Subtropical forests and shrubs. Types of flora_geobotany Subtropical forests and shrubs

The tundra occupies such areas as the coastal outskirts of Greenland, the western and northern outskirts of Alaska, the coast of Hudson Bay, and some areas of the Newfoundland and Labrador peninsulas. In Labrador, due to the severity of the climate, the tundra reaches 55° N. sh., and in Newfoundland it drops even further south. The tundra is part of the circumpolar Arctic subregion of the Holarctic. The North American tundra is characterized by the distribution permafrost, strong soil acidity and rocky soils. Its northernmost part is almost completely barren or covered only with mosses and lichens. Large areas are occupied by swamps. In the southern part of the tundra, a rich herbaceous cover of grasses and sedges appears. Some dwarf tree forms are characteristic, such as creeping heather, dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa), willow and alder.

Next comes the forest-tundra. It reaches its maximum size west of Hudson Bay. Woody forms of vegetation are already beginning to appear. This strip forms the northern limit of forests in North America, dominated by species such as larch (Larix laricina), black and white spruce (Picea mariana and Picea canadensis).

On the slopes of the Alaska mountains, lowland tundra, as well as on the Scandinavian Peninsula, gives way to mountain tundra and char vegetation.

In terms of species, tundra vegetation North America almost no different from the European-Asian tundra. There are only some floristic differences between them.

Coniferous forests temperate zone occupy most of North America. These forests form the second and last vegetation zone, which stretches across the entire continent from west to east and is a latitudinal zone. Further to the south, latitudinal zonality is preserved only in the eastern part of the continent.

On the Pacific coast, taiga is distributed from 61 to 42° N. sh., then it passes through the lower slopes of the Cordillera and then spreads to the plain to the east. In this area, the southern border of the zone coniferous forests rises north to a latitude of 54-55° N, but then it descends back to the south to the territories of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, but only its lower reaches.<

Coniferous forests along the line from the eastern slopes of the Alaska mountains to the Labrador coast are distinguished by significant uniformity in the species composition of the species.

A distinctive feature of the coniferous forests of the Pacific coast from the forest zone of the east is their appearance and composition of species. So, the forest zone of the Pacific coast is very similar to the eastern regions of the Asian taiga, where endemic coniferous species and genera grow. But the eastern part of the continent is similar to the European taiga.

The “Hudson” eastern taiga is characterized by the predominance of fairly developed coniferous trees with a high and powerful crown. This composition of species includes such endemic species as white or Canadian spruce (Picea canadensis), Banks pine (Pinus banksiana), American larch, balsam fir (Abies balsamea). From the latter, a resinous substance is extracted, which finds its way into technology - Canada balsam. Although conifers predominate in this zone, there are still many deciduous trees and shrubs in the Canadian taiga. And in burnt areas, of which there are many in the Canadian taiga region, even deciduous trees predominate.

Deciduous tree species in this coniferous zone include: aspen (Populus tremuloides), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), paper birch (Betula papyrifera). This birch tree has white and smooth bark, which the Indians used to build their canoes. It is characterized by a very diverse and rich undergrowth of berry bushes: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, black and red currants. This zone is characterized by podzolic soils. In the north they turn into soils of permafrost-taiga composition, and in the south they become soddy-podzolic soils.

The soil and vegetation cover of the Appalachian zone is very rich and diverse. Here, on the slopes of the Appalachians, rich broadleaf forests grow in species diversity. Such forests are also called Appalachian forests. These forests are very similar to the genera of East Asian and European forests, in which the dominant role is dominated by endemic species of noble chestnut (Castanea dentata), may beech (Fagus grandifolia), American oak (Quercus macrocarpa), red sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). A characteristic feature of all these trees is that they are very powerful and tall trees. These trees are often covered with ivy and wild grapes.

Since Eurasia lies in all climatic zones of the northern hemisphere, all natural zones of the globe are represented here.

Arctic deserts, tundra and forest-tundra

Zones of arctic deserts, tundra and forest-tundra stretch in a narrow continuous strip across the entire continent. The climate of the Arctic deserts is very strict. The vegetation is very poor. Large areas have no vegetation cover.

Arctic fox, polar bear, and reindeer are found here. In summer, many waterfowl arrive; they settle on high rocky shores, forming bird colonies.

In the tundra there is little precipitation, temperatures are low, and permafrost is characteristic, which contributes to the formation of swamps.

Taiga

There are many peat and sedge bogs here. The European taiga is dominated by pine and spruce. They are mixed with small-leaved species - birch, aspen, rowan. South of 60°N. w. broad-leaved species appear in the forests - maple, ash, oak. In the Asian taiga, fir, Siberian pine or cedar grow, as well as larch - the only coniferous tree that sheds its needles for the winter.

The fauna of coniferous forests is very rich. It is home to elk, squirrel, mountain hare and forest lemming. The most common predators are wolf, fox, lynx, pine marten, ferret, weasel and brown bear. Otters live in ponds. Among the birds, the most numerous are crossbills, woodpeckers, ptarmigan, wood grouse, black grouse, hazel grouse and owls.

Mixed forests

The main part of mixed forests in Europe is located on the East European Plain and gradually disappears in a western direction. In these forests, broad-leaved species grow alongside coniferous and small-leaved species. There is already abundant grass cover on soddy-podzolic soils, and swamps are less common. In Asia there is also a zone of mixed forests, but it appears only in the Pacific sector of the temperate zone, where forests grow in a monsoon climate and their composition is more diverse.

Western, Atlantic broad-leaved forests are characterized by beech and oak. As we move east and the amount of precipitation decreases, beech forests are replaced by lighter oak forests.

Hornbeam, linden, and maple grow in broad-leaved forests. In addition to animals living in the taiga, there are wild boar, roe deer, and deer. The brown bear is found in the Carpathians and Alps.

Forest-steppe and steppe

In the forest-steppe, islands of forests on gray forest soils alternate with steppe areas. The steppes are dominated by herbaceous vegetation. Various grasses are most common in the grass cover.

Among the animals, rodents predominate - gophers, marmots, and field mice. Natural vegetation has been preserved only in nature reserves.

In the eastern part of the Gobi Plateau there are dry steppes: the grass is low or the soil surface is completely devoid of grass cover, and there are saline areas.

Semi-deserts and temperate deserts

These zones extend from the Caspian lowland across the plains of Central and Central Asia. Brown semi-desert soils and brown and gray-brown desert soils are developed here.

In deserts, conditions are unfavorable for plant development: little rainfall and dry air. In clayey and rocky deserts there is no soil cover of vegetation. In the sandy deserts of the temperate zone, saxaul, wormwood, solyanka, and astragalus grow.

The fauna of these zones is also poor. In semi-deserts and deserts the Przewalski's horse, wild kulan donkeys, camels, and various and numerous rodents are still preserved.

Subtropical forests and shrubs

A zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs stretches along the Mediterranean coast. The climatic conditions of the zone are characterized by dry and hot summers, rainy and warm winters.

Holm and cork oaks, wild olive, Mediterranean pine, and cypress grow on chestnut soils. The forests on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea are now almost completely cut down. Now there are thickets of evergreen bushes and low trees growing here.

In the south of China and the Japanese islands there is a zone of variable-humid (monsoon) forests. Summers here are humid, winters are relatively dry and cool. In the forests on red soils and yellow soils, magnolias, palm trees, ficuses, camellias, camphor laurel grow, and bamboo is found.

Subtropical and tropical semi-deserts and deserts

Inland deserts feature hot and dry climates throughout Eurasia. The average July temperature can reach +30 °C. It rains extremely rarely.

The plants in these zones are the same as those in temperate deserts. Acacias grow along dry riverbeds, and date palms are grown in oases.

The fauna of deserts is relatively poor. In Arabia there are wild Przewalski's horses, wild ass, fleet-footed antelopes, and wild donkeys and onagers. There are also predators - striped hyena, jackal. Lots of rodents - jerboas, gerbils.

Savannas and subequatorial forests

In the savannas of Eurasia, palm trees, acacias, teak and sal trees grow among tall grasses. There are areas of sparse forests. Subequatorial humid variable-humid forests cover the western coast of Hindustan, the region of the lower reaches of the Ganges and Brahmaputra, the coast of the Indochina Peninsula and the northern part of the Philippine Islands. The vegetation of the zone resembles southern equatorial rainforests, but some trees shed their leaves during the dry season.

The fauna of savannas and subequatorial forests is diverse. Many ungulates, especially antelopes, many monkeys. Tigers and leopards hunt along the rivers of Hindustan. Wild elephants still live in Hindustan and on the island of Sri Lanka.

Equatorial rainforests

In Eurasia they occupy quite large areas and are diverse. There are more than 300 species of palm trees alone. The coconut palm grows on the coast of the Philippine Islands and the Malay Archipelago. Numerous species of bamboos grow in equatorial forests.

Altitudinal zone

Brighter altitudinal zonations were found in the Alps and Himalayas - the highest mountain systems in Europe and Asia. The highest mountains of Europe are the Alps. Their highest point, Mont Blanc, reaches an altitude of 4807 m. In addition, this mountain system is an important climate for Europe. Glaciers and eternal snow decrease in the Alps to 2500-3200 m.

The highest mountain system in Asia and the entire globe is the Himalayas. Their highest point is the city of Chomolungma. The Himalayas are the natural boundary between the mountainous deserts of Central Asia and the tropical landscapes of South Asia.

At the foot of the Eastern Himalayas are the Terai. Tall bamboo, various palm trees, and sal tree grow in them. Elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes live here, among the predators are tigers, spotted and black leopards, many monkeys, and snakes. Above 1500 m and up to 2000 m there is a belt of evergreen subtropical forests. At an altitude of 2000 m, these forests give way to forests of deciduous species with an admixture of conifers. Above 3500 m the belt of bushes and alpine meadows begins.

On the southern slopes of the Alps, the landscapes of the lower altitudinal zone up to an altitude of 800 m have Mediterranean features. In the northern regions of the Western Alps, beech and mixed forests predominate in the lower belt; in the drier eastern Alps, oak and pine forests alternate with steppe meadows. Up to an altitude of 1800 m, a second zone with oak and beech forests with the participation of coniferous trees is common.

The subalpine belt extends to an altitude of 2300 m - shrub and tall grass meadow vegetation predominates. In the alpine belt, most of the mountain surface is devoid of vegetation or covered with crustose lichens. The upper zone is a belt of high-mountain rocky and glacial deserts, in which higher plants and animals are practically absent. The Alps are one of the most important recreational areas in Europe.

Changing nature by man

Over the course of historical time, the natural conditions of the continent have been changed by man. In many areas, natural vegetation has been almost completely destroyed and replaced by cultivated vegetation. The steppe and forest-steppe zones were especially affected.

In many cases, irreversible changes have occurred in nature, many species of plants and animals have been destroyed, and soils have been depleted. National parks, reserves and other protected areas were created to preserve nature.

The largest continent of our planet is Eurasia. It is washed by all four oceans. The flora and fauna of the continent amazes with its diversity. This is explained by difficult living conditions, terrain, and temperature contrast. The western part of the continent contains plains, while the eastern part is mostly covered with mountains. All natural areas are present here. They are mainly stretched from west to east.

Flora and fauna of arctic deserts, tundra and forest-tundra

The northern regions of Eurasia are characterized by low temperatures, permafrost and marshy areas. The flora and fauna in these areas are poor.

There is no continuous soil cover in Arctic deserts. You can only find mosses and lichens, and very rarely some types of grasses and sedges.

The fauna is mainly marine: walruses, seals; in the summer, bird species such as goose, eider, and guillemot arrive. There are few land animals: polar bear, arctic fox and lemming.

On the territory of the tundra and forest-tundra, in addition to the plants of the Arctic deserts, dwarf trees (willows and birches) and shrubs (blueberries, princelings) begin to be found. The inhabitants of this natural area are reindeer, wolves, foxes, and brown hares. Polar owls and white partridges live here. Fish swim in rivers and lakes.

Animals and plants of Eurasia: taiga

The climate of these areas is warmer and more humid. They dominate on podzolic soils. Depending on the composition of the soil and topography, they differ from each other. It is customary to distinguish dark coniferous and light coniferous. The first plants of Eurasia are represented mainly by fir and spruce, the second - by pines and larches.

Small-leaved species are also found among conifers: birch and aspen. They usually dominate the first stages of forest restoration after fires and logging. The continent contains 55% of the coniferous forests of the entire planet.

There are many fur-bearing animals living in the taiga. You can also find lynx, squirrel, wolverine, chipmunk, moose, roe deer, hares and numerous rodents. Birds at these latitudes are inhabited by crossbills, hazel grouse, and nutcrackers.

Mixed and broad-leaved forests: animals and plants of Eurasia

The list of fauna of territories more south of the taiga is represented by numerous trees. They are mainly found in Europe and the Far East.

In broad-leaved forests, the flora is characterized as follows: tree layer (usually 1-2 species or more), shrubs and herbs.

Life at this latitude freezes during the cold season and begins to wake up in the spring. Most often you can find oak, linden, maple, ash, and beech. Basically, these Eurasian plants flower and bear fruits rich in nutrients, such as acorns, nuts and others.

The second tree layer is represented by Mak bird cherry, yellow maple, Maksimovich cherry, Amur lilac, and viburnum. Honeysuckle, aralia, currants, and elderberries grow in the undergrowth. There are also vines here: grapes and lemongrass.

The flora of the Far East is more diverse and has a southern appearance. These areas have more vines and moss on the trees. This is due to the precipitation brought by the Pacific Ocean. The mixed forests here are simply unique. You can find larch, and nearby - actinidia, spruce and nearby - hornbeam and yew.

The relationship between the animal and plant worlds is unconditional. Therefore, the fauna of these territories is more diverse: deer, wild boar, bison, roe deer, squirrel, chipmunk, various rodents, hare, hedgehog, fox, brown bear, wolf, marten, weasel, mink. There are also some species of reptiles and amphibians.

Forest-steppe and steppe

As you move from west to east of the continent, the climate changes significantly. Warm weather and lack of sufficient moisture formed fertile black soils and forest soils. The flora becomes poorer, the forest becomes sparse, consisting of birch, linden, oak, maple, alder, willow, and elm. In the eastern part of the mainland, the soils are saline; only grasses and shrubs are found.

However, in spring, the steppe expanses are simply pleasing to the eye: the plants of Eurasia wake up. Multi-colored carpets of violets, tulips, sage, and irises are spread over many kilometers.

With the arrival of warmth, the fauna also becomes active. It is represented here by steppe birds, ground squirrels, voles, jerboas, foxes, wolves, and saigas.

It is worth noting that most of this natural area is used for agriculture. The natural fauna has been preserved for the most part in places not suitable for arable land.

Deserts and semi-deserts

Despite the harsh climate of these areas, the flora and fauna are rich in diversity. Plants of the Eurasian continent of this natural zone are unpretentious. These are wormwood and ephemeral, cactus, sand acacia, tulips and malcomia.

Some go through their life cycle in a couple of months, others quickly wither, thereby maintaining their roots and bulbs underground.

The animals of these places are nocturnal, since during the day they have to hide from the scorching sun. Large representatives of the fauna are saigas, smaller ones are various rodents, ground squirrels, steppe tortoises, geckos, and lizards.

Savannas and woodlands

This natural area is characterized by a monsoon climate. Tall plants of Eurasia in savannas are not often found in drought conditions; these are mainly palm trees, acacias, wild banana thickets, and bamboo. In some places you can find evergreen trees.

Some representatives of the local flora shed their foliage for several months during the dry season.

The fauna of savannas and woodlands, characteristic of this area, includes a tiger, an elephant, a rhinoceros, and a large number of reptiles.

Evergreen subtropical forests

They occupy the Mediterranean region. Summers here are hot and winters are warm and humid. Such weather conditions are favorable for the growth of evergreen trees and shrubs: pine, bay tree, holm and cork oak, magnolia, cypress, and various vines. In places where agriculture is well developed, there are many vineyards, wheat and olive plantations.

The animals and plants of Eurasia characteristic of this natural zone are significantly different from those that lived here before. It's all man's fault. Now wolves, tigers, gophers, marmots, and horned goats live here.

Tropical rainforests

They stretch from east to south of Eurasia. The flora is characterized by both coniferous and deciduous forests: cedar, oak, pine, walnut, and evergreens: ficus, bamboo, magnolia, palm, which prefer red-yellow soils.

The fauna is also diverse: tigers, monkeys, leopards, pandas, gibbons.

ABSTRACT ON BIOGEGRAPHY

SUBJECT:

BIOMES OF SUBTROPICAL ZONES

Is done by a student

gr. PRZ-10-1

Gudova A.A.

N.Novgorod

Plan

Introduction........................................................ ........................................................ ......... 3

Biomes of subtropical zones................................................................. ............................. 4

Climate: ........................................................ ........................................................ .... 4

Subtropical deciduous forests.................................................................... ........ 5

Subtropical evergreen forests.................................................................... ....... 5

Bibliography:.............................................. ........................................................ .. 9

Introduction

There is still no consensus in the literature regarding the identity of formations developing in the interval between 30 and 40° latitude. In the domestic literature, these communities are classified as subtropical; in foreign works they are often considered as characteristic of warm-temperate regions.

The territories lying between 30 and 40° latitude in the northern and southern hemispheres are characterized by a wide variety of climatic conditions associated with differences in the humidity of the western, eastern and continental sectors of the continents. In the arid continental sectors of these latitudes, desert formations develop; the better-humidified western and eastern sectors are covered with tree and shrub formations.

The main factor differentiating the development of vegetation (as in the tropics) is humidity, since significant, and especially prolonged drops in temperature are a rare and far from universal phenomenon. There are known differences in the pattern of precipitation distribution between the western and eastern margins of the continents. In the western sectors of the continents, the so-called Mediterranean type of climate is expressed with winter rains and hot, dry summers. The eastern sectors are predominantly characterized by a climate with a relatively uniform distribution of precipitation throughout the year and the absence of a pronounced period of summer drought.

Biomes of subtropical zones.

The biomes of these zones occupy an intermediate position between temperate zones and hot zones. The oceanic subtropics are located along latitude 30° in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Climate:

in winter: air 10 - 15°C, water 15 - 20°C, in summer: air and water 20 - 25°C.

A characteristic feature of subtropical zones is that they contain areas of high atmospheric pressure. Downdrafts of air coming with anti-trade winds predominate here. In the northern hemisphere, in the Atlantic Ocean, the subtropical zone is affected by the Azores maximum of atmospheric pressure, and in the Pacific Ocean, by the Hawaiian maximum. From here the air spreads to higher and lower latitudes. This is the area where trade winds originate. The currents are weak and of variable directions. A similar picture is observed at the corresponding latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere.

In summer, subtropical zones usually have clear skies, negligible precipitation, and dry air. Over the course of a year, a layer of water more than two meters thick evaporates in the ocean. Therefore, here is the maximum salinity for the ocean: in the Atlantic 37.5% 0, in the Mediterranean Sea up to 39% 0, in the Pacific Ocean 35% 0.

As a result of the intense heating of surface waters, a stable stratification is created when surface waters are separated from cold deep waters by a thermocline. In the autumn-winter period, the water temperature drops slightly and, due to high salinity, density convection occurs.

However, the sinking of surface waters is not compensated by the rise of deep waters; the deficit is made up by the flow of water from the north and south. The waters of the subtropics are poor in nutrient biogenic layers, which limits the productivity of phytoplankton, and ultimately determines the limited stocks of fish in the sea.

Characteristic representatives of the fishing complex of the subtropical zone are transitional from the warm-boreal to the tropical and equatorial.

The intermediate position of the subtropical zones is manifested, in particular, in the fact that in winter, areas of high atmospheric pressure shift to the equator and the subtropical zones are captured by the atmospheric circulation characteristic of temperate zones - cyclonic activity, westerly transport. In the cold season, wind and waves increase, and the amount of precipitation increases.

On land, zonal landscape types are represented by wet and dry subtropics. The more southern regions, along the western edges of the continents, correspond to the outskirts of the great belt of tropical deserts.

Subtropical deciduous forests

Tropical and subtropical deciduous biomes respond not to seasonal changes in temperature, but to the amount of precipitation that falls during the season. During the dry season, plants shed their leaves to conserve moisture and avoid death from desiccation. Leaf fall in such forests does not depend on the season, at different latitudes of different hemispheres, even within a small region, forests can differ in the time and duration of leaf fall, different slopes of the same mountain or vegetation on river banks and watersheds can be like a patchwork quilt of bare and leafy trees.

Subtropical evergreen forests

Subtropical evergreen forest - a forest common in subtropical zones.

Dense broad-leaved forest with evergreen tree and shrub species.

The subtropical climate of the Mediterranean is dry, precipitation in the form of rain falls in winter, even mild frosts are extremely rare, summers are dry and hot. The subtropical forests of the Mediterranean are dominated by thickets of evergreen shrubs and low trees. Trees stand sparsely, and various herbs and shrubs grow wildly between them. Junipers, noble laurel, strawberry trees that shed their bark annually, wild olives, delicate myrtle, and roses grow here. These types of forests are characteristic mainly in the Mediterranean, and in the mountains of the tropics and subtropics.

The subtropics on the eastern edges of the continents are characterized by a more humid climate. Atmospheric precipitation falls unevenly, but there is more rain in the summer, that is, at a time when vegetation especially needs moisture. Dense humid forests of evergreen oaks, magnolias, and camphor laurel predominate here. Numerous lianas, thickets of tall bamboos and various shrubs enhance the uniqueness of the humid subtropical forest.

Subtropical forest differs from humid tropical forests in lower species diversity, a decrease in the number of epiphytes and lianas, as well as the appearance of coniferous and tree ferns in the forest stand.

The subtropical zone is characterized by a wide variety of climatic conditions, expressed in the peculiarities of moisture in the western, inland and eastern sectors. The western sector of the continent has a Mediterranean type of climate, the uniqueness of which lies in the discrepancy between the wet and warm periods. The average annual precipitation on the plains is 300-400 mm (in the mountains up to 3000 mm), the majority of which falls in winter. Winter is warm, the average temperature in January is not lower than 4 C. Summer is hot and dry, the average temperature in July is above 19 C. Under these conditions, Mediterranean hard-leaved plant communities have formed on brown soils. In the mountains, brown soils give way to brown forest soils.

The main area of ​​distribution of hard-leaved forests and shrubs in the subtropical zone of Eurasia is the Mediterranean territory, developed by ancient civilizations. Grazing by goats and sheep, fires and land exploitation have led to the almost complete destruction of natural vegetation cover and soil erosion. Climax communities here were represented by evergreen hard-leaved forests dominated by the oak genus. In the western part of the Mediterranean, with sufficient rainfall on various parent rocks, a common species was sclerophyte holm oak up to 20 m high. The shrub layer included low-growing trees and shrubs: boxwood, strawberry tree, phyllyria, evergreen viburnum, pistachio and many others. The grass and moss cover was sparse. Cork oak forests grew on very poor acidic soils. In eastern Greece and on the Anatolian coast of the Mediterranean Sea, holm oak forests were replaced by kermes oak forests. In warmer parts of the Mediterranean, oak stands were replaced by stands of wild olive (wild olive tree), pistachio lentiscus and ceratonia. The mountainous regions were characterized by forests of European fir, cedar (Lebanon), and black pine. Pines (Italian, Aleppo and maritime) grew on the sandy soils of the plains. As a result of deforestation, various shrub communities have long arisen in the Mediterranean. The first stage of forest degradation is apparently represented by a maquis shrub community with isolated trees resistant to fires and deforestation. Its species composition is formed by a variety of shrubby plants of the undergrowth of degraded oak forests: various types of Erica, cistus, strawberry tree, myrtle, pistachio, wild olive, carob tree, etc. The shrubs are often intertwined with climbing, often thorny plants, sarsaparilla, multi-colored blackberry, evergreen rose, etc. The abundance of thorny and climbing plants makes the maquis difficult to pass. In place of the reduced maquis, the formation of a garigue community of low-growing shrubs, subshrubs and xerophilic herbaceous plants develops. Low-growing (up to 1.5 m) thickets of kermes oak dominate, which are not eaten by livestock and quickly occupy new territories after fires and logging. The families of Lamiaceae, legumes and Rosaceae, which produce essential oils, are abundantly represented in garigi. Typical plants include pistachio, juniper, lavender, sage, thyme, rosemary, cistus, etc. Gariga has various local names, for example, in Spain, tomillaria. The next formation formed on the site of the degraded maquis is freegan, the vegetation cover of which is extremely sparse. Often these are rocky wastelands. Gradually, all plants eaten by livestock disappear from the vegetation cover; for this reason, geophytes (asphodelus), poisonous (euphorbia) and prickly (astragalus, Asteraceae) plants predominate in the composition of freegana. In the lower zone of the Mediterranean mountains, including western Transcaucasia, subtropical evergreen laurel, or laurel-leaved, forests, named after the predominant species of various types of laurel, are common.

TOPIC 2. EURASIA

LESSON 52. NATURAL AREAS OF EURASIA. SEMI-DESERTS AND DESERTS. SUBTROPICAL FORESTS. SAVANNAH. SUBECUATORIAL AND EQUATORIAL FORESTS. VERTICAL SIZE

Target:

· repeat, expand and systematize knowledge about the natural zones of Eurasia; to develop knowledge about the features of the vertical zonation of the continent; improve practical skills to characterize the natural areas of the continent with thematic atlas maps;

· develop the ability to independently plan ways to achieve educational objectives, organize joint activities with peers, work in a group, and find a common solution; develop competencies in the use of ICT technologies;

· cultivate tolerance and respect for the opinions of others.

Equipment: physical map of Eurasia, map of natural areas of the world, textbooks, atlases, computer, multimedia projector, student multimedia presentations, outline maps.

Lesson type: combined.

Expected results: students will be able to characterize the features of natural zones of Eurasia; compare them with similar natural areas in North America; identify differences in natural complexes within the temperate zone of Eurasia.

DURING THE CLASSES

I. ORGANIZATIONAL MOMENT

II. UPDATING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Work in pairs

Reception "Geographical workshop"

Tasks. Using atlas maps, compare the location of natural zones in North America and Eurasia. Name the signs of similarity and difference. (One of the students identifies signs of similarity, the second - differences.)

Reception “Problem question”

Unlike North America, in Europe woody vegetation extends to almost 70° mon. w. How can we explain its presence at such high latitudes?

III. MOTIVATION OF LEARNING AND COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

Technique “Practicality of Theory”

A comparison of the natural zones of Eurasia with the natural zones of North America shows that there are certain signs of similarity in their distribution on both continents, but also many differences.

Thus, vast spaces in Eurasia are occupied by a natural zone of deserts and semi-deserts, which in area is second only to forests. Deserts and semi-deserts were formed not even in one, but in three geographical zones of Asia!

Unlike other continents, in Eurasia much larger areas are occupied by areas of vertical zonation. The diversity of natural zones in Eurasia is also striking.

Today we will continue to work on characterizing the natural complexes of the continent.

Groups of students who conducted a detailed study of the following natural zones of Eurasia will help us with this.

IV. LEARNING NEW MATERIAL

1. Characteristics of natural areas

(Group performances. Sample.)

Semi-deserts and deserts

Semi-deserts and deserts formed in the arid regions of central, southwestern, and partially southern Asia in three climatic zones: temperate, subtropical and tropical.

Temperate deserts occupy a significant part of Central Asia. These are the Karakum, Kyzylkum, Gobi, and Taklamakan deserts. In semi-deserts, light chestnut and brown soils predominate, in deserts - gray-brown soils with a very small amount of humus, and many saline soils. The vegetation is very poor, in some places completely absent. The grass cover of wormwood, solyanka, and hard prickly grasses is found in individual bushes. A typical plant of these deserts is the tree-like shrub saxaul. Temperate deserts are characterized by sharp contrasts in climatic conditions: sweltering heat in summer and severe frosts and winds in winter. The fauna is well adapted to temperature changes and constant water shortages. There are many rodents - gophers, jerboas, pikas; Large herbivores include antelopes, kulans, and Bactrian camels. There are especially many reptiles - lizards, snakes, turtles and arachnids - scorpions and tarantulas.

In the subtropical zone, the zone of semi-deserts and deserts is located on plateaus and highlands fenced by mountains - Asia Minor, Iranian and the like. Here, on infertile gray soils and gray-brown soils, ephemeral vegetation grows, which rapidly develops in the spring.

The Arabian Peninsula, the northern shores of the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the lower reaches of the Indus River are occupied by tropical deserts. Vegetation is extremely sparse, and on quicksand it is completely absent. The date palm grows in the oases - the main crop of the oases of the Arabian Peninsula.

Tropical deserts are home to various rodents, wild ass, fennec fox, and striped hyena. In general, the natural conditions of the tropical deserts of Eurasia are in many ways similar to those of Africa.

Subtropical forests

The southwest and southeast of Eurasia, within the subtropical zone, are occupied by zones with evergreen vegetation.

The zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs is located on the Mediterranean coast, protected by mountains from the cold northern winds. In a subtropical climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, plants grow that have adapted to long-term summer drought: holm and cork oak, strawberry tree, laurel, oleander, olive tree, cypress. They have thick bark, shiny waxy leaves, and a strong root system. In our time, there are few evergreen forests near the Mediterranean, but thickets of evergreen shrubs - maquis - are common. There are also few wild animals left. There are fallow deer, jackal, wild rabbit, and in the west - monkey, white-tailed macaque. Lots of lizards, snakes and turtles. In southeast Asia there is a zone of subtropical monsoon forests. It occupies the southern part of the Great Chinese Plain, the south of the Korean Peninsula and the southern half of the Japanese Islands. The climatic conditions here are different than near the Mediterranean: precipitation is predominantly in summer. they are brought in by the summer monsoon from the ocean. Winters are cool and relatively dry. Evergreen trees grow in the forests on yellow soils and red soils: magnolias, camphor laurel, camellias, tung tree, low-growing palms, bamboo. They are mixed with deciduous trees: oak, beech, hornbeam and southern conifers (special types of pine, cypress). Wild animals are preserved mainly in the mountains. There are black Himalayan bears, bamboo bears - pandas, leopards, monkeys - macaques and gibbons. There are many birds with bright plumage - pheasants, parrots, ducks.

Savannas and woodlands

The plains of the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas and the islands of Sri Lanka, where the dry period is well defined, are occupied by savannas and woodlands in the subequatorial belt. They are characterized by a predominance of grass cover, where there are scattered thickets of shrubs and individual areas of rare forests, under which red-brown and red soils have formed. During the dry season, some trees, particularly teak and sal trees, shed their leaves for 3-4 months. Teak produces valuable wood that does not rot in water; sal wood is used in construction. In rare forests, trees stand farther from each other, which facilitates the movement of large animals - wild boars, buffaloes, elephants.

Subequatorial and equatorial forests

The sea coasts and mountain slopes of the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas are occupied by subequatorial variable-humid forests. Palm trees, ferns, bamboo, and many tall grasses grow here on red-yellow soils. The fauna of savannas and subequatorial forests is rich and diverse. Common predators include the tiger, black panther, cheetah, and striped hyena. Deer and buffalo live in the forests, antelopes live in the savannas, and wild boars live in the thickets of river valleys. There are monkeys everywhere. In some places there are still wild elephants. Asian elephants are easily tamed and happily perform useful work, dragging logs, transporting people performing in the circus. There are many poisonous snakes in the forests, and crocodiles in the rivers.

The Eurasian equatorial rainforest zone covers the south of the Indochina Peninsula, almost the entire Greater Sunda Islands and the southwest of Sri Lanka. Like equatorial forests on other continents, they are characterized by lush, multi-layered evergreen vegetation and a rich fauna. The zone of Eurasian equatorial forests is characterized by rhinoceroses, wild bulls, tigers, Malayan bears, and tapirs. Apes - orangutans and gibbons - are common on the Greater Sunda Islands. There are huge lizards - monitor lizards and pythons, many birds and butterflies.

Conclusion 1. The remoteness of the interior regions of Eurasia from the oceans and the features of the relief favored the formation of large territories occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. Subtropical forests located in the west and east of Eurasia have been significantly modified by human activities. Savannas, compared to Africa and South America, occupy small areas on the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas. Equatorial forests cover mainly the islands of southern and southeast Asia.

Vertical zonality

In Europe, altitudinal zonation is most clearly manifested in the Alps: five altitudinal zones naturally replace each other.

The largest number of altitudinal zones is observed on the southern slopes of the Himalayas. There are only two altitude zones on the northern slopes of the mountains. This is explained by its proximity to the Tibet plateau, which is characterized by harsh climatic conditions.

The composition of the altitudinal zones of the western (at the foot is drier and cooler) and eastern (hot and humid) is different. In the western part, up to 1000 m, rare drought-resistant forests and shrubs grow. In the east, at similar altitudes, moist evergreen forests are common, which are gradually replaced by mixed and coniferous forests. The snow line is located higher than in the western part.

Conclusion 2. Eurasia is characterized by various manifestations and a significant distribution of altitudinal zones. The composition and number of altitudinal zones depends on the geographical location and height of the mountains.

V. CONSTRUCTION OF LEARNED MATERIAL

Discussion of group performances(review and opposition)

Reception "Cartographic workshop"

Tasks. Mark on the contour map the natural zones of semi-deserts and deserts, subtropical forests, savannas and woodlands, subequatorial and equatorial forests.

VI. RESULT OF THE LESSON, REFLECTION

Reception “Five Sentences”

The teacher asks students to formulate conclusions about the landscapes of the mainland in five sentences.

VII. HOMEWORK

1. Work through the corresponding paragraph of the textbook.

2. Complete altitudinal diagrams in the Alps and Himalayas in your notebook.

3. Conduct research. Take an imaginary trip along the 50th parallel. Identify natural patterns along the route, draw up maps of the route indicating countries, natural objects and natural complexes.

4. Leading (for individual students): prepare a report on the most famous objects listed in the UNESCO natural heritage.