Natural areas of the Earth

V. Dokuchaev singled out the natural zones of the earth for the first time in 1898. The scientist considered that the living conditions (including the climate, the amount of water, the relief), as well as the animal and plant world on a certain territory of the planet are closely related. That's why they need to be studied as a whole, paying attention to the mutual influence. Dokuchaev first formulated the law of geographical zoning.

To date, it is believed that the natural zone - a complex with its own landscape, which is formed under the influence of climate, as well as the distribution of moisture and heat. In addition, this kind of territory is characterized by its own vegetation, a unique animal world and the type of soil.

It is interesting that the climatic zones of the world and the natural zones are closely interrelated, since it is under the influence of the external environment that the corresponding conditions for the existence of living organisms are formed.

Equatorial forests are characterized by a humid and hot climate. Territories are mainly located in the Amazon basin (South America), as well as in Africa, on both sides of the Congo River. This natural zone is also present on the territory of Australia and some islands of Oceania.

Equatorial forests are characterized by diverse vegetation and a rich fauna. A large amount of precipitation and a constant warm temperature create ideal conditions for the formation of the jungle. On the trees there live a lot of interesting animals, including monkeys, sloths, flying foxes. The world of birds is also diverse - here you can see several species of parrots, birds of paradise and hummingbirds. By the way, it is on the territory of the equatorial forest that the largest snake in the world, the anaconda, is found.

Variable wet forests are natural zones of the Earth, which are characterized by seasonal weather changes. There are warm, humid and cool periods. In most cases, such forests are located in the tropical climatic zone.

Forests of the temperate zone - most of it occupies the territories of North America and Eurasia. Here, the annual seasonality of weather is clearly distinguished, which is characteristic of a temperate climate. Forests can be either broadleaved or mixed. The most characteristic plants of this zone are the following: maple, oak, birch and linden. As for the fauna, in these territories there are bears, wolves, moose, lynx, sometimes sable and martens.

Savannah - the natural zones of the Earth, which are located in the tropical, subtropical and subequatorial climatic zone. They occupy vast territories in Africa, Australia, Central and South America. Vegetation is represented mainly by artisanal or grassy forms - only baobab, acacia and eucalyptus can be seen from the trees. Typical animals are zebras, giraffes, elephants and ostriches.

Steppes are characterized by a dry climate and minimal amount of precipitation. That's why only herbaceous representatives of the plant world live here. In American prairies, there are lamas, coyotes, jaguars, bison and armadillos. As for the steppes of Eurasia, the situation here is slightly different - the animal world is represented mainly by rodents.

Deserts are located in different climatic zones. The only common feature is a scant amount of annual precipitation and a large amplitude of temperatures (for example, in the daytime the temperature can be 40 degrees, and at night only 15). Accordingly, the flora and fauna here is not so rich. In the desert, only those organisms live that have adapted for a long time to withstand the lack of water and food.

The polar deserts are another interesting zone, which also has a minimal amount of precipitation. Such areas are located near the Arctic Circle. It is interesting that almost half a year here reigns day, and the next six months - an impenetrable night. The most characteristic representatives of the fauna are the polar bear, seal, penguins.

Apparently, the natural zones of the Earth differ sharply from each other. Each of them has its own, unique characteristics.