Asia zone. Geography of Asia: geology, climate, deserts, reservoirs, natural resources and ecology

The relief plays an important role in the climate formation of Asia, which in this part of the world is represented by deserts, high mountain ranges and closed highlands.

general information

Asia and Europe together form largest continent On the Earth. Asia is part of the Eurasian continent.

The peculiarity of this part of the Earth is that it is characterized by the most diverse climate. Almost all types of conditions on Earth are observed here: the cold north, continental Siberia, the monsoonal east and south, the semi-desert central part and the desert southwest of the continent.

Peculiarities geographical location With mountains dominating the lowlands, the compactness and vast size of this part of the world are the most important factors in the formation of its climate.

The location of Asia in the Northern Hemisphere at all latitudes determines the supply of uneven solar heat to the surface. For example, the values ​​of the total annual total radiation in the Malay Archipelago (equator) range from approximately 140 to 160 kcal per square meter. cm, between 40 and 50 northern latitudes it is 100-120 kcal per square meter. cm, and in the northern parts of the continent - approximately 60 kcal per square meter. cm.

Climate of Asia abroad

In foreign Asia there are tropical and subtropical, equatorial and subequatorial climatic zones. Only on the border of Mongolia and China (northeast) with Russia and on the northern part of the Japanese Islands is the zone moderate.

It should be noted that most of foreign Asia belongs to the subtropics. Stretches from Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and is thousands of kilometers away.

About the circulation of air masses

Circulate air masses over Asia in directions depending on the seasonal position of the low and high pressure centers. Above the mainland, the most important center of atmospheric pressure in winter is the Asian (Central Asian or Siberian) anticyclone, which is the most powerful of all winter climatic centers on the entire planet. Dry and cold temperate continental air, spreading in all directions from it, gives off several spurs. Of particular note among them is the Central Asian spur towards Iran and the south-eastern spur, directed towards China (East).

The climate of East Asia depends on the monsoons. In winter, in the southeastern part of the continent, the largest pressure differences are formed between the warm ocean and cold land, which cause the emergence of continental winter monsoon flows to the sea from land that are stable in direction and strength. This monsoon circulation covers Northeast and East China, the Japanese Islands and the Korean Peninsula. In the area of ​​the Aleutian Islands (North Pacific Ocean) in winter time the Aleutian minimum is formed, but for some reason it affects the climate of only a narrow coastline North-Eastern Siberia(mainly the Kuril Islands and the coast of Kamchatka).

central Asia

An interesting fact is that on the Central Asian highlands winter temperatures almost as low as in Siberia. Despite more southern location, the temperature here is not very high, which is due to the high position of the area. The temperature here fluctuates greatly throughout the day: hot during the day, cool at night.

What is the reason for this climate in Central Asia? The enormous height above ocean level and the powerful wall of the Himalayas, which blocks access from the Indian Ocean to moist winds, create a rather harsh, dry climate on the northern side of the Himalayan Mountains. Although Tibet is located at the latitude of the Mediterranean Sea, frosts in winter here can reach sub-zero temperatures of up to 35 degrees.

In the summer, the sun gets very hot, while it can be cold in the shade at the same time. Night frosts are common even in July, and in summer there are also snowstorms. IN summer period year over South-East and partly Central Asia, the pressure decreases and the temperature rises. Masses rush from the sea towards the center of the continent summer monsoon, which bring a relative decrease in temperature and moisture.

The Central Asian basin in winter is characterized by the most low temperatures(-50 °C). Very severe frosts come to Western Tibet. The July temperature averages 26-32 °C, and the absolute maximum reaches 50 °C. The surface of the sand is heated to 79 °C.

The climate of this part of Asia is characterized by large fluctuations in temperatures from year to year, sharp fluctuations in temperatures per day, a small amount of atmospheric precipitation, low cloudiness and dry air.

The climate of the Central countries is especially beneficial for vegetation. Due to the dry air, it is relatively easily tolerated. The excellent climate conditions of the mountainous regions are good enough for the creation of resorts.

States included in Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.

Southwest Asia

This wonderful territory is washed by the waters of the Black, Mediterranean, Aegean, Red, Caspian, Marmara and Arabian seas, as well as the waters of the Persian Gulf.

The climate is tropical, subtropical continental and Mediterranean. Tropical is characterized by minimal rainfall and high temperatures. Natural zones are represented by hard-leaved forests, deserts and semi-deserts.

Iran, Iraq and Turkey are the largest states in South-West Asia. The climate here is excellent for a summer holiday.

The highest temperatures in summer (the hot plains of Arabia and Lower Mesopotamia) are 55 °C. The lowest summer temperatures (northeast Hokkaido) are plus 20 degrees.

East Asia

This part of Asia occupies the eastern extreme of the Eurasian continent. It adjoins the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Continental monsoons contribute to the formation in any zone of this Asian region of colder air than in other parts of the planet typical for the same latitudes.

The climate of East Asia is mostly monsoonal. And this is a rainy, damp summer (80% of annual precipitation). Warm air masses come from the ocean, although it is cooler than on land. Cold sea currents move from north to south along the coasts. The warm lower layers of air located above them quickly cool, and therefore low-level fogs often occur here. The atmosphere becomes two layers - the warm upper one slides over the colder lower one, and precipitation occurs.

The mechanism of summer monsoon circulation is associated with cyclones caused by the contact of the warmest and coldest air masses.

When cyclones capture dry continental air from the continental depths, drought occurs. Cyclones born near the Philippines (far in the south) appear quite clearly. The result is typhoons, which are systems of winds with hurricane speeds.

The territories of East Asia include China, Mongolia, the Korean Peninsula, the islands of the Yellow Sea, the Sea of ​​Japan and the East China Sea, as well as parts of the islands of the South China Sea.

Conclusion

According to reviews from travelers, Asia is an interesting, exotic corner of the globe that leaves unique and unforgettable impressions.

Western Asia has especially comfortable climate conditions for summer holidays, although all parts of the continent have their own unique flavor and charm.

The diverse climate of Asia and complex orography determine the richness of natural areas. On its territory there are landscape zones of temperate, subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial belts.
THE MODERATE BELT is limited in area and occupies part of Central Asia, Eastern and Northeastern China, and the island of Hokkaido. Climatic conditions in the continental and coastal sectors are different. The contrasts in moisture are especially great: more than 1000 mm of precipitation falls on the coast, while inland the amount decreases to 100 mm. Accordingly, the landscape features are varied. Taiga zones, mixed and deciduous forests characteristic of the oceanic sector; the inland region is occupied by zones of deserts, semi-deserts, steppes and forest-steppes.

TAIGA ZONE is found in Northeast China, where Dahurian larch and Scots pine dominate. More extensive arrays coniferous forests on island Hokkaido. Hokkaido spruce and Sakhalin fir predominate here, with a mixture of Ayan spruce, Japanese pine, Far Eastern yew, and bamboos and grasses in the undergrowth. The soils are podzolic, and in the lowlands they are peat-boggy.
MIXED FOREST ZONE mainly on territory of Northeast China. There was no glaciation, so representatives of the Arctic-Tertiary flora found refuge here. Mixed forests abound in endemics and relicts. This is the so-called MANCHURIAN FLORA, very rich in species. The forests include Korean cedar, white fir, Olga larch, Ayan spruce, Mongolian oak, Manchurian walnut, greenbark and bearded maple. In the undergrowth are Amur lilac, Ussuri buckthorn, Manchurian currant, Rowan chokeberry, aralia, rhododendron. From vines: Amur grapes, lemongrass, hops. IN soils Variably podzolized forest brown soils and gray soils predominate.
THE ZONE OF LEAVED FORESTS adjoins mixed forests in the south. The forests have been mostly cut down, the remaining tracts consist of maple, linden trees, elm, ash, walnut. Forests are better preserved Japan, where beech and oak predominate, maple (up to 20 species), Manchurian ash, a local species of walnut, as well as chestnuts, lindens, cherries, birches, and magnolias are widely represented. Zonal soil type – forest brown soils.
On the plains of Northeast China there is a PRAIRIE ZONE. Unlike the North American prairies, the Asian ones receive smaller amount of precipitation (500-600 mm). However, the presence of permafrost patches that are thawing in summer, additionally moisten the soil. TALLGRASS PRAIRIE FORMATIONS develop, OFTEN ALTERNADING WITH OAK WORLDWOODS. Currently, natural vegetation has been completely destroyed. Fertile meadow chernozem-like soils (up to 9% humus) are plowed and occupied for crops of millet (kaoliang), legumes, corn, rice, vegetables, and watermelons.
In the continental sector of the temperate zone, the features of aridity are clearly expressed: the internal parts of Central Asia are especially arid, where DESERT AND SEMI-DESERT ZONES dominate. Large areas are devoid of life and represent an ideal desert. Where there is vegetation, it is sparse and represented by psammophytes (sand lovers) and halophytes (salt lovers).
These are various types of saltwort, wormwood, tamarisk shrubs, juzgun, ephedra, and saxaul. Gray soils are developed in deserts, and brown soils (less than 1% humus) are developed in semi-deserts.
Ungulates and rodents. Among the ungulates are the Bactrian camel, the wild ass, antelopes (Gazelle, Goitered gazelle, Przewalski's), and in the mountains - goats and sheep. Rodents include gophers, jerboas, and voles.
ZONE STEPPE occupies the basins of western Dzungaria, northern parts of Mongolia (up to 41-42°N) and the foothills of the Greater Khingan. Precipitation up to 250 mm. Low-grass dry steppes predominate, in which there is no continuous vegetation cover - low-growing feather grass, chamomile, thin-legged grass, caragana, and wormwood. Soils are chestnut; are divided into dark and light chestnut. Under artificial irrigation, dark chestnut give high yields of wheat, beans, corn, kaoliang. Light chestnut trees are not used for agriculture; they are used for transhumance. cattle breeding.
THE SUBTROPICAL BELT stretches from Asia Minor to the Japanese Islands. For It is characterized by sectored landscapes. In the largest continental sector zones of deserts, semi-deserts and steppes are distinguished. In the west, in the Mediterranean climate, a zone of evergreen hard-leaved forests and shrubs is developed, in the Pacific sector there is a zone of monsoon mixed forests. Natural zoning is complicated by vertical clarity.
THE ZONE OF EVERGREEN LEAF FORESTS AND SHRUBS in Asia extends as a narrow strip along the Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor and Arabia. The climate here is more continental, annual amplitudes There are more temperatures and less precipitation. The vegetation has pronounced xerophytic features. Almost no forests have survived; they have been replaced by shrub formations. Maquis predominates, depleted in species compared With European. Dominant it contains shrubby kermes oak. In the Levant it is mixed with carob, Palestinian pistachio, and in Asia Minor - red juniper, myrtle, heather, and wild olive. On arid coastal slopes, maquis gives way to freegana and shiblyak, as well as deciduous bushes- rosehip, euonymus, jasmine. Brown soils are replaced by chestnut soils.
Shrub formations rise into the mountains up to 600-800 m; coniferous-deciduous forests (black pine, Cilician fir, cypress, oak, maple) grow higher. From 2000 m, xerophytic vegetation predominates, often having a cushion shape (euphorbia, Cretan barberry, sticky rose).
In the continental sector sub tropical zone, occupying the Western Asian Highlands, is dominated by the DESERT AND SEMI-DESERT ZONE. The basin structure of the uplands is the reason why LANDSCAPE ZONES HAVE THE FORM OF CONCENTRIC CIRCLES. In the central part of the desert. They are framed by semi-deserts, then mountain steppes and shrubby woodlands.
The largest areas of deserts and semi-deserts are in the Iranian Plateau. More than 30% of its territory is covered by salt marshes, devoid of vegetation; a significant part is occupied by rocky and sandy deserts. Zonal soils are desert gray soils and brown soils.
The fauna is quite diverse. Of the ungulates - bezoar goat, mouflon, wild ass onager, of predators - caracal, striped hyena. Rodents – gophers, jerboas, marmots.
The steppe zone is confined to the foothill areas, in which wormwood and feather grass formations alternate. In the spring, ephemerals and some grasses develop, burning out by summer. On the slopes of the mountains, steppes give way to shrubby woodlands. The Western Asian highlands are the HOMELAND OF THE PHRYGANoid FORMATION OF UPLAND XEROPHYTES - thorny cushion-shaped subshrubs less than 1 m. The most typical types are acantholimon, astragalus, and juniper.
Tibetan highlands, due to its enormous relative altitudes (more than 4000 m), is characterized by the vegetation of HIGH MOUNTAIN STEPPE, SEMI-DESERT AND DESERT.

For the Pacific sector subtropical zone typical MONSOON EVERGREEN MIXED FOREST ZONE. It covers the southern regions of Eastern China and the Japanese Islands. Natural vegetation gave way to plantations of tea, citrus fruits, cotton, and rice. The forests retreated into gorges, steep cliffs, and mountains. IN forest stand laurels, myrtles, camellias, podocarpus, and cunninghamia predominate. Better forests have been preserved in Japan. Evergreen species of oak, camphor laurel, Japanese pine, cypress, cryptomeria, and thuja dominate. The rich undergrowth contains bamboo, gardenia, magnolia, and azalea.
Red soils and yellow soils predominate (from 5 to 10% humus). But fertility is low, since the soils are poor in calcium, magnesium, and nitrogen.
The fauna is preserved only in the mountains. Among the rare animals are lemurs ( slow loris), small predator Asian civet, from ungulates - tapir. The avifauna is rich: pheasants, one species, geese, ducks, cranes, herons, pelicans.
THE TROPICAL BELT occupies the southern part of Arabia, the south of the Iranian Plateau, and the Thar Desert. Radiation balance 70-75 kcal/cm2 per year. Throughout the year, trade wind circulation, high temperature, large daily fluctuations. Precipitation is less than 100 mm with an evaporation rate of 3000 mm. In such conditions, DESERT AND SEMI-DESERT ZONES are formed. Large areas are occupied by shifting sands and barren rocky deserts (hammads). The vegetation consists of ephemerals, tough subshrubs and grasses (wormwood, astragalus, aloe, spurge, ephedra). There is an edible lichen “manna from heaven” (edible linacora). Grows in oases date palm. The soil cover is poorly developed and is absent over large areas.
In mountainous areas, dragon trees, gum acacias, and incense trees (myrrh, boswellia) grow on windward slopes. juniper.
The fauna is diverse: wolf, jackal, fennec fox, striped hyena, ungulates - sand gazelle, Mountain goat. Rodents – jerboas, gerbils. Birds - eagles, vultures, kites.
SUBEQUATORIAL The BELT covers the Hindustan Peninsula, Indochina, and the northern Philippine Islands. Radiation balance from 65 to 80 kcal/cm2 per year. Differences in moisture have led to the formation of several natural zones here: sub equatorial forests, seasonally wet monsoon forests, shrubby woodlands And savannah
SUB-EQUATORIAL FOREST ZONE - along the western coasts of Hindustan, Indochina, the northern extremities of the Philippine archipelago and the lower reaches of the Ganges-Brahmaputra, where more than 2000 mm of precipitation falls. Forests are diverse species composition, multi-tiered, difficult to pass. Typical of them are dipterocarpus, streculia, albizia, ficus, palms, and bamboos. Most soft wood. Trees provide valuable by-products: tannins, resin, rosin, rubber.
Zonal soils – red-yellow ferrallitic With low fertility. Plantations of tea, coffee tree, rubber, spices, bananas, mangoes, citrus fruits.
THE ZONE OF SEASONALLY WET MONSOON FORESTS is confined to the eastern outskirts of Hindustan and Indochina, where precipitation is no more than 1000 mm. Deciduous evergreen forests are multi-tiered and shady with many vines and epiphytes. Grow valuable species: teak, sal, sandalwood, dalbergia. Monsoon forests strongly suffered from deforestation. In India they occupy 10-15% of the area.
With a decrease in precipitation to 800-600 mm monsoon forests are replaced by a ZONE OF SHRUSH OPENWOODS AND SAVANNAH, the largest areas of which are confined to the Deccan Plateau and the interior parts of the Indochina Peninsula. Woody vegetation gives way to formations of tall grasses: bearded grass, alang-alang, wild sugar cane. In summer the savanna turns green, in winter it turns yellow. Single palm trees, banyan trees and acacia trees diversify the landscape.
The soils are dominated by red-colored varieties: red, red-brown, red-brown soils. They are poor in humus and susceptible to erosion, but are widely used in agriculture. Stable yields only with irrigation. Rice, cotton, and millet crops are cultivated.
The fauna was rich, but is now greatly exterminated: rhinoceroses, bulls (gayal), antelopes, deer, hyenas, red wolves, jackals, leopards. There are many monkeys and semi-monkeys (lories) in the forests. Peacocks, wild chickens, parrots, thrushes, pheasants, starlings.
The EQUATORIAL BELT occupies almost the entire Malay Archipelago, the south of the Philippine Islands, the Malay Peninsula and the southwest of Sri Lanka. Constantly high temperatures, abundant and uniform moisture (more than 3000 mm), constantly high humidity (80-85%). The radiation balance is lower than in the tropics - 60-65 kcal/cm2 per year, which is associated with heavy cloudiness.
The ZONE OF EQUATORIAL FORESTS (Gili) dominates. Floristically, these are the richest forests on the globe (over 45 thousand species). The species composition of tree species reaches 5 thousand (in Europe there are 200 species). The forests are multi-tiered and lianas and epiphytes are abundantly represented. There are about 300 types of palms: palmyra, sugar, areca, sago, caryota, rattan palm. Tree ferns, bamboos, and pandanuses are numerous. On the coast there are Avicenia mangroves, rhizophora, and nipa palms. Zonal soils are leached and podzolized laterites. Mountains are characterized by vertical belts. Typical hylea at altitudes of 1000-1200 m is replaced by mountain hylea, lower in height, but more humid and dense. Above are deciduous formations. At the tops, low-growing bushes alternate with patches of meadow vegetation.
The fauna is rich and diverse. Preserved: orangutan, as well as monkey gibbon, macaques. Predators include tiger, leopard, sun bear, wild elephant. There are tapirs, tupayas, woolly wings, among reptiles - flying dragons, lizards, giant Komodo dragon (3-4 m). Of the snakes - pythons (reticulated up to 8-10 m), vipers, tree snakes. There is a gharial crocodile in the rivers.
Hylean forests preserved on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Hevea, spices, tea, mango, and breadfruit are grown on cleared lands.

Natural zones of the Earth differ most clearly in their vegetation cover, therefore The names of natural areas are given according to the main distinguishing feature - vegetation.

Natural zones of the equatorial and subequatorial geographical zones.

The largest areas are occupied in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia and Oceania. Equatorial moist forests (hylaea) are formed under conditions of constantly high temperatures and large amounts of precipitation throughout the year. These are the richest forests on the planet in terms of species composition. They are characterized by density, multi-layered structure, abundance of vines and epiphytes (plants growing on other plants - mosses, orchids, ferns) (Fig. 20).

Rice. 20 Equatorial rainforest

In South America, under the giant ceiba and bertoletia trees grow trees with valuable wood - rosewood and pau brazil, as well as ficus and hevea; in the lower tiers there are palm trees and a chocolate tree. In Africa, oil and wine palms, cola, breadfruit grow, and in the lower tiers - bananas and coffee trees. Valuable wood have mahogany, iron, ebony, sandalwood. Equatorial forests of Southeast Asia and. New Guinea is poorer in species composition: palms, ficuses, tree ferns. Hyleas form on poor red-yellow ferrallitic soils.

Hylaea animals are adapted to life in trees. Many have a prehensile tail, such as the sloth, opossum, and prehensile-tailed porcupine. Only in the gilae of the Old World have they been preserved apes- gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees. Land animals include forest antelopes and tapirs. There are predators: jaguar, leopard. Many birds: parrots, guinea fowl, peacocks, toucans, hummingbirds.

The transition zone between equatorial forests and savannas is subequatorial variable-humid forests. The presence of a dry period causes the appearance of deciduous trees. Among the evergreen trees, ficus and palm trees predominate.

Savannah And woodlands located mainly in subequatorial geographical zones, the largest areas are concentrated in Africa, South America, Australia and South Asia. Savannas are predominantly open grass plains with isolated trees and groves. They are characterized by alternating dry winter and wet summer seasons. Depending on the moisture content, wet, typical and desert savannas are distinguished, under which red, brown-red and red-brown soils develop, respectively. The grass cover is formed by bearded vultures and feather grass. Among the trees in the savannas of South America, palms (Mauritian palms, wine palms, wax palms) are typical. In African savannas, in addition to palm trees (oil palm, doum), baobabs are often found (Fig. 21).

Rice. 21 Baobab savannah

Casuarinas are typical for Australia. Acacias are ubiquitous.

African savannas are characterized by an abundance of ungulates (antelope, giraffe, elephant, zebra, buffalo, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses) and predators (lion, leopard, cheetah). Animals with a protective brown color are typical for South American savannas (spoken-horned deer, maned wolf), rodents (capybara) and edentates (armadillo, anteater). An integral part of the Australian savannas are marsupials (kangaroos, wombats) and large flightless birds (emu, cassowary).

Natural zones of tropical and subtropical geographical zones.

Forests form in the eastern oceanic regions of the tropics, and deserts and semi-deserts form in the central continental and western oceanic regions washed by cold currents.

Tropical deserts and semi-deserts - the most extensive natural zone of the tropical zones. The largest desert areas are concentrated in the tropical latitudes of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and central Australia. (Use the atlas map to determine which deserts are located inland and which are on the western coasts.) These are very hot and dry areas with poor plant cover and animal life. Based on the vegetation, deserts are divided into cereal-shrub, dwarf shrub and succulent deserts. Tropical semi-deserts and deserts North Africa- cereal-shrub species (acacia, tamarisk, wild millet, dwarf saxaul, camel thorn). In the oasis, the main cultivated crop is the date palm. For deserts South Africa Characterized by moisture-storing succulents (aloe, euphorbia, wild watermelons), as well as irises and lilies that bloom during short rains. The soils of semi-deserts are gray soils, while those of deserts are rocky or sandy (Fig. 22).

The deserts of Australia are characterized by bushy grass spinifex, while semi-deserts are characterized by thickets of quinoa and salt-tolerant species of acacia. Dry cereals and cacti grow on the gray soils of the coastal deserts of South America, and creeping and cushion-shaped grasses and thorny bushes grow on the gravelly soils of high-mountain deserts.

In the well-moistened east of the tropical zone they develop humid and variable tropical forests on red soils. In South America, palm trees, ficus, mahogany, and ceiba grow in them.

In the humid tropics of Madagascar, the “traveler’s tree”, iron and ebony trees, and rubber trees grow. Lemurs are preserved on the island. The tropical forests of Australia are characterized by eucalyptus trees, evergreen beeches, and araucarias.

Marsupials live (tree kangaroo, koala)

Rice. 22. Tropical sandy desert and “living fossils” - platypus and echidna.

On the western edge of the subtropical geographical zone in a Mediterranean climate, they are widespread tough-leaved evergreen forests And bushes . Classically hard-leaved evergreen forests are represented in the Mediterranean: cork and holm oak, Aleppo pine, pine, Atlas and Lebanese cedars, cypress with a rich undergrowth of wild olive, laurel, pistachio, myrtle, and strawberry tree.

The species composition of the vegetation of this natural zone differs by different continents. IN North America firs, cedars, thujas, pines and ancient sequoias grow. In South America - evergreen beeches, teak, and persea. The forests of South Africa consist of silverwood, Cape olive, African walnut; Australia - from eucalyptus and "grass wood".

The natural vegetation of the natural area has been largely eliminated, replaced by depleted thickets of shrubs on gray-brown soils. The brown soils of the forests have high fertility, so they are plowed for the cultivation of subtropical crops (olives, citrus fruits, grapevines, etc.).

The eastern margin of the subtropics is occupied by subtropical moist (including monsoon) forests of evergreen deciduous and coniferous species, with an abundance of lianas and epiphytes. Red soils and yellow soils are formed under these forests.

The richest forests remain in East Asia. They are characterized by a mixture of plants from different latitudes. Magnolia, lacquer tree and even palm trees and tree ferns grow next to maple and birch. The fauna is also characterized by a mixture of species: lynx, red deer, macaque, raccoon dog and the endangered panda.

In the continental regions of the subtropics there are zones subtropical steppes, semi-deserts and deserts . In Asia they have a mosaic distribution and occupy the largest areas in the south of Central Asia and in the interior parts of the highlands of Western Asia. Dry climate with hot summers and warm winter allows only drought-resistant grasses and shrubs (caragana, feather grass, wormwood, onions) to grow on gray soils and brown desert soils. Giant cacti (prickly pear and cereus), yucca and agaves give the subtropical deserts of North America their unique appearance. The richest subtropical steppes are in South America. On chernozem soils, forb-grass meadows of wild lupine, pampas grass, and feather grass grow.

The fauna of semi-deserts and deserts of the tropics and subtropics is represented by species adapted to high temperatures and lack of moisture. Ungulates (gazelles, mountain sheep, antelopes) travel long distances in search of food and water. “Ship of the desert” - a camel can be without food and water for a long time, storing it in its humps. Rodents dig holes: marmots, jerboas, gophers. Inhabited by scorpions, phalanges, geckos, skinks, boas (sand, steppe), snakes (vipers, rattles), monitor lizards.

Natural areas of temperate zones.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the temperate geographic zone includes most of Europe, Northern, Eastern and Central Asia, and the middle regions of North America. It has received limited distribution in the Southern Hemisphere. (Study the location of the temperate geographic zone on the atlas map.)

The largest area in temperate latitudes is occupied by forest zones. Their characteristic feature is a pronounced seasonality natural processes. In the northern part of the belt there is a continuous wide strip coniferous forests (taiga) on podzolic soils. The harsh moderate continental and sharply continental climate (with the exception of the western coasts) is the reason for the predominance of coniferous species - larch, pine, spruce, fir, cedar, and in the Eastern Hemisphere - also thuja, hemlock and Douglas fir. With sufficient moisture, dark coniferous spruce-fir forests are formed, and with insufficient moisture, light-coniferous pine-larch forests are formed on frozen soils. In the southern taiga, small-leaved species (aspen, alder, birch) are mixed with conifers.

Large areas are occupied by swamps.

In the southern part of the temperate zone, under conditions of marine and transitional to continental climate types, mixed and broad-leaved forests . In the Northern Hemisphere, coniferous species are gradually replaced by broad-leaved deciduous trees - beeches, oaks, chestnuts, hornbeams, maples, lindens, elms, ash trees - with an admixture of small-leaved trees, forming forests of mixed composition (Fig. 23). To the south, coniferous species disappear, completely giving way to broad-leaved ones. Soddy-podzolic soils develop under mixed forests, and brown forest soils develop under broad-leaved forests. Rice. 23. Mixed forest In the monsoon region of East Asia, unique in composition have been preserved monsoon mixed and deciduous forests . They are dominated by local species of conifers - Korean spruce and cedar, Daurian larch, as well as Manchurian and Amur species of oak, linden, chestnut, maple with a rich undergrowth of chokeberry and Amur lilac. The healing eleutherococcus and ginseng are found under the forest canopy.

Rice. 23 Mixed forest In the monsoon region

The fauna of forest zones is diverse. There are many ungulates - elk, roe deer, deer, wild boar; bison and bison are protected. The owner of the taiga - Brown bear. The ermine, mink, marten, sable, squirrel, and weasel have valuable fur. Predators include wolf, fox, lynx, wolverine, and the rare Amur tiger. The ponds are inhabited by beavers, otters, and muskrats. There are many birds: wood grouse, black grouse, hazel grouse, woodpecker, blackbird, oriole, crossbill, owl, heron. The nature of the taiga has largely preserved its pristine nature.

To the south, as the climate becomes more continental, forest zones gradually turn into forest-steppe . Here, areas of pine or aspen-birch forests on gray forest soils alternate with rich forb-grass meadows on chernozems.

Steppe zone occupies significant areas in the south of the East European Plain and Western Siberia, northern Central Asia, southern plains of the central regions of North America. Characterized by a continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold winter with thin snow cover. Low-grass dry cereal steppes (feather grass, fescue, wheatgrass) predominate; in more humid areas - forb-grass steppes. As a result of the decay of the rich grass cover in the steppes, chestnut and the most fertile chernozem soils were formed. Therefore, steppe and forest-steppe areas are almost everywhere plowed, the “sea of ​​grasses” has been replaced by grain fields.

The world of steppe and forest-steppe birds is rich: in Eurasia - cranes, larks, bustard, falcon, golden eagle, steppe harrier, in North America - turkey vulture, meadow grouse.

Deserts And semi-deserts temperate zones occupy part of Central Asia, the interior plateaus of the US Cordillera in North America, and the plains of Patagonia in South America. Hot, dry summers are replaced by cold and snowless winters. As in tropical deserts, plant and animal world does not differ in the richness of its species composition. Feather grass, tamarisk, ephedra, and saxaul grow on brown and gray-brown desert soils; wormwood and quinoa grow on saline soils.

Among the animals, ungulates, rodents and reptiles dominate. Representatives of ungulates in Asia are gazelle and gazelle antelopes, kulan, mountain goats, wild ass, rare saiga antelope and Przewalski's horse. Typical predators are the caracal, wild cat, the snow leopard (irbis) has been preserved in the mountains, and rodents include pikas and gerbils.

Natural zones of the subarctic and subantarctic belts. In the subarctic geographical zone there are two natural areas- forest-tundras and tundras occupying the northern outskirts of North America and Eurasia, extending beyond the Arctic Circle in Eastern Siberia. Long frosty winters and damp and cool summers lead to severe freezing of soils and the formation of permafrost. Thawing in summer of only the top soil layer leads to waterlogging of the area. Tundra-gley and peat-bog soils are poor in humus.

Forest-tundra - transition zone from taiga to tundra. Forest woodlands in river valleys of low larches, spruce and birch trees alternate with herbaceous and shrub vegetation in the interfluves.

In harsh conditions tundra low-growing grasses and creeping shrubs dominate. Lots of swamps. The shrub tundra in the south is characterized by dwarf birch, polar willow, wild rosemary, lingonberry, and cloudberry (Fig. 24). To the north, in the moss-lichen tundra, a continuous cover is formed by reindeer moss (moss), over which arctic poppy, forget-me-not, buttercup, and saxifrage rise. IN arctic tundra in the north only mosses, rare sedges and cotton grass grow.

Rice. 24 Lesotundra

To survive in harsh conditions, tundra animals acquired thick fur and stored fat for the winter. The Arctic fox has a protective white-gray coloration. Reindeer are almost completely domesticated. In summer, migratory birds (geese, waders, osprey) arrange nesting sites. Snowy owl and ptarmigan remain for the winter.

IN Arctic and Antarctic geographical zones- kingdom Arctic and Antarctic Pus tink . They occupy the extreme insular margin of North America, the island of Greenland, the far north of Asia and Antarctica. Rice. 25. Arctic desert

In conditions of constantly low temperatures, thick layers of snow and ice accumulate - ice deserts are formed. Mountain and shelf glaciers are common on the islands, and thick ice sheets are found in the central part of Greenland and Antarctica. Vegetable world here it is extremely sparse and scarce. Only in ice-free areas - rocky deserts - are mosses and lichens found.

Rice. 25 Polar bear

There are few terrestrial animals; tundra species enter. Hunting for seals in the Arctic polar bear(Fig. 25). The only large ungulate is the musk ox. There are many birds on the coasts, including migratory ones. In summer, guillemots, loons, gulls, petrels, and cormorants set up “bird markets” on the rocks. Amazing flightless birds live in Antarctica - penguins. Whales and seals live in coastal waters.

Bibliography

1. Geography 8th grade. Tutorial for 8th grade institutions of general secondary education with Russian as the language of instruction / Edited by Professor P. S. Lopukh - Minsk “People's Asveta” 2014

Latitudinal zoning. The large area of ​​Asia and the sharp contrasts in climate and topography have determined the presence on its territory of all the natural zones of the Northern Hemisphere.

The latitudinal extent of the zones is more clearly manifested in the northern lowland part of Asia. In the oceanic sectors and in the subequatorial belt, this pattern is violated. Great mosaic patterns are observed in the nature of mountainous regions.

Forest natural areas. Most of Asia is occupied by forests, which are located in all climatic zones except the Arctic. In the temperate zone there is a wide strip of taiga, bordered by mixed forests in the south.

Taiga occupies the central parts of the West Siberian Plain and the Central Siberian Plateau. Continental climate and the spread of permafrost determined the soil characteristics and species composition of the vegetation of Asian coniferous forests, which differ from European ones. The taiga of Siberia is predominantly sparse and light-coniferous. Its main constituent tree species– larch, which can withstand very low temperatures and is undemanding to soils.

In heavily swamped Western Siberia, the forests are predominantly pine. Scots pine belongs to one of the most unpretentious species: it grows on sand and rocky soils, and is not afraid of swamps. Siberian pine is called cedar.

Conifers are a valuable forest resource. For example, larch does not rot in water, Scots pine is indispensable in construction, and Siberian pine is used for the production of pencils.

Mixed forests grow in the south of Western Siberia. Here coniferous forests alternate with birch and aspen groves. Further east, mixed forests disappear. Deciduous trees reappear only in the far east, off the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan.

Pacific mixed forests are a natural mixture of southern and northern species. Another famous traveler N.M. Przhevalsky said that the spruce here is entwined with grapes, the birch is a neighbor of the velvet tree, and in the snow there are traces of a sable and a Ussuri tiger.

The forests here are multi-tiered, intertwined with vines of wild grapes. Schisandra and ginseng are found in the herbal cover. Next to the larch forests there are steppe areas. The rivers are inhabited by northern grayling and a guest from the south – tropical snakehead.

The main reason for such contrasts is that there was no glaciation here, so relict southern species could survive.

The variable-moist (monsoon) forests of Asia are located in three climatic zones, covering East Asia south of the Amur River and large areas in South Asia. The presence of a dry season forced plants, including evergreens, to withstand dry air. As we move from temperate to tropical latitudes, coniferous and deciduous trees (pine, oak, walnut, Japanese cherry - sakura) are gradually replaced by evergreens. Palm trees and ficus trees, tree ferns and bamboos, and magnolias become common here. Red and yellow earth soils form under these forests.

Variable humid forests in eastern Asia are highly modified by humans. In place of destroyed woody vegetation, residents grow rice, tea, and citrus fruits. The fauna, in which there are many endemics, also suffered: the bamboo bear - panda, Japanese macaques that escape the snow in hot springs, giant salamander up to a meter long, etc.

The variable-humid forests of Hindustan and Indochina are especially unique. The seasons, which differ greatly in moisture content, are characterized by almost the same temperature here. In some places, forests of iron, sal, satin and teak trees have been preserved on the red-yellow soils. There are many types of palm trees with colorful wood. There is sandalwood, the wood of which retains a wonderful smell for decades. The original multi-stemmed banyan tree also grows here.

In India, the banyan tree grows, which consists of 30,000 large trunks and the same number of smaller ones. Its height is 60 m and its age is about 3000 years. About 7,000 people can find shelter in the shade of this tree.

Forests are rapidly retreating from human onslaught in South Asia as well. True, due to the fact that Indians consider every animal sacred, many monkeys can be found in the jungles of Hindustan to this day, although they cause great damage to peasant gardens and fields. There are wild boars, deer, tigers, leopards, wild elephants and rhinoceroses. Lots of poisonous insects and snakes. Great variety of birds. In the waters of the Ganges, together with the gharial crocodiles, the freshwater dolphin lives.

In western Asia, forests occupy a very small area. They stretch in a narrow strip on the coasts of the Black and Mediterranean seas. It is dominated by hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs of the Mediterranean type, which are greatly modified by humans.

In humid conditions warm climate In the western Caucasus, in the Colchis Lowland, relict broad-leaved forests with evergreen tree species entwined with vines have been preserved.

The moist equatorial forests (hylaea) of Asia occupy large areas on the islands of the Malay Archipelago and about. Sri Lanka. In terms of richness of flora, they compete with forests in other parts of the world. There are more than 20,000 species of flowering plants alone. For example, there are ten times more orchids than in Africa.

Asian Hylaea are forests with a complex system of tiers. The tallest trees reach 70 m (palm trees, ficus trees). Among the trees there are often valuable species with colored wood. There are many lianas, orchids, and mosses in the forest. There are no bushes, their place is taken by dwarf trees. Spicy plants grow here: cloves, cinnamon trees, nutmeg, and black pepper. It is no coincidence that the Moluccas have long been called the “spice islands.”

The fauna of the Gilis is very diverse. Most of the animals here live in the upper tiers of the forest. There are many monkeys, only here you can find orangutans and gibbons. Felid predators are common, including tigers. Elephant and rhinoceros are occasionally seen. A large number of reptiles, including, for example, a flying dragon that can jump up to 30 m.

The area of ​​Asia's equatorial rainforests has been steadily declining as a result of human encroachment.

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In Eurasia from south to north they are located geographical zones equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate and subarctic zones. On humid oceanic margins they are represented mainly by various forest areas, and inside the mainland they are replaced by steppes, semi-deserts and deserts. On the elevated mountain outskirts of highlands and plateaus, due to increased moisture, deserts are replaced by semi-deserts and Western Asian shrub steppes. In the tropical latitudes of Asia, no less significant violations of latitudinal zonality are found. For example, in India and Indochina, zones of subequatorial (monsoon) forests and savannas, woodlands and shrubs replace each other not from south to north, but from west to east, which is associated with the predominance of the meridional extent of mountain ranges and the direction of the monsoons. Due to the penetration of equatorial air further than usual, these zones are shifted northward, up to the Himalayas, compared to Africa. Areas of mountainous relief, widespread in Asia, refract latitudinal zonality and contribute to the development of altitudinal zonality. In the arid conditions of Central Asia, the vertical differentiation of belts is small. On the contrary, on the windward slopes of the Himalayas, the Sichuan Alps, and the mountain ranges of Indochina, the number of belts increases significantly. Τᴀᴋᴎᴍ ᴏϬᴩᴀᴈᴏᴍ, on the structure altitude zones not only the latitudinal but also the sectoral position, on the one hand, and the exposure of the slopes, on the other, are affected. The spectrum of altitudinal zones is more complete the more low latitudes the country is mountainous and the higher it is and the more humid it is. An example of a large number of altitudinal zones is shown by the southern slopes of the Himalayas, a small number of them are shown by the northern slopes of the Himalayas and the slopes of Kunlun. Equatorial belt . The zone of equatorial forests (gils) occupies almost the entire Malay Archipelago, the southern half of the Philippine Islands, the southwest of the island of Ceylon and the Malacca Peninsula. It almost corresponds to the equatorial climatic zone with its characteristic values ​​of radiation balance and humidity. With large amounts of annual precipitation, evaporation is relatively low: from 500 to 750 mm in the mountains and from 750 to 1000 mm on the High plains annual temperatures and excessive moisture with uniform annual precipitation provide uniform flow and optimal conditions for development organic world and a thick weathering crust, on which leached and podzolized laterites are formed.

The processes of allitization and podzolization dominate in soil formation. In Asian equatorial forests Numerous families of the richest species (over 45 thousand) of flora and fauna dominate. Undergrowth and herbaceous cover are not developed in these forests. Due to the predominance of mountains over lowlands, typically latitudinal-zonal landscapes occupy smaller areas in Asia than in the Amazon and Congo basins. Above 1000-1300 m above sea level, the main plant formation of Hylea takes on mountain features. Due to the decrease in temperature and increase in humidity with altitude, mountain hylea has a number of features. The trees are less tall, but due to the abundance of moisture, the forest becomes especially dense and dark. It has a lot of vines, mosses and lichens. Above 1300-1500 m, forests are increasingly enriched with representatives of subtropical and boreal floras.
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On the high peaks, crooked forests and low-growing bushes alternate with lawns of herbaceous vegetation. Natural landscapes are best preserved on the islands of Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sumatra. In the subequatorial belt due to seasonal precipitation and uneven distribution of precipitation over the territory, as well as contrasts in annual progress temperatures, on the plains of Hindustan, Indochina and in the northern half of the Philippine Islands, landscapes of subequatorial forests, as well as savannas, woodlands and shrubs, develop.

Question 15: Natural areas of North America.

In the north of the continent, natural zones stretch in stripes from west to east, while in the middle and southern parts they extend from north to south. Altitudinal zonation is evident in the Cordillera.

Arctic desert zone. Greenland and most of the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago are in the zone arctic deserts. Here, in places freed from snow and ice, on poor rocky and marshy soils, during a short and cool summer mosses and lichens grow. There is a musk ox.

Tundra zone. The northern coast of the mainland and the adjacent islands are occupied by a tundra zone. The southern border of the tundra in the west lies near the Arctic Circle, and as it moves east it enters more southern latitudes, capturing the coast of Hudson Bay and the northern part of the Labrador Peninsula.
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Here, under conditions of short and cool summers and permafrost, tundra soils are formed, in which plant residues decompose slowly. In addition, the frozen layer prevents the seepage of moisture, resulting in the formation of excess moisture. For this reason, peat bogs are widespread in the tundra. Mosses and lichens grow on tundra-gley soils in the northern part of the tundra, and marsh grasses, wild rosemary shrubs, blueberry and blueberry bushes, low-growing birches, willows, and alders in the southern part. The North American tundra is home to arctic fox, polar wolf, caribou reindeer, ptarmigan, and others.
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In summer a lot of people come here migratory birds. There are many seals and walruses in the coastal waters of the zone. Polar bears are found on the northern coast of the mainland. In the west, in the Cordillera, mountain tundra extends far to the south. To the south, woody vegetation appears more and more often, the tundra gradually turns into forest-tundra, and then into coniferous forests or taiga.

Taiga zone. The taiga zone extends in a wide strip from west to east. Podzolic soils predominate here. They are formed under humid and cool summer conditions, due to which minor plant litter slowly decomposes and produces a small amount of humus (up to 2%). Mostly coniferous trees grow in the taiga - black spruce, balsam fir, pine, American larch; There are also deciduous ones - paper birch with smooth white bark, aspen. Animals - bears, wolves, lynxes, foxes, deer, moose and valuable fur-bearing animals - sable, beaver, muskrat. The slopes of the Cordillera, facing the ocean, are covered with dense coniferous forests, mainly of Sitka spruce, hemlock, and Douglas fir. Forests rise along the mountain slopes up to 1000-1500 m; higher they thin out and turn into mountain tundra. In the mountain forests there are grizzly bears, skunks, and raccoons; There are a lot of salmon fish in the rivers, and seal rookeries are located on the islands.

Zones of mixed and deciduous forests. To the south of the coniferous forest zone there are zones of mixed and broad-leaved forests, as well as variable rain forests. Οʜᴎ are located only in the eastern part of the mainland, where the climate is milder and more humid, reaching in the south to Gulf of Mexico. Under mixed forests in the north there are gray forest soils, under broad-leaved forests there are brown forest soils, and in the south under variable wet soils there are yellow soils and red soils. Mixed forests are dominated by yellow birch, sugar maple, beech, linden, white and red pine. Broad-leaved forests are characterized by various types of oaks, chestnut, sycamore and tulip trees.

Zone of evergreen tropical forests. The evergreen tropical forests in the southern Mississippi and Atlantic lowlands consist of oaks, magnolias, beeches and dwarf palms. The trees are entwined with vines.

Forest-steppe zone. To the west of the forest zone there is less precipitation, and herbaceous vegetation predominates here. The forest zone passes into the zone of forest-steppes with chernozem-like soils and steppes with humus-rich chernozems and chestnut soils. Steppes with tall grasses, mainly cereals, reaching a height of 1.5 m, are called prairies in North America. Woody vegetation is found in river valleys and in moist low areas. Closer to the Cordillera, there is even less rainfall and the vegetation becomes poorer; low grasses - Grama grass (grass) and bison grass (perennial grass only 10-30 cm high) - do not cover the entire ground and grow in separate bunches.