Natural areas of the world map view by content. Map of natural areas of Russia

The warmth of the sun fresh air and water are the main criteria for life on Earth. Numerous climatic zones have led to the division of the territory of all continents and waters into certain natural zones. Some of them, even separated by huge distances, are very similar, others are unique.

Natural areas of the world: what are they?

This definition should be understood as very large in area natural complexes(in other words, parts of the Earth’s geographic belt) that have similar, homogeneous climatic conditions. Main characteristic natural areas is the animal and plant world that inhabits this territory. They are formed as a result of the uneven distribution of moisture and heat on the planet.

Table “Natural areas of the world”

This characteristic of the natural zones of the world is only for informational purposes, because you can talk about each of them for a very long time, and all the information will not fit into the framework of one table.

Natural zones of the temperate climate zone

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

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

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

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

Arctic deserts and semi-deserts

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

Equatorial rainforests

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

Natural zones of the equatorial and subtropical climate zone

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

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

Hardleaf forests

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

Steppes and forest-steppes

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

Tundra and forest-tundra

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

All natural areas of the world are very interesting, be it the seemingly absolutely lifeless desert, the endless arctic ice or thousand-year-old rain forests with boiling life inside.

In different ways, the sun is the source of all life, illuminates and warms different parts globe.
More heat occurs at the equator of the earth, least of all at the North and South Poles.

IN different zones The globe receives a certain amount of heat, light, and moisture. These conditions define individual zones with their own special climate.

What is a natural area?

A natural zone is a territory that is defined by uniform climatic conditions, vegetation and fauna.

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

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

Arctic desert zone

In the very north of Russia, on the Northern Islands Arctic Ocean there is a zone arctic deserts. Most of the zone's territory (85%) is covered with glaciers. In mid-summer the temperature here is no more than 4-2 degrees, and in winter the temperature is down to -50°C, strong winds, and fog. The climate is very harsh.

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

Typical animals and birds
IN arctic desert live reindeer, polar bears, and seabirds settle on the rocky shores of the ocean: auks, gulls, polar owls and partridges. The Arctic Ocean is home to baleen whales, seals, walruses, seals, and beluga whales.

Tundra zone

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

Location

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

The soil
Tundra soils are usually swampy, poor in humus, and highly acidic.

Vegetable world
For the most part, the tundra is treeless. Low-growing plants huddle close to the ground, using its warmth and hiding from strong winds. Lack of warmth strong wind, lack of moisture for the root system prevents shoots from growing into large trees.

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

Typical birds and animals
In winter, the lack of food for animals is compensated by evergreen plants that overwinter under the cover of snow.

The swamps are home to ducks, geese, brant geese and waders. Herds of deer wander across the tundra in search of moss, their main food. Deer, white partridges, owls, and crows constantly live in the tundra.

Forest-tundra zone

The forest-tundra has warmer summers and the winds are weaker than the tundra. Winter is cold and snowy for more than 9 months.

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

The soil
The soils of the forest-tundra are permafrost-swamp, peat-podzolic. These low fertile soils with low content humus and nutrients, with high acidity.

Vegetable world
Meadows with willow bushes, sedge and horsetail grasses provide good pasture for deer. Due to the harsh climate, the forest islands are very sparse. These forests contain Siberian spruce, larches and birches.

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

The lakes and swamps are inhabited by geese, ducks, and swans. In summer, the forest-tundra is full of blood-sucking horse flies and mosquitoes. Closer to the south, in the forest-tundra there are squirrels, moose, brown bears, and wood grouse.

Taiga zone

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

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

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

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

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

Zone of mixed and deciduous forests

To the south of the taiga there is a forest zone. It has a lot of heat and moisture, many deep rivers, lakes, and much fewer swamps than in the taiga. Summers are long and warm (18-20 degrees Celsius), winters are mild. This zone has large reserves of timber, and in the bowels of the earth there are deposits of minerals.

The vegetation of the zone has been greatly modified by humans; most of the territory is used for agriculture and cattle breeding.

Location
The zone of mixed and deciduous forests is located on the East European Plain and the Far East.

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

Vegetable world
In this zone different trees: in the northern part there are mixed forests with deciduous and coniferous trees: spruce, pine, birch, maple and aspen trees. Closer to the south, broad-leaved trees predominate: oak, elm, linden, maple.

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

Typical birds and animals
Availability of food all year round allows animals and most birds to live in the forest. There are many different animals in the forests: squirrels, owls, pine marten, moose, Brown bear, foxes, and among birds - orioles, woodpeckers, etc.

Forest-steppe

The forest-steppe zone is part of the temperate climate zone. This is a transition zone between the forest zone and steppe zone, combines forest belts and meadows covered with grasses. The flora and fauna are represented by plants and animals and forests and steppes. The closer to the south, the less forests, the fewer forest animals.

Steppe

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

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

Vegetable world
The vegetation is mainly grasses growing in tufts with bare soil between them. A lot of different types feather grass, which can serve as food for sheep.

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

Desert zone

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

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

Typical birds and animals
Deserts are inhabited by hedgehogs, gophers, jerboas, snakes, and lizards. Birds include larks, plovers, bustards.

Subtropical zone

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

According to climatic conditions, Russian subtropics are divided into dry and wet. From the southern coast of Crimea to the city of Gelendzhik - dry subtropics. Summer is dry and only drought-tolerant plants survive: thorny blackberries and rose hips. Pitsunda pine and shrubs grow here: juniper, cherry plum.

Vegetable world
The mountains are covered with a thick green carpet of trees and bushes. There are broad-leaved trees - oaks, chestnuts, beech, coniferous yew, and evergreen shrubs: laurel, rhododendron and boxwood.

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

The warmth of the sun, clean air and water are the main criteria for life on Earth. Numerous climatic zones have led to the division of the territory of all continents and waters into certain natural zones. Some of them, even separated by huge distances, are very similar, others are unique.

Natural areas of the world: what are they?

This definition should be understood as very large natural complexes (in other words, parts of the Earth’s geographic zone), which have similar, homogeneous climatic conditions. The main characteristic of natural areas is the flora and fauna that inhabit the given territory. They are formed as a result of the uneven distribution of moisture and heat on the planet.

Table “Natural areas of the world”

This characteristic of the natural zones of the world is only for informational purposes, because you can talk about each of them for a very long time, and all the information will not fit into the framework of one table.

Natural zones of the temperate climate zone

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

2. Mixed forests. Characteristic to a greater extent for the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth. It is a kind of border between taiga and deciduous forest. They are more resistant to cold and long winters. Tree species: oak, maple, poplar, linden, as well as rowan, alder, birch, pine, spruce. As the table “Natural Zones of the World” shows, the soils in the mixed forest zone are gray and not highly fertile, but are still suitable for growing plants.

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

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

Arctic deserts and semi-deserts

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

Equatorial rainforests

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

Natural zones of the equatorial and subtropical climate zone

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

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

Hardleaf forests

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

Steppes and forest-steppes

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

Tundra and forest-tundra

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

All natural areas of the world are very interesting, be it a desert that seems at first glance absolutely lifeless, endless Arctic ice or thousand-year-old rain forests with boiling life inside.

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Close-up:

The most natural complex is the geographic envelope, which is divided into smaller natural complexes. Depending on the reasons for their formation, natural complexes are conventionally divided into zonal and azonal. The basis for the identification of zonal natural complexes is the natural change in natural components from the equator to the poles. Azonal natural complexes arise in connection with disturbances of zonality caused by differences in the structure of the earth's crust, relief, and proximity to the oceans. The largest azonal natural complexes are continents and oceans. Within them, natural complexes of a lower order are distinguished.

The largest latitudinal zonal divisions of the geographic envelope are the Earth's geographic belts. They differ from each other in temperature conditions, characteristics of atmospheric circulation, soil and vegetation cover and animal life. Geographical zones coincide with climatic zones and have the same names. The width of each geographical zone in some places reaches more than 4 thousand km.

It is clear that over such a long distance the natural components change. The closer to the equator this or that part of the geographical zone is located, the more heat it receives, the more it differs from the previous one. its differences are noticeable, first of all, in species composition animal and flora, climate, soils. Therefore, within geographical zones zones that are more or less homogeneous in terms of conditions are distinguished and called natural. Thus, natural zones are large parts of geographic zones that naturally change from the equator to the poles and from the oceans inland.

In the mountains altitudinal zone begins with an analogue of the horizontal zone within which the mountains are located. The number of altitudinal zones will depend on the height and location of the mountains. The higher the mountains and the closer they are to the equator, the larger the set of belts they have.
There are also natural areas in the World Ocean. They differ in the types of water masses, temperature, salinity, and composition of the organic world.

+ additional material:

“Tundra animals test” - 2. 1. 5. 4. 7. 3. 8. 6.

“Natural zone steppe” - b. V. P. Grasshopper. Filly. Steppe lark. Birds of the steppe. Natural areas of the world. Comb-shaped wheatgrass. Locust. I. D. Partridge. Y. Little Bustard. Predators of the steppe. Field lark. Jerboa. Volosnets or sandy grate.

“Desert Test” - Camel thorn – pump plant. Deserts of Russia: Rock pigeon, rook, capercaillie. Desert (simulator). Blueberry, spruce, birch. Ladybug, aphid, leaf beetle. A small area along the banks northern seas. Desert animals: Lynx, bison, squirrel. There is little rainfall.

“Natural areas of the Earth” - Gophers dig holes consisting of long passages and chambers. Animal world tundra 14. Cranberries and blueberries grow in the swamps. In the wide expanses of the steppes, a silver sea of ​​flowering feather grass ripples. Introduce new concepts. Soils. Females are noticeably smaller (200-300 kg). As soon as the snow melts, the steppe turns into a sea of ​​fragrant plants.

“Deserts” - 7. In the desert there are rodents: A) corsac fox; b) slow; c) saiga. 4. There are many reptiles in the desert: 2. The fastest-footed animal: The world– 2nd grade. 3. Large ears help escape the heat: A) foot and mouth disease; b) sand boa; c) midday gerbil; d) lizard – round-headed. A) big-eared hedgehog; b) foot and mouth disease; c) corsac.

“Animals of the Arctic” - V. 1. But you need to prepare for the trip, first of all you need to study your route. Polar bear- one of the largest land predators. Polar bear. b. 8. And underwater. Sometimes you have to growl and fight for your territory... From mid-October to the end of February there is a long polar night. On a long winter night, mother bears give birth to little cubs!