The unique and inimitable nature of Russia

Everyone who has been fortunate enough to visit our country, in any part of it, will agree with the statement that the nature of Russia is not only amazing, but in places unique. Why do we now take as a basis the opinion of the guests of our state, and not of the Russians themselves? The answer is much simpler than it might seem at first glance. The thing is that when we are born, say, in Siberia or in Kamchatka, sometimes we do not pay attention to local beauties, taking them as something self-evident. And in vain ...

In general, I would like to note that since the territory of our homeland is quite extensive, there is nothing surprising in that the flora and fauna of one area sometimes differ substantially from the flora and fauna of the neighboring territory. For example, the nature of Central Russia differs significantly from its northern or, say, southern regions.

This article is aimed at telling as much as possible about the characteristic features of various territories of our country. The nature of Russia will appear before the readers in all its colors, shades and variations.

Arctic Deserts State

The Arctic deserts of Russia have such characteristic features as a huge amount of ice and snow, as well as high air humidity, an average of 85%.

In the Arctic desert zone are the Novosibirsk Islands, New and Northern Earth, as well as Franz Josef Land. Surprisingly, the nature of Russia in this locality is such that there are almost no marshes and lakes here, and there are polar-desert and solonchak soils with a low content of humus.

The vegetation cover is sparse and very poor. Most often here you can find mosses, lichens and algae. But also to see saxifrage, polar poppy, cereals, ice buttercup, starfish, polar willow, Arctic pike and bluegrass will also not be difficult.

Fauna is also poor in species. As a rule, among the most popular inhabitants can be called the polar owl, lemming, Arctic fox, deer, polar bear and white partridge.

But on the rocky shores you can see the numerous nesting grounds of seabirds.

To date, many scientists are working on the question of how to conserve the nature of Russia in this area. Moreover, it should be noted that it is necessary to do this as soon as possible, otherwise it will be possible to permanently lose whole species of unique animals and plants.

What is it, tundra?

The tundra zone is located mainly along the coast of the seas of the Arctic Ocean. It is a territory of strong winds, cold, polar day and night and large clouds.

There is a severe and long winter (8-9 months), but summer is short and cold. It happens that the temperature in the Asian tundra reaches even 52 ° C. About 70% of the entire territory of the tundra is swamped. This was due to the constant perennial freezing of the soil.

On the coast you can find a young flatland relief, a bit hilly terrain appears to the south, ridges of glacial origin and elevations. The terrestrial surface of the tundra is almost completely covered with shallow lakes.

As for the flora, its basis is formed by lichens, mosses, various stunted plants (grasses, shrubs, shrubs). The following species are especially common: dwarf birch, willow, alder, sedge, cowberry.

In general, we note that the tundra is divided into three so-called subzones: arctic, lichen-moss, southern shrubby.

Typical features of forest-tundra

The forest tundra is a zone where the tundra gradually begins to move into the forest. In this place, the nature of Russia, the geography of the region plays an important role, it is quite diverse. Its characteristic features are the so-called rare-earth island forests located on interfluves and consisting mainly of Siberian spruce, larch and birch.

Such sparseness of forests can be explained by severe climate conditions, although here the summer is much warmer than in the tundra, and the wind speed is much lower.

Another feature of the forest-tundra is a large number of sphagnum peat bogs.

Approximately 9 months this area is covered with snow. In summer the slopes of the river valleys are covered with colorful and colorful meadows. Everywhere grow buttercup, valerian and berry. By the way, here the meadows perform the role of magnificent pastures for deer. In addition, the nature of Russia in the local area is considered an excellent habitat for many animals (usually Arctic foxes and lemmings) and birds.

Here, without problems, you can meet a large variety of waterfowl: geese, ducks and swans. But for the winter of birds there remains very little - only a white owl and partridge.

Endless taiga

The taiga zone in Russia occupies the largest area among the remaining natural areas. It extends from the western borders of Russia up to the coast of the Sea of Japan. Geographically, the taiga is located in the subarctic and temperate climatic zone.

It is here that many rivers of Russia originate, for example, the Volga, Vyatka, Onega, Kama, Lena, Vasyugan, Pur, Taz, Vilyui and others.

This zone is characterized by the presence of many swamps, groundwater, lakes, large reservoirs. The main type of vegetation of the taiga are forests, both light coniferous and dark coniferous. Larch trees also dominate the area, with pine, spruce, fir and cedar in a smaller amount.

Among the forests in a sufficient number are meadows and various marshes.

Are you really interested in the wild nature of Russia? Siberia is just the place to go. The animal world here is very heterogeneous. The eastern taiga is rich in fauna, where you can easily see hazel grouse, sable, stone capercaillie, waterfowl, brown bear, wolverine, squirrel, lynx, moose and hare without problems.

Unfortunately, for today in the given area there is an active logging. How to save the nature of Russia in this situation, while it remains an almost insoluble mystery.

Mixed and deciduous forests of the country

The zone of mixed and deciduous forests is much warmer, wetter than in the taiga. There is a long and warm summer, and winter is not particularly severe, which, incidentally, favors the emergence of such a huge number of broad-leaved trees.

It should be noted that the rivers here are many-watered, which means that the waterlogging of soils is very low. In general, this zone is characterized by sod-podzolic and brown forest soils rich in minerals.

In most cases, the forests are represented by oak, spruce, maple, linden, pine, ash, hazel, Korean cedar, birch, aspen and shrubs.

The nature of central Russia is very generous to its inhabitants. To date, there are many animals such as the bison, the moose, the wolf, the wild boar, the wolf, the marten, the dormouse and the desman. Of the birds you can find an Oriole, a dub, a woodpecker, etc.

Unfortunately, now many species of plants, animals living in the Far Eastern mixed and broad-leaved forests, are extremely small, and even completely disappear. For example, in the wild nature it is almost impossible to find spotted deer and Amur tiger, and on the slopes you are more likely to not find more ginseng present.

Russian forest-steppe

The forest-steppe zone is a kind of transition between the forest and the steppe. Here broadleaf, small-leaved and pine forests on gray soils alternate with mixed grass meadow steppes formed directly on chernozems.

The nature of Russia in this area is divided into the western and eastern forest-steppe. The hills and valleys are divided by numerous ravines, beams.

Here the oak dominates everywhere, sometimes there are birch groves, herbage, cereals. It should be noted that a significant part of the population lives in the forest-steppe, here technical and grain crops are cultivated in huge quantities.

Steppe zone

The steppe zone is characterized by the presence of arid summer, a cold winter and a very modest amount of precipitation. Approximately once every three years, there is no rain for a long time, which means a severe drought.

A characteristic feature of the steppe zone is a woodless area. Before the plowing of the steppe territories, grassy vegetation with a predominance of feather grass, bluegrass, fescue, steppe oats was everywhere. Now the situation has changed a little and, unfortunately, not for the better.

Soils in the north of the steppe zone are typical chernozem. Here, rodents live everywhere, gophers, marmots, mole rats, field mice, hamsters are most common. They eat ferrets, foxes, caresses. From birds you can see eagles, larks and crane-belladonna.

Today, the steppe is most mastered by people. It is rightly considered the most important zone of farming.

Zones of deserts and semi-deserts

Semideserts and deserts occupy a very small territory in Russia, which is located exclusively within the Caspian lowland.

It should be noted that it is here that the highest level of so-called annual solar radiation is observed (120 kcal / cm ² ).

Summer is hot, but winter is cold and little snow. This zone is characterized by zonal light chestnut soils, grass-wormwood vegetation, solonetzes and areas of semi-fixed sands.

Here, in huge quantities, grow fat, fescue, tonkonog, blue-green algae, feather grass, hairy, etc.

Among the animals there are many rodents, and the most common are jerboas, gerbils, ground squirrels and hare-hare. In addition, wolves, foxes, ferrets and badgers live in the zone of deserts and semi-deserts.