Natural zones on the territory of Russia (what, how many), description. Natural areas of the earth

Natural zones are certain areas of the Earth's surface that differ significantly from others in the uniqueness of their natural resources and especially in their appearance. This division has been practiced for a long time and represents an opportunity to carry out natural geographical zoning.

To put it simply, natural zones are territories whose appearance, flora and fauna are strictly defined and are not similar to any others. The uniqueness characteristic of each of them can be clearly seen and allows certain types of plants or animals to be found in accordance with the zones in which they can grow or live.

Natural areas are easily recognized by the variation and nature of the dominant vegetation type. It is from them that you can clearly trace where one ends and the next begins.

The survival conditions of individual tree species are determined by special climatic characteristics, which provide for various natural areas. Each of them has individual characteristics due to different amounts of precipitation, humidity and air temperature.

Natural zones are so diverse that in one part of the planet the sun can mercilessly scorch and vegetation can be as scarce as the animal world, while in another there is permafrost and never-melting snow. The contrast is more than obvious. Nevertheless, in nature everything is reasonable and harmonious, these transitions are not abrupt.

In the Arctic, the air temperature is low, there is very little precipitation, the entire territory is covered with ice, and the vegetation is only lichens and moss.

In Tundra high humidity, strong winds, numerous lakes and swamps, and the soil is real permafrost. The peculiarity of the territory is treelessness, as well as a moss-lichen covering. The nature in these parts is very scarce and monotonous.

The characteristics of natural zones involve not only their description, but also take into account smooth transitions, an example of which is forest-tundra and open forest. In such areas there may exist representatives of flora and fauna characteristic of both adjacent areas.

The natural areas of the world are revealed in their full beauty in the forest zone in the area where the real kingdom of broad-leaved and mixed forests. Trees such as linden oak, ash, beech, and maple are often found here. Summers in these places are quite warm, up to 20 ° C, and winters are harsh, up to -50 ° C, with high humidity.

The forest-steppe can also be called a transitional natural zone, which is located in the Northern Hemisphere. In this area you can observe alternation of steppes and an abundance of tall grass, which is clearly visible in the United States and Canada.

Steppe zone is located in the northern temperate region; there are no forests, and the territory is covered with grasses, but there is not enough moisture. Conditions for tree growth exist only in river valleys. The soil is black soil, which is intensively used by humans.

They are found in the following zones: temperate, tropical and subtropical. There is very little precipitation here. These areas are characterized by flat surfaces, scarcity of flora and specific fauna. There are very different deserts: sandy, saline, rocky, clayey.

Currently, scientists estimate that the desert occupies more than 16.5 million km² (without Antarctica), which is 11% of the land surface. With Antarctica this area is more than 20%. The grass in the desert is sparse, the soils are poorly developed, and sometimes there are oases.

Perhaps the most exotic are tropical forests. There are no seasonal differences in weather, and the trees do not show growth rings. This is a true paradise for plants and an attractive place for wildlife researchers.

There are several principles according to which the territories of countries are divided. Thus, each state can be divided into territories, regions and districts, but biologists and zoologists prefer a different system - the allocation of natural zones. Since Russia has a fairly large extent in the direction from north to south, it is also conventionally divided into natural zones. How many natural zones are there in Russia? Eight different natural areas. Each of these territories is characterized by its own special climate, and also has certain differences in the diversity of flora. Let's look at the natural zones on the territory of Russia in a little more detail (we'll figure out what they are and how many there are), and also give brief description each of these territories.

What are the natural areas in Russia?

Arctic desert zone

This territory covers the islands of the Arctic Ocean, as well as the extreme north of the peninsula called Taimyr. A significant area of ​​this zone is covered with glaciers; there is a long and quite severe winter, and the summer is cold and very short. A large proportion of Arctic deserts consists of stone placers; the soils here are practically undeveloped. As for the vegetation cover, in this area it is quite sparse and spotty. Most of the flora is lichens, mosses, and algae. They can group only in a place sheltered from cold winds. In fertilized areas, higher plants are also found, represented by quarry, polar poppy, croup, chickweed, bluegrass, etc. Near patches of snow you can find ice buttercup and polar willow, the size of which does not exceed five centimeters.

Tundra zone

Includes territories near the coast of the seas of the Arctic Ocean, starting from the western border and up to the Bering Strait. The tundra is also characterized by long winters, but slightly warmer summers. A characteristic feature of such a zone is permafrost. The vegetation here is mainly represented by mosses, lichens, shrubs and shrubs. All tundra plants root system can develop only in a small space that is not frozen, and the crops themselves do not rise particularly above the ground.

Forest-tundra zone

This territory is located along the southern borders of the tundra zone. It is considered a transitional area from the tundra to the taiga. A characteristic feature of the forest-tundra is the presence of sparse forests in the interfluves. The climate of this zone is represented by cold and snowy winters, as well as warmer summers and lower wind speeds than in the tundra.

The sparse forests of such areas consist of larches, birches and Siberian spruce. On the slopes of river valleys and terraces there are many meadows composed of buttercups, valerian, berries and lights.

Taiga

This zone has the largest area; it stretches from the western border of Russia all the way to the coast of the Okhotsk and also the Sea of ​​Japan. The main type of vegetation in this zone is represented by light-coniferous and dark-coniferous forests. The bulk of the forests consists of larch, slightly less common are pine, spruce forests, as well as forests of fir or Siberian cedar. In the territories of the Far Eastern Primorye, southern varieties of trees are also found, represented by Amur velvet and Manchurian walnut.

Mixed and broad-leaved forests

Such a zone is located just south of the taiga in the region of the Russian Plain; it is not inside the continent, but it is again observed on southern territories Far East. The north of this zone is characterized by coniferous-deciduous forests of a mixed type, and the south is characterized by broad-leaved forests of a multi-tiered structure. Today, forests occupy about thirty percent of the area of ​​such a zone, and contain many small-leaved species, represented by birches, aspens and alders.

Forest-steppe zone

This area is transitional from steppe to forest; accordingly, both forest and steppe vegetation can be seen on it. In the interfluves of the forest-steppe, forests with broad-leaved and small-leaved trees alternate. The natural nature of such an area has changed greatly due to human activity. The main forest-forming species of the forest-steppe is oak; in Western Siberia there are many birch groves. And the steppes of such a zone are characterized by colorful forbs.

Steppe zone

Such territories in Russia have a fairly small area, covering the southern part of the European part, as well as the south of Western Siberia. Almost all steppes are now plowed.
Natural vegetation is represented by grasses and turf grasses (feather grass, fescue, steppe oats, bluegrass, etc.). The northern regions of the steppe are characterized by forbs and grasses, while the southern regions are characterized by feather grass and fescue vegetation.

Semi-deserts and deserts

Such territories in Russia are located in the Caspian region, as well as in the Eastern Ciscaucasia. Here, as in the steppe, there are no forests. Vegetation is represented different cultures Thus, in depressions with a significant amount of humus, fescue, wheatgrass, tonkonog, etc. are found, and salt licks are covered with blue-green algae. In the northern territories, the bulk of plants are represented by cereals with an admixture of wormwood, and in the southern territories there is more wormwood, the number of saltworts and ephemerals increases, and the overall plant cover is characterized by greater sparseness.

We have given a description of the natural zones of Russia. Each natural zone has a fairly large extent, preserving certain common features: climate, humidity level, type of soil and vegetation.

Published: 06.04.2018 Category: Author's essay

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

Arctic desert

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

The named groups of islands lie in the Arctic, representing a wasteland covered with snow and ice, in places crossed by ravines and hills. In total (including the Asian areas) the “dubious wealth” amounts to 9,000,000 sq. km.

Soils and climate

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

Flora and fauna

Biota is all fungi and microorganisms. Mammals are home to unusual, polar animals. There are many natural areas in Russia, but you will find some species of seals, walruses, seals, and northern fish (for example, killer whale) only here. The same goes for birds (snowy owl, pink gull and guillemot). Polar bears are also found exclusively in snowy expanses - on the northernmost pieces of Russian land. Or in Antarctica! 25% live in Arctic waters salmon fish and almost the entire reindeer population. Representatives of the indigenous population of those regions of Russia that are occupying Arctic lands are allowed to hunt this species.

Recreational potential

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

Tundra

The natural areas of Russia, located at the northern tip of Eurasia, are called tundra. In fact, this is the northernmost steppe on the planet. Similar landscapes exist on the upper “floors” of mountains or on very high plateaus.

Geographical location and relief

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

Soils and climate

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

Flora and fauna

This circumstance is the reason for the poor biocenosis. Lichens and mosses are joined only by angiosperms, and in the south of the subarctic climate zone– stunted shrubs (birberry, bush willow and marsh sedge).

In such an environment everyone lives the same reindeer, arctic fox, fox, wolf, bighorn sheep, lemming and even brown hare (in the far south). Among the winged animals, the most common are the red-breasted pipit, the bunting, the white-winged plover and, of course, the polar owl. The ichthyofauna is represented by vendace, omul, whitefish, and nelma. It is the relict species of the animal world that are listed. Scientists consider the threat of environmental disaster to be the main biotopic difference of the tundra. This belt is home to the most exploited oil and gas fields. Where people come, more and more species of flora and fauna disappear. In particular, the original landscape has been severely damaged by the appearance of so-called “burning lakes” - ignited oil spills.

Recreational potential

Protected places - “gates” to the tundra natural belts Russia. Among the gas conservancies located here are Taimyrsky, Ust-Lensky, Laplandsky and Pasvik. In addition to the familiar ecological and educational tourism, extreme adventures are practiced - river rafting, jeep safari, and in winter - dog and reindeer sled racing. The low mountains of these surroundings (especially in the Murmansk region) are increasingly becoming interesting to speleologists and climbers. Fishing and hunting (especially photographic) are popular. A large number of Russians come to take photographs northern lights. The southern “branch” of the tundra is the Lagonaki plateau. This is a fragment of the Caucasian State Reserve in southern Adygea, where there is a famous ski infrastructure and countless tourist centers. However, the northern tundra can also boast of hospitality. For example, Pasvik is a territory in the contiguous lands of the Russian Federation and Norway, which is the border of the tundra and taiga (in the west the forest rises to high latitudes...). There are several tourist areas on both sides of the border. There is also a small building of an environmental museum ( locality Rajakoski), as well as the waterfall of the same name.

Forest-tundra and northern meadows

Forest-tundra and taiga are the largest natural zone in Russia, stretching from the south of the Kola Peninsula to the tip of Kamchatka. The main feature of that part, which is named in the title, is oppressed open forests and shrubs, the presence of “northern meadows” in the south of the Kamchatka Territory. The zone is typical for a third of the US states and most of Canada.

Geographical location and relief

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

Soils and climate

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

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

Flora and fauna

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

Recreational potential

The Putorana Plateau State Reserve is known as the “lakeiest” within the forest-tundra. Its most famous is the Khantai reservoir (Kutarmo). The length reaches 80 kilometers, and the depth is as much as 420 meters. A few tourists wander along the shores of a small “sea” (made up of rocks from a glacial basin), stopping at the village of Khantayskoe Lake (west of the mouth of Khatancha). And yet, the most pronounced landscapes of the described natural-climatic region are the tracts of the Kronotsky (Southern Kamchatka) and Pechero-Ilychsky reserves, as well as the Yugyd Va State Nature Reserve (Komi Republic). The first is known for thermal springs in the craters of volcanoes, on the shores of which unnaturally bright greenery grows (grass as tall as a person), as well as a huge population of bears.

The second two are of interest to extreme sports enthusiasts and lovers of North Ural ethnic music. It is possible to find tourist centers in an unguarded area. Many of them are intended for hunters and fishermen. Moreover, “Yugyd-Va” gives travelers the chance to book a visit directly on the national park’s website. The most popular hike is to the hill called Narodnaya. Its upper level is a picturesque alpine meadow, which is simply impossible to forget! The environmental trend captivates “hikers”. There are parking spaces. There are historical trips to GULAG sites. For example, ordinary tourists from Arkhangelsk have access to a tour to the historical museum-reserve at Solovetsky Islands. They are located right in the forest-tundra zone - at the exit from the famous Onega Bay.

Taiga

The natural zones of Russia traditional for our ancestors (proto-Slavic, proto-Baltic and Finno-Ugric) are associated with coniferous forest. In geography it is designated by the word “taiga”. It is divided into southern (found in the Caucasus and Crimea) and northern. The latter occupies the space from the southern limits of the Murmansk Pasvik Nature Reserve and Veliky Novgorod in the west to Kamennaya Kolyma and the tip of Kamchatka in the south.

Geographical location and relief

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

The geological history of the region of the Earth where the boreal forest grows is associated with increased mountain formation, as well as the appearance of the deepest rivers at the junctions of different platforms. In fact, there are lowlands, hills, mountains, foothills, plains, and deep river beds. But the varied topography partially explains some natural areas in Russia. In this piece of Eurasia, all conditions have been created for the growth of huge coniferous thickets. More on this below.

Soils and climate

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

Flora and fauna

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

Recreational potential

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

Zone of mixed and deciduous forests

We would place this one in the rating of “the most beautiful natural areas of Russia”. The mixed thickets are especially striking in the fall, shimmering with green, golden, yellow and brown hues at the same time. In the literature, the European section of this region is called “central Russia.” In its north is her “Golden Ring”.

Geographical location and relief

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

Most of the world's mixed and broadleaf forests lie on the plains, hills, shallow lowlands, and middle strata of the mountainous uplands of Eurasia.

Soils and climate

This PZ gravitates towards a zone of medium-temperate climate, the areas of which are no different from each other in terms of warmth. The exception is the Novgorod and Pskov regions, where cloudy days and a little more precipitation. And the most striking example is the Moscow and Vladimir regions. Summer in these regions of the federation is ideal - sunny days alternate evenly with slightly rainy days, average temperature +22°C. In winter, the temperature ranges from – 10°C to – 20°C. The winds are often squally, but not hurricane-force. In January they lead to frost of only – 25°C. Humidity is above normal in the west.

Flora and fauna

The greatest diversity of flora and fauna - words about “central Russia”. Relict arboretums contain both northern inhabitants (pine, spruce, fir and birch) and “taiga-deciduous” black alder. To the south grow ash, linden, poplar, oak and maple. Even closer to the forest-steppe is the heat-loving elm. Lilac, apple tree, hazel, honeysuckle, rowan, and hazel get along well. And in the riverbeds a weeping willow bent towards the water. A habitat of berries rich in species composition grows in swamps and forests. Lots of mushrooms. The grass cover in forests, around fields, in swamps, as well as in water meadows is denser, “juicier” and more varied. We are talking about the northern frontier of gardening, floriculture and gardening. In dachas and on the outskirts of villages, viburnum blooms red, and frost-resistant grapes grow in the Amur region! The difference between the local vegetation is the richest undergrowth, consisting of hundreds of species of ferns and shrubs (including berries).

Animal world– distribution area of ​​bear, deer, elk, and roe deer. And also a wolf, a brown hare and a white hare. There are also foxes, weasels, stoats, beavers, hori, raccoon dogs and 4 species of rodents. In this geographical area we will meet more than 170 types of avifauna, and in its reservoirs – hundreds of “varieties” of fish. Excessively active forms of fishing and hunting (the area has been overpopulated since the century before last) led to the fact that many of the listed fish and animals. Now populations are being restored artificially, including by limiting the hunting regime.

Recreational potential

For obvious reasons, the most common type of recreation here is cultural and educational. You can tour the estates yourself. And you can visit the historical cities of Russia “in bulk”, using the tourism product “Golden Ring of Russia” (by the way, this can also be a cruise). There is a rural cluster. After all, 3 years ago, studying the ethnic characteristics of the local agricultural complex became a trend among Moscow operators. In second place is forest trekking with tents. The third is multi-day fishing and hunting. In the Siberian half of this PZ, as well as on the middle “floors” of the Crimean and Caucasus Mountains Speleological and mountaineering activities, river rafting and jeep safaris are practiced. Speaking about the Far East, one cannot help but mention the Ussuriysk State Plant (Shkotovsky district of Primorsky Krai). Only in the latter does he live Ussuri tiger. Saving its population is one of the tasks set by the President of our country, V. Putin. As for flora, the forests of the Ussuri region are probably the richest in species composition. Judge for yourself: cedar, southern pine and fir get along with linden, maple, walnut and wild apple trees. Among the “short plants” there are rose hips, viburnum, hazel, and honeysuckle. In the south, the variety is complemented by cherries, maakia and bird cherry.

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

Forest-steppe

From the latitude of the northern and eastern Black Earth Region, the natural zones of Russia fragmentarily pass into the “kingdom of the steppes”. Moreover, in the western half they are all already plowed. In terms of territory size, this geographical sphere is larger than only desert and semi-desert.

Geographical location and relief

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

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

Soils and climate

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

Flora and fauna

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

Recreational potential

In this “region” there are five protected areas that have become popular among travelers. There are also little-known ones. So, about the top five. These are the reserves: Forest on Vorskla (very old oaks of the Belgorod region), Voronezh (the border of the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions - vegetation on unique sandy terraces). And also national parks: Khvalynsky (coniferous forest on chalk ravines overlooking the Volga), Volga forest-steppe (Penza region, a community of meadows and 9 species of trees), as well as “Arkaim” (steppe and forest-steppe territories with the remains of ancient settlements of the Sintashta culture). Recreation in all reserves is ecological and historical. There are the most protected biological reserves, as well as, on the contrary, hunting and fishing grounds.

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

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

Steppe

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

Geographical location and relief

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

Soils and climate

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

Flora and fauna

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

In the steppes there are wolves, foxes, brown hare, wild boar, roe deer, polecats and a lot of rodents. Among the birds are marsh-meadow and raptors (including three species of eagle and heron).

Recreational potential

Tourists call the most popular parts of the steppe the natural parks “Donskoy”, “Ust-Medveditsky” and “Nizhnekhopersky” (Volgograd region), the reserve of the Saratov region “Snake Mountains”, as well as the state reserve in the Rostov region - “Sholokhovsky”. All this is an example of a classic steppe landscape, where ecological recreation, horseback riding, rafting on safe rivers (some sections of the Don, Khopru, Medveditsa and Buzuluk), as well as fishing, are available. In winter, skiing, sledding and snowboarding are common on the Saratov “Snake Mountains”. All Volgograd and Rostov protected areas provide guides telling about the Cossacks... The fact is that in the Volgograd and Rostov regions most of the regional museums and almost half of the exhibitions in major cities associated with Cossack material culture and traditions. In Volgograd, Kamyshin (Kamyshinsky district) and Engels, there are institutions that tell the story of the Volga Germans who once lived here.

Semi-desert

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

Geographical location and relief

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

Soils and climate

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

Flora and fauna

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

Recreational potential

The Lower Volga (especially the oasis in the semi-desert - the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain) attracts fishermen. People with pulmonary diseases are attracted to the Eltonsky Nature Reserve, where a sanatorium has been set up near the salt lake Elton.

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

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

Subtropics

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

Geographical location and relief

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

Soils and climate

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

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

The Russian “Mediterranean” is distinguished by the fact that in summer there is dry air formed in the zone high pressure descends onto a layer of sea air characterized by variable humidity. Thanks to this, there is no precipitation here. Instead there are only thunderstorms. And the heat is no stronger than “steppe”. In winter, the thermometer does not drop below -16°C, since the area is sheltered from cold (eastern and northern) winds by mountains (yayla in the Crimea and the Watershed Range in the Caucasus).

The Samur forest lies in the belt of semi-humid or “oceanic” subtropics. They are more susceptible to attacks by sea winds and currents. At the height of summer, it is not hot and windy here... The humidity is ideal (there is a normal amount of precipitation). In winter, temperatures range from -1°C to +4°C, and are only affected by the eastern winds of the hot Central Asian deserts. The problem is the wind.

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

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

Flora and fauna

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

Recreational potential

The map of Russian natural zones clearly tells us that the majority of protected natural landscapes in our state are located in the subtropical zone. There are so many of them, they are small, different from each other. Therefore, they are a topic for a separate discussion (read the article “Reserves of Russia” and others). For northern country subtropical terrain is exotic. Therefore, resort and ecological tourism is more developed here. And even sports and recreation (dozens of health paths have been set up in Crimea, Tuapse, the mountain and coastal cluster of Sochi). And all extreme, of course, is associated with sea ​​holidays(windsurfing, kiting, yachting and diving) or mountain (trekking, mountaineering and jumping). By the way, the Imereti port has the largest yacht marina in Russia (more than 700 places!), and Krasnaya Polyana is the largest network of ski resorts in the CIS.

There are also many coastal and mountain resorts available to vacationers. In Crimea, in the regions of Saki and Yevpatoria, there are the most Russian mud baths (this area is located in the middle of salty estuaries and deposits of healing mud). There are small mud volcanoes in Taman (there are also lotuses), and here and there in the Anapa urban district. The Adler microdistrict (Sochi) is the only place where banjo jumping is officially practiced (Sky Park extreme entertainment complex, Kazachiy Brod). The coastal (humid subtropical) zone of the Caucasian State Reserve is called “Sochi national park" It has 9 indigenous tourist routes of varying difficulty and dozens of historical and natural attractions. There are even more of them in the dry subtropical zone of Crimea - these are botanical gardens around noble estates and royal residences, and museums on the site of Scythian settlements, and the remains of ancient city policies, and Karaite caves, and bizarre rocky tracts. Savage tourists have chosen 75 Crimean bays, half of which are protected.

Desert

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

Geographical location and relief

The conversation will be about about a hundred dunes of the Kumtorkalinsky massif in the Republic of Dagestan. The location is equal in area to only the Bryansk region (approximately 30,000 square kilometers). It is located west of the Makhachkala agglomeration. The largest of the dunes has the simple name Sary-Kum. From the Turkic language it is translated as “yellow sand”. It lies further south than the others. This point is the highest sand mountain in the world, having a height of 262 meters. Sand deposits are asymmetrical. The leeward side of each has a concave appearance, the opposite is curved and manages to be covered with vegetation. Only Sary-Kum is completely naked.

Soils and climate

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

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

Flora and fauna

The natural zones of Russia in the south of the country are more closely intertwined with each other. The result of this was a special zoological diversity in their rugged (mountain and large wasteland) expanses. The Sarykum Dunes desert is the southwestern part of this massif. It is located 18 kilometers northwest of Makhachkala. As said, only it can be called “classic”. Among the plants there are only xerophytic shrubs related to saxaul, as well as some wormwood-grass vegetation. Monitor lizards and smaller lizards live on the sandy waves. At the same time, in the remaining tracts of the Kumtorkalinsky massif we will find a landscape transitional to semi-desert - a lot of wormwood, dry trees, shiblyak thickets. The most common flowers here are astragalus - Karakuginsky and Lemana. The sands are home to 21 species of reptiles (among them the funny Mediterranean turtle), 194 species of birds (as well as eagles - steppe and imperial eagle) and 251 species of terrestrial vertebrates (usually rodents).

Recreational potential

The sandy hills of the Kumtorkalinsky massif are part of the Dagestansky nature reserve. In fact, the most carefully protected recreation in the region. First of all, educational tourism is developed here. And no wonder. The protected area includes adjacent areas of 6 landscapes at once - steppes, semi-deserts, deciduous forests (on the foothills and in the valleys large rivers), as well as mountain and sandy deserts. It is not for nothing that it is fashionable to call the place “the center eco travel" However, in the southernmost geographical region of the Russian Federation, extreme types of recreation are also exploited. These include speleology, mountaineering, sand skiing and several types of trekking. Please know: the Sulak River is suitable for rafting in spring. And travelers, in order to begin exploring the sands, must first get to the village of Korkmaskala (along the Caucasus highway) or to the Shamkhal station (on the Kizil-Yurt - Makhachkala railway route).

As you understand, natural areas of Russia have not only a latitudinal or meridian vector of movement. They also change in the altitudinal direction. Large elevations have strata where the distance from sea level corresponds to movement to the north. Continuing to develop the topic of relief, it is worth pointing out that some microlandscapes in the south, due to their isolation, may have features of the natural zones of northern Russia. And vice versa. We hope this information will help you on your journey.

3

Arctic deserts
Within the Arctic desert zone are Franz Josef Land, the New Siberian Islands, Wrangel Island, large parts of Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya, as well as a number of small Arctic islands. Arctic deserts are barren lands bound by permafrost and covered with large glaciers (the total area of ​​glaciation is more than 55 thousand km²). The soils are very poor in humus. Vegetation is almost absent and is represented mainly by lichens. The fauna is extremely poor

Tundra
The tundra zone covers about 10% of the territory of Russia and is located within the Arctic and subarctic climatic zones; extends from the border with Finland in the west to the Bering Strait in the east. The zone occupies a narrow coastal strip in the far north of Europe. parts of Russia and reaches a maximum width of 500 km in Siberia; It also has a significant extent in the extreme northeast of Russia, where it extends south to the northern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The tundra is practically treeless; Permafrost lies close to the surface and traps moisture formed when the top layer of soil thaws.

Forest-tundra
The forest-tundra zone stretches in a narrow strip (20-200 km) along the southern border of the tundra from the Kola Peninsula to Kolyma. It is located within the subarctic climate zone. It differs from the tundra primarily in the nature of the vegetation - low-growing birch, larch and spruce grow in the forest-tundra. Significant areas are occupied by peat bogs.

Taiga
The taiga, the most extensive natural zone in Russia, stretches from the western borders of Russia to the Pacific Ocean. Occupies the territories of the East European and West Siberian plains north of 56°-58° N. w. and most of the territory east of the Yenisei; taiga forests reach the southern borders of Russia in Siberia; in total, the taiga accounts for over 60% of the area of ​​Russia. In the meridional direction, the taiga is divided into eastern, with continental climate, and western, with a milder climate; in general, the climate of the zone is humid, with moderately warm (cool in the north) summers and harsh winters; in winter - stable snow cover.

Mixed and broad-leaved forests
Southern taiga in Europe. parts of Russia is replaced mixed forests. The climate is temperate continental, rather humid; long lasting warm summer, long, moderately cold winter; the average July temperature is +16...21 °C, January -6...−14 °C in the European part and up to −28 °C in the Far East. The annual precipitation reaches 500-800 mm. This is approximately equal to evaporation. The humidification coefficient is slightly more than one, so the swampiness here is much lower than in the taiga.

Forest-steppe
The forest-steppe zone is, as the name suggests, transitional between the forest zone and the steppe; stretches in an almost continuous strip from the borders of the Center. Ukraine through the East European Plain, the south of the Urals and Western Siberia to Altai. The average temperature in July is up to 21 °C, in January up to −8 °C in the European part and up to −18 °C in Western Siberia. Soils - gray forest and chernozem; In Western Siberia, weakly leached meadow-chernozem soils are also common.

Steppe
The extent of the steppe from north to south in Europe. Russia - about 200 km. A wide strip of steppe extends from southern Ukraine to the East European Plain and northern Kazakhstan to Altai mountains. Areas of forest-steppe and steppe are found in the mountain basins of Southern Siberia. Climatic conditions change when moving from west to east; The Siberian steppes are characterized by dryness, harsh winters and a large temperature contrast compared to European ones.

Semi-desert and desert
These natural zones occupy a small part of the territory of Russia and are located within Caspian lowland. The climate is dry, continental. The average temperature in January is up to −10 °C, in July - up to 24 °C. In summer, temperatures in the shade often reach 40 °C. Humidification is extremely insufficient. Dry winds and dust storms are frequent in the desert zone. They form hills-dunes

Every schoolchild knows what a natural area is, and those who have forgotten this concept can become familiar with it by reading this article.

Natural areas: definition and types

The globe consists of all kinds of natural complexes, localized in different climatic zones. Despite the diversity of landscapes, plants and animals, individual areas of the Earth are similar to each other. They are combined into a separate group of natural zones. This is the largest gradation of the entire natural complex on the planet.

Natural areas and their features

Natural areas are located according to temperature and humidity parameters adapted to certain parameters. They mainly occupy certain latitudes, but the specific area depends on the distance to the ocean and the surrounding topography. The exception is mountain natural zones, the characteristics of which are influenced by the altitude of localization. Closer to the top, the temperature becomes lower, so the zonation is located in the direction from the equator to the poles. Below there is a natural complex similar to that on the plain. The higher the mountain range, the more northern landscapes are localized at the top.

What is a natural area that is not located on land? The ocean also contains a natural complex that differs in its climatic location and depth. Its boundaries are vague compared to the land.

Natural areas of the tropics and subtropics, deserts

The forests of the equator and tropics, located in Africa, South America and Asia, are characterized by high humidity and temperature. What is a natural area in these areas of the globe? This is a complex of evergreen trees with pronounced multi-layers (from small shrubs to giant trees). The accelerated circulation of substances leads to the formation of a superfertile soil layer, which is quickly consumed. In the tropics and subtropics, there is a zone of dry forests where trees shed their leaves during the hot period.

The description of the natural zone includes savannas - a transition zone from tropical forests to northern landscapes with clearly defined open forests, constantly high temperature and infrequent precipitation. This complex is characterized by a dry period, as a result of which it occurs before reservoirs.

Evergreen forests in Mediterranean climates are predominantly composed of plants with hard leaves. There are many coniferous trees and mild winters are typical. Most of the animal species in this natural area are on the verge of extinction.

Tundra and forest-tundra occupy the territory of the subpolar and polar zones. The vegetation is low-growing with a shallow root system due to poor soils, many mosses and lichens, mainly inhabited migratory birds, most The territory is covered with permafrost.

Animals in arctic desert predominantly live in water, in warm period, which lasts several months, birds arrive. This is what a natural area in the northern hemisphere is.