How does the law of natural zonation manifest itself? Natural areas of Eurasia

The presented factual material of the previous chapters allows us to make general conclusions O characteristic features geographic envelope in general and its patterns, which are a consequence of interpenetration, interaction earth's crust, lower atmosphere, hydrosphere, vegetation, soils and fauna.

The geographical envelope has a certain structure. It is expressed in the phenomenon zoning, V.V. Dokuchaev created the doctrine of natural zones, in which zonality was interpreted as world law. Dokuchaev expressed the idea that each natural zone (tundra, forest zone, steppe, desert, savannah, etc.) represents a logical natural complex in which living and inanimate nature are closely related and interdependent. Based on the teaching, the first classification of natural zones was created, which was subsequently deepened and specified by L. S. Berg.

The forms of manifestation of zonality are different. They acquire specific features due to complex structure and the diversity of the material composition of the geographical shell. This is confirmed by the zonality of various natural components, such as climate, geochemical processes, distribution of main life forms plants, soils, etc.

The phenomenon of zonality is due to the influence of two main factors of planetary-cosmic order: the radiant energy of the Sun and internal energy Earth. Associated with them is the manifestation general patterns territorial differentiation of the geographical envelope: zonality and regionality(azonality), which appear together. The distribution of oceans, the diversity of land surface topography, and the complexity of its geological structure violate the “ideal” zonation scheme. Different parts of the geographic envelope acquire individual features, which complicates its structure. This phenomenon should be understood as regionality.

As a result of the unequal development of various areas within the geographical envelope, many natural complexes of varying complexity and size, which represent systems of subordinate natural units of different ranks.

The largest latitudinal-zonal division of the geographic envelope is the geographic zone. It is distinguished on the basis of differences in the main types of radiation balance and nature general circulation atmosphere and is close in its position to the climatic zones of B.P. Alisov. The relative uniformity of the climate within the belt is reflected in other components, such as vegetation, soils, fauna, etc.

The following stand out on the globe: geographical zones: one equatorial, two subequatorial, two tropical, two subtropical, two temperate, two subpolar and two polar - Arctic and Antarctic (Fig. 83).

What is a geographic zone?

The belt does not have the correct ring shape. It can expand and contract under the influence of topography (continent) or sea currents (ocean). The belt is most homogeneous over the ocean. On continents, within the belts, sectors are distinguished that differ in the degree of moisture. The greatest contrasts are found in the inland, western oceanic and eastern oceanic sectors. Often the boundaries of sectors coincide with orographic boundaries (Cordillera, Andes).

Geographic zones are divided into zones. The formation of zones occurs due to the uneven distribution of heat and moisture on the Earth's surface. Zones with the same ratio of heat and moisture are repeated to a certain extent in each zone and their boundaries are associated with certain values ​​of the radiation balance and radiation dryness index To earth's surface. The last indicator is determined from the formula

Where R - annual radiation balance of the underlying surface, r - annual precipitation over the same area, L - latent heat of evaporation.

From the table below. Figure 6 shows that the repetition of types of geographical zones in each zone depends on the repetition of certain values TO.

The distribution of geographical zones and zones on the earth's surface is shown on the map (see Fig. 83). Relationship between zone boundaries and values TO it is possible to explain the violations of geographic zonality visible on the map, for example, pinching out of zones, their rupture, deviation from the latitudinal strike. Zones can acquire a direction close to the meridional ( North America). The dependence of the development of certain zones in

oceanic sectors of the belts (zone of mixed and deciduous forests), others - in inland areas (forest-steppe and steppe zones).

The position of zonal boundaries is determined not only by climatic factors, but also by azonal ones (relief, geological structure). Their influence is manifested in the process of historical development of the entire geographical envelope. The influence of orography is especially great. In the mountains of each geographical zone, a certain type vertical zonality, which is associated with vertical belts of vegetation and soils. Each zone is characterized by a strictly defined set of belts, changing in height in a sequence similar to some extent to the location of latitudinal geographic zones. Originality

altitude zones as special natural complexes is expressed not only in the features of their climate, but also in a number of other phenomena: the intensity of weathering processes, the nature of rivers, mountain glaciers, and the characteristics of soil formation. Some altitude zones, for example alpine meadows, high mountain deserts, have no analogues among latitudinal zones. Character altitudinal zone in the mountains and its severity depending on the position in the geographical zones are shown in Fig. 83 and 84.

Geographic zones are divided into subzones. In soil and geobotanical terms, the subzones are characterized by the predominance of zonal subtypes of soils and plant formations. This physical-geographical unit is most clearly expressed in zones of large north-south extent: the tundra zone of Eurasia, the taiga zone, tropical savannah etc. It must be borne in mind that subzones do not always coincide with the boundaries of soil and plant subzones. Geobotanists do not distinguish, for example, subzones of forest-steppe and semi-desert, since such types of vegetation do not exist.

Consideration of the issue of natural zoning is not only theoretical, but also practical significance in connection with the analysis of natural processes caused by the intensive use of natural resources. Based on heat balance calculations, it becomes possible to determine rational irrigation rates and assess its impact on the climate regime. The reclamation direction of nature transformation represents a higher level of knowledge of geographical phenomena. Rational complex use natural resources provides for a constructive transformation of nature. An example of this is the solution to the problem of regulating the level of the Caspian Sea, irrigating deserts Central Asia, development of oil and gas and forest resources Western Siberia etc.

- Source-

Bogomolov, L.A. General Geography / L.A. Bogomolov [and others]. – M.: Nedra, 1971.- 232 p.

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1. How does the law of natural zonality manifest itself on the territory of Eurasia?

This geographical law on the territory of Eurasia is most clearly manifested in the sequence of alternation of natural zones. One natural zone replaces another when moving from north to south.

2. It is known that more plant mass is formed in forests than in steppes, but chernozem soils are much more fertile than podzolic soils. How can we explain this?

Each natural zone has its own geographical features, type of vegetation, soil, etc. Forest soils, despite large number biomass are less fertile than steppe soils, which is associated with the processes of their formation. In coniferous forests the soils are podzolic. Organic matter do not accumulate, but are washed away by melt and rainwater. In the steppes they linger upper layers soil. This is how fertile chernozems are formed, on which good crops are grown without additional addition of minerals and soil reclamation.

3. Which natural zones of the temperate zone are most developed by humans? What contributed to their development?

The forest-steppe and steppe zones are the most developed by humans.

People need bread. Rye and wheat produce greater yields in the steppe and forest-steppe, since the soil there is better than in the forest zone. This was the impetus for the development of agriculture in these zones. Livestock farming is predominantly developed in the forest zone.

4. On which continent do tropical deserts occupy largest areas? Indicate the reasons for their spread.

The most unfavorable for habitation of people and their economic activity tropical deserts. They occupy mainly the territory of South-West Asia, as if continuing a huge tropical desert Africa Sahara. The reason for the spread tropical deserts are climatic conditions: very little precipitation, and high temperatures, increasing the evaporation of the already low humidity and contributing to the creation of a dry and hot climate in the tropical desert region. The desert area is gradually increasing. This is due both to the general trend towards climate warming and to to a greater extent with the mismanagement of the population living on the borders of tropical deserts. The main type of economy in desert areas is sheep breeding. Desert vegetation inhibits the movement of sands. Mechanical disturbance of the top layer of soil by herds of sheep and goats leads to intensive sand blowing and movement. The process of expanding the desert zone is called desertification. This process annually reduces the areas of land suitable for human life. These areas become barren deserts, covered with shifting sands.

5. Using the example of one of the natural zones of Eurasia, show the connections between the components of its nature.Material from the site

Natural components within the natural zone are closely interconnected. The humid and warm climate of equatorial forests contributes to the intensive development of vegetation, which, in turn, provides food for numerous birds and herbivores, which feed on predatory animals. In a humid, warm climate, the presence of large biomass contributes to the formation of fertile soils.

Thus, components such as soil, vegetation and fauna are interconnected and depend on the amount of heat and moisture entering the territory of a given natural zone.

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A region in a broad sense, as already noted, is a complex territorial complex, which is delimited by specific homogeneity various conditions, including natural and geographical ones. This means that there is regional differentiation of nature. The processes of spatial differentiation of the natural environment are greatly influenced by such phenomena as zonality and azonality of the geographical envelope of the Earth.

According to modern concepts, geographic zonality means a natural change in physical-geographical processes, complexes, and components as one moves from the equator to the poles. That is, zonation on land is a consistent change of geographical zones from the equator to the poles and the regular distribution of natural zones within these zones (equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate, subarctic and subantarctic).

The reasons for zonation are the shape of the Earth and its position relative to the Sun. The zonal distribution of radiant energy determines the zonality of temperatures, evaporation and cloudiness, and salinity of surface layers sea ​​water, the level of its saturation with gases, climates, weathering and soil formation processes, flora and fauna, hydraulic networks, etc. Thus, the most important factors determining geographic zonation are the uneven distribution of solar radiation across latitudes and climate.

Geographical zonation is most clearly expressed on the plains, since it is when moving along them from north to south that climate change is observed.

Zoning is also evident in the World Ocean, not only in the surface layers, but also on the ocean floor.

The doctrine of geographical (natural) zoning is perhaps the most developed in geographical science. This is explained by the fact that it reflects the earliest patterns discovered by geographers, and by the fact that this theory forms the core of physical geography.

It is known that the hypothesis about latitudinal thermal belts arose in ancient times. But it began to turn into a scientific direction only at the end of the 18th century, when naturalists became participants in circumnavigation of the world. Then, in the 19th century, a major contribution to the development of this doctrine was made by A. Humboldt, who traced the zonation of vegetation and fauna in connection with climate and discovered the phenomenon of altitudinal zonation.

However, the doctrine of geographical zones in its modern form originated only at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries. as a result of research by V.V. Dokuchaeva. He is generally recognized as the founder of the theory of geographical zonation.

V.V. Dokuchaev substantiated zonality as a universal law of nature, manifested equally on land, sea, and mountains.

He came to understand this law from studying soils. His classic work “Russian Chernozem” (1883) laid the foundations of genetic soil science. Considering soils to be a “mirror of the landscape”, V.V. Dokuchaev, when identifying natural zones, named the soils characteristic of them.

Each zone, according to the scientist, is a complex formation, all components of which (climate, water, soil, soil, flora and fauna) are closely interconnected.

L.S. made a significant contribution to the development of the doctrine of geographic zoning. Berg, A.A. Grigoriev, M.I. Budyko, S.V. Kalesnik, K.K. Markov, A.G. Isachenko et al.

The total number of zones is determined in different ways. V.V. Dokuchaev identified 7 zones. L.S. Berg in the middle of the 20th century. already 12, A.G. Isachenko – 17. In modern physical-geographical atlases of the world, their number, taking into account subzones, sometimes exceeds 50. As a rule, this is not a consequence of some errors, but the result of being carried away by overly detailed classifications.

Regardless of the degree of fragmentation, the following natural zones are represented in all options: arctic and subarctic deserts, tundra, forest-tundra, temperate forests, taiga, mixed forests temperate zone, deciduous forests of temperate climates, steppes, semi-steppes and deserts of the temperate zone, deserts and semi-deserts of the subtropical and tropical zones, monsoon forests of the subtropical forest, forests of the tropical and subequatorial zones, savanna, moist equatorial forests.

Natural (landscape) zones are not ideally regular areas that coincide with certain parallels (nature is not mathematics). They do not cover our planet in continuous stripes; they are often open.

In addition to zonal patterns, azonal patterns have also been identified. An example of this is altitudinal zonation (vertical zonality), which depends on the height of the land and changes in the heat balance with height.

In the mountains, the natural change in natural conditions and natural-territorial complexes is called altitudinal zonation. It is also explained mainly by climate change with altitude: per 1 km of rise, the air temperature decreases by 6 degrees C, air pressure and dust levels decrease, cloudiness and precipitation increase. A unified system of altitudinal zones is formed. The higher the mountains, the more fully expressed the altitudinal zonation. Landscapes of altitudinal zones are basically similar to landscapes of natural zones on the plains and follow each other in the same order, with the same zone located higher, the closer the mountain system is to the equator.

There is no complete similarity of natural zones on the plains and vertical zones, since landscape complexes change vertically at a different pace than horizontally, and often in a completely different direction.

In recent years, with the humanization and sociologization of geography geographical zones are increasingly being referred to as natural-anthropogenic geographical zones. The doctrine of geographic zonality is of great importance for regional and regional studies analysis. First of all, it allows us to reveal the natural prerequisites for specialization and farming. And in the conditions of modern scientific and technological revolution, with a partial weakening of the economy’s dependence on natural conditions and natural resources, its close ties with nature, and in some cases, dependence on it, continue to be preserved. The continuing important role of the natural component in the development and functioning of society and in its territorial organization is obvious. Differences in the spiritual culture of the population also cannot be understood without referring to natural regionalization. It also forms the skills of a person’s adaptation to the territory and determines the nature of environmental management.

Geographic zoning actively influences regional differences in the life of society, being an important factor in zoning, and, consequently, regional policy.

The doctrine of geographical zonality provides enormous material for country and regional comparisons and thereby contributes to the elucidation of country and regional specifics and its causes, which, ultimately, is the main task of regional studies and regional studies. For example, the taiga zone in the form of a trail crosses the territories of Russia, Canada, and Fennoscandia. But the degree of population, economic development, and living conditions in the taiga zones of the countries listed above have significant differences. In regional studies and country studies analysis, neither the question of the nature of these differences nor the question of their sources can be ignored.

In a word, the task of regional and regional studies analysis is not only to characterize the features of the natural component of a particular territory ( theoretical basis This is what constitutes the doctrine of geographic zonality), but also the identification of the nature of the relationship between natural regionalism and the regionalization of the world according to economic, geopolitical, cultural-civilizational, etc. reasons.

“The world around us” 2nd grade Author: Lemeshko Irina Ivanovna, State Budgetary Educational Institution Secondary School No. 141 We remember what we know Why is it warmer at the equator than at the pole? Steep (straight) rays of the sun fall there, in contrast to flat (oblique) rays in the polar regions. Discovering new knowledge Select real ecosystems from the list (textbook, § 19). Garden Dubrava Swamp Field City What natural ecosystems are found most often in our area? Climate Central Russia moderately warm and humid. It is suitable for many woody plants. Therefore, forest ecosystems predominate in Central Russia. Such a natural zone is called FOREST. We are going to the south of Russia. In the south of Russia more than warm climate. Spring comes earlier there. Summer in that region is dry, so trees cannot grow. In the south of Russia, large areas are occupied by grass ecosystems - steppes. This is a STEPPE zone. We are going to the north of Russia. The north of Russia is in a colder climate. Spring comes later there, summer is short, and the cold prevents trees from growing. Treeless ecosystems are TUNDRAs. They are covered with snow most of the year. We visited the TUNDRA zone. CONCLUSIONS To the north the climate is colder, and to the south it is warmer. The pictures of nature also change. There are no forests in the south and north. Large areas with similar natural conditions, soil, flora and fauna are called natural areas. What natural areas in Russia have you learned about? In the cold zone of Russia there is a natural tundra zone. IN temperate zone Russia has a natural forest area. In the temperate zone of Russia there is a natural steppe zone. Law of natural zonation. In the direction from the pole to the equator, natural zones replace each other in a certain order. This order is the same on all continents. What shape do natural areas have on a map or globe? Climate depends on the distribution of heat and moisture on Earth, so natural zones have the shape of belts. Why are there more natural zones on Earth than belts? Even in one zone, conditions are varied: in the temperate zone there is both forest and steppe, so there can be several natural zones in one zone. What natural areas did you learn about today? In which of them does spring come earlier? Tundra, forest and steppe zones. IN steppe zone spring comes earlier. How do natural areas differ from ecosystems? The main difference is the size. Several ecosystems can exist in a natural area. Living and inanimate nature are the same. Work on the map: determine in which zone the natural areas are located. Zone Belt Tundra cold Forest temperate Steppe temperate Climate cold humid moderate humid moderate dry What do trees lack in the tundra? In the steppe? In the tundra there is not enough heat, in the steppe there is not enough moisture. Sources of information: 1.Texts, assignments and illustrations from the textbook for 2nd grade “The world around us. Our planet Earth" A.A. Vakhrusheva, O.V. Bursky, A.S. Rautiana. 2.Tasks from Methodological recommendations for a teacher in the course “The World Around us” for 2nd grade A.A. Vakhrusheva, E.A. Samoilova, O.V. Chikhanova.

Everyone knows that on Earth the distribution of solar heat is uneven due to the spherical shape of the planet. As a result, different natural systems are formed, where in each all components are closely connected with each other, and a natural zone is formed, which is found on all continents. If you follow an animal in the same areas, but in different continents, then you can see a certain similarity.

Law of Geographical Zoning

The scientist V.V. Dokuchaev at one time created the doctrine of natural zones, and expressed the idea that each zone is a natural complex where living and inanimate nature are closely interconnected. Subsequently, on this basis of teaching, the first qualification was created, which was finalized and more specific by another scientist L.S. Berg.

The forms of zonation are different due to the diversity of the composition of the geographical envelope and the influence of two main factors: the energy of the Sun and the energy of the Earth. It is these factors that are associated with natural zonation, which manifests itself in the distribution of oceans, the diversity of relief and its structure. As a result of this, various natural complexes were formed, and the largest of them is a geographical zone, which is close to the climatic zones described by B.P. Alisov).

The following geographical regions are distinguished: subequatorial, tropical and subtropical, temperate, subpolar and polar (Arctic and Antarctic). are divided into zones that are worth talking about more specifically.

What is latitudinal zoning

Natural areas are closely related to climatic zones, which means that zones as belts gradually replace each other, moving from the equator to the poles, where solar heat decreases and precipitation changes. This change of large natural complexes is called latitudinal zoning, which manifests itself in all natural zones, regardless of size.

What is altitudinal zonation

The map shows, if you move from north to east, that in each geographical zone there is a geographical zonation, starting from arctic deserts, moving to the tundra, then to the forest-tundra, taiga, mixed and deciduous forests, forest-steppe and steppe, and finally to the desert and subtropics. They extend from west to east in stripes, but there is also another direction.

Many people know that the higher you rise in the mountains, the more the ratio of heat and moisture changes towards low temperature and solid precipitation, as a result of which the flora and fauna change. Scientists and geographers gave this direction their name - altitudinal zonation(or zonality), when one zone replaces another, encircling mountains by different heights. At the same time, the change of zones occurs faster than on the plain; you just need to rise 1 km and there will be a different zone. The lowest zone always corresponds to where the mountain is located, and the closer it is to the poles, the fewer of these zones can be found at altitude.

The law of geographical zoning also works in the mountains. From geographical latitude depend on seasonality, as well as the change of day and night. If the mountain is close to the pole, then you can find polar night and day there, and if the mountain is located near the equator, then day will always be equal to night.

Ice zone

Natural zonation adjacent to the poles globe, called icy. Harsh climate where snow and ice lie all year round, and at the very warm month the temperature does not rise above 0°. Snow covers the entire earth, even though the sun shines around the clock for several months, but does not warm it up at all.

When too harsh conditions few animals live in the ice zone ( polar bear, penguins, seals, walruses, arctic fox, reindeer), even fewer plants can be found, since the soil-forming process is at the initial stage of development, and mostly unorganized plants (lichen, moss, algae) are found.

Tundra zone

An area of ​​cold and strong winds, where prolonged long winter And short summer, because of which the soil does not have time to warm up, and a layer of perennial frozen soil is formed.

The law of zonation works even in the tundra and divides it into three subzones, moving from north to south: arctic tundra, where mainly moss and lichens grow, typical lichen-moss tundra, where shrubs appear in places, distributed from Vaygach to Kolyma, and Southern shrub tundra, where vegetation consists of three levels.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the forest-tundra, which extends in a thin strip and is a transition zone between the tundra and forests.

Taiga zone

For Russia, the Taiga is the largest natural zone, which extends from the western borders to the Okhotsk and Japanese seas. Taiga is located in two climatic zones, as a result of which there are differences within it.

This natural zonality concentrates a large number of lakes and swamps, and it is here that the great rivers in Russia originate: the Volga, Kama, Lena, Vilyui and others.

The main thing for flora - coniferous forests where larch dominates, spruce, fir, and pine are less common. The fauna is heterogeneous and the eastern part of the taiga is richer than the western.

Forests, forest-steppes and steppes

In the mixed zone the climate is warmer and more humid, and here it is clearly visible latitudinal zonation. Winters are less severe, summers are long and warm, which promotes the growth of trees such as oak, ash, maple, linden, and hazel. Thanks to complex plant communities This zone has a diverse fauna, and, for example, on the East European Plain, bison, muskrat, wild boar, wolf, and elk are common.

Zone mixed forests richer than in conifers, and there are large herbivores and a wide variety of birds. The geographical zonation is characterized by the density of river reservoirs, some of which do not freeze at all in winter.

The transition zone between steppe and forest is the forest-steppe, where forest and meadow phytocenoses alternate.

Steppe zone

This is another species that describes natural zoning. It differs sharply in climatic conditions from the above-mentioned zones, and the main difference is the lack of water, as a result of which there are no forests and cereal plants and all the various herbs predominate, which cover the ground with a continuous carpet. Despite the fact that water is scarce in this area, the plants tolerate drought well, often their leaves are small and can curl up during heat to prevent evaporation.

The fauna is more diverse: there are ungulates, rodents, and predators. In Russia, the steppe is the most developed by man and the main zone of agriculture.

Steppes are found in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, but gradually they disappear due to plowing of the land, fires, and animal grazing.

Latitudinal and altitudinal zoning is also found in the steppes, so they are divided into several subspecies: mountain (for example, Caucasus Mountains), meadow (typical of Western Siberia), xerophilic, where there are many turf-like grasses, and desert (these are the steppes of Kalmykia).

Desert and tropics

Drastic changes climatic conditions due to the fact that evaporation exceeds precipitation many times (7 times), and the duration of this period is up to six months. The vegetation of this zone is not rich, and mainly there are grasses, shrubs, and forests can be seen only along the rivers. The fauna is richer and a bit similar to that found in the steppe zone: there are many rodents and reptiles, and ungulates roam in nearby areas.

The Sahara is considered the largest desert, and in general this natural zonation is characteristic of 11% of the entire earth's surface, and if you add to it arctic desert, then 20%. Deserts occur both in the temperate zone Northern Hemisphere, and in the tropics and subtropics.

There is no unambiguous definition of the tropics; geographic zones are distinguished: tropical, subequatorial and equatorial, where forests similar in composition are found, but with certain differences.

All forests are divided into savannas, forest subtropics and their common feature the fact that the trees are always green, and these zones differ in the duration of dry and rainy periods. In savannas the rainy season lasts 8-9 months. Forest subtropics are characteristic of the eastern edges of the continents, where there is a change in the dry period of winter and wet summer with monsoon rains. Rainforests are characterized by a high degree of moisture, and precipitation can exceed 2000 mm per year.