What is a natural area? Types and features. Natural areas of the world Natural areas of the tropics and subtropics, deserts

Every schoolchild knows what a natural area is, and those who have forgotten this concept can become familiar with it by reading this article.

Natural areas: definition and types

The globe consists of all kinds of natural complexes, localized in different climatic zones. Despite the diversity of landscapes, plants and animals, individual areas of the Earth are similar to each other. They are combined into a separate group of natural zones. This is the largest gradation of the entire natural complex on the planet.

Natural areas and their features

Natural areas are located according to temperature and humidity parameters adapted to certain parameters. They mainly occupy certain latitudes, but the specific area depends on the distance to the ocean and the surrounding topography. The exception is mountain natural zones, the characteristics of which are influenced by the altitude of localization. Closer to the top, the temperature becomes lower, so the zonation is located in the direction from the equator to the poles. Below there is a natural complex similar to that on the plain. The higher the mountain range, the more northern landscapes are localized at the top.

What is a natural area that is not located on land? The ocean also contains a natural complex that differs in its climatic location and depth. Its boundaries are vague compared to the land.

Natural areas of the tropics and subtropics, deserts

The forests of the equator and tropics, located in Africa, South America and Asia, are characterized by high humidity and temperature. What is a natural area in these areas of the globe? This is a complex of evergreen trees with a pronounced multi-layered structure (from small shrubs to giant trees). The accelerated circulation of substances leads to the formation of a superfertile soil layer, which is quickly consumed. In the tropics and subtropics, there is a zone of dry forests where trees shed their leaves during the hot season.

The description of the natural zone includes savannas - a transition zone from tropical forests to northern landscapes with pronounced open forests, constantly high temperatures and infrequent precipitation. This complex is characterized by a dry period, as a result of which it occurs before reservoirs.

Evergreen forests in Mediterranean climates are predominantly composed of plants with hard leaves. There are many coniferous trees and mild winters are typical. Most of the animal species in this natural area are on the verge of extinction.

Tundra and forest-tundra occupy the territory of the subpolar and polar zones. The vegetation is low-growing with a shallow root system due to poor soils, there are many mosses and lichens, mainly migratory birds live, most of the territory is covered with permafrost.

Animals in the Arctic desert mainly live in water; during the warm period, which lasts several months, birds arrive. This is what a natural area in the northern hemisphere is.

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 natural zones of the world 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.

Natural zones of the Earth or natural-living zones are large areas of land with the same characteristics: relief, soil, climate and special flora and fauna. The formation of a natural zone depends on the relationship between the level of heat and moisture, that is, as the climate changes, the natural zone also changes.

Types of Natural Areas of the World

Geographers identify the following natural zones:

• Arctic desert
• Tundra
• Taiga
• Mixed forest
• broadleaf forest
• Steppe
• Deserts
• Subtropics
• Tropics

Rice. 1. Mixed forest

In addition to the main zones, there are also transitional zones:

• Forest-tundra
• Forest-steppe
• Semi-desert.

They share the features of two neighboring main zones. This is the complete official list of zones.

Some experts also identify such natural areas as:

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• Savannah;
• Monsoon forests;
• Equatorial forests;
• Highlands or altitudinal zones.

High belt zones have their own internal divisions.

Here are the following areas:

• Broad-leaved forest;
• Mixed forest;
• Taiga;
• Subalpine belt;
• Alpine belt;
• Tundra;
• Zone of snow and glaciers.

Location of zones- strictly vertically, from the foot to the top: the higher, the more severe the climatic conditions, lower the temperature, lower the humidity, higher the pressure.

The names of natural areas are not accidental. They reflect their main characteristics. For example, the term "tundra" means "plain without forest." Indeed, only a few dwarf trees can be found in the tundra, for example, polar willow or dwarf birch.

Zone placement

What are the patterns of location of natural climatic zones? It's simple - there is a strict movement of the belts along latitudes from the North (North Pole) to the South (South Pole). Their placement corresponds to the uneven redistribution of solar energy on the Earth's surface.

You can observe a change in natural zones from the coast inland, that is, relief and distance from the ocean also affect the location of natural zones and their width.

There is also a correspondence between natural zones and climatic zones. So, within what climatic zones are the above natural zones located:

• Equatorial belt- moist equatorial forests with areas of moist evergreen forest and rain forest where short dry periods are observed;
• Subequatorial belt- monsoon forests and savannas with areas of oceanic rain forests and monsoon deciduous forests;
• Tropical zone- savannas, tropical forests, tropical deserts and semi-deserts;

Rice. 2. Savannahs

• Subtropical zone- zone of evergreen forest, steppe and desert;
• Temperate zone- deserts, semi-deserts, steppe zone, mixed, deciduous and coniferous forest zone;
• Subtropical zone- forest-tundra and tundra;
• Arctic belt- tundra and arctic desert.

Based on this relationship, differences in climate, soil type and landscape can be observed in the same natural area.

Geographical position

Knowing where a particular natural area is located, you can indicate its geographical location. For example, the Arctic desert zone occupies the territories of Antarctica, Greenland and the entire northern tip of Eurasia. The tundra occupies large areas of countries such as Russia, Canada, and Alaska. The desert zone is located on continents such as South America, Africa, Australia and Eurasia.

Characteristics of the main natural areas of the planet

All natural areas differ in:

• relief and soil composition;
• climate;
• animal and plant world.

Adjacent zones may have similar characteristics, especially where there is a gradual transition from one to another. Thus, the answer to the question of how to define a natural area is very simple: note the climate features, as well as the features of flora and fauna.

The largest natural zones are: forest zone and taiga (trees grow everywhere except Antarctica). These two zones have both similar characteristics and differences inherent only to the taiga, mixed forest, broad-leaved forest, monsoon and equatorial forests.

Typical characteristics for a forest zone:

• warm and hot summers;
• large amounts of precipitation (up to 1000 mm per year);
• the presence of deep rivers, lakes and swamps;
• predominance of woody vegetation;
• diversity of the animal world.

The largest areas are equatorial forests; they occupy 6% of all land. The greatest diversity of flora and fauna is characteristic of these forests. 4/5 of all plant species grow here and 1/2 of all land animal species live here, many of which are unique.

Rice. 3. Equatorial forests

The role of natural areas

Each natural zone plays its own special role in the life of the planet. If we consider natural zones in order, we can give the following examples:

• arctic desert, despite the fact that it is almost completely an icy desert, it is a kind of “pantry” where multi-ton reserves of fresh water are stored, and also, being the polar region of the planet, it plays a key role in shaping the climate;
• climate tundra keeps the soils of the natural zone frozen for most of the year and this plays an important role in the planet’s carbon cycle;
• taiga, as well as equatorial forests are a kind of “lungs” of the Earth; They produce the oxygen necessary for the life of all living things and absorb carbon dioxide.

What is the main role of all natural areas? They store a large amount of natural resources that are necessary for human life and activity.

The global geographical community has long come up with both color symbols for natural areas and emblems that define them. Thus, Arctic deserts are indicated by blue waves, and simple deserts and semi-deserts are indicated by red waves. The taiga zone has a symbol in the form of a coniferous tree, and the mixed forest zone in the form of coniferous and deciduous trees.

What have we learned?

We learned what a natural area is, defined this term and identified the main features of the concept. We learned what the main zones of the Earth are called and what intermediate zones exist. We also found out the reasons for such zonality of the geographical shell of the Earth. All this information will help you prepare for a geography lesson in 5th grade: write a report on the topic “Natural zones of the Earth”, prepare a message.

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This is the largest natural complex, the surface of the globe, with the nature characteristic of the planet.
It is possible to identify a huge number of smaller natural complexes - territories that have a similar nature, different from other complexes. Oceans, seas, continents, rivers, lakes, swamps and much more are all separate.

Natural areas- very large natural complexes with similar landscapes, flora and fauna. Natural zones are formed as a result of the distribution of heat and moisture on the planet: high temperature and low humidity are characteristic of equatorial deserts, high temperature and high humidity are characteristic of equatorial and tropical forests, etc.
Natural zones are located predominantly sublatitudinal, but the relief and distance from the ocean affect the location of the zones and their width. In the mountains there is also a change of natural zones, depending on the height; the change of zones occurs in the same order as the change of land zones from the equator to the poles. The lower natural zone corresponds to the natural zone of the territory, the upper depends on the height of the mountain range.

Natural land areas

Equatorial and tropical forests

Deserts and semi-deserts

This zone is formed in a temperate zone with an average amount of precipitation; it is characterized by cold winters and moderately warm summers. Forests usually have two or three tiers, the lower ones being formed by shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. Forest ungulates, predators, rodents, and insectivorous birds are common here. The soils in this zone are brown and gray forest.

This zone is formed in the northern hemisphere in the temperate zone with cold winters, short warm summers and fairly high precipitation. Multi-tiered forests, many coniferous trees. The fauna is represented by a variety of predators, including some that hibernate. The soils are poor in nutrients and podzolic.

This natural area is located in the subpolar and polar zones, where it is quite low. The flora is represented mainly by low-growing plants with poorly developed root systems: mosses, lichens, shrubs, and dwarf trees. Hoofed animals, small predators, and many migratory birds live here. The soils in the tundra are peat-gley, a large area is located in the zone.

Arctic deserts

Arctic deserts are found on islands close to the poles. Vegetation includes mosses, lichens, or no vegetation at all. Animals found in this area live most of the time in the water, with birds visiting for several months.