Natural forest complex. Natural complexes and natural zones Azonal natural complexes

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Area: 14,523 ha. The purpose of the reserve is to preserve and study the typical and unique natural complexes of the southern part of the Crimean Mountains in order to improve the soil protection, water protection, balneological and aesthetic properties of mountain forests, to strengthen their protection, in particular, from fires. The reserve for the richness and beauty of nature is one of the most unique and interesting objects not only in the Crimea, but also of Eastern Europe. On its territory there are trails known since ancient times […]

Area: 34563 ha. The purpose of the reserve: the protection of landscapes and biota of the Crimean Mountains, the preservation of the water content of rivers. The reserve occupies the most elevated part of the Main Ridge of the Crimean Mountains. Its southern slopes descend steeply to the Black Sea, and from the north, the territory partially captures the Chatyr-Dag ridge (1527 m). The reserve represents all the variety of natural complexes of the Crimean Mountains and its climatic zones. Here are the highest peaks of the peninsula, among which the highest is Roman-Kosh […]

The concept of the natural complex. The main object of study of modern physical geography is the geographical envelope of our planet as a complex material system. It is heterogeneous in both vertical and horizontal directions. In the horizontal, i.e. spatially, the geographical shell is subdivided into separate natural complexes (synonyms: natural-territorial complexes, geosystems, geographical landscapes). A natural complex is a territory homogeneous in origin, history […]

Area: 527 ha. The purpose of the reserve: the preservation of the mountain wooded massif of the Crimean sub-Mediterranean. Ayu-Dag, or Bear Mountain, shaped like an animal leaning toward the Black Sea, is one of the symbols of Crimea, which can be observed from almost all sides of the South Coast. This place has been known since ancient times: the ancient geographer Strabo mentions Ayu-Dag under the name Criumetopon - Lamb's forehead. Domed Mountain (571 m) is a failed volcano that […]

The culture of Cambodia, as well as other neighboring countries, experienced in the V-VIII centuries. strong influence from Indian settlers and the pressure of Buddhism. The predominantly flat relief of the country was reflected in the regularity of the planning of cities and temple complexes. The palace-temple complexes, called wats, had a concentric composition, surrounded by wide moats and powerful gallery walls with built-in buildings. The heyday of the culture of Cambodia is associated with the formation of the monarchy of the XI-XIII centuries. Capital […]

The landscapes of the easternmost federal state of Austria, Burgenland, are a continuation of the Hungarian Pashta - arid flat steppes. This is a region of sheep breeding, fruit growing and viticulture. The cultural landscape of Fertö (Austria) has developed on the shores of the Neusiedler See, the only steppe lake in Europe, along which the Austrian-Hungarian border passes. A whole string of castles, monasteries, villages and vineyards stretches along the shores of the lake, there are even ancient monuments. From Vienna to Lake […]

In Spain, as in all developed European countries, there are serious environmental problems. However, she has already reached that level. economic development, which allows you to finance and implement not only local environmental protection measures in areas with the most severe environmental situation, but also to form a long-term national environmental policy. At the same time, the increasing impact on […]

Composition: Primorsky, Kamchatka and Khabarovsk Territory, Amur, Magadan, Sakhalin Region, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Jewish Autonomous Region, Chukotsky autonomous region. Main cities: Vladivostok - 600 thousand people, Khabarovsk. The Far East occupies 1/3 of the country's area, where only 4% of its population lives with a density of 1.1 people / sq. km. This largest and least populated region of the country stands out for its unique […]

The road from Evpatoria to the north-west of Crimea begins at railway station. Immediately outside the city, a monotonous steppe landscape is enlivened by young gardens, vegetable gardens, and further on both sides of the road there is only a wide undulating steppe. The villages of Romashkino, Koloski, Vorobyevo seem to be passing by like islands among the sea of ​​crops. All around the sprouts of the new are emerging - the intensification and specialization of agricultural production. At the located […]

In accordance with the Federal Law "On Specially Protected Natural Territories", specially protected natural territories of various forms have been created in our country. They are most diverse at the regional and local levels. The central place is occupied by the largest natural parks and the most numerous - reserves and natural monuments. Natural parks - comparatively new category specially protected natural areas […]

In accordance with the Federal Law "On Specially Protected Natural Territories", the following categories are distinguished: nature reserves, National parks, nature parks, wildlife sanctuaries, natural monuments, dendrological parks and botanical gardens, health-improving areas and resorts, as well as other categories of specially protected natural areas established by the Government of the Russian Federation, executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, local authorities. The map shows […]

Historically, the role of industries associated with the development of mineral resources has always been great in Russia. In the bowels of Russia there are 12% of the world's proven reserves of hard and 34% of brown coal, about a third of natural gas and a seventh of the world's oil reserves (about 13%). Differences in the availability of raw materials, fuel and energy and labor resources, economic potential, as well as the historical features of the development of the […]

In the system of environmental protection measures, the most important direction is the withdrawal from economic use of certain territories and water areas or the restriction of economic activity on them. These measures are designed to contribute to the conservation of ecosystems and biota species in a state closest to natural, the conservation of the gene pool of plants and animals, as well as landscapes - as standards of nature, in scientific and educational purposes. This direction […]

The head of state is the President of the Russian Federation, elected for four years by the citizens of the Russian Federation on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. State power in the Russian Federation is exercised by the President of the Russian Federation, Federal Assembly(Federation Council and State Duma), Government of the Russian Federation, courts of the Russian Federation. The legislative body is the Federal Assembly, the parliament of the Russian Federation, […]

Image from the Resurs.F2 spacecraft, camera MK 4. Scale is about 1:370,000. The Moscow region is located in the center of the East European Plain. The relief is flat, in some places wavy-hilly. The highest heights barely exceed 300 m, and the lowest are about 100 m. To the north of Moscow is the Smolensk-Moscow upland and its highest and hilly part, the Klin-Dmitrov ridge, which in the north descends to the Upper Volga lowland, […]

Recreational resources are a set of natural and historical and cultural objects and phenomena suitable for use in the organization of recreation and tourism. The basis of the tourist and recreational potential of the Russian Federation is historical cities, monuments, museums, museum-reserves, ancient estates, national and natural parks, natural and cultural objects world heritage, traditions and customs of numerous peoples of Russia, folk art crafts, the richest Natural resources: seas, […]

Abiotic factors are a set of conditions of the inorganic environment that affect organisms. Autotrophs are organisms that take what they need to live. chemical elements from the inert matter surrounding them and do not require ready-made organic compounds another organism. The main source of energy used by autotrophs is the sun. Anabiosis - (from Greek - revival) the ability of organisms to survive unfavorable times (changes in temperature […]

The fuel and energy industry (fuel and energy complex) is a combination of fuel industry, electric power industry, fuel and energy delivery vehicles. Energy is the basis for the development of productive forces and the very existence of human society. It ensures the operation of power devices in industry, agriculture, transport and at home. This is the most material-intensive branch of the world industry. Energy is also associated with most of the environmental problems. Primary energy carriers […]

1. Structure and properties of the geographic envelope

2. Natural complexes land and ocean

3. Natural zonation

4. Development of the Earth by man. Countries of the world


1. The structure and properties of the geographical shell

Before the appearance of life on Earth, its outer, single shell was made up of three interconnected shells: the lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. With the advent of living organisms - the biosphere, this outer shell has changed significantly. All of its components have also changed. The shell, the Earth, within which the lower layers of the atmosphere, the upper parts of the lithosphere, the entire hydrosphere and biosphere mutually penetrate each other and interact, is called the geographic (earth) shell. All components of the geographic envelope do not exist in isolation, they interact with each other. Thus, water and air, penetrating deep into rocks through cracks and pores, participate in weathering processes, change them and at the same time change themselves. Rivers and underground waters, by moving minerals, are involved in changing the relief. Particles of rocks rise high into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions, strong winds. Many salts are contained in the hydrosphere. Water and minerals are part of all living organisms. Living organisms, dying, form huge strata of rocks. Different scientists draw the upper and lower boundaries of the geographic shell in different ways. It has no sharp boundaries. Many scientists believe that its thickness is on average 55 km. Compared to the size of the Earth, this is a thin film.

As a result of the interaction of the components, the geographic shell has properties inherent only to it.

Only here are there substances in the solid, liquid and gaseous state, which is of great importance for all processes occurring in the geographical envelope, and above all for the emergence of life. Only here, at the solid surface of the Earth, life first arose, and then man and human society appeared, for the existence and development of which there are all conditions: air, water, rocks and minerals, solar heat and light, soils, vegetation, bacterial and animal life. .

All processes in the geographic envelope occur under the influence of solar energy and, to a lesser extent, internal terrestrial energy sources. A change in solar activity affects all processes of the geographic envelope. So, for example, during a period of increased solar activity, magnetic storms, the rate of plant growth, reproduction and migration of insects changes, the health of people, especially children and the elderly, worsens. The connection between the rhythms of solar activity and living organisms was shown by the Russian biophysicist Alexander Leonidovich Chizhevsky back in the 1920s and 1930s. 20th century

The geographic envelope is sometimes called the natural environment or simply nature, referring mainly to nature within the geographic envelope.

All components of the geographic shell are connected into a single whole through the circulation of matter and energy, due to which the exchange of substances between the shells is carried out. The circulation of matter and energy is the most important mechanism of the natural processes of the geographical envelope. There are various cycles of matter and energy: air cycles in the atmosphere, the earth's crust, water cycles, etc. For the geographic envelope, the water cycle is of great importance, which is carried out due to the movement of air masses. Water is one of the most amazing substances in nature, characterized by great mobility. The ability to change from a liquid to a solid or gaseous state with slight changes in temperature allows water to accelerate various natural processes. There can be no life without water. Water, being in the circulation, enters into close interactions with other components, connects them with each other and is an important factor in the formation of the geographic envelope.

A huge role in the life of the geographical shell belongs to the biological cycle. In green plants, as is known, organic substances are formed from carbon dioxide and water in the light, which serve as food for animals. After death, animals and plants are decomposed by bacteria and fungi to minerals, which are then reabsorbed by green plants. The same elements repeatedly form the organic substances of living organisms and repeatedly again pass into the mineral state.

The leading role in all cycles belongs to the air cycle in the troposphere, which includes the entire system of winds and vertical air movement. The movement of air in the troposphere draws the hydrosphere into the global circulation, forming the world water cycle. The intensity of other cycles also depends on it. The most active cycles occur in the equatorial and subequatorial belts. And in the polar regions, on the contrary, they proceed especially slowly. All circles are interconnected.

Each subsequent cycle is different from the previous ones. It does not form a vicious circle. Plants, for example, take nutrients from the soil, and when they die, they give them much more, since the organic mass of plants is created mainly due to atmospheric carbon dioxide, and not due to substances coming from the soil. Thanks to the cycles, the development of all components of nature and the geographical envelope as a whole takes place.

What makes our planet unique? Life! It is difficult to imagine our planet without plants and animals. In a wide variety of forms, it permeates not only the water and air elements, but also the upper layers of the earth's crust. The emergence of the biosphere is a fundamentally important stage in the development of the geographic envelope and the entire Earth as a planet. the main role living organisms - ensuring the development of all life processes, which are based on solar energy and the biological cycle of substances and energy. Life processes consist of three main stages: the creation of primary products as a result of photosynthesis of organic matter; transformation of primary (plant) products into secondary (animal); destruction of primary and secondary biological products by bacteria, fungi. Without these processes, life is impossible. Living organisms include: plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. Each group (kingdom) of living organisms plays a certain role in the development of nature.

Life on our planet originated 3 billion years ago. All organisms have evolved over billions of years, settled, changed in the process of development and, in turn, influenced the nature of the Earth - their habitat.

Under the influence of living organisms, there was more oxygen in the air and the content of carbon dioxide decreased. Green plants are the main source of atmospheric oxygen. Another was the composition of the oceans. Rocks of organic origin appeared in the lithosphere. Deposits of coal and oil, most limestone deposits are the result of the activity of living organisms. The result of the activity of living organisms is also the formation of soils, thanks to the fertility of which plant life is possible. Thus, living organisms are a powerful factor in the transformation and development of the geographic envelope. The brilliant Russian scientist V. I. Vernadsky considered living organisms to be the most powerful force on the earth's surface in terms of its final results, transforming nature.

2. Natural complexes of land and ocean

The geographical envelope, being integral, is heterogeneous at different latitudes, on land and in the ocean. Due to uneven supply solar heat on the earth's surface, the geographical envelope is very diverse. Near the equator, for example, where there is a lot of heat and moisture, nature is distinguished by the richness of living organisms, faster natural processes, in the polar regions, on the contrary, slower processes and poverty of life. At the same latitudes, nature can also be different. It depends on the terrain and distance from the ocean. Therefore, the geographic envelope can be divided into sections, territories, or natural-territorial complexes of different sizes (abbreviated as natural complexes, or PCs). The formation of any natural complex took place long time. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of the components of nature: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils. All components in the natural complex, as well as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form an integral natural complex, it also exchanges substances and energy. A natural complex is a section of the earth's surface, which is distinguished by the features of natural components that are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries, has a natural unity, manifested in its external appearance (for example, a forest, a swamp, a mountain range, a lake, etc.).

The natural complexes of the ocean, in contrast to the land, consist of the following components: water with gases dissolved in it, plants and animals, rocks and bottom topography. Large natural complexes are distinguished in the World Ocean - separate oceans, smaller ones - seas, bays, straits, etc. In addition, natural complexes of surface water layers, various water layers and the ocean floor are distinguished in the ocean.

Natural complexes come in different sizes. They differ in terms of education. Very large natural complexes are continents and oceans. Their formation is due to the structure of the earth's crust. On the continents and oceans, smaller complexes are distinguished - parts of the continents and oceans. Depending on the amount of solar heat, i.e., on geographic latitude, there are natural complexes equatorial forests, tropical deserts, taiga, etc. Examples of small ones are, for example, a ravine, a lake, a river valley, a sea bay. And the largest natural complex of the Earth is the geographical envelope.

All components of nature are closely and inextricably linked with each other. A change in one of them causes a change in the others. These relationships are expressed in the exchange of matter and energy. This happens within a specific area. Therefore, the natural territorial complex (NTC) is a natural combination of interrelated components of nature in a certain area.

Natural territorial complexes are of great practical importance for Agriculture, melioration, recreational business, construction of cities, roads. Without knowledge of the characteristics of a particular natural complex, there can be no question of the rational use, protection and improvement of the natural environment. Three main levels are distinguished in the hierarchy of natural complexes: local (facies), regional (natural zone, province), global (geographical envelope).

On the territory of Russia, there are many different PTCs. Natural, or physical-geographical, zoning serves as the main method for identifying NTCs and establishing their boundaries. The allocation of large PTCs in Russia is based on differences geological structure, topography and climate.

According to these features, scientists physico-geographers usually distinguish on the territory of Russia:

1. Russian (East European) plain.

2. North Caucasus.

4. West Siberian lowland, or plain.

5. Central Siberia.

6. Northeast of Siberia.

7. Belt of mountains of Southern Siberia.

8. Far East.

We will look at six major natural regions: 1. Russian (East European) plain; 2. North Caucasus; 3. Ural; 4. West Siberian lowland; 5. Eastern Siberia; 6. Far East.

NATURAL AREAS

Natural zonality is one of the main geographical patterns. The largest German naturalist Alexander Humboldt, having analyzed changes in climate and vegetation, found that there is a very close relationship between them, and climatic zones are at the same time vegetation zones. VV Dokuchaev proved that zoning is a universal law of nature. Existence of large natural-territorial complexes (NTK), or natural (natural-historical - according to VV Dokuchaev) zones is connected with zonality. Each of them is characterized by a certain ratio of heat and moisture, which play a leading role in the formation of the soil and vegetation cover.

On the territory of Russia, there is a change (from north to south) of the following natural zones: arctic deserts, tundra, forest tundra, taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests, forest-steppes, steppes, semi-deserts. Almost all zones stretch from west to east for thousands of kilometers, and yet they retain common features throughout their entire length, due to the prevailing climatic conditions, the degree of moisture, soil types, and the nature of the vegetation cover. The similarity can be traced both in surface waters and in modern relief-forming processes. A great contribution to the study of natural zones was made by Academician L.S. Berg.

The Arctic desert zone is located on the islands of the Arctic Ocean and in the extreme north of the Taimyr Peninsula. A significant part of the surface is covered with ice; winters are long and harsh, summers are short and cold. The average temperature of the warmest month is close to zero (less than +4 °С). In such conditions, the snow in the summer does not have time to melt everywhere. Glaciers are forming. large areas occupied by rubble. Soils are almost undeveloped. Vegetation on a snow- and ice-free surface does not form a closed cover. These are cold deserts. The plants are dominated by mosses and lichens. Flowering plants are represented by a small number of species and are rare. Of the animals, those fed by the sea predominate: birds and polar bears. Noisy bird colonies are located on the rocky shores in summer.

The tundra zone occupies the coast of the seas of the Arctic Ocean from the western border of the country to the Bering Strait, which is almost 1/6 of the territory of Russia. The tundra in some places reaches the Arctic Circle. The zone reaches its greatest extent (from north to south) in Western and Central Siberia. Compared with arctic deserts summers are warmer in the tundra, but winters are long and cold. The average July temperature is +5 ... +10 °C. The southern boundary of the zone almost coincides with the July isotherm +10 °С. There is little precipitation - 200-300 mm per year. But with a lack of heat, evaporation is small, so humidification is excessive (K\u003e 1.5). Almost everywhere permafrost is widespread, which thaws in summer by only a few tens of centimeters. In places of its deeper thawing, shallow depressions are formed, which are filled with water. Without seeping into the frozen ground, moisture remains on the surface. The tundra is literally dotted with shallow and small lakes. Great and river flow. The rivers are full of water in the summer.

The soils of the zone are thin, tundra-gley, dominated by tundra vegetation of mosses, lichens and undersized shrubs. In the treelessness of the tundra, not only cold and permafrost are to blame, but also strong winds. The tundra zone with scarce reserves of heat, permafrost, moss-lichen and shrub communities are areas of reindeer breeding. This is where fox is mined. There are many fish in the tundra lakes.

The forest-tundra zone stretches in a narrow strip along the southern border of the tundra zone. The average July temperature is +10 ... +14 °С, the annual precipitation is 300-400 mm. Much more precipitation falls than can evaporate, so the forest tundra is one of the most swampy natural zones. The rivers are fed by melted snow waters. High water on the rivers occurs at the beginning of summer, when the snow melts. The forest-tundra is a transitional zone from the tundra to the taiga. It is characterized by a combination of tundra and forest communities of plants and animals, as well as soils.

Diversity of Russian forests. Forests are the wilderness of spruce forests, and the grandeur of oak forests, and pine forests soaked in the sun, and white-trunked birch forests. Forests are common in two natural zones: in the taiga zone and in the zone of mixed and broad-leaved forests.

The taiga zone is the largest natural zone in Russia in terms of area. In its various regions, many are not the same natural conditions-- the general severity of the climate, the degree of moisture, mountainous or flat terrain, the amount sunny days, soil diversity. Therefore, the species of coniferous trees prevailing in the taiga are also different, which, in turn, changes the appearance of the taiga. Dark coniferous spruce-fir forests prevail in the European part of the zone and in Western Siberia, where cedar forests join them. Most of Central and Eastern Siberia is covered with larch forests. Everywhere on sandy and gravelly soils grow pine forests. The forests of the Far Eastern Primorye have a very special character, where on the Sikhote-Alin ridge, conifers - spruces and firs - are joined by such southern views like Amur velvet, cork oak, etc. The main wealth of the taiga is the forest. The taiga accounts for 50% of Russia's timber reserves. Hydropower resources account for more than 50% of the country's resources. The extraction of valuable furs is also almost entirely in the taiga zone.

Northern and middle taiga differ in lack of heat (the sum of temperatures above 10 ° C is less than 1600 °) and infertile soils. Here, as in the forest-tundra, farming is of a focal nature.

Southern taiga subzone more favorable for agriculture, although in order to increase the fertility of lands, they must be drained, limed and fertilized. The conditions here are favorable for cattle breeding.

The zone of mixed and broad-leaved forests is located on the Russian Plain south of the taiga, is absent in the inland regions and reappears in the south of the Far East. The soils and vegetation of the zone change as you move from north to south. In the north, mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forests on soddy-podzolic soils are common, in the south - multi-tiered broad-leaved forests on gray forest soils. The Far Eastern mountain broad-leaved forests are very peculiar. Along with Siberian species, they contain tree and shrub species typical of the forests of Korea, China, Japan, and Mongolia. The vegetation of the zone, especially in the European part, is very strongly changed. Even our distant ancestors, in need of soils favorable for agriculture, began to cut down the local oak forests. Now the area of ​​forests covers less than 30% of the total area of ​​the zone. In their composition, a significant proportion of secondary small-leaved species - birch, aspen, alder. In place of the former forests, arable lands, gardens, and pastures are spread.

The forest-steppe zone is a transitional zone from the forest to the steppe. On the interfluves of the forest-steppe zone, broad-leaved (oak) and small-leaved forests on gray forest soils alternate with forb steppes on chernozems. The ratio of heat and moisture in the forest-steppe is close to optimal, but moisture is unstable. Droughts occur, dry winds often blow, so it is necessary to take measures to prevent their detrimental effect on crops (for example, planting forest belts). The soils of the forest-steppe zone are fertile. However, with the torrential nature of precipitation and the friendly melting of snow, the upper soil horizon is washed away, and ravines form in the fields. It is necessary to fight against water erosion. The nature of the zone has been greatly altered by human economic activity. In the west, plowing reaches 80%. Wheat, corn, sunflower, sugar beet and other crops are grown here.

The steppe zone is small in area and occupies the south of the European part of the country and Western Siberia. The example of the steppes clearly shows that it is impossible to judge moisture content only by the amount of precipitation. There is little precipitation here - from 300 to 450 mm, about the same as in the tundra zone. But the tundra is swampy and characterized by excessive moisture. In the steppes, there is a lack of moisture. The moisture coefficient in the steppe zone varies from 0.6-0.8 (near the northern border) to 0.3 (in the south). Cyclones pass over the steppe less frequently than over the forest zone. In summer the weather is clear and sunny. High summer temperatures ( average temperature July is +21 ... +23 ° С) and strong winds cause significant evaporation from the surface and periodically occurring droughts, dry winds, dust storms, causing great harm vegetation. Since there is little precipitation, and evaporation is 2 times higher than the amount of precipitation, there are no conditions for leaching of humus into the depth of soil horizons. In the steppe, chernozems with a very dark color and a granular structure are common. The thickness of the humus horizon reaches 50-80 cm. In the basin of the Kuban River, the boundary of this horizon is marked at a depth of 1.5 m. Chernozems are the most fertile soils of our country. In the southern strip of the steppes, dark chestnut soils are common, less fertile and often saline.

At present, the steppe zone is almost completely plowed up. The stock of plant mass in the steppes is much less than in the forest zone. Due to long droughts, grasses wither and burn out by the middle of summer. That is why steppe plants have deep, branched roots, giving up to 80% of the plant mass.

The fauna of the steppes is very different from the taiga. Various small rodents predominate - ground squirrels, marmots, jerboas, hamsters, voles. Herds of wild horses roamed the prehistoric steppes;

The steppe is the country's main grain granary. Wheat, corn, sunflower and other important crops are grown here.

Semi-deserts and deserts are located in the Caspian and Eastern Ciscaucasia.

semi-desert, like the steppe, is treeless. It has features of both steppes and deserts. The climate here is sharply continental. Precipitation is low - 250 mm per year. Evaporation is 4-7 times higher than the amount of precipitation. Together with the evaporated moisture, soluble substances move into the upper soil horizons, which leads to their salinization. The soils are chestnut and brown desert-steppe. Artemisia-cereal vegetation prevails, sensitively reacting to the proximity of groundwater. The soils are quite fertile, but their artificial irrigation is necessary for farming. Semi-deserts are good pastures for sheep and camels. With external scarcity of vegetation, each hectare produces 4-8 tons of organic matter per year.

desert differ even more moisture deficit (less than 150 mm per year) and higher average temperatures in July - +25 °C. Summer here is longer and hotter. On average, there are at least 200 sunny days here per year. The soils are even more saline than in the semi-desert. Clay deserts are especially poorly provided with moisture, since clay retains moisture on the surface and it quickly evaporates. Moisture coefficient does not exceed 0.1--0.3.

Sparse vegetation usually covers less than half of the desert surface. There is little plant mass, and it dries quickly. The accumulation of humus from the recession almost does not occur. The soils of deserts are gray soils. Due to the large amount of mineral salts obtained during irrigation, they become fertile. Desert vegetation is well adapted to a dry climate: plants have long and branched roots, instead of leaves, thorns.

Desert animals live in burrows or burrow into the sand. Some even fall into hibernation in the summer, they can do without water for a long time. Deserts, as well as semi-deserts, serve as valuable pastures for sheep and camels.

Altitude zonation (altitude, or vertical, zoning) is a natural change in natural zones and landscapes in the mountains.

The mountains -- main reason violations of the horizontal arrangement of natural zones on the globe. In contrast to the plains in the mountains, both flora and fauna are 2-5 times richer in species. What is the reason for the "multi-story" natural zones in the mountains? The number of altitudinal belts depends on the height of the mountains and on their geographical position. The change of natural zones in the mountains is often compared to the movement along the plain in the direction from south to north. But in the mountains, the change of natural zones is sharper and more contrasting and is already felt at relatively short distances. The largest number of altitudinal belts can be observed in the mountains located in the tropics, the smallest - in the mountains of the same height in the Arctic Circle. The nature of altitudinal zonality varies depending on the exposure of the slope, as well as the distance from the ocean. In the mountains located near the sea coasts, mountain forest landscapes predominate. For mountains in the central regions of the mainland, treeless landscapes are typical. Each high-altitude landscape belt encircles the mountains from all sides, but the system of tiers on the opposite slopes of the ridges differs sharply. Only at the foothills are the conditions close to typical plains. Above them are "floors" with a more moderate, and above and harsh nature. These floors are crowned with a tier of eternal snow and ice. It would seem that closer to the sun should be warmer, but it turns out the opposite - the higher, the colder.

  1. Name several natural complexes in your area. Briefly describe one of them and indicate the relationships between the components.
  2. From natural history and biology courses, remember how soils are formed and what soils you know.

Natural sushi complexes. The geographical envelope, being integral, is heterogeneous at different latitudes, on land and in the ocean.

Due to the uneven supply of solar heat to the earth's surface, the geographic envelope is very diverse. Near the equator, for example, where there is a lot of heat and moisture, nature is distinguished by the richness of living organisms, faster natural processes, in the polar regions, on the contrary, slower processes and poverty of life. At the same latitudes, nature can also be different. It depends on the terrain, on the distance from the ocean. Therefore, the geographic envelope can be divided into sections, territories, or natural-territorial complexes of different sizes (abbreviated as natural complexes, or PCs).

The formation of any natural complex took a long time. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of the components of nature: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils (Fig. 32). All components in the natural complex, as well as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form a holistic natural complex, it also exchanges substances and energy. A natural complex is a section of the earth's surface, which is distinguished by the features of natural components that are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries, has a natural unity, manifested in its external appearance (for example, a forest, a swamp, a mountain range, a lake, etc.).

Rice. 32. Relationships between the components of the natural complex

The natural complexes of the ocean, unlike land, consist of the following components: water with gases dissolved in it, plants and animals, rocks, and bottom topography. Large natural complexes are distinguished in the World Ocean - separate oceans, smaller ones - seas, bays, straits, etc. In addition, natural complexes of surface water layers, various water layers and the ocean floor are distinguished in the ocean.

Variety of natural complexes. Natural complexes come in different sizes. They also differ in education. Very large natural complexes are continents and oceans. Their formation is due to the structure of the earth's crust. On the continents and oceans, smaller complexes are distinguished - parts of the continents and oceans. Depending on the amount of solar heat, that is, on the geographic latitude, there are natural complexes of equatorial forests, tropical deserts, taiga, etc. Examples of small ones are, for example, a ravine, a lake, a river valley, a sea bay. And the largest natural complex of the Earth is the geographical envelope.

All natural complexes experience a huge influence of man. Many of them have already been greatly changed by centuries of human activity. Man has created new natural complexes: fields, gardens, cities, parks, etc. Such natural complexes are called anthropogenic (from the Greek "anthropos" - man).

  1. Using the text of the textbook, write down the components of the geographic shell in the left column of the notebook, the components of the natural complexes of the land in the middle column, and the components of the natural complexes of the ocean in the right column. What is common between the components of each natural complex?
  2. What is a natural complex?
  3. How are natural complexes different?

"Natural zones of the cold belt" - Natural zones of the earth. natural areas temperate zone. Natural zones of the cold zone. Taiga. Tundra zone. tundra ecosystem. Deserts. Taiga mixed broad-leaved forest forests. "Ecological Systems". In the direction from the pole to the equator natural areas replace each other in a certain order. cold moderate hot moderate cold.

"Natural zoning" - Make a description of the natural zone. Agro-climatic resources of the natural zone Problems of protection of the natural zone. What is indirect and direct impact on natural areas? Learning new material. Economic activity human in natural areas. Name and geographical position. The doctrine of natural zones.

"Natural complexes and zones" - Equator. Water. Precipitation. Relief. Man has created new natural complexes. Heat. Sea. equatorial forest. Variety of natural complexes. Components of the natural complex. Climate is the leading component of the natural complex. Give examples of natural complexes. Change of natural zones. Plants. Desert.

"Geography of natural complexes" - The entire hydrosphere. The relationship of organisms Natural complex Geographical shell and biosphere. Atmosphere. Lithosphere. the entire biosphere. "Component" - translated from Latin means "an integral part of the whole." Hydrosphere. The mountains. Large natural complexes - continents and oceans. “Complex” means “combination” in Latin.

"Savannas and woodlands" - In Africa, the most diverse fauna of the savannas. Dry. Soils. Australia. South America. Climatic features. Savannahs and woodlands. Humus accumulates in the soil. Each continent has its own plant world of savannahs and light forests. Animal world. Definition of a natural area. Climatic features, soils, flora and fauna.

"Natural areas of the world" - Tapir. Define the natural area according to the description. Steppes (pampas). Savannah-. The reason for the change of natural zones? Throughout the year. Lives near water, swims and dives, feeds on stems aquatic plants. Natural areas of South America. Vnazhlye villages (selva). You need to warn the geography teacher about your delay in the semi-deserts of Patagonia.