The regularities of the placement of natural zones on earth briefly. Patterns of placement of natural zones. Generalization of the material covered

The natural conditions of each continent are determined by its geographical location, the history of its formation, relief, and climate. On the surface of the Earth, zonal patterns are observed in the distribution of these components of nature and large natural complexes. From the equator to the poles, climatic zones and natural zones change.

The largest natural complexes of the geographical shell, many of which encircle the globe almost in rings, are geographical belts.

The ring form of geographical belts is disturbed by the configuration and topography of the continents. In all geographical zones, where there are mountains, areas of altitudinal zonation are distinguished.

There are 13 geographical zones on Earth: one equatorial, two subequatorial, two tropical, two subtropical, two temperate, two subpolar (subarctic and subantarctic), two polar (arctic and antarctic). Geographical zones are subdivided into natural zones.

A natural, or geographical, zone is a territory, all natural components (soils, relief, waters, climate, soils, flora and fauna, human economic activity) of which are closely interconnected. The geographical zones of the land do not form continuous bands, they are interrupted in the seas and oceans, but are especially pronounced on the plains. Zoning depends on the amount of heat, precipitation, their ratio, remoteness from the oceans, mountain ranges that stand in the way of air currents, and all this, ultimately, depends on the shape of the Earth.

Natural zones are distributed in a strictly defined order, which is determined by the climate, mainly by the ratio of heat and moisture. First of all, the distribution of vegetation on Earth depends on the climate. It is with the climate that the duration of the growing season and all the features of the development of green plants are associated. Therefore, the main types of climate identified on the globe correspond to various natural zones with their characteristic plant types of communities.

The equatorial geographical belt occupies part of the territory on all continents on both sides of the equator, without forming a continuous ring. In this belt there is one natural zone - the zone of humid equatorial forests, dominated by humid equatorial air masses. Heat is supplied in large quantities and relatively evenly throughout the year. The annual amount of precipitation is 2500-4000 mm. Atmospheric moisture is excessive. The soils are red-yellow.

The zone of equatorial forests is well expressed in South America (Amazon basin), Africa (Congo basin), and on the islands of Indonesia. Huge areas of virgin forests (giley) are formed by evergreen large-leaved trees, which are located in 4-5 tiers. Lianas are plentiful, grass cover is poor. Excess moisture determines the development of swamps.

Many representatives of the animal world spend almost their entire lives on the crowns of trees (monkeys, semi-monkeys, sloths, birds).

Subequatorial geographic zones (northern and southern hemispheres) are located on both sides of the equator. These belts occupy a large area in Africa and South America. The climate is subequatorial, with humid summers dominated by moist equatorial air masses and dry hot winters dominated by dry tropical air masses. In these geographical zones, two natural zones are distinguished: variable-humid deciduous forests and savannahs. Soils are red, and in drier places red-brown.

Tropical geographic zones are located in the northern and southern hemispheres, on the continents they correspond to deserts. Dry tropical air masses prevail here, trade winds blow, in summer - the highest temperatures on Earth. Natural zones of deserts and semi-deserts are located in these belts, and only in places where the trade winds bring moisture from the oceans do tropical rainforests grow on red-yellow soils.

Subtropical geographic zones are transitional from tropical to temperate. The climate is subtropical, the air masses change seasonally. Due to the considerable extent of subtropical geographical zones, especially in the northern hemisphere, natural conditions are not the same in their different parts. Different humidification determines the presence of five natural zones in these belts. On the western coasts of the continents, the climate is Mediterranean, summers are dry, hot - tropical air masses dominate, winters are warm, humid - air masses of temperate latitudes prevail. Here is a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. In the central parts of the continents, the climate is subtropical continental with cold winters and hot dry summers. Here are deserts and semi-deserts with gray soils. On the eastern coasts of the continents, the climate is subtropical monsoon, zones of humid forests, forest-steppes and steppes are common.

Temperate geographical zones are located in temperate latitudes. In the northern hemisphere, the temperate zone occupies large spaces and its northernmost border is located almost at 70 o N. In the southern hemisphere, the temperate zone occupies a small land area in the south of South America and in the southern part of about. Tasmania. In these zones, the seasons of the year are clearly expressed, air masses of temperate latitudes prevail, westerly winds prevail, and monsoons prevail on the eastern coasts of the continents. On the territory of the temperate geographical zone there are zones: taiga, mixed forests on podzolic soils, broad-leaved forests on brown forest soils. Then, inside the continents, forests give way to forest-steppe and steppe on chernozem soils, and steppes to semi-deserts and deserts on chestnut and gray-brown soils.

Subpolar belts occupy tundra and forest-tundra zones. In the northern hemisphere, the subpolar belt covers the northern parts of Eurasia and North America. The climate is subarctic, moderate air masses prevail in summer and arctic in winter. Permafrost interferes with the infiltration of moisture, evaporation is low, this causes waterlogging.

Polar geographic belts - in the northern hemisphere, the polar arctic belt is located on the islands of the Arctic Ocean, in the southern hemisphere, the polar Antarctic belt occupies the mainland Antarctica. Cold air masses with negative temperatures prevail. There are long polar days and nights. Large areas are covered with continental ice and are ice deserts. Only in some places, freed from snow and ice, mosses and lichens grow in summer. In the Arctic zone there is a zone of Arctic deserts, which occupies the islands of the Arctic Ocean; in the Antarctic - the zone of the Antarctic deserts. Karlovich I.A. Geecology: A textbook for higher education. - M.: Academ. Project: Alma - Mater, 2005. - P.25.

Thus, zonal patterns are observed on the Earth's surface in the distribution of these components of nature and large natural complexes. From the equator to the poles, climatic zones and natural zones change depending on the proximity to the Earth's poles.

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

Natural areas of the world: what is it?

This definition should be understood as very large natural complexes (in other words, parts of the geographic belt of the Earth), which have similar, uniform climatic conditions. The main characteristic of natural zones is the flora and fauna that inhabits this territory. They are formed as a result of uneven distribution of moisture and heat on the planet.

Table "Natural zones of the world"

This characteristic of the natural areas of the world is only introductory, because you can talk about each of them for a very long time, all the information will not fit in the framework of one table.

Natural zones of the temperate climate zone

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

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

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

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

Arctic deserts and semi-deserts

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

Moist equatorial forests

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

Natural zones of the equatorial and subtropical climatic zone

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

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

hardwood forests

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

Steppes and forest-steppes

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

Tundra and forest tundra

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

All natural areas of the world are very interesting, whether it is a desert that seems completely lifeless at first glance, boundless Arctic ice or thousand-year-old rainforests with boiling life inside.

The natural conditions of each continent are determined by its geographical location, the history of its formation, relief, and climate. On the surface of the Earth, zonal patterns are observed in the distribution of these components of nature and large natural complexes. From the equator to the poles, climatic zones and natural zones change.

The largest natural complexes of the geographical shell, many of which encircle the globe almost in rings, are geographical belts.

The ring form of geographical belts is disturbed by the configuration and topography of the continents. In all geographical zones, where there are mountains, areas of altitudinal zonation are distinguished.

There are 13 geographical zones on Earth: one equatorial, two subequatorial, two tropical, two subtropical, two temperate, two subpolar (subarctic and subantarctic), two polar (arctic and antarctic). Geographical zones are subdivided into natural zones.

A natural, or geographical, zone is a territory, all natural components (soils, relief, waters, climate, soils, flora and fauna, human economic activity) of which are closely interconnected. The geographical zones of the land do not form continuous bands, they are interrupted in the seas and oceans, but are especially pronounced on the plains. Zoning depends on the amount of heat, precipitation, their ratio, remoteness from the oceans, mountain ranges that stand in the way of air currents, and all this, ultimately, depends on the shape of the Earth.

Natural zones are distributed in a strictly defined order, which is determined by the climate, mainly by the ratio of heat and moisture. First of all, the distribution of vegetation on Earth depends on the climate. It is with the climate that the duration of the growing season and all the features of the development of green plants are associated. Therefore, the main types of climate identified on the globe correspond to various natural zones with their characteristic plant types of communities.

The equatorial geographical belt occupies part of the territory on all continents on both sides of the equator, without forming a continuous ring. In this belt there is one natural zone - the zone of humid equatorial forests, dominated by humid equatorial air masses. Heat is supplied in large quantities and relatively evenly throughout the year. The annual amount of precipitation is 2500-4000 mm. Atmospheric moisture is excessive. The soils are red-yellow.

The zone of equatorial forests is well expressed in South America (Amazon basin), Africa (Congo basin), and on the islands of Indonesia. Huge areas of virgin forests (giley) are formed by evergreen large-leaved trees, which are located in 4-5 tiers. Lianas are plentiful, grass cover is poor. Excess moisture determines the development of swamps.

Many representatives of the animal world spend almost their entire lives on the crowns of trees (monkeys, semi-monkeys, sloths, birds).

Subequatorial geographic zones (northern and southern hemispheres) are located on both sides of the equator. These belts occupy a large area in Africa and South America. The climate is subequatorial, with humid summers dominated by moist equatorial air masses and dry hot winters dominated by dry tropical air masses. In these geographical zones, two natural zones are distinguished: variable-humid deciduous forests and savannahs. Soils are red, and in drier places red-brown.

Tropical geographic zones are located in the northern and southern hemispheres, on the continents they correspond to deserts. Dry tropical air masses prevail here, trade winds blow, in summer - the highest temperatures on Earth. In these belts there are natural zones of deserts and semi-deserts, and only in places where the trade winds bring moisture from the oceans do tropical rainforests grow on red-yellow soils.

Subtropical geographic zones are transitional from tropical to temperate. The climate is subtropical, the air masses change seasonally. Due to the considerable extent of subtropical geographical zones, especially in the northern hemisphere, natural conditions are not the same in their different parts. Different humidification determines the presence of five natural zones in these belts. On the western coasts of the continents, the climate is Mediterranean, summers are dry, hot - tropical air masses dominate, winters are warm, humid - air masses of temperate latitudes prevail. Here is a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. In the central parts of the continents, the climate is subtropical continental with cold winters and hot dry summers. Here are deserts and semi-deserts with gray soils. On the eastern coasts of the continents, the climate is subtropical monsoon, zones of humid forests, forest-steppes and steppes are widespread.

Temperate geographical zones are located in temperate latitudes. In the northern hemisphere, the temperate zone occupies large spaces and its northernmost border is located almost at 70 o N. In the southern hemisphere, the temperate zone occupies a small land area in the south of South America and in the southern part of about. Tasmania. In these zones, the seasons of the year are clearly expressed, air masses of temperate latitudes prevail, westerly winds prevail, and monsoons prevail on the eastern coasts of the continents. On the territory of the temperate geographical zone there are zones: taiga, mixed forests on podzolic soils, broad-leaved forests on brown forest soils. Then, inside the continents, forests give way to forest-steppe and steppe on chernozem soils, and steppes to semi-deserts and deserts on chestnut and gray-brown soils.

Subpolar belts occupy tundra and forest-tundra zones. In the northern hemisphere, the subpolar belt covers the northern parts of Eurasia and North America. The climate is subarctic, moderate air masses prevail in summer and arctic in winter. Permafrost interferes with the infiltration of moisture, evaporation is low, this causes waterlogging.

Polar geographic belts - in the northern hemisphere, the polar arctic belt is located on the islands of the Arctic Ocean, in the southern hemisphere, the polar Antarctic belt occupies the mainland Antarctica. Cold air masses with negative temperatures prevail. There are long polar days and nights. Large areas are covered with continental ice and are ice deserts. Only in some places, freed from snow and ice, mosses and lichens grow in summer. In the Arctic zone there is a zone of Arctic deserts, which occupies the islands of the Arctic Ocean; in the Antarctic - the zone of the Antarctic deserts.

Thus, zonal patterns are observed on the Earth's surface in the distribution of these components of nature and large natural complexes. From the equator to the poles, climatic zones and natural zones change depending on the proximity to the Earth's poles.

What determines the formation of natural zones? What natural areas stand out on our planet? You can answer these and some other questions by reading this article.

Natural zoning: the formation of natural zones on the territory

The so-called our planet is the largest natural complex. It is very heterogeneous, both in the vertical section (which is expressed in vertical zonality) and in the horizontal (latitudinal), which is expressed in the presence of various natural zones on Earth. The formation of natural zones depends on several factors. And in this article we will talk about the latitudinal heterogeneity of the geographic envelope.

This is a component of the geographical shell, which is distinguished by a certain set of natural components with its own characteristics. These components include the following:

• climatic conditions;
• the nature of the relief;
• hydrological network of the territory;
• soil structure;
• organic world.

It should be noted that the formation of natural zones depends on the first component. However, natural areas receive their names, as a rule, according to the nature of their vegetation. After all, flora is the brightest component of any landscape. In other words, vegetation acts as a kind of indicator that reflects the deep (those that are hidden from our eyes) processes of the formation of a natural complex.

It should be noted that the natural zone is the highest step in the hierarchy of the physical and geographical zoning of the planet.

Factors of natural zoning

We list all the factors in the formation of natural zones on Earth. So, the formation of natural zones depends on the following factors:

1. Climatic features of the territory (this group of factors should include the temperature regime, the nature of moisture, as well as the properties of the air masses that dominate the territory).
2. The general nature of the relief (this criterion, as a rule, affects only the configuration, the boundaries of a particular natural zone).

The formation of natural zones can also be influenced by proximity to the ocean, or the presence of powerful ocean currents off the coast. However, all these factors are secondary. The main root cause of natural zonality is that different parts (belts) of our planet receive unequal amounts of solar heat and moisture.

Natural areas of the world

What natural zones are distinguished today by geographers on the body of our planet? Let's list them from the poles - to the equator:

• Arctic (and Antarctic) deserts.
• Tundra and forest tundra.
• Taiga.
• Broadleaved forest zone.
• Forest-steppe.
• Steppe (or prairie).
• Semi-desert and desert zone.
• Savannah zone.
• Tropical rainforest zone.
• Humid zone (hylaea).
• The zone of rain (monsoon) forests.

If we look at the map of the natural zonality of the planet, we will see that all natural zones are located on it in the form of sublatitudinal belts. That is, these zones, as a rule, extend from west to east. Sometimes this sublatitudinal direction can be violated. The reason for this, as we have already said, is the features of the relief of a particular territory.

It is also worth noting that there are simply no clear boundaries between natural areas (as shown on the map). So, almost each of the zones smoothly "flows" into the neighboring one. At the same time, border "zones" can very often form at the junction. For example, such are semi-desert or forest-steppe zones.

Conclusion

So, we found out that the formation of natural zones depends on many factors. The main ones are the ratio of heat and moisture in a particular area, the properties of the prevailing air masses, the nature of the relief, and so on. The set of these factors is the same for any territory: mainland, country or small area.

Geographers distinguish over a dozen large natural zones on the surface of our planet, which are elongated in the form of belts and replace each other from the equator to the polar latitudes.