Characteristics of natural areas table. Geographical shell of the Earth

This is the largest natural complex, the surface of the globe, with nature characteristic of the planet.
It is possible to distinguish a huge number of smaller natural complexes - territories with a similar nature, different from other complexes. Oceans, seas, continents, rivers, lakes, swamps and more are all separate.

natural areas- very large natural complexes with similar landscape, flora and fauna. 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, etc.
Natural zones are located predominantly sublatitudinally, but the relief, the distance from the ocean affect the location of the zones and their width. In the mountains there is also a change of natural zones, depending on the height, the change of zones occurs in the same order as the change of land zones from the equator to the poles. The lower natural zone corresponds to the natural zone of the territory, the upper one depends on the height of the mountain range.

Natural land areas

Equatorial and tropical forests

Deserts and semi-deserts

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

This zone is formed in the northern hemisphere in the temperate zone with cold winters, short warm summers and a fairly large amount of precipitation. The forests are multi-tiered, there are many coniferous trees. The animal world is represented by many predators, including some that hibernate in the winter. Soils are poor in nutrients, podzolic.

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

Arctic deserts

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

The natural zones of the world or the physical-geographical zone is a part of the geographic envelope of the Earth with special climatic characteristics, as well as characteristics of the flora and fauna.

Table "Natural zones of Russia" (Grade 4)

For the first time this topic is considered in the lessons on the world around us in elementary school. To systematize the data, they usually compile a table that includes all the main characteristics of Russia's natural zones.

On the territory of Russia, all natural zones are represented, except for the tropical. They replace each other as they move towards the North and South Poles. The largest zone is the forest zone.

Rice. 1. Natural areas of Russia on the map

The Russian Federation ranks first in terms of area among other countries. For this reason, the territory of the country is divided into several natural zones. Their percentage of the area of ​​Russia can be seen in the table below.

How many natural zones is the territory of Russia divided into

Zonal study is associated with the name of the famous geographer and traveler Alexander von Humboldt. This man is the progenitor of the whole science of landscape science.

It was Humboldt who introduced the concept of "natural areas". He classified Russia as a transcontinental (located in several parts of the world) countries. Allocated 10 natural zones. Despite the huge area, namely 17,000,000 sq. km, in terms of the number of natural zones, Russia is inferior to the United States due to the location of two states in the tropics.

Table of natural zones of Russia, occupied territory:

Despite the occupied territory (17,000,000 sq. km), the United States, in terms of the number of natural regions, overtakes Russia due to the location of two states at once on the equator.

Arctic deserts

The natural areas of Russia, the table of which is given above, begin with the Arctic biome. It is adjacent to the North Pole. Numerous scientific expeditions are currently being conducted on this territory in order to study the landscape and living organisms that live inside the area.

The zone includes: the northern regions of the Taimyr Peninsula, Franz Josef Land, Severnaya Zemlya, part of the seas of the Arctic.

The Arctic desert has many glaciers. The coastlines of the islands, located in glaciation zones, have flat low plains that are distributed throughout the natural region. They give way to table plateaus and huge stalactites in the hinterland.

Soils and climate

Permafrost, reaching 1000 m in depth, permeates the soil through and through. Therefore, it remains frozen for most of the year. In summer, this situation changes somewhat. Abnormally low temperatures are getting warmer. This leads to the flooding of small lakes, which cover the surface of the deserts with melt water. The soil layer, although moistened in summer, is thin and poor in organic matter.

In areas with relatively high temperatures, soils contain more organic matter, and therefore are able to provide vital activity for frost-resistant plant species (mosses, lichens). Long frosty winters give way to cool summers. In terms of temperature difference, the Arctic desert zone surpasses the rest of the biomes of the country.

The natural zones of Russia, the table of which is given above, cause different weather at the same time throughout the country.

In the frosty months, the temperature in some regions drops to -70 o C, and in the summer it reaches +12 o C (June, July). During the year, it usually stays at the level of 0 o C to -22 o C. On average, the amount of precipitation does not exceed 150 mm per year.

Flora and fauna

The natural zone has approximately 700 species of plants and 120 animals, and they are united by the fact that they are able to survive in the most difficult frosty conditions. The same is true with animals. Many are covered with thick fur or have a dense layer of fat that protects them from frost. Some adaptation mechanisms are associated with procreation (reproduction during warm periods), winter migration.

Plant life is very scarce. Its main part consists of varieties of mosses and algae, the only representatives of the flora that can survive. The animal world is more diverse. Mammals live in the Arctic (polar bear and narwhals, sea hare); fish (flounder and cod, haddock); birds (pink gull and guillemots, snowy owl).

Recreational potential

Although scarce, the Arctic deserts hold some promise. Profitable crafts - hunting, fishing are real types of recreation for lovers of the exotic. Another popular activity is the collection of minerals. In terms of the volume of mined rocks and precious stones, the North is not inferior to the Altai Territory or the Ural deposits.

The tourism sector is associated with the Great Arctic Reserve, which is the largest object of tourist reception. The reserve shows the whole nature of the "Russian" North, the culture of ancient peoples and the life of the main representatives of flora and fauna. Tourists will be able to truly enjoy the magnificence of the Arctic.

Tundra

Geographer Fismer accurately described this zone: "High treeless mountain."

Geographical position and relief

The natural zone of the tundra covers part of the Kola Peninsula, the Urals, Kamchatka, according to the table, occupying 7% of the entire area of ​​the country. On the territory of Russia, only 2 types of tundra are represented - arctic and alpine, which differ in some features.

The Arctic tundra has a predominantly flat relief with a partial presence of small mountain formations - hills covered with snow. In turn, the alpine tundra has a mixed relief - both mountains and plains predominate.

Soils and climate

The upper soil layer is more fertile, but still remains poor in organic matter. Therefore, the scarcity of flora and fauna is preserved. The remote location of the glaciers softens the severity of the climate.

Winter remains the same long, and summer - short. The average winter temperature is kept at -17 o C. In summer, the soil can warm up to +12 o C, the amount of annual precipitation does not exceed 250 mm.

Flora and fauna

The flora is about the same as in the Arctic deserts. Plants - mosses, lichens, dwarf trees.

Animals - northern hare, lemmings, polar bear, elk, arctic fox, reindeer, have exactly the same adaptation mechanisms as the inhabitants of the Arctic.

Recreational potential

The wealth of the tundra is associated with its mineral resources - oil, iron, nickel, and numerous ores. Fishing and hunting remain profitable occupations. For tourists, there are special reserves - Lapland, Altai.

Forest tundra and northern meadows

Being the "middle" of the tundra and taiga, it combines all the features of these regions.

Geographical position and relief

The forest-tundra zone runs along the border with tundra areas. The whole territory is located in low plains, partly there are plateaus and hills. The large length is the reason for the diversity of flora and fauna. The width of this zone from north to south is from 20 to 300 km.

The name "forest tundra" is associated with the peculiarity of the landscape. In some flat areas there are light forests. In appearance, they resemble clusters of low-growing forest trees and numerous shrubs hidden under the covers of tall "neighbors". The trees have a solid root system, the average height is up to 6 m. The minimum distance between them is 11 m.

Soils and climate

The upper soil layer is represented by peat-gley and podzolic soils, the fertility of which is low. It can be increased by drainage, the use of artificial fertilizers (phosphates, calcides, nitrogen minerals). The richest in humus are soils located on the slopes, the fertility of which is associated with constant exposure to sunlight.

Such lands give very good crops of grain, potatoes, fodder.

But after the end of the season for harvesting cultivated plants, it is necessary to restore soil fertility again. In winter, the forest-tundra is not much different from the Arctic desert or tundra. Climate improvement is associated with the summer period. Despite the short duration of this season, the average temperature stays at around +10 - +14 o C.

Flora and fauna

The mild climate, suitable conditions contribute to the abundance of flora and fauna. Woodlands are the reason for the development of lichens and mosses. By entering into symbiosis with more powerful trees, these primitive organisms receive all the substances they need, while protecting the stem bark from fungi and harmful bacteria.

Other representatives of the flora are cultivated plants (cereals, fodder) grown on the most fertile soils, dwarf birches, spruces and larches. The main animals living in the forest-tundra zone are arctic foxes and wolves, brown bears and hares, rabbits; birds - partridges, polar owls.

Recreational potential

A relatively suitable climate for growing crops makes it possible to engage in agriculture. But this activity in this zone brings a lot of expenses and is almost unprofitable. Another thing is reindeer breeding. The occupation, which the indigenous peoples have been engaged in for many centuries, has become the main income of the forest-tundra. Reindeer pastures alone cover up to 90% of the entire biome.

Especially for tourists, there is the Taimyr Reserve, which performs the function of protecting the current landscape and studying nature.

Taiga

“Taiga... Taiga... Without end and edge, it stretched in all directions, silent, indifferent. From a height, it seemed like a dark sea ... ”(Victor Astafiev)

Geographical position and relief

The natural zones of Russia (the table shows that the percentage of taiga from the country's area is more than 60%) determine the inconstancy of the weather in the state. Taiga forests cover most of the regions of Altai, the Far East, and the Urals.

In the south, the border passes through the following cities:

• Pskov.
• Read.
• Nizhny Novgorod.
• Tomsk.

The relief of the taiga is flat. Due to the impact of permafrost, hill formations are quite common, formed as a result of the melting of underground glaciers.

Soils and climate

The taiga is characterized by low soil fertility. The exception is those areas that are irrigated by man. Due to its large extent, the climate is quite diverse. In the western taiga, a mild climate prevails - warm summers and average winters.

Average temperatures are from +10 o C to -10 o C. In the East, things are different. The winter months are very severe due to the sharply continental climate. Temperatures drop to -57 o C.

Flora and fauna

The taiga zone has many different vegetation areas (swamps, windbreaks, dead woods). Deciduous species - birch, oak, aspen form huge areas of forests in which the flora reaches its diversity. Numerous shrubs, herbs, mushrooms, medicinal plants are the main inhabitants of the taiga forests.

The animal world is just as wide. Mammals, rodents, birds - most of them are sedentary. They live inside plant biomes, perfectly adapted to the conditions.

Recreational potential

The taiga is of great economic importance. This biome is the main source of the forest. More than 80% of wood is extracted from coniferous forests. Fur trade, agriculture, mining are the assets of the natural zone.

Zone of mixed and deciduous forests

"The combination of taiga anxiety with the heavenly beauty of larches" (Vladimir Sorokin).

Geographical position and relief

Biome sites are scattered and partially found in the Carpathians, the Caucasus, and the Far East. The relief is exactly the same as that of the taiga - flat with hills.

Soils and climate

Climatic conditions are characterized by humidity, high temperatures, especially in summer. A sufficient amount of heat contributes to the development of "whimsical" broad-leaved species. The soils are sod-podzolic.

Flora and fauna

Mixed forests are distinguished by the fact that in addition to coniferous trees, there are broad-leaved species. Low waterlogging frees up space for planting and reduces the number of lichens and mosses.

The diversity of animals is associated with the appearance of rare species that are now on the verge of extinction - the Amur tiger, marten.

Recreational potential

The main activities are agriculture and hunting. Podzolic soils suitable for planting cultivated plants, with proper irrigation, give a good harvest. Forest blanks from softer trees are used to create furniture, musical instruments, and decorative elements.

forest-steppe

It is an "intermediate" zone between forests and steppe.

Geographical position and relief

Covers the south of the Urals, part of Western Siberia and Altai. It combines flat terrain with elements of ravines that complicate farming.

Divided by:

1. Steppe biome.
2. Mountain - with forest formations and light forests.

Soils and climate

The upper soil layer is black earth. For this reason, the soils are very fertile. Average temperatures are kept at around 21 o C in summer and down to -26 o C in winter. The temperature balance is kept due to the temperate climate.

Flora and fauna

The mountain areas are dominated by oak, maple and linden, the steppe areas have many small shrubs and berry plants, herbs. The animals presented in the forests coincide with the fauna of the taiga. The steppe, in turn, has a unique world of organisms.

Antelopes, saigas, falcons, numerous rodents - hamsters, ground squirrels, voles.

Recreational potential

The fertile soils are suitable for agriculture. As you know, black soil gives a very good harvest. In the forest-steppe zone there are several national parks open to the public - "Chikhoy", "Aginskaya steppe".

Steppe

“... how quiet, how inexpressibly quiet everything is around! Everything has woken up, and everything is silent” (Ivan Turgenev, “Forest and Steppe”).

Geographical position and relief

They are located in the south of the country and capture part of the Black Sea, the Caucasus and regions of Transbaikalia. The steppe biomes are completely flat, occasionally there are small gullies and ravines that are covered with shrubs.

Soils and climate

Chernozem with sedimentary rocks provides very high soil fertility (16% content of humus and humus). The saturation of the soil layer decreases with an increase in temperature, which usually ranges from -19 o C to +19 o C. There are frequent deviations from -35 o C to +35 o C.

A small amount of precipitation - up to 400 mm "compensates" these suitable conditions for the development of living organisms.

Flora and fauna

The animal and plant world is represented mainly by organisms of small sizes. The exception is some types of horses. Basically, the entire habitat consists of small rodents, birds, vegetation - cereals, feather grass and other fodder that pasture animals feed on.

Recreational potential

Conducting some classes is difficult due to natural conditions. For example, the cultivation of many types of cultivated plants is impossible due to the dryness of the climate. The main unpretentious crops are vegetables, melons, cereals. Unlike crop production, livestock farming is much more successful. Huge areas for pastures allow you to breed all cattle, all kinds of sheep, horses.

semi-desert

It occupies mainly the territory of the south-eastern regions of the country.

Geographical position and relief

The zone is located on the Caspian lowland, the south of the Volga and in the Terek valley.

The features of the relief are associated with the dry continental climate and the influence of the wind, the work of which is expressed in the blowing of sand and their deposition in other places (formation of dunes).

Soil and climate

Desert soils are due to the influence of a dry climate. The semi-desert zone is characterized by very hot summers with minimal precipitation - up to 250 mm, and cold winters.

The only source of moisture is groundwater, which often dries up during the summer months.

Flora and fauna

In such climatic conditions, vegetation is sparse and is presented in the form of undersized thickets and shrubs (wormwood, tumbleweed).

These biomes are home to many small reptiles that have adapted to high temperatures (snakes, lizards, lemmings, voles).

Recreational potential

Semi-deserts have little economic value. Farming is possible only in meadow areas, which are sometimes found in this zone, if they are subjected to artificial irrigation. To preserve the flora and fauna, national parks were created - Aral-Paygambar, Tigrovaya Balka. They are often open to the public.

Subtropics

The biome covers only a small part of the country, but this does not make it any less valuable.

Geographical position and relief

The subtropical zone occupies the south of the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus (Sochi), the southern part of Crimea. The landscape is truly varied. There are flat, low-mountain and high-mountain regions.

Soils and climate

Two types of soils predominate - mountain-forest and humus. Dry climate with low precipitation is typical for dry subtropics. High humidity with moderate climatic conditions is inherent in the humid subtropics.

The natural zones of Russia (the table clearly shows that the average temperatures in the subtropical zone are kept at around +5 o C to +29 o C) are diverse. Dry climate with low precipitation is typical for dry subtropics. High humidity with moderate climatic conditions is inherent in the humid subtropics.

Flora and fauna

Rich deciduous forests consisting of oak, beech, maple, chestnut are mixed with evergreen trees - boxwood, rhododendron. Animals are varied. In the mountains there are bears, wild boars, wild lynxes, lizards.

Recreational potential

Humid and warm climate, which remains unchanged throughout the year, is well suited for growing whimsical and southern plants (watermelons, tangerines, oranges, tea, dates). The Black Sea coast is the main resort area of ​​the country. The most famous children's camps, sports complexes are present in this zone.

Desert

Despite the high temperatures, the biome is diverse and deserves attention, although it occupies a small piece of the country.

Geographical position and relief

The border starts from the left bank of the Volga and ends with the northern borders of Kazakhstan, from the right bank to the foothills of the Caucasus. The relief is the same as in semi-deserts.

Soils and climate

The soil layer is dry and infertile.

Groundwater is very deep. High temperatures reign all year round and can reach up to +50 o C.

Flora and fauna

The vegetation is characterized by a wide distribution of cacti, wormwood plants, saxaul, acacia. The desert is home to many animals that are exclusively nocturnal, rodents digging deep holes.

Recreational potential

Artemisia and small shrubs are excellent food for animals, but there are very few areas suitable for pastures. Crop production is associated with the cultivation of crops - cotton, some varieties of grapes, pomegranate.

All natural regions of Russia have their own characteristics. In order to compile a detailed analysis of each biome, it is necessary to provide a lot of data and tables describing specific and up-to-date data.

Each zone is vast and has a wide range of applications in the economy and human activities. It must be remembered that this intervention should not disturb the balance of flora and fauna. Otherwise, the entire system may malfunction.

Article formatting: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about natural areas of Russia

Natural areas of Russia, what they are, features:

In different ways, the sun is the source of all living things, it illuminates and warms different parts of the globe.
Most heat falls on the equator of the earth, least of all on the North and South Poles.

A certain amount of heat, light, moisture enters different zones of the globe. These conditions define separate zones with their own special climate.

What is a natural area?

A natural zone is a territory that is determined by uniform climatic conditions, vegetation and wildlife.

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

And so, a journey from the north to the south of the country ...

Arctic desert zone

In the very north of Russia, on the islands of the Arctic Ocean, there is a zone of Arctic deserts. Most of the area (85%) is covered by glaciers. In the middle of summer, there is no more than 4-2 degrees of heat, and in winter it is frost down to -50 ° C, strong winds, fogs. The climate is very harsh.

Soil, flora
The soils are very weak, there is no fertile layer, there are many stone ruins. Only mosses and lichens grow on the rocks. Poor flora and fauna.

Typical animals and birds
Reindeer, polar bears live in the Arctic desert, and sea birds settle on the rocky shores of the ocean: auks, gulls, polar owls and partridges. Baleen whales, seals, walruses, seals, white whales are found in the Arctic Ocean.

tundra zone

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

Location

• Along the coast of the Arctic Ocean is arctic tundra with sparse vegetation in the form of mosses, lichens,
• Further south, in the middle of the zone lichen-moss tundra with islets of moss, lichens, among them reindeer moss and a lot of cloudberries,
• In the south of the zone is shrub tundra with more abundant vegetation: shrub willows, dwarf birches, herbs and berries.

The soil
Tundra soils are usually swampy, poor in humus, and have high acidity.

Vegetable world
Most of the tundra is treeless. Low-growing plants cling to the ground, using its warmth and hiding from strong winds. Lack of heat, strong wind, lack of moisture for the root system do not allow the shoots to turn into large trees.

In the south of the tundra zone, dwarf birches and shrub willows grow.

Typical birds and animals
In winter, the lack of food for animals is made up for by evergreens wintering under cover of snow.

Ducks, geese, black goose and sandpipers settle in the marshes. Herds of deer roam the tundra in search of reindeer moss - the main food. Deer, white partridges, owls, and crows constantly live in the tundra.

Forest-tundra zone

In the forest-tundra, summers are warmer and the winds are weaker than in the tundra. Winter is cold, snowy lasts more than 9 months.

Location
The forest tundra is a transitional zone from the harsh tundra to the forests of the taiga. The width of the forest-tundra ranges from 30 to 300 km in different regions of the country. The climate is warmer than in the tundra.

The soil
The soils of the forest-tundra are frozen-marsh, peaty-podzolic. These low fertile soils are low in humus and nutrients, with high acidity.

Vegetable world
Meadows with willow bushes, sedge and horsetail grasses serve as a good pasture for deer. Due to the harsh climate, the islands of the forest are very sparse. In these forests - Siberian spruce, larch and birch.

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

Geese, ducks, swans live on lakes and swamps. In the summer in the forest-tundra there are a lot of blood-sucking horseflies and mosquitoes. Closer to the south, in the forest-tundra, there are squirrels, elk, brown bears, capercaillie.

Taiga zone

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

There are significant natural differences within the zone, as it is located in two climatic zones - subarctic and temperate. The large rivers Ob, Yenisei and Lena flow from the south to the north of the zone.

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

Vegetable world
Coniferous trees grow in the taiga - spruce, fir, cedar and deciduous trees: birch, aspen, alder, larch. There are many meadows in the forests, there are swamps, many berries and mushrooms.

Typical birds and animals
There are many different animals in the taiga - sable, capercaillie, hazel grouse, elk, squirrel. Brown bears, wolverines, lynxes are widespread. There are many blood-sucking insects in the taiga.

Zone of mixed and deciduous forests

To the south of the taiga is a forest zone. It has a lot of heat and moisture, many full-flowing rivers, lakes, and swamps are much smaller than in the taiga. Summers are long and warm (18-20 warm), winters are mild. There are large reserves of timber in this zone, and mineral deposits in the bowels of the earth.

The vegetation of the zone has been heavily modified by man, most of the territory is used for agriculture and cattle breeding.

Location
The zone of mixed and broad-leaved forests is located on the East European Plain and in the Far East.

Soils
Soils are formed by tree litter and are rich in ash elements. They have a top layer of fertile humus. The soils are soddy-podzolic, in the southern part - gray forest.

Vegetable world
There are different trees in this zone: in the northern part, mixed forests with deciduous and coniferous trees: spruces, pines, birches, maples and aspens. Closer to the south, broad-leaved trees predominate: oak, elm, linden, maple.

There are many shrubs in the forests: elderberry, raspberry; berries and mushrooms; abundance of herbs.

Typical birds and animals
The availability of food throughout the year allows animals and most birds to live in the forest. There are many different animals in the forests: squirrels, owls, pine martens, elks, brown bears, foxes, and from birds - orioles, woodpeckers, etc.

forest-steppe

The forest-steppe zone is part of the temperate climate zone. This is a transitional zone between the forest zone and the steppe zone, combining forest belts and meadows covered with herbs. Flora and fauna represent plants and animals and forests and steppes. The closer to the south, the less forests, the less forest animals.

Steppe

The south of the forest-steppe passes into the steppe zone. The steppe zone is located on plains with grassy vegetation in a temperate and subtropical climate. In Russia, the steppe zone is located in the south near the Black Sea and in the valleys of the Ob River.

The soil in the steppe is fertile black soil. There are many arable lands and pastures for livestock. The climate of the steppes is characterized by very dry weather, hot summers, and lack of moisture. Winters in the steppe are cold and snowy.

Vegetable world
The vegetation is mostly cereals growing in tufts with bare soil in between. There are many different types of feather grass that can serve as fodder for sheep.

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

desert zone

Desert - a zone with a flat surface, sand dunes or clay and rocky surfaces. In Russia, there are deserts in the east of Kalmykia and in the south of the Astrakhan region.

Vegetable world
The desert grows drought-resistant small shrubs, perennials that bloom and grow in early spring when there is moisture. Some herbaceous plants, after they wither, turn into balls of dry branches, they are called tumbleweeds. The wind drives them across the desert, scattering the seeds.

Typical birds and animals
Deserts are inhabited by hedgehogs, ground squirrels, jerboas, snakes, lizards. Of the birds - larks, plovers, bustards.

subtropical zone

In Russia, the territory of the subtropics is small - it is a narrow part of the coastal land near the Black Sea to the Caucasus Mountains. In this zone - tropical summer, there is practically no winter.

According to climatic conditions, Russian subtropics are divided into dry and wet. From the southern coast of Crimea to the city of Gelendzhik - dry subtropics. Summers are dry, and only drought-resistant plants survive: prickly blackberries and wild roses. Pitsunda pine grows here, shrubs: juniper, cherry plum.

Vegetable world
The mountains are covered with a dense green carpet of trees and shrubs. Broad-leaved trees are present - oaks, beech chestnuts, coniferous yew is remarkable, evergreen shrubs grow: laurel, rhododendron and boxwood.

Typical birds and animals
In the forests near Sochi you can meet bears, wolves, forest cats, badgers, jackals. There are many rodents in the forests - squirrels, mice, there are snakes. There are many shellfish on the coast: snails, slugs. Birds settle in the mountains - kites, eagles, owls.

The 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"

This characteristic of the natural areas of the world is only introductory, because you can talk about each of them for a very long time, all the information will not fit in the framework of one table.

Natural zones of the temperate climate zone

1. Taiga. Surpasses all other natural zones of the world in terms of the area occupied on land (27% of the territory of all forests on the planet). It is characterized by very low winter temperatures. Deciduous trees do not withstand them, so the taiga is dense coniferous forests (mainly pine, spruce, fir, larch). Very large areas of the taiga in Canada and Russia are occupied by permafrost.

2. Mixed forests. Characteristic to a greater extent for the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth. It is a kind of border between the taiga and the broad-leaved forest. They are more resistant to cold and long winters. Tree species: oak, maple, poplar, linden, as well as mountain ash, alder, birch, pine, spruce. As the table "Natural areas of the world" shows, the soils in the zone of mixed forests are gray, not very fertile, but still suitable for growing plants.

3. Broad-leaved forests. They are not adapted to harsh winters and are deciduous. They occupy most of Western Europe, the south of the Far East, the north of China and Japan. Suitable for them is a maritime or temperate continental climate with hot summers and fairly warm winters. As the table "Natural zones of the world" shows, the temperature in them does not fall below -8 ° C even in the cold season. The soil is fertile, rich in humus. The following types of trees are characteristic: ash, chestnut, oak, hornbeam, beech, maple, elm. The forests are very rich in mammals (ungulates, rodents, predators), birds, including commercial ones.

4. Temperate deserts and semi-deserts. Their main distinguishing feature is the almost complete absence of vegetation and sparse wildlife. There are a lot of natural areas of this nature, they are located mainly in the tropics. There are temperate deserts in Eurasia, and they are characterized by sharp temperature changes during the seasons. Animals are represented mainly by reptiles.

Arctic deserts and semi-deserts

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

Moist equatorial forests

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

Natural zones of the equatorial and subtropical climatic zone

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

2. Savannas and woodlands. They appear where moisture, as a rule, is no longer enough for the growth of variable-humid forests. Their development occurs in the depths of the mainland, where tropical and equatorial air masses dominate, and the rainy season lasts less than six months. They occupy a significant part of the territory of subequatorial Africa, the interior of South America, partly Hindustan and Australia. More detailed information about the location is reflected in the map of natural areas of the world (photo).

hardwood forests

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

Steppes and forest-steppes

They are characterized by the almost complete absence of woody vegetation, this is due to the meager level of precipitation. But the soils are the most fertile (chernozems), and therefore are actively used by man for agriculture. Steppes occupy large areas in North America and Eurasia. The predominant number of inhabitants are reptiles, rodents and birds. Plants have adapted to the lack of moisture and most often manage to complete their life cycle in a short spring period, when the steppe is covered with a thick carpet of greenery.

Tundra and forest tundra

In this zone, the breath of the Arctic and Antarctic begins to be felt, the climate becomes more severe, and even coniferous trees cannot withstand it. Moisture is in excess, but there is no heat, which leads to swamping of very large areas. There are no trees at all in the tundra, the flora is mainly represented by mosses and lichens. It is believed that this is the most unstable and fragile ecosystem. Due to the active development of gas and oil fields, it is on the verge of an ecological disaster.

All natural areas of the world are very interesting, whether it is a desert that seems completely lifeless at first glance, boundless Arctic ice or thousand-year-old rainforests with boiling life inside.