What are the characteristics of the temperate zone? Its characteristics, features and varieties. Temperate zone - winds, land, temperature, precipitation Natural areas of the temperate climate zone

Temperate climate The ice belt is present on all continents of the earth, except for Antarctica. In the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, they have some features. In general, there is a temperate climate by 25% earth's surface. hallmark of this climate lies in the fact that all seasons are inherent in it, and four seasons are clearly traced. The main ones are hot summers and frosty winters, transitional ones are spring and autumn.

change of seasons

In winter, the air temperature drops well below zero degrees, on average -20 degrees Celsius, and the minimum drops to -50. Precipitation falls in the form of snow and covers the ground in a thick layer that different countries lasts from several weeks to several months. There are many cyclones.

Summer in a temperate climate is quite hot - the temperature is more than +20 degrees Celsius, and in some places even +35 degrees. The average annual rainfall in different regions varies from 500 to 2000 millimeters, depending on the distance from the seas and oceans. Quite a lot of rain falls in the summer, sometimes up to 750 mm per season. In transitional seasons, minus and plus temperatures can last for different times. Some areas are warmer, while others are cooler. In some regions, autumn is quite rainy.

In the temperate climate zone during the year there is an exchange of thermal energy with other latitudes. Water vapor is also transferred from the oceans to land. There are a fairly large number of reservoirs inside the mainland.

Temperate subtypes

Due to the influence of some climatic factors formed such subspecies of the temperate zone:

• maritime - summers are not very hot with a lot of precipitation, and mild winters;
• monsoon - the weather regime depends on the circulation of air masses, namely monsoons;
• transitional from maritime to continental;
• sharply continental - winters are harsh and cold, and summers are short and not very hot.

Features of a temperate climate

In a temperate climate, various natural zones are formed, but most often they are, as well as broad-leaved, mixed. Sometimes there is a steppe. Animal world represented by individuals for forests and steppe, respectively.

Thus, the temperate climate covers most of Eurasia and North America, in Australia, Africa and South America represented by several foci. This is a very special climatic zone, characterized by the fact that all seasons are pronounced in it.

On the globe, temperate climatic zones are observed in both hemispheres. So where is the temperate zone? Geographical position temperate climate is such that in the northern part of the Earth, areas border on the subtropics and subarctic climate. In the southern part, this is the border with the southern subtropical belt and the territory with a subantarctic climate. The occupied territory of the temperate zone is the largest part of the earth's surface. The location of the temperate zone, see fig. 1.

Fig.1. The geographical position of the temperate climate zone in both hemispheres of the Earth

temperate zone characteristic

A characteristic feature of the temperate zone is that in regions with a temperate climate there are masses atmospheric air with and . If we talk about air masses, we can notice that the air temperature is subject to the seasons. Winters are cold, and in summer temperatures rise to +22 degrees Celsius, in some places up to +40 °C. The annual volume of precipitation is significant, but precipitation is unevenly distributed over the territories of temperate zones. The average rainfall per year is from 300 to 800 mm.

The main characteristic of a temperate climate is the frame that precipitation per year does not exceed 800 mm and not less than 300 mm. The lower limit of 300 mm is more often a feature of the temperate continental climate. Upper bound within 800 mm describes moderately monsoonal, temperate maritime climatic zones. Below we will analyze separately the features and characteristics of different types of the temperate zone.

Types of the temperate zone

Diversity climatic conditions temperate climate due to different types earth's surface. These are both oceanic coastal zones and deep continental territories, where the terrain changes from mountains to plains, from highlands to lowlands. Both air flows and precipitation patterns in the temperate zone depend on this, which ultimately leads to the formation of four climatic types of the temperate zone.

Types of temperate zone:

• temperate continental climate

temperate countries

States of the temperate zone. Examples of countries whose territories are located in the tropical climate zone.

As you know, our planet is divided into climatic zones - territories with a homogeneous climate that encircle the Earth. They differ from each other not only by the dominance of a certain air mass, which, by the way, determines the boundaries of the belt, but also atmospheric pressure, temperature and precipitation.

In total, there are 13 climatic zones: 7 main and 6 transitional. Among them is the so-called moderate. Let's dwell on it in more detail.

Temperate climatic zone - the main climatic zone, extending between 40-70 ° northern latitude and 40-55° south latitude. More than half of the surface of the temperate zone in the Northern Hemisphere is land, while in the Southern Hemisphere almost everything is covered with water.

Characteristics of the temperate climate zone.

Distributed throughout the territory moderate air mass brings with it low atmospheric pressure and high humidity, which prevail in a temperate climate. The seasons here are quite clearly defined, all thanks to the exact change in temperature depending on the season. Winter in a temperate climate is cold, with an abundance of snow, spring is colorful and blooming, summer is warm, and autumn is rainy and windy. Annual precipitation is approximately 500-800 mm.

Climate of the temperate climate zone.

Climate in temperate latitudes determined by the proximity of territories to the ocean. There are 5 types of climate inherent in this zone:

Monsoon climate.

It is formed on the eastern outskirts of Eurasia. The main feature of this climate is a sharp change in humidity throughout the year. For example, in summer there is a lot of rainfall, respectively, the humidity is high. In winter, the opposite is true: the weather is dry and the humidity is very low.

The monsoon climate of temperate latitudes prevails in Far East Russia (Primorye, the middle reaches of the Amur River), in the north of Japan, and also in the northeast of China. In winter, it is formed due to the removal of continental air masses to the periphery of the Asian anticyclone, and in summer, its occurrence is influenced by marine air masses. All indicators (precipitation, temperature, humidity) vary throughout the year, the highest marks are observed in summer.

Maritime climate.

It is formed under the influence of oceanic spaces on the atmosphere. It is characterized by small fluctuations in temperature during the year and day, high humidity, as well as a delay of 1-2 months of the highest and low temperatures. The largest number precipitation falls in winter, autumn is warmer than spring. August is considered the warmest month, and February is considered the coldest, all this is due to the fact that water masses slower than land, they heat up and cool down. The air of the maritime climate is characterized by a high content sea ​​salts and low dustiness.

Sharply continental climate.

It occurs only in the Northern Hemisphere, since there is no land in the temperate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, which is why continental air masses do not form.

Formed given climate in the south of Siberia and in its mountains. Summers in these areas are warm and sunny (+16-20°C), while winters are frosty (-25-45°C). Precipitation is more frequent in summer than in winter, and peaks in July.

The weather here is rich in anticyclones, the humidity is low, there is little precipitation (400 mm), and the winds are not strong. The sharply continental climate is also characterized by high fluctuations in annual and daily temperatures.

Moderate continental climate.

This type of climate is also formed in the Northern Hemisphere for the same reason. It is most widely distributed in Siberia and Transbaikalia.

In winter, the so-called Siberian (Asian) anticyclone is formed here: the air cools down to -30°-40°. This season is longer compared to summer, but more precipitation falls in the warm season (50-60 mm). The average annual rainfall is 375 mm.

The temperate continental climate is also characterized by: small cloudiness, rapid heating of the air during the day and its sharp cooling at night, deep freezing of the earth.

Continental climate.

In temperate latitudes given type The climate is characterized by a large annual and daily amplitude of air temperature. Winter is cold here, summer is hot. Unlike the maritime climate, the continental climate has a lower average annual temperature and humidity, as well elevated level air dustiness. Light cloudiness is often found here, and the annual amount of precipitation is also small. In addition, the continental climate is characterized by the presence strong winds(dust storms occur in some areas).

Temperature values ​​of the temperate climate zone.

As already mentioned, the temperate zone is characterized by a sharp seasonal change in temperature. In winter, the indicators are always below zero, on average, the air cools down to -10 °. In summer, the thermometer will show no lower than + 15 °. The temperature drops as you approach one of the poles. Maximums (+35°) are found on the border with the subtropics, and on the border with the subpolar strip it is always cool: no higher than +20°.

Natural zones of the temperate climate zone.

In temperate latitudes, 3 main types of natural zones are distinguished: forests, forest-steppes, and arid zones.

Forest Zone

Taiga

The forests are characterized by the taiga zone, mixed and broad-leaved forests.

Taiga is located in two continents: North America and Eurasia. Its area is 15 km2. The relief is predominantly flat, rarely intersected by river valleys. Due to the harsh climate, the soils are weak, large deciduous trees do not grow in the taiga. Moreover, needles containing poisonous substances falling from coniferous plants deplete the already scarce land.

Winters here are frosty, dry, lasting more than six months. Summer is short but warm. Spring and autumn are also very short. The most heat in the tundra it reaches +21°, and the lowest is -54°.

mixed forests

Mixed forests can be called a transitional link between the taiga and deciduous forests. By the name, it is easy to guess that both conifers and deciduous trees. Mixed forests extend in Russia, New Zealand, North and South America.

Zone climate mixed forests soft enough. In winter the temperature drops to -15°, in summer it reaches +17°-24°. Summer period it is warmer here than in the taiga.

This zone is also characterized by layered vegetation: with a change in altitude, the view changes. The highest tier is made up of oaks, spruces and pines. The second tier includes birches, lindens and wild apple trees. The third is viburnum and mountain ash (the lowest trees), the fourth consists of shrubs (rose hips, raspberries). The last, fifth, is filled with herbs, mosses and lichens.

broadleaf forests

Broad-leaved forests consist mainly of deciduous plants. The climate in this area is mild: winters are mild, summers are long and warm.

In especially dense parts of the zone, the grass cover is poorly developed due to the dense crowns of trees. The ground is covered dense layer fallen leaves, which, when decomposed, saturate forest soils.

Forest steppe zone

Forest-steppe - a belt of vegetation in Eurasia, characterized by a change of forests and steppes. As you move south, the number of trees and precipitation decreases, steppes appear, and the climate becomes hotter. Moving in a northerly direction, you can observe the opposite picture.

About the climate: the forest-steppe is characterized by cool winters with plenty of snow and hot, humid summers. average temperature January is -2°-20°, July - +18°-25°.

The soil cover of the forest-steppe contains a lot of humus and is characterized by a stable structure. These soils can be cultivated, but without over-plowing.

Arid zones are steppes, semi-deserts and deserts.

Arid zones: steppes, deserts and semi-deserts

Steppes

The steppes are located between the zone of semi-desert and forest-steppe. main feature this zone is arid.

The climate here fluctuates between temperate continental and sharply continental. Summers are very sunny, and winters are windy, although with little snow. The average annual rainfall is 250-450 mm.

Steppe soils are represented mainly by chernozems, with the advancement to the south they become less fertile, are replaced by chestnut soils with an admixture of salts. Due to their fertility, steppe soils are used for growing various horticultural and agricultural crops, and are also used for pastures.

desert

Deserts extend far from the oceans, making them inaccessible to moisture-bearing winds. Hence their main property is excessive aridity. Humidity is almost zero throughout the year.

Due to dry air, the land is not protected from solar radiation, so in the daytime the temperature rises to + 50 °: there is a sizzling heat. However, at night there is a sharp cooling due to the rapid cooling of the soil. Sometimes daily temperature amplitudes reach 40°.

The relief of deserts differs significantly from other zones. There are mountains, plains and plateaus here, but they are created by wind and turbulent water flows after heavy rains, therefore they have an unusual appearance.

semi-deserts

The semi-desert is a transition zone from the steppe to the desert. It extends in Eurasia from the Caspian lowland to Eastern China.

A sharply continental climate prevails here, the winter is quite cold (-20 °). The amount of precipitation per year is 150-250 mm.

The soils of the semi-deserts are light chestnut (poor in humus), as in the steppe; there are also brown desert soils. As you move south, the desert properties intensify, and the steppe ones fade away. The characteristic vegetation is wormwood-grass, growing discontinuously.

Temperate countries.

The temperate climate zone occupies a fairly large area. It extends into Eurasia, America and embraces both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

North hemisphere:

• North America: USA, Canada;
• Europe: Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Italy, France, UK, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Belgium, Netherlands;
• Asia: North Korea, China, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and part of Russia.

Southern Hemisphere:

• South America: Chile, Argentina;
• the island of Tasmania;
• French south polar territories;
• New Zealand.

Temperate climate zone in Russia

On the territory of the Russian Federation, this belt is the longest and most populated. In this regard, it is divided into 5 regions that differ from each other in climate:

1. Magadan and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk are located in the maritime climate area.
2. The region of the monsoon climate is Vladivostok and the Amur River, which flows into the Sea of ​​Okhotsk.
3. The sharply continental climate consists of Chita, Yakutsk and Lake Baikal.
4. The continental climate absorbed Tobolsk and Krasnoyarsk.
5. Moscow, St. Petersburg and Astrakhan are located in the region of temperate continental climate.

Fauna of the temperate climate zone.

The variety of climatic conditions in the temperate climate zone has given rise to many representatives of the animal world. In large green forests you can meet birds and herbivores, there are many predators here, located at the top the food chain. Consider typical representatives of these territories.

Red panda, or as it is also called - small. Lives in China. Today it is listed in the Red Book as an endangered species.

This cutest animal looks like a small cat, raccoon or fox. The size of the red panda is small: males weigh 3.7-6.2 kg, females about 6 kg. The body length is 51-64 cm. The large fluffy tail serves the pandas not only for beauty, but also as an attribute for traveling through the trees.

The muzzle of these animals is short, the beady eyes are dark brown, the black nose looks like a dog's.

Despite such a pretty appearance, red pandas are predators. However, in reality, they practically do not eat animals, the basis of their diet is bamboo, but due to the structure of the stomach of a predator, only a small part of what they eat is digested. Therefore, sometimes you have to hunt small rodents. In addition, pygmy pandas eat berries and mushrooms.

Robin- a small bird of the thrush family. The name comes from the word "dawn": it is at this time that she begins to sing. Lives throughout Europe.

Differs in small size: body length 14 cm, wingspan 20 cm, the robin weighs only 16 g.

The color of males and females is the same: brown back and bluish feathers on the neck and sides.

Robins feed mainly on insects (spiders, beetles, worms). In winter, they prefer berries and seeds (mountain ash, currant, spruce seeds).

white tailed deer- Another representative of the temperate climate zone. It lives in North America, mainly in southern Canada.

The size of white-tailed deer varies depending on the area of ​​​​residence. Average weight males is 68 kg, females - 45 kg. The average height at the withers is 55-120 cm, tail length is 10-37 cm.

The color of white-tailed deer changes according to the season: in spring and summer the skin is red-brown, and in autumn and winter it is gray-brown. The tail of these deer is brown and white at the end. With their tail raised, these animals signal an impending danger. Branched horns grow only in males, who shed them at the end of the mating season.

The diet of white-tailed deer is varied, the stomach allows them to enjoy even poison ivy. They also feed on berries, fruits, acorns, and grass. Sometimes they eat mice and chicks.

Thus, the temperate climate zone can be called the most interesting of all existing due to its developed climate and diverse fauna.

southern temperate zone

Southern temperate zone

in the Southern Hemisphere, between the subantarctic and southern subtropical belts, mainly between 40° and 65° N. sh.; 98% falls on the ocean. The land is represented by small fragments: south. the end of the mainland South. America (Patagonia and South Andes), south. island of New Zealand, Tasmania and a number of small islands.
The seasonality of the weather is softened due to the oceanic climate. Winter with slightly positive temperatures, rarely frosts and snow, only in the continental regions of Patagonia frosts down to -33 ° C are possible. Wed the temperature of the warmest summer month ranges from 12 to 18 °C. The atmosphere is dominated by west. transport with intense cyclonic activity. Windward slopes of the Andes and South. The Alps receive a lot of precipitation - 3000–7000 mm per year or more, as a result of which powerful glaciation has developed in the mountains; Patagonia has an arid semi-desert climate.
short, deep rivers, There is large lakes With fresh water predominantly of glacial origin. Mountainous relief prevails with traces of glacier activity. Only in Patagonia are high plains and plateaus. The forests of Tasmania are predominantly evergreen, dominated by moisture-loving species of eucalyptus, southern beech, and coniferous Fitzroy. From animals there are wombats, a koala, a marsupial wolf, marsupial devil, many birds. To the south island of New Zealand grow dense relic evergreen forests that climb the mountains to heights. 1 km. They have a lot of conifers (araucaria, libotsedrus, pines), grow south. beech, palm trees. The dense undergrowth consists of tree ferns, many lianas, mosses, and lichens. There are practically no wild mammals, bird species are diverse, but many have already disappeared (wingless kiwi, moa ostriches). In Patagonia, dry steppes are common, in the South. Andes grow forests from the south. beech and giant coniferous trees, they have a lot of bamboo, tree ferns, lianas. Of the mammals, there are guanaco, blue fox, Magellanic dog, endemic, underground rodent tuco-tuco; birds are numerous: parrots, hummingbirds, pikas.

Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman. Under the editorship of prof. A. P. Gorkina. 2006 .

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The temperate climatic zone is one of the widest and covers the territories of our planet lying between the 40th and 60th parallels in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Moreover, in the north, the zone of this belt extends to the 65th parallel, and in the south it is reduced to approximately 58th parallel. Towards the poles of the earth it borders on the subantarctic and subarctic belts, towards the equator - on the subtropical.

Characteristics of the temperate climate zone

A moderate air mass is distributed throughout the belt, which is characterized by high humidity and low atmospheric pressure. The air temperature always changes depending on the season, and therefore the seasons in the temperate zone are clearly defined: winter is snowy and frosty, spring is bright and green, summer is hot and hot, and autumn is golden with heavy rains and winds. The average temperature in winter in temperate latitudes drops to 0 °C, in summer it rarely rises above +15, +20 °C. The average annual rainfall is 500-800mm.

Depending on the proximity of the oceans, the climate in temperate latitudes is divided into 4 types:

• Nautical- this climate is formed over the oceans and covers the coastal areas of the land. Winters are mild, summers are not hot, there is a lot of precipitation and high humidity.
• monsoonal- this type of climate is rarely found in temperate latitudes, as it is more typical for the tropics and subtropics. The weather in these areas is very dependent on the circulation of seasonal winds - monsoons.
• sharp continental- such a climate is typical for areas located at a considerable distance from the oceans. Winters in these parts of the land are very cold, frosty, often at the limit of the cold pole. Summer is short and not hot. In the warm season, more precipitation falls than in winter.

Temperature values

(averaged, approximate for a temperate climate zone)

• Maritime climate area: July +12 °С +16 °С, January 0 °С +4 °С.
• Continental climate area: July +18 °С +24 °С, January -6 °С -20 °С.
• Region of temperate continental climate: July +15 °С +17 °С, January 0 °С -8°С.

By the way, this type of climate is not found in the southern hemisphere, since there are practically no land areas in temperate latitudes.

• temperate continental- one of the most stable types of climate. It is distributed on all land areas that are located relatively far from the oceans and the sea. Summers are always hot here, winters are frosty, and there is little rainfall. One of the main features of this type of climate is strong winds, dust storms and light cloud cover.

Natural zones of the temperate climate zone

In temperate latitudes, three main types of natural zones are distinguished: forests, forest-steppes and arid zones.

Forests

Taiga— woodlands dominated by coniferous trees. Lots of swamps. This natural zone covers the northern part of Siberia and the continental regions of Canada. Taiga is found in Scandinavia and Finland, but in the southern hemisphere it is absent as a separate natural zone.

mixed forests. In such forests coniferous trees grow alongside broad-leaved trees. This natural zone is distributed over most of Eurasia: in Scandinavia, the Carpathians, the Caucasus, middle lane East European and West Siberian plains, in the Far East. On the American continent, it is found in the Great Lakes region of California. In the southern hemisphere, it covers a significant part of South America and New Zealand.

broadleaf forests. This natural zone is typical for temperate latitudes with a humid and moderately humid climate. The zone occupies most of Europe, stretches through the United States, meets in East Asia. In the southern hemisphere, it affects southern Chile and New Zealand.

Forest-steppe- characteristic of temperate latitudes with a temperate continental climate.

ocean grasslands- land areas dominated by cereals and forbs. The climate is cool. This natural zone covers coastal land areas and islands in temperate latitudes between approximately 50 and 56 parallels. In the northern hemisphere - this is the zone of the Commander, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Kamchatka, the south of Greenland, Scandinavia and Iceland. In the southern hemisphere - Falkland, Shetland Islands.

arid zones

Steppes- a natural zone that encircles all continents (except Australia and Antarctica) on the borders of a temperate continental and sharply continental climate. In Eurasia, these are the vast steppes of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia; in America, the prairies of Canada and the USA; in South America, Chile and Argentina.

semi-deserts. This natural area is characterized by the absence of forests and specific vegetation. In the northern hemisphere, they cover the east of Eurasia, the Caspian lowland, and extend as far as China. In North America, they are common in the western United States. Covered in the southern hemisphere small areas in southern South America.

desert- the last natural zone of the temperate zone, which covers flat areas with a sharp continental climate. Distributed in Asia, in the western regions of North America, in Patagonia.

Temperate countries

(Map of the Earth's climatic zones, click on the image to enlarge)

The temperate climate zone covers most of Eurasia and America, so there are a lot of countries that exist in this climate zone.

In the northern hemisphere:

North America: Canada, USA.

Europe: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, northern Turkey and Spain, Italy, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Croatia, Lithuania, Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, south of Sweden and Norway.

Asia: part of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, northern China and Japan, North Korea.

In the southern hemisphere:

South America: southern Argentina, Chile.

French south polar territories

O. Tasmania

New Zealand (South Island)

The territory of the temperate climate zone in Russia

The temperate climatic zone occupies most of Russia, therefore, all types of climate characteristic of these latitudes are represented here: from sharply continental to monsoonal and maritime. This zone includes most of the European part of the country, all of Siberia, the East European Plain, Caspian lowland and the Far East.