Features of the formation of natural zones. Natural complexes and natural areas. Formation of natural areas

Under latitudinal zonality (geographical, landscape) understand the natural changes in physical and geographical processes natural ingredients, as well as PTC from the equator to the poles. The main reason zonality - uneven distribution of short-wave radiation from the Sun over latitude, due to the sphericity of the Earth. Therefore, for latitudinal zoning, two conditions are sufficient:

Uneven distribution of solar radiation

Sphericality of the Earth

The latitudinal distribution of solar radiation does not always obey mathematical calculations. For each of the latitudes, there are also calculations that clearly show a decrease in the number towards the poles. Distribution solar energy depends on astronomical quantities:

Distance to the sun. The Earth is well located in relation to the Sun.

Earth mass influences the nature of zoning. The mass of the earth, with the help of a core in which there is a lot of metal, holds the atmosphere, and the atmosphere redistributes radiant energy. The moon has no atmosphere.

The inclination of the earth's axis to the ecliptic plane (66.5 o). This angle determines the uneven distribution of solar energy over the seasons, which complicates the zonal distribution of heat and moisture and exacerbates zonal contrasts. If earth's axis was perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic, then each parallel would receive almost the same amount of solar heat throughout the year, and seasonal phenomena would not appear.

Daily rotation of the earth causes the deflection of moving bodies, including air masses in the northern hemisphere - to the right, and in the southern hemisphere - to the left (Coriolis force).

Heterogeneous structure of the Earth the presence of continents, large and small islands, oceans, water areas, a variety of rocks (by strength - rocky and loose rocks), a variety of land topography, coverage of the territory with glaciers, all this causes disturbances in the distribution of solar energy.

Consequently, the mechanism of geographic zoning is very complex and manifests itself ambiguously in different parts of the geographic envelope, in its various components and components, as well as in different processes occurring within the geographic envelope.

The first result of the zonal distribution of radiant energy is the ZONALITY OF RADIATION BALANCE on the Earth's surface. The maximum total radiation occurs at latitudes 20-30 in both hemispheres, because the atmosphere here is transparent, radiant energy entering the Earth's surface and converted into thermal energy, is spent on evaporation and heat transfer to the atmosphere. Another important pattern that depends on the uneven distribution of heat is the ZONING OF AIR MASSES, ATMOSPHERE CIRCULATION AND MOISTURE RECYCLING.

Air masses:

Equatorial (warm and humid)

Tropical (warm and dry)

Moderate (dry and wet, cool)

Antarctic, Arctic (cold, dry)

Air masses are heated unequally, therefore, have different densities and there is a violation of the thermodynamic equilibrium in the troposphere and, as a result, the circulation of air masses. If the Earth did not rotate around its axis, then the circulation of air masses would be primitive, i.e. in the northern hemisphere, air masses would have a direction from north to south, and in the southern hemisphere, from south to north. But as a result of the Coriolis force, circulation zones are formed that correspond to zonal types of air masses:

Equatorial zone– low pressure, rising air currents, calm prevails.

tropical zone– high pressure, predominance of the eastern direction of air masses, which change in the northern hemisphere to northeastern, and in the southern hemisphere to southeastern.

Temperate zone– low pressure, westerly air transport.

Polar zone– low pressure, easterly winds.

Transition zones: subarctic, subtropical, subequatorial. In which in summer the circulation shifts according to the hemisphere towards the pole, and in winter towards the equator. In landscape science, there are 7 circulation zones.

Atmospheric circulation is a mechanism for the redistribution of heat and moisture. If this pattern did not exist, then on the globe there would be sharp boundaries between all zonal and temperature differences. The zonal distribution of solar heat is reflected by the distribution of the planet's thermal zones:

Hot– average annual temperature >20 o

2 moderate

2 cold When is the temperature of the warmest month< +10 о.

Inside the cold zone, areas of perpetual frost (ice zones) are distinguished when the temperature of the warmest month is below 0.

Zonal circulation of the atmosphere is associated with humidification and moisture circulation. Moisture circulation and humidification have their own zonal specificity when maximums are identified in the distribution of precipitation (usually there are 3 of them) - one at the equator, 2 in temperate latitudes. 4 minimums – 2 in polar latitudes, 2 in the tropics. The amount of precipitation does not determine the conditions for moisture supply in landscapes (in the steppes up to 500 mm, but the moisture is insufficient, and in the tundra 300-350 mm is excessive moisture). Therefore, the moisture supply is affected by the humidification coefficient.

Relief is also subject to zoning, but mainly morphosculptural types of relief that are formed under the influence of exogenous processes, and they do not manifest themselves equally everywhere depending on climatic conditions. Groundwater is also subject to the zonation process. At the same depth, for example, located in the zone of broad-leaved foxes and steppes, they may differ to varying degrees mineralization, which are determined by different methods of feeding groundwater and varying degrees of evaporation. Thus, zoning is a universal geographical pattern that manifests itself in all landscape-forming processes and in the placement of natural complexes on earth's surface.

Zoning must be considered in historical terms, because it took shape over hundreds of millions of years geological history. Equatorial landscapes are distinguished by the greatest antiquity, which have existed since the middle of the Paleozoic. Many landscapes were influenced by the Paleogene-Neogene stages of development, especially in temperate latitudes. Pleistocene glaciation, when periods of glacial and interglacial periods were observed, shifted the boundaries of landscapes. The youngest natural zone is Tundra zone. When considering the pattern of latitudinal zonation, the most important factor is macroclimatic conditions. The most inert factor is considered geological structure and relief.

Types and classes of landscapes

The type of landscapes depends on zonal features, the most important of which are the ratios of heat and moisture, which determine the regime of surface and groundwater, the nature and direction of the main natural processes, the composition and structure of phyto- and zoocenoses. The types include tundra, forest, forest-steppe, desert and other landscapes. A.G. Isachenko considers the landscape type to be the highest unit of classification, and the landscape class to be subordinate to the type.

To isolate the type of landscapes, V.A. Nikolaev puts forward the genetic type of relief as the main criterion, and G.I. Yurenkov - provincial features of landscape types (Eastern European landscapes of mixed forests, Far Eastern landscapes of mixed forests, etc.).

Landscape type is the smallest classification unit, distinguished either by the genetic characteristics of the territory (A.G. Isachenko, N.L. Beruchashvili, G.I. Yurenkov), or by the structure of the dominant tracts (V.A. Nikolaev).

Along with the listed basic units of landscape classification, there are intermediate ones - subclass, subtype, subgenus, subspecies, etc. For example, in the class of plains there may be subclasses of elevated and lowland landscapes; in the forest type - subtypes of northern, middle, and southern taiga landscapes. The isolation of such categories is dictated by the collected and processed material, the degree of its detail and reliability, and the scale of the map. Like the main ones, intermediate units occupy a strictly defined place in the taxonomic system and are subject to all classification rules.

Any classification presupposes some formalization, ordering and generalization of concepts. To the greatest extent, generalization is inherent in the highest units of classification (divisions, classes, types). Their differentiation is made according to the most important, essential characteristics, against the background of which the diversity of subordinates only emphasizes the complexity internal structure large PTCs. The minimum degree of generalization is characteristic of landscape types as relatively homogeneous units.

The first classification of landscapes of Belarus was published by V.A. Dementiev and G.I. Martsinkevich in 1968. The main principle of the classification was genetic. Its main drawback is the lack of a clear system of classification units.

The modern classification of landscapes of the Republic of Belarus was developed in relation to a map of scale 1:600,000 (authors N.K. Klitsunova, G.I. Martsinkevich, L.V. Loginova, G.T. Kharanicheva, scientific editor A.G. Isachenko), published in 1984. It takes into account the experience of researchers, embodied in the creation of landscape maps of Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Lithuania, and the Non-Black Earth center of Russia. The highest classification unit is the landscape class. The territory of Belarus is entirely located within the East European Platform with flat terrain and a clearly defined structure of latitudinal zones, therefore its landscapes belong to the class of plains. The next unit - landscape type - is identified taking into account bioclimatic factors. Position of the territory of Belarus in temperate latitudes with favorable conditions for the growth of forests predetermined that its PTC belonged to the temperate continental forest type of landscapes. At the same time, the extension of the territory from north to south by more than 500 km determines changes in the hydrothermal regime in the indicated direction. On this basis, two subtypes of landscapes are distinguished: subtaiga (mixed-forest) and Polesie (broad-leaved-forest). The first subtype covers the northern and central, the second - the southern parts of the republic. The border between them runs along the northern edge of Belarusian Polesie.

The geographical envelope is not tripled equally everywhere; it has a “mosaic” structure and consists of individual natural complexes (landscapes). Natural complex – this is a part of the earth's surface with relatively homogeneous natural conditions: climate, relief, soils, waters, flora and fauna.

Each natural complex consists of components between which there are close, historically established relationships, and a change in one of the components sooner or later leads to a change in the others.

The largest, planetary natural complex is the geographic envelope; it is divided into natural complexes of a smaller rank. The division of the geographical envelope into natural complexes is due to two reasons: on the one hand, differences in the structure earth's crust and the heterogeneity of the earth's surface, and on the other hand, the unequal amount of solar heat received by its different areas. In accordance with this, zonal and azonal natural complexes are distinguished.

The largest azonal natural complexes are continents and oceans. Smaller - mountainous and flat areas within the continents ( West Siberian Plain, Caucasus, Andes, Amazonian lowland). The latter are divided into even smaller natural complexes (Northern, Central, Southern Andes). Natural complexes of the lowest rank include individual hills, river valleys, their slopes, etc.

The largest of the zonal natural complexes are geographical zones. They coincide with climatic zones and have the same names (equatorial, tropical, etc.). In turn, geographical zones consist of natural areas, which are distinguished by the ratio of heat and moisture.

Natural area is a large area of ​​land with similar natural components - soils, vegetation, wildlife, which are formed depending on the combination of heat and moisture.

The main component of a natural area is climate, since all other components depend on it. Vegetation has a great influence on the formation of soils and fauna and is itself dependent on soils. Natural zones are named according to the nature of their vegetation, since it most obviously reflects other features of nature.

The climate naturally changes as it moves from the equator to the poles. Soil, vegetation and animal world determined by climate. This means that these components should change latitudinally, following climate change. The natural change of natural zones when moving from the equator to the poles is called latitudinal zonality. There are humid areas near the equator equatorial forests, at the poles there are icy arctic deserts. Between them are other types of forests, savannas, deserts, and tundra. Forest zones, as a rule, are located in areas where the ratio of heat and moisture is balanced (equatorial and most of the temperate zone, eastern coasts of continents in the tropical and subtropical zone). Treeless zones form where there is a lack of heat (tundra) or moisture (steppes, deserts). These are continental regions of the tropical and temperate zones, as well as the subarctic climate zone.

The climate changes not only in latitude, but also due to changes in altitude. As you go up the mountains, the temperature drops. Up to an altitude of 2000-3000 m, the amount of precipitation increases. A change in the ratio of heat and moisture causes a change in soil and vegetation cover. Thus, different natural zones are located in the mountains at different altitudes. This pattern is called altitudinal zone.

The change in altitudinal zones in the mountains occurs in approximately the same sequence as on the plains, when moving from the equator to the poles. At the foot of the mountains there is a natural area in which they are located. The number of altitudinal zones is determined by the height of the mountains and their geographical location. The higher the mountains, and the closer they are located to the equator, the more diverse the set of altitudinal zones. Vertical zonality is most fully expressed in the Northern Andes. In the foothills there are moist equatorial forests, then there is a belt of mountain forests, and even higher - thickets of bamboo and tree ferns. With an increase in altitude and a decrease in average annual temperatures, coniferous forests appear, which are replaced by mountain meadows, often turning into rocky areas covered with moss and lichens. The peaks of the mountains are crowned with snow and glaciers.

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What determines the formation of natural areas? What natural areas stand out on our planet? You can answer these and some other questions by reading this article.

Natural zoning: formation of natural zones in the territory

The so-called planet of ours is the largest natural complex. It is very heterogeneous, both in the vertical section (which is expressed in vertical zonation) and in the horizontal (latitudinal) section, which is expressed in the presence of various natural zones on Earth. The formation of natural areas depends on several factors. And in this article we will talk specifically about the latitudinal heterogeneity of the geographical envelope.

This is a component of the geographical envelope, which is distinguished by a certain set of natural components with its own characteristics. These components include the following:

• climatic conditions;
• the nature of the relief;
• hydrological grid of the territory;
• soil structure;
• organic world.

It should be noted that the formation of natural areas depends on the first component. However, natural zones usually get their names from the nature of their vegetation. After all, flora is the most striking component of any landscape. In other words, vegetation acts as a kind of indicator that displays the deep (those that are hidden from our eyes) processes of the formation of a natural complex.

It should be noted that the natural zone is the highest level in the hierarchy of the physical-geographical zoning of the planet.

Factors of natural zonation

Let us list all the factors in the formation of natural zones on Earth. So, the formation of natural zones depends on the following factors:

1. Climatic features of the territory (this group of factors includes the temperature regime, the nature of moisture, as well as the properties of the air masses dominating the territory).
2. General character of the relief ( this criterion, as a rule, affects only the configuration and boundaries of a particular natural zone).

The formation of natural areas can also be influenced by proximity to the ocean, or the presence of powerful ocean currents off the coast. However, all these factors are secondary. The main root cause of natural zonality is that different parts (belts) of our planet receive unequal amounts of solar heat and moisture.

Natural areas of the world

What natural zones do geographers identify today on the body of our planet? Let's list them from the poles to the equator:

• Arctic (and Antarctic) deserts.
• Tundra and forest-tundra.
• Taiga.
• Broad-leaved forest zone.
• Forest-steppe.
• Steppe (or prairie).
• Semi-desert and desert zone.
• Savannah zone.
• Tropical rainforest zone.
• Wet zone (hylaea).
• Rain (monsoon) forest zone.

If we look at the map of the natural zonality of the planet, we will see that all natural zones are located on it in the form of belts in a sublatitudinal direction. That is, these zones, as a rule, extend from west to east. Sometimes this sublatitudinal direction can be violated. The reason for this, as we have already said, is the topography of a particular territory.

It is also worth noting that there are simply no clear boundaries between natural areas (as shown on the map). Thus, almost each of the zones smoothly “flows” into the neighboring one. At the same time, border “zones” can very often form at the junction. For example, these are semi-desert or forest-steppe zones.

Conclusion

So, we have found out that the formation of natural areas depends on many factors. The main ones are the ratio of heat and moisture in a particular area, the properties of the prevailing air masses, the nature of the relief, and so on. The set of these factors is the same for any territory: continent, country or small region.

Geographers identify on the surface of our planet over a dozen large natural zones, which are elongated in the form of belts and replace each other from the equator to the polar latitudes.

1) Remember what a natural area is.

A natural complex is a part of the earth's surface with relatively homogeneous natural conditions.

2) What patterns exist in the distribution of natural zones of the Earth?

The location of natural zones is closely related to climatic zones. Like climate zones, they naturally replace each other from the equator to the poles due to a decrease in solar heat reaching the Earth's surface and uneven moisture. This change of natural zones - large natural complexes is called latitudinal zoning. A change in 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 altitude the amount of precipitation increases, and lighting conditions change. Due to changing climatic conditions, natural zones are also changing.

3) What natural areas are located in Eurasia?

Arctic deserts, tundra and forest-tundra, taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests, forest-steppes and steppes, semi-desert and desert.

4) Using what sources geographic information Can you describe a natural area?

Observations, geographical maps, meteorological data.

*Use the picture to determine how natural areas are located in our country. Why don't all zones extend from the western to the eastern outskirts of the country? Which zones are located only in the European part of the country? How can this be explained?

The location of natural areas is in close relationship with climatic zones. Like climate zones, they replace each other from the equator to the poles due to a decrease in solar heat reaching the Earth's surface and uneven moisture. In Russia, the following natural zones replace each other from north to south: arctic deserts and semi-deserts, tundra and forest-tundra, taiga, mixed and deciduous forests, forest-steppes and steppes, variable-humid forests, deserts and semi-deserts. Not all natural areas extend from the western to the eastern borders of the country. This is due to the fact that Russia has a large latitudinal elongation and climatic conditions change as we move deeper into the continent. Only in the European part is there a natural zone of mixed and deciduous forests. This can be explained by the fact that in the interior regions there is not enough moisture for the formation of forests.

Questions in a paragraph

*There are evergreens in the tundra. How do you explain this fact? Name the representatives of the flora and fauna of the tundra that you know. Consider how they adapt to harsh climates.

There are many evergreen plants in the tundra. Such plants can use sunlight immediately as soon as they are freed from under the snow, without wasting time and energy on the formation of new foliage. Flora - mosses, lichens, shrubs - crowberry, bearberry, wild rosemary, dwarf birch, willow. Tundra plants have distinctive shapes that help them make best use of the sun's heat and protect themselves from the wind. Cushions are formed, for example, by stemless gum and saxifrage. They are so dense that from a distance they resemble moss-covered stones. The fauna of the tundra is not rich in species, but quite large in quantitatively. What animals live permanently in the tundra? The indigenous inhabitants of the tundra include reindeer, lemmings, arctic foxes, wolves, and birds - the polar owl and the ptarmigan. Very rare animals are musk oxen.

*Determine on the map which of our country’s largest mineral deposits are located in the tundra zone.

Large industrial hubs have been created in the area of ​​the cities of Nikel, Vorkuta and Norilsk. Mining of non-ferrous metals is underway in Norilsk, in the north of Tomsk and Tyumen regions Oil and gas are actively being extracted. The Arctic tundra zone contains a large supply of important natural resources, such as uranium and oil.

Questions at the end of the paragraph

1. What components of nature form a natural area?

Plant communities, animal communities, soils, character traits surface and groundwater runoff, water regime of rivers, exogenous processes of relief formation.

2. What determines the change in natural zones?

The change in natural zones occurs as a result of a natural change in the ratio of heat and moisture.

3. Using our country as an example, justify the pattern of changing natural zones.

On the territory of Russia there is a change from north to south of the following natural zones: arctic deserts, tundras, forest-tundras, taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests, forest-steppes, steppes, semi-deserts.

4. Think about how the flora and fauna of the Arctic deserts are adapted to their habitat.

Plants do not form a closed vegetation cover, are small in size, and flowering plants have a very short growing season. Animals of the Arctic deserts have adapted to get food from the sea, many have thick fur white, birds populate the coast.

5. Indicate the features of the tundra zone of our country and explain them.

A feature of the Russian tundra zone is its wide distribution and the identification of several subzones from north to south. From north to south, three subzones are distinguished: Arctic tundras are replaced by typical (moss-lichen) tundras, and then by shrubby ones of dwarf birch and polar willows.

6. Think about the reason for the strong vulnerability of the nature of the tundra zone.

Pollutants do not remain in place; air currents carry them over long distances. And the inhabitants of the tundra, especially lichens, are unusually sensitive to their effects. In the tundra, pollutants accumulate rather than being washed away by meltwater. Low temperatures inhibit the destruction of harmful compounds. Dozens of rivers and lakes are dying. Streams of fuel oil and diesel fuel from drilling rigs flow into the soil and water bodies all year round. The coast of the Arctic seas and the entire tundra are littered with ownerless barrels and rusty iron. Many settlements are in an unsanitary condition. There are practically no environmentally friendly enterprises. Thermal power plants smoke the sky. The smog settles on the white snow, dividing it with black, and areas of bare ground appear in places where the pollution is especially high. For many years not a single plant will grow here. Another problem of the tundra is uncontrolled hunting and poaching. Many species of plants and animals have become rare.

The warmth of the sun, clean air and water are the main criteria for life on Earth. Numerous climatic zones have led to the division of the territory of all continents and waters into certain natural zones. Some of them, even separated by huge distances, are very similar, others are unique.

Natural areas of the world: what are they?

This definition should be understood as very large natural complexes (in other words, parts of the Earth’s geographic zone), which have similar, homogeneous climatic conditions. The main characteristic of natural areas is animals and vegetable world, which inhabits this territory. They are formed as a result of the uneven distribution of moisture and heat on the planet.

Table “Natural areas of the world”

Natural area	Climate zone	Average temperature (winter/summer)
Antarctic and Arctic deserts	Antarctic, Arctic	24-70°C /0-32°C
Tundra and forest-tundra	Subarctic and subantarctic	8-40°С/+8+16°С
	Moderate	8-48°С /+8+24°С
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
Hardleaf forests	Subtropical	8+16 °С/ +20+24 °С
Tropical deserts and semi-deserts	Tropical	8+16 °С/ +20+32 °С
Savannas and woodlands		20+24°С and above
Variably humid forests	Subequatorial, tropical	20+24°С and above
Permanently wet forests	Equatorial	above +24°С

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

Natural zones of the temperate climate zone

1. Taiga. It surpasses all other natural zones of the world in terms of land area (27% of the territory of all forests on the planet). It is characterized by very low winter temperatures. Deciduous trees cannot withstand them, so the taiga is dense coniferous forests (mainly pine, spruce, fir, larch). Very large areas Taigas 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 taiga and deciduous forest. They are more resistant to cold and long winters. Tree species: oak, maple, poplar, linden, as well as rowan, alder, birch, pine, spruce. As the table “Natural Zones of the World” shows, the soils in the mixed forest zone are gray and not highly fertile, but are still suitable for growing plants.

3. Broad-leaved forests. They are not adapted to harsh winters and are deciduous. Occupy most of Western Europe, south Far East, northern China and Japan. The climate suitable for them is maritime or temperate continental 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 typical: ash, chestnut, oak, hornbeam, beech, maple, elm. The forests are very rich in mammals (ungulates, rodents, predators), birds, including game birds.

4. Temperate deserts and semi-deserts. Their main distinctive feature- almost complete absence of vegetation and sparse fauna. There are quite 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 changes in temperature across the seasons. Animals are represented mainly by reptiles.

Arctic deserts and semi-deserts

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

Equatorial rainforests

Their second name is rain forests. They are located mainly in South America, as well as in Africa, Australia and the Greater Sunda Islands. The main condition for their formation is constant and very high humidity (more than 2000 mm of precipitation per year) and 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, which has become home to more than 2/3 of all types of creatures now living on our planet. These rain forests are superior to all other natural areas in the world. The trees remain evergreen, changing foliage gradually and partially. Surprisingly, the soils of humid forests contain little humus.

Natural zones of the equatorial and subtropical climate zone

1. Variably humid forests, they differ from rain forests in that precipitation falls there only during the rainy season, and during the period of drought that follows, the trees are forced to shed their leaves. The flora and fauna are also very diverse and rich in species.

2. Savannas and woodlands. They appear where moisture, as a rule, is no longer sufficient for the growth of variable-humid forests. Their development occurs in the interior of the continent, 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 South America, partly Hindustan and Australia. More detailed information about the location is reflected in the map of natural areas of the world (photo).

Hardleaf forests

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

Steppes and forest-steppes

They are characterized by an almost complete absence of woody vegetation, due to the poor level of precipitation. But the soils are the most fertile (chernozems), and therefore are actively used by humans for farming. The 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. There is an abundance of moisture, 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 considered to be the most unstable and fragile ecosystem. Due to the active development of gas and oil fields it is on the verge of an environmental disaster.

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