The reasons for the formation of natural zones, the patterns of their placement. Distribution of natural zones on the territory of the earth. Questions in a paragraph

Natural zones of the Earth

Comprehensive Scientific research nature allowed V. V. Dokuchaev in 1898 to formulate the law of geographical zoning, according to which climate, water, soil, relief, vegetation and animal world in a certain area are closely interconnected and should be studied as a whole. He proposed dividing the Earth's surface into zones that naturally repeat themselves in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Different geographical (natural) zones Earth characterized by a certain combination of heat and moisture, soils, flora and fauna and, as a result, - features economic activity their population. These are zones of forests, steppes, deserts, tundra, savannas, as well as transitional zones of forest-tundra, semi-deserts, forest-tundra. The names of natural areas are traditionally given according to the prevailing type of vegetation, which reflects the most important features of the landscape.

The regular change of vegetation is an indicator of a general increase in heat. In the tundra, the average temperature of the warmest month of the year - July - does not exceed + 10 ° C, in the taiga it fluctuates between + 10 ... + 18 ° C in the strip of deciduous and mixed forests+ 18 ... + 20 ° С, in the steppe and forest-steppe + 22 ... + 24 ° С, in semi-deserts and deserts - above +30 ° С.

Most animal organisms remain active at temperatures from 0 to +30°C. However, temperatures from + 10 ° C and above are considered the best for growth and development. Obviously, such a thermal regime is characteristic of the equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, and temperate climatic zones of the Earth. The intensity of vegetation development in natural areas also depends on the amount of precipitation. Compare, for example, their number in the zone of forests and deserts (see map of the atlas).

So, natural areas- These are natural complexes that occupy large areas and are characterized by the dominance of one zonal type of landscape. They are formed mainly under the influence of climate - the features of the distribution of heat and moisture, their ratio. Each natural zone has its own type of soil, vegetation and wildlife.

The appearance of the natural zone is determined by the type of vegetation cover. But the nature of vegetation depends on climatic conditions - thermal conditions, moisture, illumination, soils, etc.

As a rule, natural zones are elongated in the form of wide strips from west to east. There are no clear boundaries between them, they gradually pass into one another. The latitudinal location of natural zones is disturbed by the uneven distribution of land and ocean, relief, distance from the ocean.

General characteristics of the main natural zones of the Earth

Let us characterize the main natural zones of the Earth, starting from the equator and moving towards the poles.

Forests are located on all continents of the Earth, except for Antarctica. Forest zones have both common features and special features that are characteristic only of the taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests or tropical forests.

Common features of the forest zone include: warm or hot summers, quite a large number of precipitation (from 600 to 1000 or more mm per year), large full-flowing rivers, the predominance of woody vegetation. The equatorial forests, which occupy 6% of the land, receive the greatest amount of heat and moisture. They rightfully hold the first place among the forest zones of the Earth in terms of the diversity of plants and animals. 4/5 of all plant species grow here and 1/2 of all land animal species live.

Climate equatorial forests hot and humid. Medium annual temperatures+24... +28°С. The annual amount of precipitation is more than 1000 mm. It is in the equatorial forest that you can find the largest number of ancient animal species, such as amphibians: frogs, newts, salamanders, toads or marsupials: opossums in America, possums in Australia, tenrecs in Africa, lemurs in Madagascar, loris in Asia; ancient animals are also such inhabitants of the equatorial forests as armadillos, anteaters, pangolins.

In the equatorial forests, the richest vegetation is located in several tiers. In the crowns of trees, many species of birds live: hummingbirds, hornbills, birds of paradise, crowned pigeons, numerous species of parrots: cockatoo, macaw, Amazon, Jaco. These birds have tenacious paws and strong beaks: they not only fly, but also climb trees beautifully. Treetop animals also have prehensile paws and tails: sloths, monkeys, howler monkeys, flying foxes, tree kangaroos. The largest animal that lives in the crowns of trees is the gorilla. These forests are home to many beautiful butterflies and other insects: termites, ants, etc. Various types of snakes. Anaconda - largest snake in the world, reaches a length of 10 m or more. The high-water rivers of the equatorial forests are rich in fish.

The equatorial forests occupy the largest areas in South America, in the Amazon Basin, and in Africa - in the Congo Basin. The Amazon is the deepest river in the world. Every second it carries 220 thousand m3 of water into the Atlantic Ocean. The Congo is the second largest river in the world. Equatorial forests are also common on the islands of the Malaysian archipelago and Oceania, in the southeastern regions of Asia, in northeastern Australia (see the map in the atlas).

Valuable tree species: mahogany, black, yellow - the wealth of equatorial forests. The harvesting of valuable wood species threatens the preservation of the Earth's unique forests. Space images have shown that in a number of areas of the Amazon, forest destruction is proceeding at a catastrophic pace, many times faster than their restoration. As a result, many species are disappearing. unique plants and animals.

Variable wet monsoon forests

Variably humid monsoon forests can also be found on all continents of the Earth, except for Antarctica. If it is summer all the time in the equatorial forests, then three seasons are pronounced here: dry cool (November-February) - winter monsoon; dry hot (March-May) - transitional season; humid hot (June-October) - summer monsoon. Most hot month- May, when the sun is almost at its zenith, the rivers dry up, the trees shed their leaves, the grass turns yellow.

The summer monsoon comes at the end of May with gale-force winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rains. Nature comes to life. Due to the alternation of dry and wet seasons, monsoon forests are called variable wet.

monsoon forests India located in the tropical climate zone. grow here valuable breeds trees, distinguished by the strength and durability of wood: teak, sal, sandalwood, satin and ironwood. Teak wood is not afraid of fire and water, it is widely used for building ships. Sal also has a durable and strong wood. Sandalwood and satin wood are used in the manufacture of varnishes and paints.

The fauna of the Indian jungle is rich and varied: elephants, bulls, rhinos, monkeys. Lots of birds and reptiles.

Monsoon forests of tropical and subtropical regions are also characteristic of South-East Asia, Central and South America, northern and northeastern regions of Australia (see the map in the atlas).

Temperate monsoon forests

monsoon forests temperate zone distributed only in Eurasia. Ussuri taiga is a special place on Far East. This is a real thicket: the forests are multi-tiered, dense, intertwined with lianas and wild grapes. Cedar, walnut, linden, ash and oak grow here. Rough vegetation is the result of an abundance of seasonal rainfall and a rather mild climate. Here you can meet Ussuri tiger- himself major representative of its kind.
The rivers of the monsoon forests are rain-fed and flood during the summer monsoon rains. The largest of them are the Ganges, Indus, Amur.

The monsoon forests are heavily cut down. According to experts, in Eurasia only 5% of the former forest areas. Monsoon forests suffered not so much from forestry, but also from agriculture. It is known that the largest agricultural civilizations appeared on fertile soils in the valleys of the Ganges, Irrawaddy, Indus and their tributaries. The development of agriculture required new territories - forests were cut down. Farming has adapted over the centuries to alternating wet and dry seasons. The main agricultural season is the wet monsoon period. The most important crops - rice, jute, sugarcane - are dated for it. In the dry cool season, barley, legumes, and potatoes are planted. In the dry hot season, agriculture is possible only with artificial irrigation. The monsoon is capricious, its delay leads to severe droughts and the death of crops. Therefore, artificial irrigation is necessary.

temperate forests

Temperate forests occupy significant areas in Eurasia and North America (see map in the atlas).

In the northern regions - this is the taiga, to the south - mixed and broad-leaved forests. In the forest zone of the temperate zone, the seasons of the year are pronounced. Average temperatures in January are negative everywhere, in some places up to -40°С, in July + 10 ... + 20°С; the amount of precipitation is 300-1000 mm per year. Vegetation of plants in winter stops, for several months there is a snow cover.

Spruce, fir, pine, larch grow like in the taiga North America, and in the taiga of Eurasia. The animal world also has a lot in common. The bear is the master of the taiga. True, in the Siberian taiga it is called - Brown bear, and in the taiga of Canada - grizzlies. Can be found red lynx, elk, wolf, as well as marten, ermine, wolverine, sable. Through the taiga zone flow major rivers Siberia - the Ob, Irtysh, Yenisei, Lena, which are second only to the rivers of the equatorial forest zone in terms of runoff.

To the south, the climate becomes milder: mixed and broad-leaved forests grow here, consisting of such species as birch, oak, maple, linden, among which there are also conifers. Typical for the forests of North America are: white oak, sugar maple, yellow birch. Red deer, elk, wild boar, hare; from predators - a wolf and a fox - representatives of animal world of this zone known to us.

If the northern taiga is classified by scientists-geographers as a zone slightly modified by man, then mixed and broad-leaved forests have been cut down almost everywhere. Their place was taken by agricultural areas, such as the "corn belt" in the United States, in this zone many cities and highways are concentrated. In Europe and North America, the natural landscapes of these forests have been preserved only in mountainous regions.

Savannah

Savannah is a natural zone of low latitudes in the subequatorial, tropical and subtropical zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It occupies about 40% of the territory of Africa (south of the Sahara), distributed in South and Central America, Southeast Asia, Australia (see the map in the atlas). The savanna is dominated by herbaceous vegetation with separate standing trees or groups of trees (acacia, eucalyptus, baobab) and shrubs.

Animal world African savannas amazingly varied. To adapt to the conditions of endless dry spaces, nature endowed animals with unique properties. For example, the giraffe is considered the tallest animal on Earth. Its height exceeds 5 m, it has a long tongue (about 50 cm). All this is necessary for a giraffe in order to reach the high branches of acacias. Crowns of acacias begin at a height of 5 m, and giraffes have practically no competitors, calmly eating tree branches. Typical animals of the savannas are zebras, elephants, ostriches.

Steppes

Steppes are found on all continents of the Earth, except for Antarctica (in the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres). They are abundant solar heat, low rainfall (up to 400 mm per year), as well as warm or hot summers. The main vegetation of the steppes is grasses. The steppes are called differently. In South America, the tropical steppes are called pampas, which in the language of the Indians means "a large expanse without a forest." Animals characteristic of the pampa are the llama, the armadillo, the viscacha, a rodent that looks like a rabbit.

In North America, the steppes are called prairies. They are located in both temperate and subtropical climatic zones. "Kings" of the American Prairies for a long time there were bison. By the end of the 19th century, they were almost completely exterminated. Currently, through the efforts of the state and the public, the number of bison is being restored. Another inhabitant of the prairies is the coyote - the steppe wolf. On the banks of the rivers in the bushes you can meet a large spotted cat - a jaguar. The peccary is a small boar-like animal also typical of the prairies.

The steppes of Eurasia are located in the temperate zone. They are very different from the American prairies and African savannas. Here it is drier, sharper continental climate. It is very cold in winter (average temperature - 20°С), and very hot in summer (average temperature + 25°С), strong winds. In summer, the vegetation of the steppes is sparse, but in spring the steppe is transformed: it blooms with many varieties of lilies and poppies, tulips.

The flowering time does not last long, about 10 days. Then a drought sets in, the steppe dries up, the colors fade, and by autumn everything takes on a yellow-gray color.

The steppes are the most fertile soils Land, so they are almost completely plowed. The treeless spaces of the steppes of the temperate zone differ strong winds. Here, wind erosion of soils is very intensive - dust storms are frequent. To preserve soil fertility, forest belts are planted, organic fertilizers and light agricultural machinery are used.

desert

Deserts occupy vast spaces - up to 10% of the Earth's land mass. They are located on all continents and in different climatic zones: temperate, subtropical, tropical and even polar.

There are common features in the climate of the deserts of the tropical and temperate zones. Firstly, the abundance of solar heat, secondly, the large amplitude of temperatures in winter and summer, day and night, and thirdly, a small amount of precipitation (up to 150 mm per year). However, the latter feature is also characteristic of the polar deserts.

In the deserts of the tropical zone, the average summer temperature is +30°C, winter + 10°C. The greatest tropical deserts of the Earth are located in Africa: Sahara, Kalahari, Namib.

Desert plants and animals adapt to dry and hot climates. So, for example, a giant cactus can store up to 3000 liters of water and “not drink” for up to two years; and the Welwitschia plant, found in the Namib Desert, is able to absorb water from the air. A camel is an indispensable helper of a person in the desert. He can be without food and water for a long time, storing them in his humps.

The largest desert in Asia, Rub al-Khali, located on the Arabian Peninsula, is also located in the tropical zone. The desert regions of North and South America and Australia are located in tropical and subtropical climatic zones.

The deserts of the temperate zone of Eurasia are also characterized by low rainfall and a large temperature range, both annual and daily. However, they are characterized by lower winter temperatures and a pronounced flowering period in spring. Such deserts are located in Central Asia east of the Caspian Sea. The fauna here is represented by various species of snakes, rodents, scorpions, turtles, lizards. A typical plant is saxaul.

polar deserts

Polar deserts are located in the polar regions of the Earth. An absolute minimum temperature of 89.2°C has been recorded in Antarctica.

Average winter temperatures are -30°С, summer - 0°С. Just like in the deserts of the tropical and temperate zones, little precipitation falls in the polar desert, mainly in the form of snow. The polar night here lasts almost half a year, the polar day lasts almost half a year. Antarctica is considered the highest continent on Earth, given the thickness of its ice shell of 4 km.

Indigenous inhabitants of the polar deserts of Antarctica - emperor penguins. They cannot fly, but they are excellent swimmers. They can dive to great depths and swim great distances, escaping from their enemies - seals.

The northern polar region of the Earth - the Arctic - got its name from the ancient Greek arcticos - northern. The southern, as it were, opposite polar region is Antarctica (anti - against). The Arctic occupies the island of Greenland, the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, as well as the islands and waters of the Northern Arctic Ocean. This area is covered with snow and ice throughout the year. The owner of these places is considered to be a polar bear.

Tundra

Tundra is a treeless natural area with vegetation of mosses, lichens and creeping shrubs. Tundra is common in the subarctic climatic zone only in North America and Eurasia, which are characterized by harsh climatic conditions (little solar heat, low temperatures, short cold summers, low rainfall).

Moss moss lichen was called "reindeer moss" because it is the main food reindeer. Arctic foxes also live in the tundra, lemmings are small rodents. Among the sparse vegetation there are berry bushes: blueberries, lingonberries, blueberries, as well as dwarf trees: birch, willow.

Permafrost in the soil - characteristic of the tundra, as well as Siberian taiga phenomenon. It is worth starting to dig a hole, as at a depth of about 1 m there will be a frozen layer of earth several tens of meters thick. This phenomenon must be taken into account in the construction, industrial and agricultural development of the territory.

In the tundra, everything grows very slowly. It is with this that the need for careful attention to its nature is connected. For example, pastures damaged by deer are restored only after 15-20 years.

Altitudinal zonality

In contrast to the flat areas, climatic zones and natural zones in the mountains are replaced according to the law of vertical zonality, i.e., from bottom to top. This is because the air temperature decreases with altitude. Consider, as an example, the greatest mountain system in the world - the Himalayas. Almost all natural zones of the Earth are represented here: at the foot grows a tropical forest, at an altitude of 1500 m it is replaced by broad-leaved forests, which in turn turn into mixed forests at an altitude of 2000 m. coniferous forests from Himalayan pine, fir and juniper. In winter, there is snow for a long time and frosts persist.

Above 3500 m, shrubs and alpine meadows begin, they are called "alpine". In summer, the meadows are covered with a carpet of brightly flowering herbs - poppies, primroses, gentians. Gradually the grasses become lower. Approximately from a height of 4500 m, eternal snow and ice lie. The climatic conditions here are very harsh. They live in the mountains rare species animals: mountain goat, chamois, argali, snow leopard.

Latitudinal zonality in the ocean

The world ocean occupies more than 2/3 of the planet's surface. Physical properties And chemical composition ocean waters are relatively constant and create an environment conducive to life. It is especially important for the life of plants and animals that oxygen and carbon dioxide coming from the air dissolve in water. Photosynthesis in algae occurs mainly in top layer water (up to 100 m).

Marine organisms live mainly in the surface layer of water illuminated by the Sun. These are the smallest plant and animal organisms - plankton (bacteria, algae, smallest animals), a variety of fish and marine mammals(dolphins, whales, seals, etc.), squids, sea snakes and turtles.

There is life on the sea floor too. These are bottom algae, corals, crustaceans, molluscs. They are called benthos (from the Greek benthos - deep). The biomass of the World Ocean is 1000 times smaller than the biomass of the land of the Earth.

The distribution of life in oceans uneven and depends on the amount of solar energy received on its surface. Polar waters are poor in plankton due to low temperatures and long polar nights. The greatest amount of plankton develops in the waters of the temperate zone in summer. The abundance of plankton attracts fish here. The temperate zones of the Earth are the most fishy areas of the oceans. In the tropical zone, the amount of plankton again decreases due to the high salinity of the water and high temperatures.

Formation of natural zones

From today's topic, we have learned how diverse the natural complexes of our planet are. natural areas The lands are full of evergreen forests, endless steppes, various mountain ranges, hot and icy deserts.

Every corner of our planet is distinguished by its uniqueness, diverse climate, relief, flora and fauna, and therefore, on the territories of each continent, various natural zones are formed.

Let's try to figure out what natural zones are, how they formed, and what was the impetus for their formation.

Natural zones include such complexes that have similar soils, vegetation, wildlife and the similarity of the temperature regime. Natural zones got their names according to the type of vegetation, and bear such names as the taiga zone or deciduous forests etc.

Natural areas are diverse, due to the uneven redistribution of solar energy on the Earth's surface. This is the main reason for the heterogeneity geographical envelope.

After all, if we consider one of the climatic zones, we can see that those parts of the belt that are closer to the ocean are more humid than its continental parts. And this reason lies not so much in the amount of precipitation, but rather in the ratio of heat and moisture. Because of this, on some continents we observe a more humid climate, and on the other - arid.

And with the help of the redistribution of solar heat, we see how the same amount of moisture in some climatic zones leads to excess moisture, and in others - to their lack.

So, for example, in a hot tropical zone, a lack of moisture can cause drought and the formation of desert territories, while in the subtropics, an excess of moisture contributes to the formation of swamps.

So you learned that due to the difference in the amount of solar heat and moisture, various natural zones were formed.

Patterns of placement of natural zones

The natural zones of the Earth have clear patterns of their location, extending in a latitudinal direction and changing from north to south. Most often, a change in natural zones is observed in the direction from the coast, making its way deep into the mainland.

In mountainous areas there is an altitudinal zonality, which changes one zone for another, starting from the foot and moving towards the mountain peaks.

In the oceans, the change of zones occurs from the equator to the poles. Here, changes in natural zones are reflected in the surface composition of waters, as well as the difference in vegetation and wildlife.

Features of the natural zones of the continents

Since the planet Earth has a spherical surface, the Sun also heats it unevenly. Those areas of the surface above which the Sun is high receive the most heat. And where the sun's rays only glide over the Earth, a more severe climate prevails.

And although on various continents vegetation and animals have similar features, but they are influenced by climate, topography, geology and man. Therefore, it so happened historically that, due to changes in the relief and climate, different continents are inhabited by different types plants and animals.

There are continents where endemics are found, on which only certain kind living beings and plants that are peculiar to these continents. So, for example, polar bears can only be found in nature in the Arctic, and kangaroos in Australia. But in African and South American shrouds are found similar species, although they have certain differences.

But human activity contributes to the changes that occur in the geographical shell, and under such influence, natural areas also change.

Questions and tasks for preparing for the exam

1. Make a diagram of the interaction of natural components in the natural complex and explain it.
2. How do the concepts of "natural complex", "geographical envelope", "biosphere", "natural zone" relate to each other? Show with a diagram.
3. Name the zonal soil type for the tundra, taiga, zones of mixed and broad-leaved forests.
4. Where is the soil cover more difficult to restore: in the steppes of the South of Russia or in the tundra? Why?
5. What is the reason for the difference in the thickness of the fertile soil layer in different natural zones? What does soil fertility depend on?
6. What types of plants and animals are characteristic of the tundra and why?
7. What organisms live on the surface of the oceans?
8. Which of the following animals can be found in the African savannah: rhinoceros, lion, giraffe, tiger, tapir, baboon, llama, hedgehog, zebra, hyena?
9. In what forests is it impossible to find out its age from a cut of a cut tree?
10. What measures, in your opinion, will help preserve the human habitat?

Maksakovskiy V.P., Petrova N.N., Physical and economic geography of the world. - M.: Iris-press, 2010. - 368 pp.: ill.

Subject:"Natural zones of the Earth"

Target: to expand the already existing knowledge of students about the natural zones of the Earth (demonstrate the location of the main zones on the surface of the planet, explain the reasons for the change in natural zones, show changes in natural zones under the influence of human activity).

Teaching tasks:

1. Explain the concepts of "natural zone", "altitude zonality", "latitudinal zonality".
2. To form a holistic concept of the natural zones of the Earth as natural territorial complexes.
3. Show the pattern and reason for the change in natural zones.

Development tasks:

1. Development of skills for working with geographical map.
2. The ability to generalize and classify information (independent compilation of characteristics of the natural zones of the Earth).

Educational tasks:

1. Development of respectful and careful attitude to living nature.
2. Development of interest in geography and related disciplines (biology, botany, etc.).

Lesson steps:

1. Organizational moment (reading an epigraph poem).
2. Introduction to the topic (method of repeating the material covered), problem statement.
3. Learning new material (lecture method, working with a geographical map, game time).
4. Fizkultminutka.
5. Summary of the material covered.
6. Homework.

During the classes

1. Organizing time

As an additional introduction to the topic, the teacher can read a poem (or ask the student to read it) about the natural areas of the Earth. This is necessary to create a special mood among students and better assimilation of new knowledge.

As an epigraph, you can use:

• V. Keulkuta "Quiet in the tundra at dawn";
• V. Bezladnov "And in the North, friends";
• N. Zabolotsky "In the taiga";
• E. Asadov "In the taiga";
• Yu. Drunina "In the steppe";
• P. Vyazemsky "Another troika";
• N. Bozhukova "You told about the desert ...".

1. Introduction to the topic, problem statement

The teacher reminds the students about the related topics covered on the natural zones of the earth, asks leading questions:

Is the climate the same all over the earth?

What is zoning?

What are the reasons for zoning?

How many belts of illumination on Earth, what are they called?

Which light zone do we live in?

What is altitudinal zonation?

The teacher corrects the answers of the children, supplementing them.

1. Learning new material

The teacher under the record defines the term "natural zone" and explains it on concrete examples. Next, the teacher turns to the geographical map, and the students - to personal atlases. Natural zones of the Earth are visually shown. To stimulate brain processes, the question is asked:

Why are natural areas called natural? (so named because of the prevailing vegetation in this area)

In the form of a story, the teacher explains the reason for the placement of natural zones (the law of latitudinal zonality). This is how the final formation of the concept of "latitudinal zoning" takes place.

To consolidate new knowledge, students are called in turn to the blackboard and show one or another natural zone on the map.

The teacher explains that natural areas change not only in latitude, but also in height (formation of the concept of "altitude zoning"). For better memorization and reflection, the question is asked:

Why is this happening? (pressure and temperature change with height)

To consolidate the result, a game moment is introduced - riddles. The following can be used as riddles:

Here we have a forest biome,

There are a lot of plants and animals in it.

It is multi-tiered, braided with a liana,

And it is called "the lungs of the Earth".

There are many "jewels" growing in it,

People use them in medicine.

On the map along the equator you will find

And you will call me this zone

(answer: moist equatorial forests)

As summer approaches, it gets hotter every day. The rays of the hot sun drink the last water from the soil and plants. Here comes the hot dry wind. And there are no longer flowers, no bright grass - it turned yellow, burned out, as if the fire had burned down: only grasses with narrow leaves remained

(answer: steppe)

This is a treeless swampy plain in the north of the country. Nature is harsh here. Winter windy, cold​ naya, with frosts below 50 degrees, lasts 8-9 months,

there is little snow, the ground freezes to a great depth?

(answer: tundra), etc.

The teacher makes brief conclusions on the amount of knowledge received.

1. Physical education minute

It is carried out in the traditional form, i.e. in the form of exercises (squats, jumping in place, etc.). There may also be a cognitive moment: for each performed physical exercise the student must answer a question (for example, what animals are found in the tundra or what are the benefits of humid equatorial forests for the planet).

1. Generalization of the material covered

It is carried out in the form of a story with elements of a conversation, i.e. involving children in the learning process. Once again, work is being done with a geographical map. As a reinforcement, children draw contour maps in notebooks, painting over natural areas with a certain color.

The summary of the lesson is carried out by the teacher independently or with the help of students. To do this, questions are asked about the concepts obtained (natural zone, latitudinal and altitudinal zoning).

1. Homework

It is given according to the recommendation of the textbook. As creative task you can offer a synthesized work - an essay on the topic "How I visited ... (tundra, desert, taiga, etc.)". This will simultaneously consolidate the knowledge gained in the lesson, develop Creative skills and favorably affect the development of speech.

Formation of natural zones

A natural zone is a natural complex with uniform temperatures, moisture, similar soils, flora and fauna. The natural area is named after the type of vegetation. For example, taiga, deciduous forests.

The main reason for the heterogeneity of the geographic envelope is the uneven redistribution of solar heat on the Earth's surface.

In almost every climatic zone of land, the oceanic parts are more humid than the inland, continental ones. And it depends not only on the amount of precipitation, but also on the ratio of heat and moisture. The warmer it is, the more moisture that has fallen with precipitation evaporates. The same amount of moisture can lead to excess moisture in one zone and insufficient moisture in another.

Rice. 1. Swamp

So, the annual amount of precipitation of 200 mm in the cold subarctic zone is excessive moisture, which leads to the formation of swamps (see Fig. 1).

And in hot tropical zones - sharply insufficient: deserts are formed (see Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. Desert

Due to differences in the amount of solar heat and moisture, natural zones are formed within geographic zones.

Patterns of placement

In the placement of natural areas on earth's surface a clear pattern is visible, which can be clearly seen on the map of natural areas. They stretch in a latitudinal direction, replacing each other from north to south.

Due to the heterogeneity of the relief of the earth's surface and the conditions of moisture in different parts continents natural zones do not form continuous bands parallel to the equator. More often they are replaced in the direction from the coasts of the oceans to the interior of the continents. In the mountains, natural zones replace each other from the foot to the peaks. This is where altitudinal zonality comes into play.

Natural zones are also formed in the World Ocean: from the equator to the poles, the properties of surface waters, the composition of vegetation and wildlife change.

Rice. 3. Natural areas of the world

Features of the natural zones of the continents

in the same natural areas different continents flora and fauna have similar features.

However, other factors in addition to climate also influence the distribution of plants and animals: geological history continents, relief, people.

The unification and separation of the continents, the change in their relief and climate in the geological past have led to the fact that in similar natural conditions, but on different continents, different species of animals and plants live.

For example, the African savannas are characterized by antelopes, buffaloes, zebras, African ostriches, and in the South American savannas, several species of deer and an ostrich-like flightless nandu bird are common.

On each continent there are endemics - both plants and animals, characteristic only of this continent. For example, kangaroos are found only in Australia, and polar bears are found only in the Arctic deserts.

Geofocus

The sun heats the spherical surface of the Earth differently: the areas above which it stands high receive the most heat.

Above the poles, the Sun's rays only glide over the Earth. The climate depends on this: hot at the equator, harsh and cold at the poles. The main features of the distribution of vegetation and fauna are also connected with this.

Moist evergreen forests are located in narrow bands and patches along the equator. "Green Hell" - this is what many travelers of past centuries called these places, who had to be here. High multi-tiered forests stand like a solid wall, under the dense crowns of which darkness constantly reigns, monstrous humidity, constant high temperature, there is no change of seasons, downpours regularly fall in an almost continuous stream of water. The forests of the equator are also called permanent rain forests. The traveler Alexander Humboldt called them "hylaea" (from the Greek hyle - forest). Most likely, this is what wet forests looked like. carboniferous period with giant ferns and horsetails.

The rainforests of South America are called "selva" (see Fig. 4).

Rice. 4. Selva

Savannahs are a sea of ​​grasses with occasional islands of trees with umbrella crowns (see Fig. 5). Vast spaces of these amazing natural communities are found in Africa, although there are savannahs in South America, Australia, and India. A distinctive feature of the savannas is the alternation of dry and wet seasons, which take about half a year, replacing each other. The fact is that for subtropical and tropical latitudes, where the savannahs are located, a change of two different air masses- wet equatorial and dry tropical. Significantly affect the climate of the savannas monsoon winds bringing seasonal rains. Since these landscapes are located between the very humid natural zones of the equatorial forests and the very dry zones of the deserts, they are constantly influenced by both. But moisture is not present long enough in the savannahs for multi-tiered forests to grow there, and arid " winter periods» in 2-3 months they do not allow the savanna to turn into a harsh desert.

Rice. 5. Savannah

The natural zone of the taiga is located in the north of Eurasia and North America (see Fig. 6). On the North American continent, it stretched from west to east for more than 5,000 km, and in Eurasia, originating on the Scandinavian Peninsula, it spread to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The Eurasian taiga is the largest continuous forest zone on Earth. It occupies more than 60% of the territory Russian Federation. The taiga contains huge reserves of wood and supplies a large amount of oxygen to the atmosphere. In the north, the taiga smoothly turns into the forest-tundra, gradually the taiga forests are replaced by light forests, and then by individual groups of trees. The furthest taiga forests enter the forest-tundra along river valleys, which are most protected from strong northern winds. In the south, the taiga also smoothly turns into coniferous-deciduous and broad-leaved forests. For many centuries, humans have interfered with natural landscapes in these areas, so now they are a complex natural and anthropogenic complex.

Rice. 6. Taiga

Under the influence of human activity, the geographical envelope is changing. Swamps are being drained, deserts are being irrigated, forests are disappearing, and so on. Thus, the appearance of natural areas is changing.

Bibliography

MainI

1. Geography. Earth and people. Grade 7: Textbook for general education. uch. / A.P. Kuznetsov, L.E. Savelyeva, V.P. Dronov, "Spheres" series. – M.: Enlightenment, 2011.

2. Geography. Earth and people. Grade 7: atlas, series "Spheres".

Additional

1. N.A. Maksimov. Behind the pages of a geography textbook. – M.: Enlightenment.

1. Russian geographical society ().

3. Tutorial by geography ().

4. Geographical directory ().

5. Geological and geographical formation ().

The natural complexes of the Earth are very diverse. These are hot and icy deserts, evergreen forests, endless steppes, bizarre mountains, etc. This diversity is the unique beauty of our planet.

You already know how the natural complexes "mainland" and "ocean" were formed. But the nature of each continent, like each ocean, is not the same. In their territories there are various natural zones.

A natural zone is a large natural complex with a common temperature and moisture conditions, soils, vegetation and wildlife. The formation of zones is due to climate, on land - the ratio of heat and moisture. So, if there is a lot of heat and moisture, i.e. high temperatures and a lot of precipitation, a zone of equatorial forests is formed. If the temperatures are high, and there is little precipitation, then a zone of deserts of the tropical belt is formed.

Natural areas of land outwardly differ from each other in the nature of vegetation. Of all the components of nature, the vegetation of the zones most clearly expresses all the most important features of their nature, the relationship between the components. If there are changes in individual components, then outwardly this affects primarily the change in vegetation. The names of the natural zones of the land were received according to the nature of the vegetation, for example, zones of deserts, equatorial forests, etc.

Rice. 33. Natural belts of the oceans

There are also natural zones (natural belts) in the World Ocean. They differ water masses, organic world and others. The natural zones of the ocean do not have clear external differences, with the exception of the ice cover, and are named according to their geographical location, like climatic zones (Fig. 33).

Patterns of placement of natural zones on Earth. In the placement of natural zones on the earth's surface, scientists have found a clear pattern, which can be clearly seen on the map of natural zones. To understand this regularity, let us trace the change of natural zones on the map from north to south along 20°E. e. In the subarctic zone, where temperatures are low, there is a zone of tundra and forest-tundra, which gives way to taiga to the south. There is enough heat and moisture for growth coniferous trees. In the southern half of the temperate zone, the amount of heat and precipitation increases significantly, which contributes to the formation of a zone of mixed and broad-leaved forests. Somewhat to the east, the amount of precipitation decreases, so the steppe zone is located here.

On the coast mediterranean sea Europe and Africa have a Mediterranean climate with dry summers. It favors the formation of a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. Next, we get to tropical belt. Here, in the expanses scorched by the sun, it is hot, the vegetation is sparse and stunted, in some places it is completely absent. This is the zone tropical deserts. To the south, it is replaced by savannas - tropical forest-steppes, where there is already a wet season of the year and a lot of heat. But the amount of rainfall is not enough for the growth of the forest. In the equatorial climatic zone there is a lot of heat and moisture, therefore a zone of humid equatorial forests with very rich vegetation is formed. IN South Africa zones, like climatic zones, are repeated.

Rice. 34. Blooming steppe is especially beautiful in spring

In Antarctica, there is a zone of the Antarctic desert, characterized by exceptional severity: very low temperatures and strong winds.

So, you, apparently, were convinced that the alternation of natural zones on the plains is explained by a change in climatic conditions - geographical latitude. However, scientists have long noted that natural conditions change not only when moving from north to south, but also from west to east. To confirm this idea, let us follow the map of the change of zones in Eurasia from west to east along the 45th parallel - in the temperate zone.

On the coast Atlantic Ocean, where the sea air masses coming from the ocean dominate, there is a zone of broad-leaved forests, beech, oak, linden, etc. grow. When moving to the east, the forest zone is replaced by a zone of forest-steppes and steppes. The reason is the decrease in rainfall. Even farther to the east, precipitation becomes less and the steppes turn into deserts and semi-deserts, which further to the east are again replaced by steppes, and near the Pacific Ocean - by a zone of mixed forests. These coniferous-deciduous forests amaze with their richness and diversity of plant and animal species.

Rice. 35. Due to lack of moisture, plants in the desert do not form a continuous cover.

What explains the alternation of zones at the same latitude? Yes, all the same reasons - a change in the ratio of heat and moisture, which is determined by the proximity or distance from the ocean, the direction prevailing winds. There are changes at the same latitudes and in the ocean. They depend on the interaction of the ocean with land, the movement of air masses, currents.

latitudinal zonation. The location of natural zones is closely related to climatic zones. Like climatic zones, they naturally replace each other from the equator to the poles due to a decrease in solar heat entering the Earth's surface and uneven moistening. Such a change in natural zones - large natural complexes is called latitudinal zonality. Zoning is manifested in all natural complexes, regardless of their size, as well as in all components of the geographical envelope. Zoning is the main geographical pattern.

Rice. 36. Coniferous forest

Altitudinal zonation. The change of natural zones, as you know, occurs not only on the plains, but also in the mountains - from the foot to their peaks. With altitude, temperature and pressure decrease, up to a certain height, the amount of precipitation increases, and lighting conditions change. In connection with the change in climatic conditions, there is also a change in natural zones. The zones replacing one another, as it were, encircle mountains at different heights, which is why they are called high-altitude belts. The change of altitudinal belts in the mountains occurs much faster than the change of zones on the plains. It is enough to climb 1 km to be convinced of this.

The first (lower) altitudinal belt of mountains always corresponds to the natural zone in which the mountain is located. So, if the mountain is located in the taiga zone, then when climbing to its top you will find the following altitudinal belts: taiga, mountain tundra, eternal snow. If you have to climb into the Andes near the equator, then you will start your journey from the belt (zone) of equatorial forests. The pattern is as follows: the higher the mountains and the closer they are to the equator, the more altitudinal zones and the more diverse they are. In contrast to zoning on the plains, the alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called altitudinal zonality or altitudinal zonation.

Rice. 37. Savannah in the dry season

The law of geographical zonality also manifests itself in mountainous areas. Some of them we have already considered. The change of day and night, seasonal changes depend on the geographical latitude. If the mountain is near the pole, then there is a polar day and a polar night, a long winter and a short cold summer. It's always daytime in the mountains at the equator equals night there are no seasonal changes.

1. How does a natural complex differ from a geographic envelope?
2. Natural complexes are very diverse. Which of them are called natural areas?
3. Highlight the main features of the concept of "natural zone".
4. What are the features of the location of natural zones on the continents and in the ocean?
5. What is latitudinal zonality and altitudinal zonality?
6. Which mountains have the largest number of altitudinal belts, which have the least? Why?

Geographical zones of continents and oceans. These are the largest zonal complexes of the geographic envelope. Each geographical zone on the continents has its own set of natural zones, its own natural processes and rhythms. Geographical zones are heterogeneous inside. They are distinguished by different humidification regimes and continental climate, which contributes to the division of the belts into sectors. The coastal and inland sectors of geographic zones differ from each other in the mode of precipitation, seasonal rhythms, the set and extent of natural zones. Geographical belts are also distinguished in the oceans, but here they are more homogeneous, and their features are determined by the properties of oceanic water masses.

natural areas V lesser degree than belts have a latitudinal orientation. This is due to the fact that the formation of natural zones, in addition to temperature conditions, is influenced by moisture conditions.

On the map "Geographical zones and natural zones of the world" you can see that in different geographical zones the same or similar natural zones are repeated. For example, forest zones exist in the equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate zones. There are also semi-desert and desert zones in several belts. Scientists explain this by repeating the same ratios of heat and moisture on different continents. This phenomenon has been called the law of natural zoning. Natural zoning on the plains it is called horizontal (latitudinal), and in the mountains - vertical (altitude zonality). The number of altitude zones depends on geographical location mountain system and its heights.

Each natural area has its own zonal features components. Any natural area is easy to recognize by the flora and fauna. For example, equatorial rainforests have the greatest diversity of plants and animals on Earth. And, in addition, wok, all living things grow here to gigantic sizes.

Giants of the equatorial forest. In the equatorial forest, creepers reach a length of more than 200 m; The diameter of a Rafflesia flower is 1 m, and its weight can reach 15 kg. Giant moths with a wingspan of up to 30 cm also live here, and the bats with a wingspan of up to 1.7 m, and cobras up to 5 m long, and the largest among the existing snakes - the anaconda - reaches a length of 11 m!

In savannahs and light forests, herbaceous vegetation alternates with separate groups of trees - acacias, eucalyptus, baobabs. Forestless natural zones are found in the temperate zone, such as steppes. They cover vast areas on two continents - in Eurasia and North America.

An extremely poor flora is a feature of the desert zone on almost all continents and in most geographical zones. special conditions Arctic and Antarctic deserts differ, which are almost completely covered with ice (Fig. 16). At first glance, such a desert seems generally lifeless. material from the site

Rice. 16. Arctic desert zone

Forest zones of the temperate zone are widespread on the continents northern latitudes. Vegetable world rich here, although compared to equatorial forest contains fewer species. It is represented by both coniferous and deciduous trees. The natural zones of the temperate zone have been significantly changed as a result of human economic activity.

• Geographical zones exist on the continents and in the oceans. Geographical zones are divided into sectors, which is due to climatic features.
• Natural zones are repeated in different geographical zones, which is explained by the similarity of temperature and moisture conditions.
• Natural areas can be easily recognized by their flora and fauna.

On this page, material on the topics:

• What caused the spread of natural zones on earth

• Patterns of distribution of forms of the earth's surface 12

• What pattern of geographic shell emphasizes the map of natural areas of the world

• Geography

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