Natural area e. Natural areas of the world

Formation of natural areas

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 broadleaf 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 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 moistening conditions in different parts of the 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 areas They are also formed in the World Ocean: from the equator to the poles, the properties of surface waters, the composition of vegetation and fauna change.

Rice. 3. Natural areas of the world

Features of the natural zones of the continents

in the same natural areas different continents vegetable and animal world 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 became the reason that in similar natural conditions, but live on different continents different types animals and plants.

So, for example, antelopes, buffaloes, zebras, African ostriches are characteristic of the African savannas, and several species of deer and a flightless rhea bird similar to an ostrich are common in the South American savannahs.

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 dusk, monstrous humidity, constant heat, there is no change of seasons, showers 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). They most likely looked like this. moist forests Carboniferous 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 expanses of these amazing natural communities are found in Africa, although there are savannahs in South America, both in 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 savannahs are located, a change of two different air masses- wet equatorial and dry tropical. Monsoon winds, bringing seasonal rains, significantly affect the climate of the savannahs. Since these landscapes are located between very wet natural areas equatorial forests and very dry desert zones, they are constantly influenced by both. But moisture is not present in the savannas long enough for multi-tiered forests to grow there, and dry "winter periods" of 2-3 months do not allow the savannah 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 the ground. It occupies more than 60% of the territory Russian Federation. The taiga contains huge reserves of timber and supplies a large number 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

The mainI am

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

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

Additional

1. N.A. Maksimov. Behind the pages of a geography textbook. - M .: Education.

1. Russian Geographical Society ().

3. Tutorial by geography ().

4. Geographical directory ().

5. Geological and geographical formation ().

Posted by: 06.04.2018 Category: Author's essay

In 1807, the German geographer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt discovered a science called landscape science. After his research in world geography, the concept of "natural areas" was born. Russia (as a transcontinental country) got 9 of them. After all, this is a sixth of the land, equal in area to 17,125,191 square kilometers. Despite this, our country is overtaken by the United States in terms of the number of PZs. The fact is that two states and a couple of dependent territories of this state are already in the tropics. This review will present a description of the natural zones of Russia.

arctic desert

The natural zones of Russia begin with the huge archipelagos of the Arctic - Novaya and Severnaya Zemlya. Such biocomplexes also have "branches" in the far north of the Urals and in Siberia - in the lower reaches of the full-flowing Ob, Khatanga, Lena, Indigirka, Kolyma.

The named groups of islands lie in the Arctic, representing a wasteland covered with snow and ice, in some places crossed by gullies and hills. In total, (together with the Asian sites) "dubious wealth" is 9,000,000 sq. km.

Soils and climate

Summer in this zone is short and very cold. Zero degrees can be expected only in August. That is, snow and ice are a year-round phenomenon. Those spaces that are still free from glaciers are bound by permafrost. The absolute minus in January exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. Precipitation for the whole year is low, up to 400 mm. The so-called "polar night" lasts 150 days. The soil here is the least humus, giving life only to primitive forms of lichens and mosses (cladonia, nephrome, parmelia).

Flora and fauna

Biota - continuous fungi and microorganisms. Of the mammals, unusual, polar animals live. There are many natural areas in Russia, but you will find some species of seals, walruses, seals, northern fish (for example, killer whales) only here. The same applies to birds (polar owl, pink gull and murre). Polar bears are also found exclusively in snowy expanses - on the northernmost pieces of Russian land. Or in Antarctica! 25% live in arctic waters salmon fish and almost the entire reindeer population. It is allowed to hunt this species for representatives of the indigenous population of those regions of Russia that capture the Arctic lands.

Recreational potential

Only 2 places are open for tourists in the Arctic - Wrangel Island and the Great Arctic Reserve. They are the northernmost protected natural areas in our Fatherland. Affordable rest is educational. The most popular excursion is to the islands where tiny creatures live - lemmings. Since July 15, fishing tourism has become famous in these places, allowed at a special training ground (a rather expensive tour is called "Fishing at the End of the Earth"). Some operators arrange snowmobile races.

Tundra

The natural zones of Russia, located at the northern tip of Eurasia, are called tundra. In fact, this is the northernmost steppe on the planet. There are landscapes similar to it on the upper "floors" of the mountains or on too high mountain plateaus.

Geographical position and relief

This refers to the geographical area north of the dendrosphere (zone of trees). In Russia, he captures the Arctic Circle, as well as the adjacent strips of land. This is the northern quarter European Russia and the northern third of Siberia. searched natural region has mountain areas and lowlands (usually swampy). In the Russian Federation, tundra and forest-tundra together occupy about 19,000,000 square kilometers (on both continents).

Soils and climate

Russian natural belts like this one are characterized by extremely low precipitation (up to 300 mm per year) and cold temperatures (although it is already warmer here than in the Arctic). In July-August, the thermometer can rise to 10 degrees Celsius, but at the height of the "polar night" (almost as long as in the Arctic), -30°C reigns here.

Flora and fauna

This circumstance is the reason for poor biocenosis. Lichens and mosses are joined only by angiosperms, and in the south of the subarctic climatic zone - stunted shrubs (dwarf birch, shrub willow and marsh sedge).

In such an environment, everyone lives the same reindeer, arctic fox, fox, wolf, bighorn sheep, lemming and even a hare (in the extreme south). Of the winged animals, the red-throated pipit, punka, white-winged plover and, of course, the polar owl are common. The ichthyofauna is represented by vendace, cisco, broad whitefish, white salmon. It is the relict species of the animal world that are listed. Scientists believe that the main biotopic difference between the tundra is the threat ecological disaster. This belt is home to the most exploited oil and gas fields. Wherever a person comes, an increasing number of species of flora and fauna disappear. In particular, the original landscape is badly damaged by the appearance of the so-called "burning lakes" - ignited oil spills.

Recreational potential

Reserved places are the "gates" to the tundra natural belts of Russia. Among the GCs located here are Taimyr, Ust-Lensky, Lapland and Pasvik. In addition to the familiar ecological and educational tourism, extreme adventures are practiced - river rafting, jeep safari, and in winter - dog and reindeer sled races. The low mountains of these surroundings (especially in the Murmansk region) are increasingly becoming interesting to speleologists and climbers. Fishing and hunting (especially photographic) are popular. A large number of Russians come to photograph the northern lights. The southern "branch" of the tundra is the Lagonaki plateau. This is a fragment of the Caucasian GZ in southern Adygea, where there is a well-known ski infrastructure and countless camp sites. However, the northern tundra can also boast of hospitality. For example, Pasvik is a territory on the adjacent lands of the Russian Federation and Norway, which is the border of the tundra and taiga (in the west, the forest rises to high latitudes ...). There are several tourist tracts on both sides of the border. There is also a small building of the ecological museum (Rajakoski village), as well as the waterfall of the same name.

Forest tundra and northern meadows

The forest-tundra and taiga is the largest natural zone in Russia, stretching from the south of the Kola Peninsula to the tip of Kamchatka. The main feature of the part named in the title is the oppressed woodlands and shrubs, the presence of "northern meadows" in the south of the Kamchatka Territory. The zone is typical for a third of the US states and most of Canada.

Geographical position and relief

The map of Russia's natural zones immediately makes it clear the huge scale of the "kingdom" of low-growing birch, dwarf spruce, shrubs and tall marsh grass. This is the 3rd part of all Siberia (middle), South Kamchatka, part of the Arkhangelsk region and the Komi Republic. More than 20 million sq. km. In terms of altitudinal division, this land is a plain with a large number of swampy lowlands and shallow river channels. Hills, however, are present in Komi - the northern end of the Ural Mountains, as well as the Timan ridge ... Geological formations of approximately the same stratification exist in the south of Kamchatka.

Soils and climate

The weather in this area is the same as in the rest of the tundra zones, with the only difference that the above-mentioned elevations protect the surrounding locations from many winds, creating a microclimate rich in dwarf forest vegetation.

Local soils contain a lot of peat, and in the south of the landscape they are already podzolic - here the so-called “white soils” begin, which are already considered a “cushion” for the boreal forests going south. Their “business card” is an 85% layer of so-called silica.

Flora and fauna

In this area, all those plants of the natural zones of Russia that have one feature have gathered. The grass here is as tall as a tree. Because the trees are short. The conversation turned to Karelian birch, dwarf spruce, high dwarf birch and larch. In the north, their trunks are often bent to the ground. And sometimes it is so bizarre that such a pseudo-forest is called "dancing". In the south they are straighter and higher. At the southern geographical boundary, already high light forest begins, in some places interspersed with full-fledged pines, cedars and firs. The fauna is actually no different from the tundra. However, there is an animal found exclusively in the North Siberian Lowland. Putorana "grade" of the bighorn sheep. After all, here is the Putorana Plateau, famous for biologists, where the reserve of the same name is located. We will talk about it in the next paragraph.

Recreational potential

The State Reserve "Putorana Plateau" is known as "the most lacustrine" within the forest-tundra. The most famous is its Khantai reservoir (Kutarmo). The length reaches 80 kilometers, and the depth is as much as 420 meters. A few tourists roam along the shores of a small “sea” (composed of rocks from a glacial basin), who camp in the village of Khantai Lake (to the west of the Khatanchi mouth). And yet, the most pronounced landscapes of the described natural and climatic region are the tracts of the Kronotsky (South Kamchatka) and Pechero-Ilychsky reserves, as well as the Yugyd Va GBZ (Komi Republic). The first is famous for its thermal springs in the vents of volcanoes, on the banks of which unnaturally bright greenery grows (grass as tall as a person), as well as a huge population of bears.

The second two are of interest to extreme people and lovers of North Ural ethnicity. In an unguarded zone, it is really possible to find camp sites. Many of them are intended for hunters and fishermen. Moreover, "Yugyd-Va" gives travelers a chance to book a visit directly on the website of the national park. The most popular hike is on a hill called Narodnaya. Its upper level is a picturesque alpine meadow, which is simply impossible to forget! The ecological direction captivates "hikers". There are places for parking. There are historical trips - to the objects of the Gulag. For example, a tour to the historical museum-reserve on the Solovetsky Islands is available to ordinary tourists from Arkhangelsk. They are located just in the forest-tundra zone - at the exit from the famous Onega Bay.

Taiga

Traditional for our ancestors (Proto-Slavic, Proto-Baltic and Finno-Ugric) natural areas of Russia are associated with coniferous forest. In geography, it is denoted by the word "taiga". It is divided into southern (found in the Caucasus and Crimea) and northern. The latter occupies a space from the southern limits of the Murmansk reserve Pasvik and Veliky Novgorod in the west to Kamennaya Kolyma and the tip of Kamchatka in the south.

Geographical position and relief

This penny of the planet was in the first position in the ranking of landscapes of the northern forest (forest-tundra and taiga). After all, it occupies 15,000,000 square kilometers, stretching first in a strip of 800 km. (European part of the Russian Federation), and then 2150 km. (Eastern Siberia).

The geological history of the region of the Earth on which the boreal forest grows is associated with increased mountain building, as well as the appearance of the most full-flowing rivers at the junctions of different platforms. In fact, there are lowlands, hills, mountains, foothills, plains, deep river channels. But the diverse relief partially explains some natural areas on the territory of Russia. On this piece of Eurasia, all conditions have been created for the growth of huge coniferous thickets. More on this below.

Soils and climate

The taiga is located in the "kingdom" of a cold-temperate, and partly medium-temperate climate. "Coniferous". At the height of summer, the temperature ranges here from +20 to +25°C, in January - from -15 to -30°C (the exception is pieces of the "Mediterranean" taiga, where it is much warmer in winter). In the west, the amount of precipitation is almost double that of the eastern tip of this geographic country. In the middle - average humidity (climatic norm). The soils are podzolic (they are described in the chapter above), and the swampy part of the dense spaces is rich in peat. Bad weather reigns in the Murmansk, Leningrad and Novgorod regions. This is where the influence of the cloudy Atlantic comes into play.

Flora and fauna

The boreal vegetation of the natural zones of Russia includes all types of coniferous flora (cedar, fir, larch, spruce, pine) with frequent inclusions of birch forest. In the southern (Caucasian and Crimean) taiga, yew dominates (in Crimea, berry yew, Crimean pine and Steven's maple, included in the Red Book). Trees of this family grow only on slopes. They do not fall under direct sunlight ... Cedar is more of a Siberian phenomenon. The extraction of its cones (with nuts rich in nutrients) is the most common type of Siberian gathering. In "northern Russian Asia" there are a lot of pine and birch. Different types.

Recreational potential

The southern taiga is better characterized by coniferous protected areas "Crimean" and "Caucasian". These reserves include many tourist routes of varying difficulty, climbing and speleological attractions, starting points for extreme river rafting, objects of historical value (such as cave cities in the upper slopes of the South Coast mountains or dolmens in Adygea). Both GZs have shelters (numbered) on the climbing trails. And at the start of famous routes there are cozy recreation centers. The brands of the northern taiga are the reserves of southern Karelia, the Kologrivsky Les (Kostroma region), as well as the arboretums of the Kirov region. And yet the most famous is considered ... Barguzinsky GZ. These are the shores of Lake Baikal, the cleanest and deepest in the world. There is a tour "The Charm of Olkhon", during which you will reveal all the secrets of this area of ​​​​the continent, as well as take a health course on thermal spring"Davsha". Such sanatoriums include "Berezki" (GZ "Caucasian") and "Marcial Waters" (Karelia).

Zone of mixed and deciduous forests

In the rating of "the most beautiful natural areas of Russia" we would put this one. Mixed thickets are especially striking in autumn, shimmering at the same time with greens, golden, yellow and brown hues. In the literature, the European section of this region is called the "middle zone of Russia." In its north is its "Golden Ring".

Geographical position and relief

When a map of the natural zones of Russia lies on the table, it is immediately clear that the described territory occupies its historical core, starting from the southern half of the Novgorod and northern half of the Belgorod regions in the west, and ending with Sakhalin and the Kuriles in the east. Separate sections of this RoW are the northern half of Kamchatka, as well as the Western and Central Ciscaucasia. It is worth noting that in Siberia, the taiga strongly presses this described biotope to the south, severely cutting it in the Far East.

Most of The world of mixed and broad-leaved forests lies on the plains, hills, in shallow lowlands, as well as on the middle strata of the mountain uplands of Eurasia.

Soils and climate

This PZ gravitates toward the zone of medium-temperate climate, the sections of which do not differ from each other in terms of heat. The exceptions are the Novgorod and Pskov regions, where there are slightly more cloudy days and precipitation. And the most striking example is the Moscow and Vladimir regions. Summer in these subjects of the federation is ideal - sunny days evenly alternating with slightly rainy, average temperature+22°C. In winter, the run-up goes from -10°C to -20°C. Winds are often squally, but not hurricane-like. In January, they result in a frost of only -25°C. Humidity is above normal in the west.

Flora and fauna

The greatest variety of flora and fauna - the words about the "middle zone of Russia." Relic arboretums contain both northern inhabitants (pine, spruce, fir and birch) and "taiga larch" black alder. To the south, ash, linden, poplar, oak and maple grow. Even closer to the forest-steppe - heat-loving elm. Lilac, apple tree, hazel, honeysuckle, mountain ash, hazel coexist. And in the riverbeds, a weeping willow leaned towards the water. In swamps and forests grows rich in species composition berry area. A lot of mushrooms. The grass cover in forests, around fields, in swamps, as well as in water meadows, is denser, “juicy” and varied. We are talking about the northern border of gardening, floriculture and horticulture. In the dachas and outskirts of villages, viburnum blushes, and frost-resistant grapes grow in the Amur region! The difference between the local vegetation is the richest undergrowth, consisting of hundreds of species of ferns and shrubs (including berry bushes).

Fauna - the distribution area of ​​the bear, deer, elk, roe deer. And also a wolf, a brown hare and a white hare. There are also foxes, weasels, stoats, beavers, polecats, raccoon dogs and 4 species of rodents. In this geographical area, we will meet more than 170 types of avifauna, and in its reservoirs - a hundred "varieties" of fish. Excessively active forms of fishing and hunting (the area has been overpopulated since the century before last) led to the fact that many of the listed fish and animals began to quickly disappear here. Now populations are restored artificially, including restrictions on the hunting regime.

Recreational potential

For obvious reasons, the most common type of recreation here is cultural and educational. You can visit the estates yourself. And the historical cities of Russia - to travel around "wholesale", using the tourist product "Golden Ring of Russia" (by the way, this can be a cruise). There is a rural cluster. Indeed, 3 years ago, the study of the ethnic characteristics of the local agricultural complex fell into a trend with Moscow operators. In second place is forest trekking with tents. On the third - multi-day fishing and hunting. In the Siberian half of this NR, as well as on the middle "floors" of the Crimean and Caucasus mountains, speleological and mountaineering fun, river rafting and jeep safaris are practiced. Speaking of the Far East, one cannot fail to mention the Ussuriysky GZ (Shkotovsky district of Primorsky Krai). The Ussuri tiger lives only in the latter. Saving its population is one of the tasks set by the President of our country, V. Putin. As for the flora, the forests of the Ussuri Territory are probably the richest in species composition. Judge for yourself: cedar, southern pine and fir get along with linden, maple, walnut and wild apple. Of the "undersized" here are wild rose, viburnum, hazel, honeysuckle. In the south, cherry, maakia and bird cherry complete the variety.

Hundreds of forest sanatoriums are considered to be medical resorts in the strip of the specified NR. The most characteristic health resorts practicing climatotherapy are built around such natural parks in Western Russia as the Botchinsky, Bryansk forest, Vishera, Voroninsky, Daursky, Belogorye and Kaluga Zasaki. The Central Federal District is known for the unique sanatoriums of the Moscow Region - Orbita, Emerald, Moscow Region and Sosny. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the Gorky Sea complex is popular - on the shore of the reservoir of the same name. In addition to forest walks, visits to various procedures are practiced here. But the broad-leaved forests of the Western and Central Ciscaucasia, where most of the thermal mineral springs are discovered, are of particular value. Most of them have sanatoriums (Mineralnye Vody, Goryachiy Klyuch, KBR).

forest-steppe

From the latitude of the northern and eastern Chernozem regions, the natural zones of Russia fragmentarily pass into the “kingdom of the steppes”. Moreover, in the western half they are all already plowed up. In terms of the size of the territory, this geographical sphere overtakes only the desert and semi-desert.

Geographical position and relief

The forest-steppe captures several administrative units of the state. Part of Oryol, Orenburg and Chelyabinsk. All Belgorod, Voronezh, Tambov, Lipetsk, Saratov and Penza. This nature reserve is also found in the foothills of Altai, decorating the channels of the largest rivers of this picturesque mountain system.

Geological biography explains one fact to us. Mostly forest-steppe is located on a hilly plain, representing part of the southeast of the Russian platform.

Soils and climate

A transitional climate prevails - from medium-temperate to sharply continental (arid). The standard of the local variety of temperate climate is the weather in the Lipetsk region. The average winter temperature is −10 °C, summer +22 °C. Rainfall is the norm. Half of the days are sunny. The soil composition of the forest-steppe is characterized by the presence of the so-called "northern", and in the Belgorod region - "saturated" chernozems. As for the "northern", we are talking about podzolic-humus substance ("gray" soils). The 2nd variety is an example of a chernozem saturated with organic matter, second only to the Stavropol and Krasnodar soils (the cause of the phenomenon is a rich cultural layer).

Flora and fauna

Oaks, linden, willow and ash are more common in the forest-steppe. Only in the extreme south - elm and acacia. Pyramid poplar and hornbeam begin to come across. The latter prefers loose soils rich in humus (as in the Belgorod and Voronezh regions). However, northern birch and pine are still widely scattered even here (although not as densely as in the zone mixed forests). And pine loves sand. The “Central Russian” animals of the natural zones of Russia live here - the same representatives of the running, crawling, flying and swimming fauna that we talked about in the previous chapter. There is only one difference - a slightly larger number of field rodents. After all, there are more agricultural territories on the southern side of "middle Russia" - black soil is already growing in the south.

Recreational potential

In this "land" there are five protected areas, which have become popular among travelers. There are also unknown ones. So, about the five. These are the reserves: Forest on Vorskla (very old oaks of the Belgorod region), Voronezh (border of the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions - vegetation on unique sandy terraces). As well as National parks: Khvalynsky (coniferous forest on Cretaceous ravines overlooking the Volga), Privolzhskaya forest-steppe (Penza region, commonwealth of meadows and 9 species of trees), as well as Arkaim (steppe and forest-steppe territories with remnants of settlements of the Sintashta culture). Recreation in all reserves is ecological and historical. There are the most protected biological reserves, and vice versa - hunting and fishing grounds.

The agricultural direction is represented mainly by trips to Michurinsk (Tambov region). In its suburbs, a large museum-reserve has been set up, demonstrating what the famous Russian geneticist Michurin, as well as his outstanding students, did. The main difference is that the transition zone to the steppe contains many archaeological sites (with museums at the entrance), as well as wild boar hunting grounds. Fans of extreme water sports are waiting for the rivers ideal for rafting: Don, Sosna, Vorskla, Khoper and Oskol, and in the Saratov region - the quiet upper reaches of the Medveditsa and the Big Irgiz. The forest-steppe zone has quite a few resort facilities, being an agricultural complex.

The only exception is the sparsely forested part of the Chelyabinsk region. First of all, we are talking about a recreational area on the border of the Ural and Uvel regions, located between countless lakes. The world-famous hospital "Ural" (Lake Podbornoe) - "Ural Artek", where absolutely everyone is treated, and also develop intelligence and motor skills! On the border of mixed forest and forest-steppe, there are five lakes that “create” wonderful landscapes.

Steppe

From 53 degrees north latitude (in the east to south), the natural zones of Russia pass into the steppe - a plain with exclusively grassy vegetation. These are not only agricultural lands (53 and 52 degrees of latitude), but already virgin lands of 4 types ... On this moment in the Russian Federation there is only one Black Sea steppe - in the north of the Republic of Crimea.

Geographical position and relief

Features of the natural zones of Russia in the south are their smaller extent from west to east. This is how Russian Eurasia works. Other states are wedged in from the west, and in the east the Pacific coast goes southwest, not south. The steppes run in a sharply narrowing strip from some of the uplands of the Crimea and Belgorod in the west to the Ob itself in the east. In Western (Altai) and Eastern Siberia (Transbaikalia) they are also present, but in the form of 7 isolated areas, interspersed with forests.

Soils and climate

The weather here is sharply continental. Summers are prone to intense heat and droughts, while winters are prone to frosts. Slightly warmer in the North Caucasus. The best of the chernozems are found on the plains and foothills of this strip. This piece of land looks like a picturesque rural idyll… Every year tall grass, feather grass, xerophyte and mountain (subalpine) plains are blown by winds from all sides. The area from the Belgorod region, Taganrog and steppe Crimea to the Volga - chernozems. In the Trans-Volga region, the steppes are non-chernozem. And they continue to the north - from the Saratov region (where the humus is diluted with loess), passing into the Orenburg ... The soil composition of the Trans-Volga and Siberian steppes is somewhat different than the western ones. On the ground, it is closer to semi-desert. We are talking about chestnut soils, the humus level in which is only 3%, while the main layer is clay. For centuries there were only pastures.

Flora and fauna

"Desert-plain" plants of the natural zones of Russia are divided into 4 groups, which have already been listed above. It is clear that there are more fauna in the chernozem west of the zone.

The steppes are inhabited by a wolf, a fox, a hare, a wild boar, a roe deer, a polecat and a lot of rodents. Among the birds are marsh-meadow and predatory (including three varieties of an eagle and a heron).

Recreational potential

The most popular parts of the steppe are the Donskoy, Ust-Medveditsky and Nizhnekhopersky natural parks (Volgograd region), the Zmeevy Gory reserve in the Saratov region, and the Sholokhovskiy natural park in the Rostov region. All this is an example of a classic steppe landscape, where ecological recreation, horseback riding, rafting on safe rivers (some parts of the Don, Khopr, Medveditsa and Buzuluk), as well as fishing are available. Skiing, tobogganing and snowboarding are common in the Saratov Zmeevy Gory in winter. All Volgograd and Rostov protected areas provide guides who tell about the Cossacks... The fact is that in the Volgograd and Rostov regions, most of the regional museums and almost half of the expositions in large cities are associated with the Cossack material culture and traditions. In Volgograd, Kamyshin (Kamyshinsky district) and Engels there are institutions that tell about the Volga Germans who once lived here.

semi-desert

In the left-bank part of the Volgograd region, throughout the Astrakhan region and Kalmykia, as well as in the southeast of Dagestan, the natural zones of Russia are transforming into a semi-desert - an arid biotope, a transition from steppe to desert. As for the first two subjects of the federation, they even have salt marshes.

Geographical position and relief

In Russia, the semi-desert is located only in Kalmykia, the Astrakhan region, on the left bank of the Volgograd region (north of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain), and also in the tiny southeastern corner of Dagestan, which is the gap between the Nogai steppe and the coast of the Caspian Sea. These are the wide lower reaches of the Sulak River. The entire zone is an absolutely flat area of ​​the East European Plain, with the exception of the Elton Lowland (salt marsh in the southeast of the Palasovsky district of the Volgograd region).

Soils and climate

This area of ​​the continent is a zone of action of a sharply continental climate. It differs from the steppe one in that it is 4-5 degrees warmer here in summer. By the way, only northern and eastern winds fall into the lower reaches of the Sulak, since from the west and south its delta is surrounded by the Caucasus, which is rapidly gaining height. The semi-desert is a storehouse of only chestnut soils.

Flora and fauna

The “kings” of the semi-desert are wormwood, cocklebur, fescue, prutnyak and tumbleweed. In spring, ephemerides appear in some areas - snowdrops, poppies and tulips. Those animals of the natural zones of Russia that inhabit the east of the northern half of the Southern Federal District are best represented by field rodents, hare and wild boars. Most birds, for obvious reasons, are predators. Under the protection of the Red Book are the white-tailed eagle, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, vulture, black vulture. There are endangered species among the floodplain avifauna - mute swan and whooper swan. In the Lower Volga, sturgeon breeds are disappearing due to an increased level of poaching. The Volga-Akhtuba floodplain is the world's largest "transit" habitat for birds.

Recreational potential

The Lower Volga (especially the oasis in the semi-desert - the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain) attracts fishermen. People with lung diseases are attracted by the Eltonsky reserve, where a sanatorium is set up near the salt lake Elton.

Not only lovers of salt and therapeutic mud, but also speleologists flock to another salt marsh - Baskunchak (there are interesting caves in Bolshaya Bagdo mountain). Talking about the borderlands of the 61st and 34th regions, I would like to inform the reader that there is a green sea here. The Tsimlyansk reservoir blooms at the end of summer. Algae generate so much heat that even at night you sleep on the sand without a tent and a sleeping bag! By the way, in nature park"Tsimlyansky Sands" (a hearth of a semi-desert in the middle of the steppe) is available for camping with equipment rental, inspection of mustangs and a tour of the former habitats of the Old Believers. In the Kalmyk "Black Lands" they go hunting to see Buddhist datsans and mustangs. And the end of April is the traditional photo hunting for tulips. There is a Chess City in Elista.

They head to the lower reaches of the Dagestan Sulak to look at the remains of the ancient Shamkhal (the former capital of the Kumyk principality). They also plunge into the Caspian Sea - on the shore. From a historical point of view, Derbent is more interesting. In the southernmost city of the Russian Federation, Caucasian Islam began. Aul Kubachi - now a "jewelry and weapons" center North Caucasus. Iranian shahs bought sabers and daggers from local craftsmen. Tours from Volgograd, Astrakhan, Rostov-on-Don and Makhachkala are dedicated to each of the phenomena.

Subtropics

A color map of the natural zones of Russia demonstrates the diversity on the southern border of Russian Europe and Russian Asia. As you guessed, we were talking about the urban districts of the Southern Coast of Crimea, Sudak and mountain system Caucasus (or, more precisely, the Dividing Range itself and the Caspian coast of the Republic of Dagestan). There are three types of subtropics.

Geographical position and relief

Here we mean the urban districts of Sudak, Alushta, Yalta, the Western Caucasus (the districts of Anapa, Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, Tuapse, Sochi) and Dagestan (precisely the lower reaches of the Samur).

Soils and climate

Oddly enough, the Russian subtropics are three different climatic zones.

Dry (“Mediterranean”, which, in fact, is a transition from a temperate to a subtropical climate) include the South Coast, Sudak (Crimea) and the Western Caucasus (except for Greater Sochi). To semi-humid - 9 kilometers of the lower reaches of the Samur River (the lowland border of Dagestan with Azerbaijan). And Greater Sochi is considered wet.

The Russian "Mediterranean" is distinguished by the fact that in summer the dry air formed in the zone high pressure descends on a layer of sea air, which is characterized by variable humidity. As a result, there is no rainfall. Instead, only thunderstorms. And the heat is not stronger than the "steppe". In winter, the thermometer does not fall below -16 ° C, since the area is sheltered from cold (eastern and northern) winds by mountains (yaila in the Crimea and the Dividing Range in the Caucasus).

The Samur forest lies in the belt of semi-humid or "oceanic" subtropics. They are more susceptible to attack by sea winds and currents. In the midst of summer it is not hot and windy here ... The humidity is ideal (there is a normal amount of precipitation). In winter, the temperature fluctuates from -1°C to +4°C, only the easterly winds of the hot Central Asian deserts get here. The problem is the wind.

Finally, humid subtropics are similar to semi-humid ones only in winter. Only there is no wind. In summer there are clouds almost every day. But the fact is that they quickly dissipate, as well as constant, but very fine and short-term rain. Humidity is high here, the average July temperature ranges from +21°C to +27°C. Spring is very long and rainy. It ends, in fact, only in the first third of June.

All these pieces of Russia on the southern border of Russian Europe and Asia are tightly squeezed between high mountains and the sea. And, therefore, they are represented by the so-called mountain soils. Such soil consists of the thinnest meadow layer, under which there is a pebble surface.

Flora and fauna

The natural belts of Russia, like this one, are the habitat of birds of prey, rather large (including poisonous) snakes. Mountain goats, moufflons, bison, lynxes, tours, Caucasian chamois, roe deer, wild boars, jungle cats and dangerous forest cats. All this animal is found on the slopes of the mountains, most of the species are on their lower (seaside) "floor". In Crimea, such a stratum is represented by pistachio pistachio, juniper, Crimean pine and Crimean cistus. In the Western Caucasus, beech and yew can be added to them. In Greater Sochi, hornbeam thickets, Caucasian oak and plane tree join this company. Samur forest is the owner of the only liana forest in Russia! It is worth talking about it in more detail in order to instill tourist interest in it. Quite tall “green brothers” are braided with creepers: cork trees, wild apple trees, walnut and hornbeam. Between their trunks you can find huge flowers of extraordinary beauty and plants whose leaves look like water lily leaves (on the rocky banks of the river rapids).

Recreational potential

The map of Russia's natural zones clearly tells us that most of the protected natural landscapes of our state are located precisely in the subtropical zone. There are so many of them, they are small, unlike each other. Therefore, they are the topic of a separate conversation (read the article "Reserves of Russia" and others). For a northern country, subtropical terrain is exotic. Therefore, resort and ecological tourism is more developed here. And even sports and recreation (in the Crimea, Tuapse, the mountain and coastal cluster of Sochi, dozens of health paths are arranged). And the whole extreme, of course, is associated with sea recreation (windsurfing, kiting, yachting and diving) or mountain (trekking, climbing and jumping). By the way, the port of Imeretin has the largest yacht marina in Russia (over 700 seats!), and Krasnaya Polyana is the largest network of ski resorts in the CIS.

There are also many coastal and mountain sanatoriums for vacationers. In the Crimea, in the regions of Saki and Evpatoria, there are the most Russian mud baths (this area is located in the middle of salty estuaries and deposits of healing mud). There are small mud volcanoes on Taman (there are lotuses right there), in some places in the urban district of Anapa. The Adler microdistrict (SO Sochi) is the only place where banjo jumping is officially practiced (the Sky Park extreme entertainment complex, Kazachiy Brod). The coastal (humid-subtropical) zone of the Caucasus State Reserve is called the Sochi National Park. It has 9 indigenous tourist routes of varying difficulty and dozens of historical and natural attractions. The zone of dry subtropics of Crimea has even more of them - these are botanical gardens around noble estates and royal residences, and museums on the site of Scythian settlements, and the remnants of ancient policies, and caves of the Karaites, and bizarre rocky tracts. Tourists-savages have chosen 75 Crimean bays, half of which are reserved.

Desert

This is the smallest natural zone in Russia, the smallest object from the entire list.

Geographical position and relief

The conversation will focus on about a hundred dunes of the Kumtorkala massif of the Republic of Dagestan. The location is equal in area to only the Bryansk region (about 30,000 square kilometers). It is located to the west of the Makhachkala agglomeration. The largest of the dunes bears the uncomplicated name of Sary-Kum. From the Turkic language it is translated as "yellow sand". It lies south of the others. This point is the highest sand mountain in the world, having a height of 262 meters. Sand deposits are asymmetric. The leeward side of each has a concave appearance, the opposite side is curved and has time to be covered with vegetation. Absolutely naked only Sary-Kum.

Soils and climate

Once in a space where unfamiliar weather reigns for them, the sands of Dagestan have properties that greatly distinguish them from their counterparts from Central Asia(by the way, they are separated by 300 kilometers of the Caspian Sea). For example, the surface of Sary-Kum absolutely does not move under the influence of wind. Moreover, a real ... river flows through the dune! The dunes are a product of the weathering of neighboring mountains, the former sides of an ancient river channel.

The surface of this tract is sand. However, on the windward side of the desert hills, flora grows that are not characteristic of the desert, but of the semi-desert. In some places there is even a dry forest stand! This will be discussed in more detail in the next section. Mountain "Yellow Sands", which has the size of an average Russian village, lies in a sharply continental (arid), but still temperate climate. Therefore, in January it is not above zero here, and in the height of summer - no more than 31 degrees. At the same time, for several summer days, 576 hectares of the surface of the Sarykum sands still heat up to 60 degrees Celsius. You might even get burned!

Flora and fauna

The natural zones of Russia in the south of the country are more closely intertwined with each other. The result of this was a special zoological diversity in their rugged (mountains and large wastelands) expanses. The desert "Sarykum dunes" is the southwestern part of the indicated massif. It is located 18 kilometers northwest of Makhachkala. As said, only it can be called "classical". Of the plants - only xerophytic shrubs related to saxaul, as well as a little wormwood-grass vegetation. Monitor lizards and smaller lizards live on sandy waves. At the same time, in the remaining tracts of the Kumtorkala massif, we will find a landscape transitional to a semi-desert - a lot of wormwood, dry trees, thickets of shibleak. Of the flowers, astragalus is most often found here - Karakuginsky and Leman. The sands are inhabited by 21 species of reptiles (among them the funny Mediterranean tortoise), 194 species of birds (as well as eagles - steppe and imperial) and 251 species of terrestrial vertebrates (usually rodents).

Recreational potential

The sandy hills of the Kumtorkalinsky massif are part of the Dagestansky nature reserve. In fact, the most carefully protected recreation of the region. First of all, educational tourism is developed here. And not surprising. The protected area includes adjacent sections of 6 landscapes at once - steppes, semi-deserts, broad-leaved forests (on the foothills and in the valleys of large rivers), as well as mountain and sandy deserts. No wonder the place is fashionable to call "the center of ecological travel." However, in the southernmost geographical region of the Russian Federation, extreme types of recreation are also exploited. These include caving, mountaineering, downhill sandy slopes and several types of trekking. Know: the Sulak River is suitable for rafting in spring. And travelers, in order to start exploring the sands, must first get to the village of Korkmaskala (along the Kavkaz highway) or to the Shamkhal station (on the Kizil-Yurt - Makhachkala railway line).

As you understand, the natural zones of Russia have not only a latitudinal or meridian vector of movement. They also vary in height. Large uplands have strata where the remoteness of the position from sea level corresponds to the movement to the north. Continuing to develop the topic of relief, it is worth pointing out that some micro-landscapes of the south, due to isolation, may have features of the natural zones of Russia in the north. And vice versa. We hope this information will help you on your journey.

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A latitudinal natural strip of land or the World Ocean, which has uniform thermal conditions and atmospheric moisture, and, accordingly, relatively homogeneous elements of landscapes, is part of geographic zone of the earth. Syn.:… … Geography Dictionary

natural area- — EN natural area An area in which natural processes predominate, fluctuations in numbers of organisms are allowed free play and human intervention is minimal. (Source: LANDY) EN sensitive natural area Terrestrial or aquatic area or other fragile natural setting with unique or highly valued environmental features. (Source: EPAGLO)… … Technical translator's guide

Specially protected natural area- 025 Specially protected natural area (Figure A.24) Standardized graphic content: silhouette of a tree next to the silhouette of an animal. Purpose: indication of the location of a protected area designed to protect flora and fauna. Region… … Dictionary-reference book of terms of normative and technical documentation

GEOGRAPHICAL ZONE- a natural zone, a regional landscape unit, meaning a significant area with a special type of climate, specific vegetation and soil cover and wildlife. The geographic area is one of higher levels latitudinally zonal physical ... ... Ecological Dictionary

ARID ZONE- natural zone with arid climate; desert and semi-desert zone. Here agriculture is possible only with artificial irrigation. Ecological encyclopedic dictionary. Chisinau: Main edition of the Moldavian Soviet encyclopedia. I.I. Grandpa. 1989 ... Ecological Dictionary

SECONDARY CONTACT ZONE- a zone of secondary intergradation, a natural zone within the range of a species in which secondary contact (meeting, gene exchange) of previously geographically isolated (divergent, allopatric) populations occurs. It is of decisive importance for... Ecological Dictionary

MORPHOCLIMATE ZONE- a natural zone, allocated according to the features of relief-forming processes. Ecological encyclopedic dictionary. Chisinau: Main editorial office of the Moldavian Soviet Encyclopedia. I.I. Grandpa. 1989 ... Ecological Dictionary

antarctic desert zone- The natural area, including Antarctica and nearby islands, has a harsh Antarctic climate and sparse polar vegetation ... Geography Dictionary

Books

  • The Elusive World: The Ecological Consequences of Habitat Loss, Hansky I. great importance for…
  • The elusive world. Ecological Impacts of Habitat Loss, Ilkka Hanski. The book is devoted to the analysis of the ecological consequences of loss and fragmentation of habitats that occur as a result of intensive economic activity of people and are of great importance for…

Definition 1

natural area(geographical) - a relatively large part of the "geographical belt" determined by the dominance of a certain zonal landscape type.

Natural zones are a consequence of latitudinal zonality in the conditions of the plain. Each natural zone is characterized by its own type of landscape, climate, soil, flora and fauna. A zone is a regional landscape unit.

Natural zones are a classification consequence of regular heterogeneity on the earth's surface, i.e. natural zoning.

Definition 2

Natural zonality is a consistent, regular and geographically determined change in latitudes of natural complexes and components of the natural environment.

The main factors that determine natural zones are the distribution of heat and moisture over the earth's surface in accordance with the latitude of the area. Additional factors are topography and distance from the ocean. Under the influence of these factors, the distribution of natural zones over the earth's surface deviates from the sublatitudinal direction. In the conditions of mountains, altitudinal zonality is observed, i.e. natural zones replace one another as they rise, as well as on a flat territory when moving from the equator to the poles. At the same time, the base of the mountain corresponds to the same natural zone as the adjacent territory, and the natural zone at the top is determined by the height of the massif.

Example 1

In the Alps, at an altitude of up to $800$ meters, at an altitude of $800-1600$ meters, there is a zone of deciduous forests, above which coniferous forests are located. At an altitude of $ 2200-2300 meters there is a subalpine belt, above - an alpine belt with low-grass meadows. The rocky slopes of the Alps, covered with snowfields and glaciers, represent the nival belt. When it comes to natural areas, they mean, first of all, natural land areas. This is due to the fact that sublatitudinal differences are less pronounced in the oceans than on land.

The basis for the study of natural areas was laid by the naturalist Alexander Humboldt, the theoretical basis was developed by Vasily Dokuchaev. L.S. Berg, A.G. Isachenko, A. N. Krasnov, A. A. Grigoriev.

Classification of natural areas

The main criteria for the classification of natural zones are the types of plant communities that have arisen under certain climatic and soil conditions.

It should be noted that different scientists carried out the classification of natural areas, focusing on various factors. In this regard, there are several different features of the classifications of natural zones. Differences in the classification of landscapes are also due to the fact that some scientists accept physical-geographical countries as restrictions on natural zones. For example, in the taiga zone in Russia, taiga is sometimes distinguished Western Siberia, taiga of the Russian Plain. L.S. Berg singled out such natural zones:

  • ice zone;
  • tundra zone;
  • forest-steppe zone;
  • steppe zone;
  • Mediterranean zone;
  • semi-desert zone;
  • temperate desert zone;
  • subtropical forest zone;
  • tropical desert zone;
  • tropical steppe zone;
  • zone of tropical forest-steppe (or savanna);
  • tropical rainforest zone.

In 1985 A.G. Isachenko proposed such natural areas for the territory of Russia:

  • ice zone;
  • tundra zone;
  • forest-tundra zone;
  • taiga zone;
  • zone of mixed forests of the Russian Plain;
  • monsoon mixed forest zone Of the Far East;
  • forest-steppe zone;
  • steppe zone;
  • semi-desert zone;
  • temperate desert zone;
  • desert zone of the subtropical belt;
  • mediterranean zone;
  • humid subtropical zone.

    • Within natural zones, depending on the main type of landscapes, subzones are distinguished.

There are several principles by which the territories of countries are divided. So each state can be divided into territories, regions and districts, but biologists and zoologists prefer a different system - the allocation of natural zones. Since Russia has a fairly large extent in the direction from north to south, it is also conditionally divided into natural zones. How many natural zones are there in Russia? Eight different natural zones. Each of these territories is characterized by its own special climate, and also has certain differences in diversity. flora. Let's consider the natural zones on the territory of Russia in a little more detail (let's figure out what they are and how many of them), and also give short description each of these territories.

What are the natural areas in Russia?

Zone arctic deserts

Such a territory captures the islands of the Arctic Ocean, as well as the extreme north of the peninsula under the name Taimyr. A significant area of ​​this zone is covered with glaciers; harsh winter, and the summer is cold and very short. A large proportion of the Arctic deserts consists of stone placers, the soils here are practically undeveloped. As for the vegetation cover, in this area it is quite sparse and spotty. Most of the representatives of the flora are lichens, mosses, and algae. They can only be grouped in a place sheltered from cold winds. In fertilized areas, higher plants are also found, represented by a quarry, polar poppy, grains, chickweed, bluegrass, etc. Near snow spots, you can find an ice buttercup and a polar willow, the size of which does not exceed five centimeters.

Tundra zone

Includes territories near the coast of the seas of the Arctic Ocean, starting from the western border and up to Bering Strait. The tundra is also characterized by a long winter, but a little more warm summer. A characteristic feature of such a zone is permafrost. The vegetation is mainly represented here by mosses, lichens, shrubs and shrubs. All plants in the tundra root system can develop only in a small space that is not frozen, and the cultures themselves do not rise much above the ground.

Forest-tundra zone

This territory is located along the southern borders of the tundra zone. It is considered a transitional area from the tundra to the taiga. Salient feature forest-tundra - the presence of sparse forests in the interfluves. The climate of this zone is represented by cold and snowy winters, as well as warmer summers and lower wind speeds than in the tundra.

The sparse forests of such territories consist of larch, birch and Siberian spruce. On the slopes of the river valleys and terraces there are many meadows made up of buttercups, valerian, berries and flames.

Taiga

This zone has the largest area; it stretches from the western border of Russia up to the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, as well as the Sea of ​​Japan. The main type of vegetation in this zone is represented by light coniferous and dark coniferous forests. The bulk of the forests consists of larch, slightly less common are pine, spruce forests, as well as forests of fir or Siberian cedar. In the territories of the Far Eastern Primorye, there are also southern varieties of trees, represented by Amur velvet and Manchurian walnut.

Mixed and deciduous forests

Such a zone is located just south of the taiga in the region of the Russian Plain, it does not exist inside the continent, but it is again observed in the southern territories of the Far East. The north of this zone is characterized by coniferous-broad-leaved forests of a mixed type, and the south - broad-leaved forests of a multi-tiered structure. To date, forests occupy about thirty percent of the area of ​​such a zone, and include many small-leaved species, represented by birches, aspens and alders.

forest-steppe zone

Such a site is transitional from the steppe to the forest; accordingly, both forest and steppe vegetation can be seen on it. On the interfluves of the forest-steppe, forests with broad-leaved and small-leaved trees alternate. The natural nature of such a zone has changed a lot due to human activities. The main forest-forming species of the forest-steppe is the oak; there are many birch groves in Western Siberia. And the steppes of such a zone are characterized by colorful forbs.

steppe zone

Such territories in Russia have a rather small area, capturing the southern part of the European part, as well as the south of Western Siberia. Almost all the steppes are now plowed up.
Natural vegetation is represented by herbs and turf grasses (feather grass, fescue, steppe oats, bluegrass, etc.). The northern regions of the steppe are characterized by forbs and grasses, while the southern regions are characterized by feather grass and fescue vegetation.

Semi-deserts and deserts

Such territories in Russia are located in the Caspian region, as well as in the Eastern Ciscaucasia. Here, as in the steppe, there are no forests. The vegetation is represented by different cultures, for example, in depressions with a significant amount of humus, fescue, wheatgrass, thin-legged, etc. are found, and salt licks are covered with blue-green algae. In the northern territories, the bulk of plants are represented by cereals with an admixture of wormwood, and in the southern territories, there is more wormwood, the number of saltworts and ephemera increases, and the total vegetation cover is characterized by greater sparseness.

We have given a description of the natural zones of Russia. Each natural zone has a sufficiently large extent, retaining on its territory certain common features: climate, humidity level, type of soil and vegetation.

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