"Natural zones of the cold belt" - Natural zones of the earth. Natural zones of the temperate zone. Natural zones of the cold zone. Taiga. Tundra zone. tundra ecosystem. Deserts. Taiga mixed broad-leaved forest forests. " Ecological systems". In the direction from the pole to the equator, natural zones replace each other in a certain order. cold moderate hot moderate cold.

"Natural zoning" - Make a description of the natural zone. Agro-climatic resources of the natural zone Problems of protection of the natural zone. What is indirect and direct impact on natural areas? Learning new material. Human economic activity in natural areas. Name and geographic location. The doctrine of natural zones.

"Natural complexes and zones" - Equator. Water. Precipitation. Relief. Man has created new natural complexes. Heat. Sea. equatorial forest. Variety of natural complexes. Components of the natural complex. Climate is the leading component of the natural complex. Give examples of natural complexes. Change of natural zones. Plants. Desert.

"Geography of natural complexes" - The entire hydrosphere. The relationship of organisms Natural complex Geographical shell and biosphere. Atmosphere. Lithosphere. the entire biosphere. "Component" - translated from Latin means "an integral part of the whole." Hydrosphere. The mountains. Large natural complexes - continents and oceans. “Complex” means “combination” in Latin.

"Savannas and woodlands" - In Africa, the most diverse fauna of the savannas. Dry. Soils. Australia. South America. Climatic features. Savannahs and woodlands. Humus accumulates in the soil. Each continent has its own vegetable world savannas and woodlands. Animal world. Definition of a natural area. Climatic features, soils, flora and fauna.

"Natural areas of the world" - Tapir. Define the natural area according to the description. Steppes (pampas). Savannah-. The reason for the change of natural zones? Throughout the year. Lives near the water, swims and dives, feeds on the stems of aquatic plants. Natural areas of South America. Vnazhlye villages (selva). You need to warn the geography teacher about your delay in the semi-deserts of Patagonia.

All nature around us consists of parts or, as they are called in another way, components. These include: relief, climate, animals, soils, plants and water. Interacting, they form natural complexes.

one system

A natural complex is an area similar in origin, history of development and modern composition. It has a single geological foundation, similar surface and ground waters, soil and vegetation cover, animals and microorganisms.

Natural complexes were formed quite a long time ago, but at first they went through a long path of development, becoming natural. They are very closely related to each other, and changes to one component directly affect the other. This can serve as confirmation of the existence of a single system.

Founder

In Russia, the founder of the study of this area is considered to be L.S. Berg. He identified the complexes by similar features, for example, by the same character of the relief. Examples of such complexes are forests, deserts or steppes. The scientist noted that natural complex very similar to a living organism, which consists of parts and affects them.

Differences

If we compare the sizes of natural complexes, we can see that they differ significantly from each other. For example, the entire geographic envelope of the Earth is also a natural complex, the same as its more limited representatives - continents and oceans. Even glades and ponds are considered a natural complex. AT modern world the geographical shell is the main object of study of physical geography.

The smaller the natural complex, the more homogeneous its properties. But this does not mean that the natural conditions of large-scale natural complexes are heterogeneous.

natural ingredients

In general, the Earth is a collection of zonal and non-zonal natural complexes. The non-zonal zones, in combination with the relief, act as a base, while the zonal ones seem to lie on top of them. Combining and complementing each other, they form a landscape.

1. Zonal complexes. Due to the spherical shape of the Earth, it is unevenly heated by the Sun, as a result of which this factor is formed. It depends mainly on the geographic latitude (the amount of heat decreases with distance from the equator to the poles). Thus, geographical zones appear, which are especially well expressed in the flat areas. But in uneven areas (oceans, mountains) there are differences depending on the height and depth. Steppe, tundra, taiga can be taken as an example of zonal natural complexes.
2. Non-zonal. The same factor depends on the processes that occur in the bowels of the Earth, which affects the surface topography. Thanks to this, areas arose that are called physiographic countries ( Ural mountains, Cordillera, etc.).

Landscape

The landscape tends to change over time, which is greatly influenced by human activities. Now the so-called anthropogenic landscapes created specially by man are already beginning to appear. According to their purpose, they are industrial, agricultural, urban and so on. And depending on the degree of human impact on them, they are divided into:

• slightly modified;
• changed;
• heavily modified;
• improved.

Man and natural complexes

This situation has developed to such an extent that human activity is almost a fundamental factor in nature formation. This cannot be avoided, but it should be remembered that the components of the natural complex must be consistent with changes in the landscape. In this case, there will be no risk of disturbing the natural balance.

Almost every natural complex of the Earth is now modified by man, albeit to varying degrees. Some of them have even been created. For example, plantations located near a natural reservoir, an island of vegetation in the desert, reservoirs. It also affects the diversity of natural complexes.

The degree of interaction between the components is primarily affected by solar energy. Thanks to information about the energy potential of the natural complex, one can judge the productivity of its resources and their renewability. This enables a person to control the use of resources in the economy.

Russia is the largest country in terms of area. Its territory of 17.1 million square kilometers is located on the Eurasian continent.

The territory of the country has a large extent from west to east, which is why a wide variety of time zones can be traced. The natural complexes of Russia are quite diverse. For each of them there are character traits: temperature, precipitation, etc. Other factors also influence the nature of the natural zone - for example, its location in relation to the ocean. So the diversity of Russia's natural complexes cannot but surprise.

Arctic climate.

This climatic zone is characterized by the presence of arctic deserts and tundra. This area is weakly heated by the sun, which is why there are quite harsh conditions and a poor flora and fauna. Polar nights are a feature of the Arctic deserts.

The climate is very cold - the temperature in winter can drop to 60 degrees. And it lasts almost the whole year, because winter here lasts for 10 months. As a result, there is simply no time left for spring and autumn, which is why there are only two seasons here: winter and summer. And the latter can hardly be called such, because the temperature during this period rarely rises above 5 degrees.

But if a given natural zone is surrounded by water (for example, the islands of the Arctic Ocean), then the conditions change slightly. In winter, it is a little warmer here, because the waters accumulate heat in themselves, after which they give it to the air.

subarctic climate

This climate zone is slightly warmer, although winter still prevails over summer. In the warm season, the temperature here is about 12 degrees. Precipitation falls more often than in the Arctic zone, but in the end they are less.

A feature of this territory is the passing Arctic cyclones, due to which it is mostly cloudy and strong winds blow.

Temperate climate

It is this zone that occupies the territory more than other natural complexes of Russia. In general, it is characterized by four seasons that are clearly different from each other, different in temperature. But the temperate climate is usually divided into 4 varieties:

1. Moderate continental. In summer it is quite hot here (average temperature is about 30 degrees), and in winter it is frosty. The amount of precipitation depends on the proximity to the Atlantic. Humidity throughout the territory is also different.
2. Continental. It is formed under the influence of western air masses. Colder ones spread to the southern part of the territory, and tropical ones to the northern part. That is why in the north there is about 3 times more precipitation than in the south.
3. Sharply continental. A feature of this climatic zone is low cloudiness and a small amount of precipitation, most of which falls on the warm season. Due to the small amount of clouds, the earth heats up quickly and also cools down quickly, from which there is a big difference between winter and summer. Due to the small layer of precipitation, the soil freezes heavily, which is why permafrost is observed here.
4. Monsoon climate. AT winter time Atmospheric pressure rises here, and cold dry air goes to the ocean. In summer, the mainland heats up well and the air from the ocean returns, which is why strong winds usually blow here, and sometimes even typhoons occur. Precipitation is more frequent and greater in summer.

Occupation ______________________ date ________________

Topic: The study of individual components of the natural complex. Natural complexes of forests, meadows, fields, reservoirs.

Target : continue to acquaint forests, meadows, fields and reservoirs with PTK

Lesson progress:

1.org moment

2. Natural complexes of forests, meadows, fields, reservoirs.

3. Fixing

2. Natural complexes of forests, meadows, fields, reservoirs

The geographic envelope can be divided into sections of different sizes - territories or natural-territorial complexes. The formation of each of them took billions of years. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of the components of nature: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils. All components in the natural complex, as well as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form a holistic natural complex, it also exchanges substances and energy.natural complex - called a section of the earth's surface, which is distinguished by the characteristics of natural components that are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries, has a natural unity, manifested in its appearance(for example, lake, swamp, forest, meadow). The natural complexes of the ocean, in contrast to the land, consist of the following components: water with gases dissolved in it, plants and animals, rocks, bottom topography. Large natural complexes are distinguished in the World Ocean - separate oceans, smaller ones - seas, bays, straits, etc. In addition, natural complexes of surface water layers, various water layers and the ocean floor are distinguished in the ocean. Natural complexes are different sizes. They also differ in education. Very large natural complexes are continents and oceans. Their formation is due to the structure earth's crust. On the continents and oceans, smaller complexes are distinguished - parts of the continents and oceans. Depending on the amount of solar heat, that is, on geographic latitude, there are natural complexes of equatorial forests, tropical deserts, taiga, etc. Examples of small ones are, for example, a ravine, a lake, a river valley, a sea bay. And the largest natural complex of the Earth is the geographic envelope. All natural complexes experience a huge influence of man. Many of them have been heavily modified by human activities. Man created new natural complexes: fields, gardens, cities, parks, etc.

Let's take a closer look at some of them.

Forest: meetboreal coniferous forests and deciduous forests temperate climate

The first are located in the northern part of the temperate climate zone with severe winter temperatures. Taiga is represented by dark coniferous species - spruce, fir, pine and light coniferous - larch. The largest animals are bear, wolf, elk. Birds, squirrels, chipmunks and other small rodents feed on seeds. and needles - insects. The forest is of great importance. Conifers forests - lumber. The forest is rich in mushrooms and berries. There is also moss and grass in the forest.

The second broad-leaved forests are south of the taiga. Of the trees, oak and beech dominate. Birds build nests. There are wild boars, foxes, hares. Rage is more difficult than in the taiga. There are shrubs. In our region, forests are represented by Tukays - floodplain forests along the river. Ural. Where poplar prevails. Also from shrubs - thorns, wild rose. Of the small shrubs - blackberries.

meadows - vast areas with grassy vegetation, which are located on the low banks of rivers and lakes. Meadow and forest live side by side. Both communities have enough heat and light. Soils are similar in composition. But the forest cannot grow right on the river bank. Since in the spring the territory is flooded with water when the river overflows. Trees cannot grow in such moisture. Grasses, after the descent of water, grow rapidly, since melt water brings a lot of silt, which is a good fertilizer. Such meadows are called flooded. People never settle in the meadows. Since in the flood housing will be flooded.

In nature, there is another type of meadows - in the mountains. These are alpine meadows, which are located high on the slopes of the mountains. The higher we climb the mountains, the colder it gets. Forests give way to shrubs and then grasses. In a short summer in mountain meadows, grasses have time to grow, bloom and give seeds.Meadow plants also have their own tiers - floors, but they are not as pronounced as in the forest. Above all, light-loving grasses grow in the meadow, below - shade-loving ones.Mouse peas grow by clinging to other plants with their tendrils. It matures in pods and scatters around with force when the pod bursts. Dandelions have light seeds and are dispersed by the wind. Bluegrass. Its seeds do not get wet. They are light and float like boats on water after rain. Burdock. Its seeds have hooks that attach to the fur of animals and "move" to new places. Among meadow insects one can meet predators - dragonflies that eat mosquitoes and midges; omnivorous ants that feed on other insects, as well as the juice and nectar of plants. Beetles live in the meadow - the orderlies of the meadow. These are the gravedigger beetle and the dung beetle. From birds -quail, corncrake, wagtail. There are a lot of small animals, especially rodents, mice and moles.

Fields. view presentation .

The FIELD is also a natural community, but it has developed under the influence of man. Under the field occupied different plots of land. In the steppe it is easier - they plowed areas closer to housing. It's harder in the forest. First you need to chop off the bark at the base of the tree so that the tree dries. The dried trees were then burned. Then the hardest work began - it is necessary to uproot the stumps. After that it was possible to plow.

What crops are grown in the field? Potatoes, corn, sunflowers, oats, buckwheat, beets, gourds: watermelons, melons, etc.

What pests are in the fields? -Mice, hamsters, moles, insects, slugs, Colorado beetles, sparrows peck at sunflower seeds.

What else needs to be done in the fields? It is necessary to destroy weeds, weed, treat with chemicals. But chemicals must be used carefully, along with weeds and pests, you can poison the earth. Irrigate the fields, there are irrigation installations.

Check your knowledge, guess the crossword puzzle . 1.Most best grade of this culture grows in the Saratov region, they make kalachi, cookies, wheat bread from it. (Wheat) 5 2. Rye bread is baked from these grains. (Rye) 3. A house grew in the field, The house is full of grain. The arrows are gilded, The shutters are boarded up, The house is shaking, On a golden stem. (Ear) 4. I am a cheerful fellow, I am green - (Cucumber)

Water: Look here. There is a toothless, pond snail, The water is quietly splashing, The water strider is running. Duckweed, lilies, cattail, Life is in full swing everywhere. And the egg-pod, and the reed. This is fresh .... (reservoir).

When in the warm season you come to a reservoir, for examplesteps to a small lake, you see only some of its obitalers. It is impossible to see everyone. But there are a lot of them!A reservoir is a place where a wide variety of living things live.creatures.

Here are the plants. Some of them(cattail, reed, reed, arrowhead) their roots are attached to the bottom, and the stemsand the leaves of these plants rise above the water. Rootsku yellow bulls and white water lilies also at the bottom, and their wideLeaves float on the surface of a pond. But there are also plants that do not attach to the bottom at all. This, for example,duckweed, that floats on the surface of the water. And the smallest green algae float in the water column. see themonly possible under a microscope. But sometimes it happens like thismuch that the water appears green.

The role of plants in the reservoir is great. They serve as foodwater, they release oxygen into the water, which is necessary for the respiration of organisms. Underwater thickets of plants serve as shelterscabbage soup for animals.Animals are everywhere in the reservoir: on the surface and in the thicknesswater, at the bottom and on aquatic plants.Here they run swiftly on the surface of the waterbugs- water striders. Their long legs are covered with fat from below, andthis water striders do not sink. They are predators, prey on comaditch and other small animals.Carnivores swim in the waterswimming beetles, growcarnivoresfrog tadpoles, different types fish. To the 'peacenym" fish include, for example,crucian. He feeds on disguisesinsects, plants. Predatory fish areperch, pike. Live at the bottomshellfish, which guys usually callwaving "shells".

Their soft body is protected by a shell, which consists offrom two halves - shutters. These mollusks eat very interestingly. They suck in and pass water through their body,in which algae and other small living sucreatures. They live at the bottom of clean reservoirs and crayfish. They feedwith the remains of dead animals.Other mollusks live on aquatic plants - growcarnivorous snails pond and coil. They have twistednye, without shell valves.

Mammals also live in the reservoir - muskrat, beaver, vydra. The life of many birds - ducks, herons, storks - is also sacred.area with water bodies.

When the plants and animals of the pond die, their remainsfall to the bottom. Here, under the action of microbes, the deadthe remains rot, are destroyed. They form salts.These salts dissolve in water and can then be usedto feed new plants.

Fixing: I divide into groups and give the task to characterize the community; location, animals, plants, etc. Give examples.

Content

Natural complexes of land and ocean

natural area fidelity

1. The structure and properties of the geographical shell

Before the appearance of life on Earth, its outer, single shell was made up of three interconnected shells: the lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. With the advent of living organisms - the biosphere, this outer shell has changed significantly. All of its constituent parts, the components, have also changed. The shell, the Earth, within which the lower layers of the atmosphere, the upper parts of the lithosphere, the entire hydrosphere and biosphere mutually penetrate each other and interact, is called the geographic (earth) shell. All components of the geographic envelope do not exist in isolation, they interact with each other. Thus, water and air, penetrating deep into rocks through cracks and pores, participate in weathering processes, change them and at the same time change themselves. Rivers and underground waters, by moving minerals, are involved in changing the relief. Particles of rocks rise high into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions, strong winds. Many salts are contained in the hydrosphere. Water and minerals are part of all living organisms. Living organisms, dying, form huge strata of rocks. Different scientists draw the upper and lower boundaries of the geographic shell in different ways. It has no sharp boundaries. Many scientists believe that its thickness is on average 55 km. Compared to the size of the Earth, this is a thin film.

As a result of the interaction of the components, the geographic shell has properties inherent only to it.

Only here are there substances in the solid, liquid and gaseous state, which is of great importance for all processes occurring in the geographical envelope, and above all for the emergence of life. Only here, at the solid surface of the Earth, life first arose, and then man and human society appeared, for the existence and development of which there are all conditions: air, water, rocks and minerals, solar heat and light, soils, vegetation, bacterial and animal life. .

All processes in the geographic envelope occur under the influence of solar energy and, to a lesser extent, internal terrestrial energy sources. A change in solar activity affects all processes of the geographic envelope. So, for example, during a period of increased solar activity, magnetic storms, the rate of plant growth, reproduction and migration of insects changes, the health of people, especially children and the elderly, worsens. The connection between the rhythms of solar activity and living organisms was shown by the Russian biophysicist Alexander Leonidovich Chizhevsky back in the 1920s and 1930s. 20th century

The geographic envelope is sometimes called the natural environment or simply nature, referring mainly to nature within the geographic envelope.

All components of the geographic shell are connected into a single whole through the circulation of matter and energy, due to which the exchange of substances between the shells is carried out. The circulation of matter and energy is the most important mechanism of the natural processes of the geographic envelope. There are various cycles of matter and energy: air cycles in the atmosphere, the earth's crust, water cycles, etc. For a geographical envelope great importance has a water cycle, which is carried out due to the movement of air masses. Water is one of the most amazing substances in nature, characterized by great mobility. The ability to change from a liquid to a solid or gaseous state with slight changes in temperature allows water to accelerate various natural processes. There can be no life without water. Water, being in the cycle, enters into close interactions with other components, connects them with each other and is an important factor in the formation of the geographic envelope.

A huge role in the life of the geographical shell belongs to the biological cycle. In green plants, as is known, organic substances are formed from carbon dioxide and water in the light, which serve as food for animals. After death, animals and plants are decomposed by bacteria and fungi to minerals, which are then reabsorbed by green plants. The same elements repeatedly form the organic substances of living organisms and repeatedly again pass into the mineral state.

The leading role in all cycles belongs to the air cycle in the troposphere, which includes the entire system of winds and vertical air movement. The movement of air in the troposphere draws the hydrosphere into the global circulation, forming the world water cycle. The intensity of other cycles also depends on it. The most active cycles occur in the equatorial and subequatorial belts. And in the polar regions, on the contrary, they proceed especially slowly. All circles are interconnected.

Each subsequent cycle is different from the previous ones. It does not form a vicious circle. Plants, for example, take from the soil nutrients, and dying, they give them much more, since the organic mass of plants is created mainly due to atmospheric carbon dioxide, and not due to substances coming from the soil. Thanks to the cycles, the development of all components of nature and the geographical envelope as a whole takes place.

What makes our planet unique? Life! It is difficult to imagine our planet without plants and animals. In a wide variety of forms, it permeates not only the water and air elements, but also the upper layers of the earth's crust. The emergence of the biosphere is a fundamentally important stage in the development of the geographic envelope and the entire Earth as a planet. The main role of living organisms is to ensure the development of all life processes, which are based on solar energy and the biological cycle of substances and energy. Life processes consist of three main stages: creation as a result of photosynthesis organic matter primary production; transformation of primary (plant) products into secondary (animal); destruction of primary and secondary biological products by bacteria, fungi. Without these processes, life is impossible. Living organisms include: plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. Each group (kingdom) of living organisms plays a certain role in the development of nature.

Life on our planet originated 3 billion years ago. All organisms have evolved over billions of years, settled, changed in the process of development and, in turn, influenced the nature of the Earth - their habitat.

Under the influence of living organisms, there was more oxygen in the air and the content of carbon dioxide decreased. Green plants are the main source of atmospheric oxygen. Another was the composition of the oceans. Rocks of organic origin appeared in the lithosphere. Coal and oil deposits, most limestone deposits are the result of the activity of living organisms. The result of the activity of living organisms is also the formation of soils, thanks to the fertility of which plant life is possible. Thus, living organisms are a powerful factor in the transformation and development of the geographic envelope. The brilliant Russian scientist V. I. Vernadsky considered living organisms to be the most powerful force on the earth's surface in terms of its final results, transforming nature.

2. Natural complexes of land and ocean

The geographical envelope, being integral, is heterogeneous at different latitudes, on land and in the ocean. Due to the uneven supply of solar heat to the earth's surface, the geographic envelope is very diverse. Near the equator, for example, where there is a lot of heat and moisture, nature is distinguished by the richness of living organisms, faster natural processes, in the polar regions, on the contrary, slower processes and poverty of life. At the same latitudes, nature can also be different. It depends on the terrain and distance from the ocean. Therefore, the geographic envelope can be divided into sections, territories, or natural-territorial complexes of different sizes (abbreviated as natural complexes, or PCs). The formation of any natural complex took a long time. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of the components of nature: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils. All components in the natural complex, as well as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form an integral natural complex, it also exchanges substances and energy. A natural complex is a section of the earth's surface, which is distinguished by the features of natural components that are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries, has a natural unity, manifested in its external appearance (for example, a forest, a swamp, a mountain range, a lake, etc.).

The natural complexes of the ocean, in contrast to the land, consist of the following components: water with gases dissolved in it, plants and animals, rocks and bottom topography. In the World Ocean, large natural complexes are distinguished - individual oceans, smaller ones - seas, bays, straits, etc. In addition, natural complexes of surface water layers, various water layers and the ocean floor are distinguished in the ocean.

Natural complexes come in different sizes. They differ in terms of education. Very large natural complexes are continents and oceans. Their formation is due to the structure of the earth's crust. On the continents and oceans, smaller complexes are distinguished - parts of the continents and oceans. Depending on the amount of solar heat, that is, on the geographic latitude, there are natural complexes of equatorial forests, tropical deserts, taiga, etc. Examples of small ones are, for example, a ravine, a lake, a river valley, a sea bay. And the largest natural complex of the Earth is the geographical envelope.

All natural complexes experience a huge influence of man. Many of them have already been greatly changed by centuries of human activity. Man has created new natural complexes: fields, gardens, cities, parks, etc. Such natural complexes are called anthropogenic (from the Greek "anthropos" - man).

3. Natural zonation

The natural complexes of the Earth are very diverse. These are hot and icy deserts, evergreen forests, endless steppes, bizarre mountains, etc. This diversity is the unique beauty of our planet. You already know how the natural complexes "mainland" and "ocean" were formed. But the nature of each continent, like each ocean, is not the same. In their territories there are various natural zones.

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

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

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

In the placement of natural zones on the earth's surface, scientists have found a clear pattern, which can be clearly seen on the map of natural zones. To understand this regularity, let us trace the change of natural zones on the map from north to south along 20°E. e. In the subarctic zone, where temperatures are low, there is a zone of tundra and forest-tundra, which gives way to taiga to the south. There is enough heat and moisture for growth coniferous trees. In the southern half of the temperate zone, the amount of heat and precipitation increases significantly, which contributes to the formation of a zone of mixed and broad-leaved forests. Somewhat to the east, the amount of precipitation decreases, so the steppe zone is located here. On the Mediterranean coast in Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean climate dominates with dry summers. It favors the formation of a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. Then we get into the tropical zone. Here, in the expanses scorched by the sun, it is hot, the vegetation is sparse and stunted, in some places it is completely absent. This is a tropical desert zone. To the south, it gives way to savannahs - tropical forest-steppes, where there is already a wet season of the year and a lot of heat. But the amount of rainfall is not enough for the growth of the forest. In the equatorial climatic zone there is a lot of heat and moisture, therefore a zone of humid equatorial forests with very rich vegetation is formed. In South Africa, zones, like climatic zones, are repeated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Earth exploration by man. Countries of the world

Most scientists believe that the ancient homeland of man is Africa and Southwestern Eurasia. Gradually, people settled on all continents of the globe, with the exception of Antarctica. It is assumed that at first they mastered the territories of Eurasia and Africa, convenient for life, and then other continents. On the site of the Bering Strait, there was land, which about 30 thousand years ago connected the northeastern part of Eurasia and North America. On this land "bridge" ancient hunters penetrated into the Northern, and then into South America, up to the islands of Tierra del Fuego. Man entered Australia from South-East Asia.

Findings of fossil remains of people helped to draw conclusions about the ways of human settlement.

Ancient tribes moved from one place to another in search of better conditions for life. The settlement of new lands accelerated the development of animal husbandry and agriculture. The population also gradually increased. If about 15 thousand years ago there were about 3 million people on Earth, then at present the population has reached 6 billion people. Most people live on the plains, where it is convenient to cultivate arable land, build factories and factories, and place settlements.

There are four areas of high population density on the globe - South and East Asia, Western Europe and the eastern part of North America. This can be explained by several reasons: favorable natural conditions, a well-developed economy, and the age of settlement. In South and East Asia, in a favorable climate, the population has long been engaged in agriculture on irrigated lands, which makes it possible to collect several crops a year and feed a large population.

AT Western Europe and in the east of North America, industry is well developed, there are many factories and plants, and the urban population prevails. On the Atlantic coast of North America, the population settled here from the countries of Europe.

The nature of the globe is the environment of life and activity of the population. Being engaged in farming, a person influences nature, changes it. At the same time, different types of economic activity affect natural complexes differently.

Especially strongly changes natural complexes Agriculture. For cultivation cultivated plants and breeding of domestic animals require significant areas. As a result of plowing, the area under natural vegetation has decreased. The soil has partially lost its fertility. Artificial irrigation helps to get high yields, but in arid areas, excessive watering leads to soil salinization and reduced yields. Domestic animals also change the vegetation cover and soil: they trample vegetation, compact the soil. In arid climates, pastures can turn into desert areas.

Under the influence of human economic activity, forest complexes experience great changes. As a result of uncontrolled logging, the area under forests around the globe is shrinking. In the tropical and equatorial zones, forests are still being burned out, making room for fields and pastures.

The rapid growth of industry has a detrimental effect on nature, polluting the air, water and soil. Gaseous substances enter the atmosphere, while solid and liquid substances enter the soil and water. During the development of minerals, especially in an open pit, a lot of waste and dust arise on the surface, deep large quarries are formed. Their area is constantly growing, while soils and natural vegetation are also destroyed.

The growth of cities increases the need for new land areas for houses, construction of enterprises, roads. Nature is also changing around large cities, where a large number of residents rest. Environmental pollution adversely affects human health.

Thus, in a significant part of the globe, the economic activity of people has changed natural complexes to one degree or another.

The economic activity of the population of the continents is reflected on complex maps. According to them conventional signs can be defined:

a) places of extraction of minerals;

b) features of land use in agriculture;

c) areas for cultivation of cultivated plants and breeding of domestic animals;

d) settlements, some enterprises, power plants. Depicted on the map and natural objects, protected areas.

People living in the same territory, speaking the same language and having a common culture, form a historically established stable group - an ethnos (from the Greek ethnos - people), which can be represented by a tribe, nationality or nation. The great ethnic groups of the past created ancient civilizations and states.

Currently, there are more than 200 states. The countries of the world are distinguished by many features. One of them is the size of the territory they occupy. There are countries that occupy the whole mainland (Australia) or half of it (Canada). But there are very small countries, such as the Vatican. Its area 1 is just a few blocks of Rome. Such states are called "dwarf". The countries of the world also differ significantly in terms of population. The number of inhabitants of some of them exceeds hundreds of millions of people (China, India), in others - 1-2 million, and in the smallest - several thousand people, for example, in San Marino.

Countries are also distinguished by geographic location. Most of them are located on the continents. There are countries located on large islands (for example, Great Britain) and on archipelagos (Japan, Philippines), as well as on small islands (Jamaica, Malta). Some countries have access to the sea, others are hundreds and thousands of kilometers away from it.

Many countries differ in the religious composition of the population. The most widespread in the world is the Christian religion (Eurasia, North America, Australia). In terms of the number of believers, it is inferior to the Muslim religion (the countries of the northern half of Africa, Southwest and South Asia). In East Asia, Buddhism is widespread, and in India, many profess the Hindu religion.

Countries also differ in the composition of the population, in the presence of monuments created by nature, as well as by man.

All countries of the world are also heterogeneous in terms of the features of economic development. Some of them are more developed economically, others are less.

As a result of the rapid growth of the population and the same rapid growth in the demand for natural resources throughout the world, human influence on nature has increased. Economic activity often leads to adverse changes in nature and to the deterioration of people's living conditions. Never before in the history of mankind has the state of nature deteriorated so rapidly on the globe.

The issues of nature protection, preservation of conditions for the life of people on our planet have become one of the most important global problems affecting the interests of all states.

A few million years ago, forests covered about 80% of the Earth's land mass. Over the past 10 thousand years, our planet has lost 2/3 of the forest vegetation that covered it.

Currently, forests cover about a third of the land surface (not including the area of ​​Antarctica). The areas occupied by forests continue to decrease every year.

Geographic feature (meaning forests)

A forest is a natural complex that consists of woody plants of one or many species growing close to each other and forming a canopy of partially or completely closed crowns, many organisms of other kingdoms, together with soils, surface waters and the adjacent layer of the atmosphere. All components of the forest ecosystem influence each other and interact with all other ecosystems of the planet, including the human ecosystem.

The forest is of general planitary importance, since it has a significant impact on the Earth's climate, surface and underground water flows and soil formation. Russian scientists G.F. and VN Sukachev were the first to single out the global role of the forest as an accumulator of living matter in the planet's biosphere.

Thanks to photosynthesis, the forest accumulates and transforms solar energy, producing oxygen. It is actively involved in global carbon balance cycles. Earth's climate change and the problem of greenhouse gases are largely associated with the destruction of forest ecosystems.

Forest characteristics

There are two world forest belts: Northern and Southern. The North includes Russia, Finland, Sweden, Canada and the United States, and the South includes Southeast Asia, the Amazon and the Congo Basin.

According to natural and territorial characteristics, it is customary to distinguish forests by continents and large regions:
- European,
- forests of Eastern Europe,
- Far East,
- Siberian,
- forests of Southeast Asia,
- forests of North America
and others.

Natural areas and forest types

Within natural territorial zones, a description of the species composition of trees and climatic characteristics are used. The forests of the world are divided into tropical forests and temperate forests.

Tropical rainforests (rain forests) have lower and mountain belts. Vegetate during the rainy season. These equatorial evergreen forests are distinguished by a huge species diversity of representatives of flora and fauna. These include the forests of the Amazon, the Congo Basin and the jungles of India. The height of the trees here reaches tens of meters. Ficuses and palm trees grow in the upper tier, lianas and tree ferns grow below. More than half of this type of forest has already been cleared.

Dry tropical deciduous and mountain forests fall during drought and vegetate during the rainy season. They are also known under the name "caatinga", which is translated from the Tupi-Guarani language as "white forest".

In the forests of temperate zones, broad-leaved, small-leaved, taiga and mixed forest types are distinguished.

Temperate broad-leaved forests are located in Central Europe, eastern North America, eastern China, the mountainous regions of the Crimea, the Caucasus and the Carpathians, Far East Russia, New Zealand, Japan. The species composition of trees includes oak, elm, linden, chestnut, sycamore, hornbeam. From the ancient broad-leaved forests, only small green islands in nature reserves and heavily rugged areas are now left.

Taiga forests with coniferous trees occupy the most extensive area. They include most of the forests of Siberia.

Broad-leaved and coniferous forests are usually replaced by small-leaved ones. This type of forest is characterized by various species of birch, alder, poplar, aspen, and willow. Their wood is much softer than that of broad-leaved trees, which is why these forests are also called soft-leaved. They make up a significant part of the forests of Russia, with birch forests predominating.

Mixed forests include broad-leaved, coniferous and small-leaved and coniferous trees and occupy an area in Central and Western Europe.

forest climate

Humid and hot equatorial climate, where the temperature does not fall below 24 - 28 ° C all year round - the conditions for the growth of tropical rainforests. Heavy rains come here often, the amount of precipitation is up to 10,000 mm per year. The dry season alternates here with tropical downpours at an air humidity of 80%.

Dry tropical forests have to overcome drought and heat from 4 to 6 months a year. They get from 800 to 1300 mm of precipitation per year.

The climate of the taiga ranges from mild maritime in the west to sharply continental in the east, where frosts can reach -60°C in winter. The amount of precipitation is from 200 to 1000 mm. In permafrost conditions, moisture stagnates, which leads to the formation of swampy light forests.

The temperate continental climate of mixed and broad-leaved forests is relatively mild and rather warm in summer, with long and cold winters. The average annual rainfall is approximately 700 mm. If the humidity is excessive and evaporation is insufficient, waterlogging processes begin.

The largest forests in the world

Even in authoritative sources there is a statement that the largest forest areas are located in the Amazon basin. But actually it is not. The championship belongs to the taiga. It occupied the boreal zone of Eurasia, Canada and Alaska, was located in North America, in large areas in Finland, Sweden and Norway, stretched across the entire territory of Russia. Its area is 10.7 million square meters. km.