They can cover both vast territories and completely small areas of the Earth. What natural complexes are there? How are they different? What are they characterized by? Let's find out.
Geographical envelope
When telling what natural complexes are, it is impossible not to mention the geographical envelope. This is a conditional concept that unites several spheres of the Earth at once, which intersect and interact with each other, forming a single system. In fact, it is the largest natural complex on the planet.
The boundaries of the geographical envelope almost repeat the edges of the biosphere. It includes the hydrosphere, biosphere, anthroposphere, the upper part of the lithosphere (the earth's crust) and the lower layers of the atmosphere (troposphere and stratosphere).
The shell is solid and continuous. Each of its components (earthly spheres) has its own patterns of development and characteristics, but at the same time it is influenced by other spheres and influences them. They constantly participate in the cycles of substances in nature, exchanging energy, water, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, etc.
Natural complex and its types
The geographical envelope is the largest, but not the only natural complex. There are a lot of them on the globe. What are natural complexes? These are certain areas of the planet that have homogeneous geological vegetation, fauna, climatic conditions and the same water character.
Natural complexes are also called landscapes or geosystems. They differ in the vertical and horizontal directions. Based on this, complexes are divided into zonal and azonal. The main reason their diversity is the heterogeneity of the geographical envelope.
First of all the differences natural conditions provide uneven distribution solar heat on Earth. This is due to the elliptical shape of the planet, the unequal ratio of land and water, the location of mountains (which trap air masses), etc.
complexes
The complexes represent predominantly the horizontal division of the planet. The largest of them are Their arrangement is consistent and regular. The emergence of these complexes is directly related to the climatic conditions of the area.
The nature of geographical zones changes from the equator to the poles. Each of them has its own temperature and weather conditions, as well as the nature of the soil, groundwater and surface water. The following belts are distinguished:
- arctic;
- subarctic;
- Antarctic;
- subantarctic;
- northern and southern temperate;
- northern and southern subtropical;
- northern and southern subequatorial;
- equatorial.
The next largest zonal complexes are natural zones, which are divided according to the nature of moisture, that is, the amount and frequency of precipitation. They do not always have a purely latitudinal distribution. And they depend on the altitude of the area, as well as proximity to the ocean. There are arctic desert, steppe, tundra, taiga, savannah and other natural zones.
Azonal natural complexes
Azonal complexes are not associated with the latitudinal division of the planet. Their formation is associated primarily with the relief and formation earth's crust. The largest azonal natural complexes are oceans and continents, which differ significantly in geological history and structure.
Continents and oceans are divided into smaller complexes - natural countries. They consist of large mountain and plain formations. For example, the natural complexes of the Far East include the Central Kamchatka Plain, the Sikhote-Alin Mountains and the Khingan-Bureya Mountains, etc.
Natural countries on the planet include the Sahara Desert, the Ural Mountains, and the East European Plain. They can be divided into narrower and more uniform areas. For example, gallery forests located on the outskirts of steppes and savannas, mangrove forests located along the sea coast and at river mouths. The smallest natural complexes include river floodplains, hills, ridges, urems, swamps, etc.
Components of natural complexes
The main components of any geographical landscape are relief, water, soil, flora and fauna, and climate. The relationship between the components of the natural complex is very close. Each of them creates certain conditions for the existence of the others. Rivers influence the condition and climate - the appearance of certain plants, and plants attract certain animals.
Changing even one component can lead to a complete change in the entire complex. Drying out the river will lead to the disappearance of vegetation characteristic of the river area and a change in soil quality. This will certainly affect animals that will leave the geosystem in search of conditions familiar to them.
Excessive reproduction of any animal species can lead to the destruction of the plants they eat. There are cases when huge swarms of locusts completely destroyed meadows or fields. This development of events does not go unnoticed by the natural complex and provokes changes in the soil, water, and then climate regime.
Conclusion
So what are natural complexes? This is a natural-territorial system, the components of which are homogeneous in their origin and composition. The complexes are divided into two main groups: azonal and zonal. Within each group there is a division from large to smaller areas.
The largest natural complex is geographic envelope, which includes part of the lithosphere and atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere of the Earth. The smallest complexes are individual hills, small forests, river mouths, and swamps.
Zonal natural (landscape) complexes
Geographical zoning- a natural change in natural complexes in the direction from the equator to the poles, due to unequal amounts of incoming solar energy at different latitudes due to the sphericity of the Earth. In mountainous regions, geographic zoning manifests itself in the form of altitudinal zonation - a natural change in natural complexes in the mountains as they rise from their foot to the top, due to changes in temperature and precipitation.
|
Natural complexes |
Description |
|
Equatorial rainforests: |
|
|
Hylea (Greek “hile” - forest) |
moist equatorial forests of South America, formed in a constantly hot and humid climate. |
|
Jungle (English “jungle” from jungle in Hindi - forest, dense thickets) |
dense woody and shrubby, impenetrable thickets in Asia with a large number of bamboos and vines in areas with a humid tropical and subtropical climate. |
|
Selva (Latin “silva” - forest) |
Brazilian name for the equatorial rainforests of South America. |
|
Forest-steppe zone: |
|
|
Caatinga |
tropical woodland with succulents and thorny bushes in the northeastern Brazilian Highlands. |
|
Campos (Portuguese “campo” - field, plain) |
savanna in Brazil, represented by tough turf grasses combined with low-growing trees and shrubs on red lateritic soils. |
|
Llanos (Spanish “llano” - plain) |
name for tall grass savannas separate trees or groups of trees in the river basin. Orinoco. |
|
Steppe zone: |
|
|
Pampa, pampas (Indian “pampa” - grassy plain) |
subtropical steppe in South America along the lower reaches of the river. Paranas in Argentina and Uruguay. |
|
Prairies (French “prairie” from Latin “pratum” - meadow) |
the general name for steppe and forest-steppe in the temperate and subtropical zones of North America. |
|
Semi-desert zone: |
|
|
Sahel (Arabic outskirts, coast) |
the transition zone between the deserts and savannah of Africa, 300-500 km wide. |
|
Altitudinal zone: |
|
|
Nival belt |
the highest altitude zone in the mountains, located above the snow line. |
|
Alpine and subalpine meadows |
a belt of high-mountain meadows, represented by perennial grasses and low-growing shrubs. |
|
Paramos (Spanish steppe, uninhabited area) |
high-mountain alpine meadows with a predominance of xerophytic grasses, alternating with areas of moss swamps and rocky spaces at an altitude of 3800-4500 m in the Equatorial Andes. |
|
Puna (Spanish or Quechua desert) |
semi-desert or desert Andean plateaus at altitudes of 3000-4500 m above sea level with sparse vegetation in Chile and Argentina. In Bolivia, such areas are called altiplano. |
|
Tola (named after dwarf shrubs of the genus Lepidophyllum) |
dry puna landscape with shrubs, grasses, lichens and cacti. |
Azonal natural (landscape) complexes
Geographic azonality- violation of geographical zonality due to the heterogeneity of the earth's surface, as a result of which natural complexes do not always have a latitudinal extent and the same landscapes can form in different geographical zones.
|
Natural complexes |
Description |
|
Gallery scaffolding |
narrow strips of floodplain forests along the banks of treeless expanses of steppes, savannas, and deserts. Tugai or riparian forests in Central Asia. |
|
Floodplain meadows |
parts of the river floodplain that are flooded during floods and floods, where sandy loam and silty material with fertility is deposited. |
|
meadow reed lands flooded for a long period with unovergrown glass lakes in the lowlands and inter-grove spaces (Barabinskaya forest-steppe). |
|
|
Mangroves (English: "mangrove" - thickets) |
dense thickets of bushes and low-growing trees growing in the tropical zone on the low-lying coasts of the seas and in the mouths of rivers, flooded with sea water at high tide. |
|
excessively moist areas of land with moisture-loving vegetation, as a result of the death of which and its incomplete decomposition, peat is formed. |
|
|
Salt marshes (blinders or sors in Central Asia) |
populated lowlands, where groundwater comes close to the surface and in conditions high temperatures air, water quickly evaporates, leaving salt. Varieties of salt marshes - plump, filmy, crusty, dry, wet, marshy (like a swamp). In dry seasons, crusty salt marshes crack into polygonal slabs, between which salt bulges out, creating its own ridged microrelief. |
|
a flat-bottomed depression whose bottom dries until it cracks into hexagonal slabs as hard and dense as cement. |
|
|
Tugai (Turkic, forest) |
floodplain thickets of trees and shrubs of river valleys in desert and semi-desert regions of Central Asia; The main species are poplar, willow, and tamarisk. |
|
Tuculans |
blowing sands on the river terraces of Yakutia. |
|
floodplain forests in the steppe (Khoper River valley). |
_______________
Source of information: Romashova T.V. Geography in figures and facts: Educational manual/ - Tomsk: 2008.
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Test 10
Natural-territorial complexes
Option I
1. What is a natural complex? Give examples of natural complexes.
A natural complex, or landscape, is a natural combination of climate, soil, vegetation, living communities, surface and groundwater within any territory. The formation of a natural complex occurs over a long period of time.
The natural complex is a holistic formation. There is no random set of components in it, but a natural combination of them. The components in a natural complex interact closely and form a complex natural system. Each complex occupies a certain territory, where the components have properties unique to them and are combined naturally. In this regard, each natural complex is territorial, so the full name is given as follows: natural-territorial complex, or NTC for short. Examples of natural complexes: continents and oceans, natural zones (tundra, steppe, desert), lake, swamp, forest, northern or southern slope exposure.
2. Name the main components of the natural complex. Which Russian scientist showed the inextricable connection of all components of nature? How is the continuity of the components of nature manifested?
The components of the natural complex are climate, vegetation, fauna, relief, soil, water, interconnected. The same components are decisive in the zoning of natural zones. The variety of components and their combinations determines the variety of natural complexes. At the same time, each complex has certain properties: a characteristic appearance, a certain combination of components, integrity, the ability to be stable and at the same time change. The inextricable connection of all components of nature was shown by the founder of the doctrine of natural zones, Russian scientist V.V. Dokuchaev. He proved that zonation is a law of nature. A consequence of the law of zonality is the existence of large zonal natural complexes or natural-territorial complexes. A change in one component of nature entails a change in the appearance of the entire natural complex. The humidification coefficient is a value that shows the degree of moisture in an area depending on the amount of precipitation and evaporation. For example, an increase in the amount of precipitation, which will invariably affect climate change in the area. It will become more humid, which may lead to a change in the regime surface runoff, to swamping of the territory, changes in soil cover and, accordingly, changes in vegetation. A change in vegetation will entail a change in the animal world, etc.
3. What is the result of the development of nature?
The gradual development of nature led to the formation of a special natural body - a geographical shell. This is the largest natural complex, consisting of very small and simple and larger and more complex PTCs.
The territory of our country is part of the Eurasian continent. The natural complexes on this continent are very diverse. What are the reasons for the diversity of natural complexes? There are several of them: the shape of the globe, the latitudinal distribution of heat and the zonality of the geographical envelope, the influence of the azonal factor, relief and, of course, long-term development.
Studying the geochronological table, you can see that land was repeatedly replaced by sea, a warm and humid climate by dry and cold; heat-loving vegetation is cold-resistant. Mountain ranges grew, collapsed and rose again, which changed both the climate and wildlife. The history of the development of the geographical envelope is complex and lengthy. The result of its development was the formation of natural complexes. Natural complexes are diverse because the components they contain are not the same. Each natural sushi complex is located on a solid base. The diversity of the relief determines the diversity of natural complexes.
4. What is PTC, what are its properties?
NTC is a natural-territorial complex, i.e. a certain combination of natural components in a certain territory. The relationship between the components consists of the exchange of matter and energy between them. The components of nature are climatic conditions, soils, relief and rocks, type of vegetation, communities of living organisms, etc. Natural-territorial complexes come in different sizes. The largest are the continent and the ocean; natural zones, the Caspian lowland on the territory of the Russian Plain, etc.
5. What types of PTCs exist? What PTCs can we identify on the territory of the country and based on what characteristics?
PTK stands out different levels: global – geographical envelope, continent, ocean, zone temperate zone, equatorial forests, savannas, prairies. Regional - East European Plain, West Siberian Lowland, mountains of Southern Siberia, Central Russian Upland, Siberian Ridges, Timan Ridge, Caspian Lowland. PTC of anthropogenic origin: reservoirs, ponds, gardens, parks.
In Russia there are 8 large natural complexes: the Russian (East European) Plain, the North Caucasus, the Urals, the West Siberian Plain, Central Siberia, North-Eastern Siberia, mountain belt of Southern Siberia, Far East.
Option II
1. What are landscapes called? How do humans influence natural landscapes?
Small natural complexes are called landscapes. Landscape is a specific area of the earth’s surface that has a unity of origin, development, as well as a homogeneous geological structure and topography, the same climate, soils, flora and fauna. Landscape is a floodplain of a river, lake areas, areas of steppe, forests, swamps on one particular form of relief.
Natural landscapes changed under the influence of human activity are called anthropogenic. For example, during the construction of dams, the natural complex of the river and river valley changes; When deforestation occurs, the forest complex is disturbed; when the water cycle is disrupted, deserts are formed, etc. Man extracts more and more minerals from the Earth, consumes more and more water, occupies new areas for arable land and construction sites, cuts down forests, destroys meadows, destroys mountains, therefore in the 20th century. the number of anthropogenic landscapes has increased greatly. Any type of human economic activity changes or disrupts connections in the PC. If a person influences any one component, this leads to a change in the entire complex. Where at least one component is destroyed, the entire natural complex dies. Each natural complex is the result of a very long development of the shell, but it can be very quickly destroyed by human activity.
2. What factors influence the formation of the PTC of the seas? What components do they include? Why does a person need knowledge of the PC features of the seas?
Natural complexes of the seas are divided into underwater, surface, including following components: geological structure and relief, climatic indicators, indicators of the quality and volume of water, flora and fauna.
The formation of the PTC of the seas is influenced by the following factors: its physical-geographical position, which ocean basin it belongs to, the waters of which rivers and in what quantities flow into it, in what climatic zone Finds out what the human impact is on the sea.
Knowledge of the specific features of the seas is necessary for a person to comprehensively study and rationally use its biological, mineral and recreational resources, for safe transport operation.
3. Describe the PTC of the White Sea.
The White Sea belongs to the Arctic Ocean basin. It protrudes deep into the land. The area of the White Sea is about 90 thousand km. The rivers Northern Dvina, Onega and Mezen flow into the sea. The relief of the seabed is uneven: the eastern part is shallow (from 30 to 120 m), in the western part the depths exceed 200 m and reach 340 m, the average sea depth is 60 m. The volume of water is 5400 km 3. Rivers annually bring more than 200 km 3 to the White Sea fresh water(mostly in late spring - in May). From November to May, the sea is covered with drifting ice; continuous ice cover occurs only in bays. Water salinity is 30.0-30.8% in the north, and 20-26% in the south. In the White Sea there are 194 species of algae, beluga whales, 2 species of seals, 57 species of fish (herring, salmon, brown trout, navaga, cod, saury, smelt, etc.). In 1932, the Kandalaksha Nature Reserve was established in the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea.
4. List the natural complexes of the ocean. Name their characteristic features.
Natural complexes of the ocean - seas, bays, shelves, large rises, ridges, basins, continental slope, bottom layers, water column, currents.
Natural ocean complexes are formed in an aquatic environment, which, unlike the air environment, is characterized by different oxygen, temperature and light regimes, and a different density of the environment.
5. Describe anthropogenic landscapes.
Anthropogenic landscapes are landscapes modified by human economic activity. The urban landscape is anthropogenic. Outside the city there are dachas, vegetable gardens, orchards, then arable land and fields. In the depths of the forest, systematic deforestation is taking place - this is also, to some extent, an anthropogenic landscape. Systems of hydraulic structures - dams, hydroelectric power stations, locks, reservoirs also irreversibly change natural landscapes. Currently, geography studies not only purely natural processes, but also those that occur in anthropogenic landscapes. For example, when carrying out land reclamation, you need to know what its consequences will be. When draining swamps, think about what will happen to the streams and small rivers that were replenished with their waters and irrigated forests and fields along their way.
Nature lives and develops according to its own laws. Man, through his economic activities, disrupts natural processes. When interfering in nature, and it is inevitable, one must think not about conquering nature or transforming it according to human desire, but about fitting into natural processes as painlessly as possible, without destroying the natural complex, the natural landscape. Very often, a destroyed landscape cannot be restored. The primary forest and the plowed floodplain from which the soil has been washed into the river cannot be restored. But human activity can help transform landscapes. For example, back in late XIX V. under the leadership of V.V. Dokuchaev, in the Kamennaya Steppe (Voronezh region), a model of an agricultural steppe landscape was developed and implemented, including planting forest belts, constructing a system of reservoirs and preserving virgin lands. This model continues to work successfully to this day. There is no erosion, a constant groundwater level is maintained, and grain crops produce high yields. In steppe areas, planting forests along river banks, ravines, along roads, and creating artificial reservoirs help in the fight against dry winds and qualitatively improve the natural landscape. Anthropogenic landscapes are divided into groups.
1. Agricultural: arable land (fields), pastures, gardens, vineyards.
2. Forestry: planting secondary forests (after logging, fires), water protection forests, forests in the sanitary zone.
3. Water: reservoirs, canals, ponds.
4. Industrial: factories, mines, quarries, dumps, waste heaps.
5. Transport: railways and roads, pipelines, etc.
6. Recreational: tourist routes, recreational places near water bodies, in the forest, in a forest park, in the mountains, etc.
Final control tests
Option I
1. Which of the listed PTCs in our country is the youngest:
b) Russian Plain;
c) Caucasus.
2. Which of the components of nature is leading:
a) relief;
c) vegetation.
3. Why is the Caucasus higher than Altai:
a) composed of harder rocks;
b) is still experiencing uplifts;
c) located between the seas.
4. Which of the following components is not natural:
a) rocks;
b) forest area;
c) a separate building.
5. The founder of the doctrine of natural zones is:
a) M. V. Lomonosov;
b) Vernadsky;
c) V.V. Dokuchaev.
6. The main reason for the formation of deserts and semi-deserts is:
a) excess heat;
b) poor hydration;
c) soils poor in humus.
7. Anthropogenic landscapes are formed as a result of activities:
a) person;
b) surface waters;
c) animal world.
Option II
1. The formation of the PTC is the result of the development of:
a) geographical envelope;
b) atmosphere;
c) hydrosphere.
2. Which of the following PTCs applies to the regional level:
a) Atlantic Ocean;
b) West Siberian Lowland;
c) Volga delta.
3. Which of the landscapes is not anthropogenic:
a) reservoir;
4. The relationship of components in a natural complex consists of the exchange:
a) information;
b) matter and energy;
c) goods.
5. What is the most effective way to protect water from industrial pollution:
a) construction of treatment facilities;
b) transfer of enterprises to closed water circulation;
c) forest plantations.
6. Mountain building had the greatest impact on modern nature:
a) herpian;
b) Mesozoic;
c) Cenozoic.
7. The modern appearance of the Russian Plain was decisively influenced by:
a) sea transgression;
b) Baikal orogeny;
c) Quaternary glaciation.
Test 11
Natural areas
Option I
1. What is natural zoning?
Natural zonality is one of the main patterns of spatial changes in the geographical envelope.
The leading role in the formation of natural zones is played by the ratio of heat and moisture.
Almost all zones of the Russian Federation are distinguished by their large extent from west to east. But each of them retains some common features, determined by the relationship between heat and moisture: prevailing climates, moisture coefficient, types of soil, vegetation. Similarities can be seen in surface waters, and modern relief-forming processes.
Natural areas are also called landscape or geographical.
2. Name the natural zones of Russia.
The following natural zones are observed on the territory of Russia from north to south:
1) Arctic deserts - the islands of the Arctic Ocean and the extreme north of the Taimyr Peninsula;
2) tundra – the coast of the seas of the Arctic Ocean from the western border to the Bering Strait;
3) forest-tundra – along the southern border of the tundra zone;
4) taiga (which also distinguishes northern, middle and southern taiga) - the European part, Western Siberia, Central Siberia, Eastern Siberia, Primorye;
5) mixed and broad-leaved forests - Russian Plain and Far East;
6) forest-steppe – transitional from forest to steppe;
7) steppe – the south of the European part and Western Siberia;
8) semi-deserts and deserts – the Caspian region, Eastern Ciscaucasia.
3. Describe the steppe and forest-steppe zones.
The forest-steppe zone is a transitional zone from forest to steppe.
The climate of the forest-steppe is warmer and drier than the climate of forest zones. The humidification coefficient in the north is close to 1, and gradually decreases to the south. As a result of increased evaporation, river flow and water content of rivers decrease. The groundwater lies deeper. Their mineralization increases.
In the interfluves, broad-leaved (oak) and small-leaved forests alternate on gray forest soils with forb steppes on chernozems.
The nature of the forest-steppe has been greatly changed by human economic activity. In the west, the plowed area reaches 80%. Wheat, corn, sunflowers, sugar beets and other crops are grown here.
The ratio of heat and moisture is close to optimal, but the hydration is unstable. There are droughts and hot winds. The soils are fertile. However, with the rainfall pattern and the rapid melting of snow, the upper, fertile soil horizon is washed away and gullies are formed in the fields. To preserve arable land, it is necessary to combat water erosion.
Further, the forest-steppe passes into the steppe zone - in the south of the European part of Russia and Western Siberia. It lies south of the main paths of cyclones, which is why the features of an arid climate are clearly visible in it. There is little precipitation, and the thickness of the snow cover is insignificant. Winter is short but cold. Its severity increases to the east. After a short and stormy spring comes a hot, dry summer. Rain falls rarely, usually in the form of short showers that poorly moisten the soil.
Currently, the steppes are mostly plowed. Wheat, corn, sunflower, and millet are grown here. Livestock farming is of subordinate importance.
4. Give the definition of altitudinal zone.
Altitudinal zonation is the main pattern of changes in natural conditions in the mountains.
From the foot of the mountains to their peaks, the temperature drops, the amount of precipitation increases, the soils, vegetation and wildlife change. Natural zones change with altitude.
Altitudinal zonation is most clearly manifested in the Greater Caucasus Mountains.
The lower belt is occupied by broad-leaved forests (oaks).
2nd belt – beech forests, turning into mixed forests, and then into spruce-fir forests.
3rd zone – lush subalpine meadows with thickets of rhododendron.
4th zone – low-grass alpine meadows.
Alpine belt - snowfields and glaciers.
5. Which natural zones in Russia and why have they undergone changes to a greater extent due to human economic activity?
Zones of steppes and forest-steppes are greatly changed by human economic activity. This is explained favorable conditions for agriculture. Currently, most of these areas are plowed. In the west, the plowed area of the forest-steppe zone reaches 80%. Corn, sunflowers, wheat, etc. are grown here.
Option II
1. What is a natural-territorial complex?
A natural-territorial complex is a natural combination of interconnected components of nature in a certain territory. Each PTC includes all the components that exist in a given location of the geographic shell.
2. What reasons does vertical zonality in the mountains depend on? What are the features of the altitudinal zones of the mountains of Russia?
Altitudinal zonation is the main pattern of changes in natural conditions in the mountains. From the foot of the mountains to their peaks, the temperature drops, the amount of precipitation increases, the soils, vegetation and wildlife change. Natural zones are changing. The set of altitudinal zones - the structure of altitudinal zones - depends on the latitudinal position of the mountains, their distance from the ocean and height. For example, when moving up the slopes of the Caucasus and the western slopes of the Urals, we seem to move further and further to the north, crossing the natural zones of the Russian Plain in its western part. However, above the forest line in the Caucasus Mountains there are not tundras, as on the plain, but subalpine meadows and shrubs. They are replaced by short-grass alpine meadows. The peaks of the mountains are crowned with rocks devoid of vegetation, eternal snow and glaciers.
In the mountains of Siberia, located in internal parts continent, all altitudinal zones bear the imprint of the severity of the climate. There are no oak forests in the forest-steppe belt. They are replaced by birch and light coniferous forests that are less demanding on heat. The mountain forest belt is dominated by larch forests. Higher up the slopes they are replaced by mountain tundras.
The mountains of the eastern outskirts of the mainland: Kamchatka, the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, Sikhote-Alin are characterized by peculiar belts of forests of stone birch and thickets of dwarf cedar. These belts are absent in the mountains of other regions of the country.
The lower altitudinal zone in the mountains depends on the natural area lies at the foot of the mountains. The upper zone is determined by the height of the mountains. The further south the mountains are located and the higher they are, the more fully represented is the set of altitudinal zones on their slopes.
3. Compare the natural zones of the tundra and steppes.
The tundra zone occupies the coast of the seas of the Arctic Ocean from the western border to the Bering Strait and some islands (Vaigach, Wrangel). In the south, the tundra in some places reaches the Arctic Circle. The zone reaches its greatest extent from north to south in Western and Central Siberia. It occupies almost one fifth of Russia's territory. The tundra is the kingdom of cold, snow, piercing winds, permafrost, blizzards and blizzards. Winter here is long and cold.
The thickness of the snow cover in the tundra is from 30 to 40 cm, and in some places up to 50 cm. The warm period is short. There is no clear line between spring and summer, summer and autumn. The time that can rightfully be called summer lasts no more than 2–3 weeks. At this time, the weather is warm, often sunny, and the air temperature reaches +20 °C, even +25 °C on the warmest days. But the average July temperature in the tundra zone is from +5 °C to +10 °C. The southern boundary of the zone almost coincides with the July isotherm – +10 °C.
The tundra has a lot of water and a high degree of soil and air humidity. Large areas are occupied by swamps. The abundance of moisture is the result of low evaporation, which is determined by a lack of heat. In addition to precipitation in the form of rain and snow, the tundra receives a significant amount of moisture in the form of frost, settling from moist air on the surface of the snow. Permafrost is almost ubiquitous here, thawing only a few tens of cm in summer. In places where the permafrost thaws deeper, shallow basins filled with water appear. The tundra is literally dotted with shallow and small lakes. The river flow is also high. Rivers in summer time polyhydrous. Often a chain of lakes is “strung” on a river.
The organic world is poor in the number of species. Here vegetation dominates on thin tundra-gley soils. The most common are mosses and lichens. Shrubs are abundant. Herbaceous plants little in the tundra. There are plants that overwinter green. In the direction from north to south, the Arctic tundra gives way to moss-lichens, and then shrubs of dwarf birch and polar willow.
Tundra - areas of reindeer husbandry and vegetable growing in closed ground. Arctic foxes are hunted here. There are a lot of fish in the lakes. Berry resources are abundant: cloudberries, crowberries, blueberries, cranberries, princelings, lingonberries, blueberries.
The steppe zone occupies the south of the European part of Russia and Western Siberia. It is located south of the main cyclone paths. The features of an arid climate are clearly visible here. There is little precipitation (350–450 mm). The thickness of the snow cover is also low. Strong northern winds often blow snow from watersheds into ravines and ravines. Winter is short but cold. Its severity increases to the east. After a short and stormy spring comes a hot, dry summer. The average temperature in July is within +23 °C. Rain falls rarely, usually in the form of short showers that poorly moisten the soil. Evaporation significantly exceeds precipitation. The humidification coefficient varies from 0.6 at the northern border of the zone to 0.3 in the south. Lack of moisture leads to frequent droughts and hot winds.
Surface runoff in the steppes is insignificant. The vast majority of it occurs during the spring snowmelt period. The rivers are low. Many of them dry out in the summer. Groundwater lie deep and are not always suitable for drinking.
4. Name the natural zones of Western Siberia.
The natural zones of the West Siberian Plain are tundra, forest-tundra, forest-steppe (kolki - groves of birch and aspen trees among the steppe plains).
5. What natural zone do the islands of Franz Josef Land belong to? Describe her.
This is an area of arctic deserts. It is located on the islands of the Arctic Ocean and in the far north of the Taimyr Peninsula. The Arctic is the name given to the lands lying under the constellation Ursa Major, i.e. around the North Pole. The nature of this zone is very harsh. A significant part of the surface on the islands of Franz Josef Land, Severnaya Zemlya and the northern island of Novaya Zemlya is covered with glaciers, which are a characteristic element of the nature of Arctic deserts.
The absolute master of this zone is the cold. In winter, during the long polar night, frosts and hurricane winds rage here. In summer, the sun shines around the clock, but it does not warm the earth, which has cooled down during the long winter, because it rises low above the horizon. In addition, the sun is often obscured by low, thick clouds, and white surface snow and ice reflects its rays. That's why summers are cold here. The average temperature of the warmest month is less than +4 °C. In such conditions in the summer the snow does not have time to melt everywhere. Glaciers are forming. Large areas are occupied by stone placers. The soils are almost undeveloped. Nature here is poor.
Vegetation on a surface free of snow and ice does not form a closed cover. These are cold deserts. Among the plants, mosses and lichens dominate. Flowering plants are represented by a small number of species and are rare. Sometimes you can find a dwarf birch tree, almost entirely hidden in moss.
The fauna is also scarce. Among the animals, the predominant ones are those that are fed by the sea - birds and polar bears.
Geographical envelope and its features
All shells of the Earth are closely interconnected. As a result of this interaction, the upper layers of the lithosphere, the lower layers of the atmosphere, the biosphere and the hydrosphere formed a special environment - geographical envelope.
Properties of the geographic shell:
1. Within the geographical envelope, substances are in three states
2. Life exists within it
3. Various cycles occur in it
4. The main source of energy is the Sun
Rice. 1. Geographical envelope diagram
Rice. 2. Stages of development of the geographical envelope
Natural complex
Within the geographical envelope, its components constantly interact with each other, forming natural complexes.
Rice. 3. Scheme of interaction of natural components
Natural complex – a combination of natural components in a certain territory, closely related to each other.
Rice. 4. Scheme of the natural complex and its components
Examples of natural complexes
The natural complexes of the Earth are very diverse; they differ from each other in plant and animal composition, geographical location, size, soils, climate, etc. The main component influencing the location of the natural complex is climate.
Rice. 5. Types of natural complexes
The largest natural complex is the geographical envelope of the Earth.
Human impact on nature
Man and his activities, with the development of science and technology, with an increase in population, increasingly have an impact on the natural environment and its components. At the same time, we must not forget that when one component of the natural complex changes, others also change.
Rice. 1. Factory pipes
Therefore, the use of natural resources by humans must be carried out carefully and wisely.
Rice. 2. Man and nature: positive interaction
Due to the increasing influence of humans on the natural environment, new questions arise for science and society. Scientists are already thinking about how to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, how to reuse many types of resources, trying to develop new energy sources, and much more.
Protecting nature does not mean not using its wealth and not changing it. The main thing is to treat nature carefully, use its resources sparingly and carefully, not take too much, develop new technologies, plant trees, protect rare species of flora and fauna.
Nature conservation organizations
Currently there are many international organizations for the conservation and protection of nature:
1. World Fund wildlife(the main goal is to preserve the biosphere).
Rice. 3. Emblem of the Wildlife Foundation
2. Greenpeace (the main goal is to achieve solutions to global environmental problems).
3. UN Program for environment(UNEP).
Rice. 4. UNEP emblem
4. World Conservation Union
5. Green Cross, etc.
Construction of a dam
When a dam is built on a river, a reservoir is created, thereby increasing the amount and volume of water upstream. Due to this, the humidity of the area increases, swamping of the area may occur, and new plants and animals may appear to replace the previous inhabitants of the area. Thus, thanks to human activity, the natural complex changes.
Red Book
The Red Book is a list of rare and endangered plants, animals and fungi. In Russia, this book is published in two volumes.
Rice. 5. Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (plants)
Earth Day
April 22 is Earth Day. At the end of the 20th century, the celebration of this date became an international event. In Russia, Earth Day has been celebrated since 1992.
References
Main
1. Basic course in geography: textbook. for 6th grade. general education institutions / T.P. Gerasimova, N.P. Neklyukova. – 10th ed., stereotype. – M.: Bustard, 2010. – 176 p.
2. Geography. 6th grade: atlas. – 3rd ed., stereotype. – M.: Bustard; DIK, 2011. – 32 p.
3. Geography. 6th grade: atlas. – 4th ed., stereotype. – M.: Bustard, DIK, 2013. – 32 p.
4. Geography. 6th grade: cont. maps: M.: DIK, Bustard, 2012. – 16 p.
Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections
1. Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia / A.P. Gorkin. – M.: Rosman-Press, 2006. – 624 p.
1.Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements ().
2. Russian Geographical Society ().
3.Geografia.ru ().
Differences in the relationship between air temperature and precipitation in different parts Lands determine the diversity of soils and fauna. Therefore, our planet is a delightful variety of “pictures of nature.”
What is a natural complex?
The interaction of natural components: rocks, air, water, flora and fauna - leads to the formation of natural complexes.
Any natural complex is characterized by a special composition of components and has a unique appearance.
Natural complexes in the mountains, replacing each other with height, are called altitudinal zones. Their number depends on geographical location and mountain heights. The higher the mountains, the closer they are located, the greater the set of altitude zones.
In the World Ocean, along with zonal ones, shallow and deep-water natural complexes are distinguished.
Anthropogenic complexes
Today, natural-anthropogenic complexes—territories that have been significantly altered by humans—are increasingly encountered. These are drained swamps, plowed steppes, artificial forest belts, parks and gardens, irrigated and watered desert areas, mining areas. In cities, major ports, along highways and railways, where the natural environment is completely changed by man, anthropogenic complexes are formed.
