moisture for the growth of coniferous trees. In the southern half of the temperate zone, the amount of heat and precipitation increases significantly, which contributes to the formation of a zone of mixed and broad-leaved forests. Somewhat to the east, the amount of precipitation decreases, so the steppe zone is located here.

    On the Mediterranean coast in Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean climate dominates with dry summers. It favors the formation of a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. Then we get into the tropical zone. Here, in the expanses scorched by the sun, it is hot, the vegetation is sparse and stunted, in some places it is completely absent. This is a tropical desert zone. To the south, it is replaced by savannas - tropical forest-steppes, where there is already a wet season of the year and a lot of heat. But the amount of rainfall is not enough for the growth of the forest. In the equatorial climatic zone there is a lot of heat and moisture, therefore a zone of humid equatorial forests with very rich vegetation is formed. In South Africa, zones, like climatic zones, are repeated.

    Rice. 34. Blooming steppe is especially beautiful in spring

    In Antarctica, there is a zone of the Antarctic desert, characterized by exceptional severity: very low temperatures and strong winds.

    So, you, apparently, were convinced that the alternation of natural zones on the plains is explained by a change in climatic conditions - geographical latitude. However, scientists have long noted that natural conditions change not only when moving from north to south, but also from west to east. To confirm this idea, let us follow the map of the change of zones in Eurasia from west to east along the 45th parallel - in the temperate zone.

    On the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, where sea air masses coming from the ocean dominate, there is a zone of broad-leaved forests, beech, oak, linden, etc. grow. When moving east, the forest zone is replaced by a zone of forest-steppes and steppes. The reason is the decrease in rainfall. Even farther to the east, precipitation becomes less and the steppes turn into deserts and semi-deserts, which further to the east are again replaced by steppes, and near the Pacific Ocean - by a zone of mixed forests. These coniferous-deciduous forests amaze with their richness and diversity of plant and animal species.

    Rice. 35. Due to lack of moisture, plants in the desert do not form a continuous cover.

    What explains the alternation of zones at the same latitude? Yes, all the same reasons - a change in the ratio of heat and moisture, which is determined by the proximity or distance from the ocean, the direction of the prevailing winds. There are changes at the same latitudes and in the ocean. They depend on the interaction of the ocean with land, the movement of air masses, currents.

    latitudinal zoning. The location of natural zones is closely related to climatic zones. Like climatic zones, they naturally replace each other from the equator to the poles due to a decrease in solar heat entering the Earth's surface and uneven moistening. Such a change in natural zones - large natural complexes is called latitudinal zonality. Zoning is manifested in all natural complexes, regardless of their size, as well as in all components of the geographical envelope. Zoning is the main geographical pattern.

    Rice. 36. Coniferous forest

    Altitudinal zonation. The change of natural zones, as you know, occurs not only on the plains, but also in the mountains - from the foot to their peaks. With altitude, temperature and pressure decrease, up to a certain height, the amount of precipitation increases, and lighting conditions change. In connection with the change in climatic conditions, there is also a change in natural zones. The zones replacing one another, as it were, encircle mountains at different heights, which is why they are called high-altitude belts. The change of altitudinal belts in the mountains occurs much faster than the change of zones on the plains. It is enough to climb 1 km to be convinced of this.

    The first (lower) altitudinal belt of mountains always corresponds to the natural zone in which the mountain is located. So, if the mountain is located in the taiga zone, then when climbing to its top you will find the following altitudinal belts: taiga, mountain tundra, eternal snow. If you have to climb into the Andes near the equator, then you will start your journey from the belt (zone) of equatorial forests. The pattern is as follows: the higher the mountains and the closer they are to the equator, the more altitudinal zones and the more diverse they are. In contrast to zonality on the plains, the alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called altitudinal zonality or altitudinal zonality.

    Rice. 37. Savannah in the dry season

    The law of geographical zonality also manifests itself in mountainous regions. Some of them we have already considered. The change of day and night, seasonal changes depend on the geographical latitude. If the mountain is near the pole, then there is a polar day and a polar night, a long winter and a short cold summer. In the mountains at the equator, day is always equal to night, there are no seasonal changes.

    1. How does a natural complex differ from a geographic envelope?
    2. Natural complexes are very diverse. Which of them are called natural areas?
    3. Highlight the main features of the concept of "natural zone".
    4. What are the features of the location of natural zones on the continents and in the ocean?
    5. What is latitudinal zonality and altitudinal zonality?
    6. Which mountains have the largest number of altitudinal belts, which have the least? Why?