Russian nature is very diverse, which is explained by the vast expanses and the presence of different climatic zones. The endless forests of our homeland are the "lungs" of Europe. The diversity of nature in each region is amazing.
Flora of the Samara region
The nature of this region combines the features characteristic of the middle zone of the Russian Federation and its uniqueness. The diversity of the nature of the Samara region has an amazing quality: animals and plants of different climatic zones live together in a limited area. Here, mountain slopes adjoin dense forests, there are endless steppe expanses, shady oak groves, impenetrable taiga and swampy terrain, springs with healing mineral water, and small rivers.
The diversity of nature and a large number of unique biocenoses have led to the fact that the authorities protect them in a complex: many national parks, reserves and wildlife preserves have been created. There are 306 natural monuments in total.
A fifth of the Samara region is occupied by forests, the rest by steppes. Broad-leaved trees, oaks,pines. The main part of the forests in the Samarskaya Luka and Zhiguli mountains. Feather grass, thyme, wormwood, bean grass are typical representatives of the steppe flora. The total number of plant species is about 2 thousand. There are many endemics in the Zhiguli Mountains.
Fauna of the Samara Region
The combination of different natural areas predetermined the diversity of the animal world. Oak forests and pine forests are the habitat of lynx, ermine, badger, wild boar, weasel. In the northeastern regions, the number of beavers, minks and muskrats is growing. Among the 200 species of birds, there are many listed in the Red Book. The ichthyofauna of the Volga includes 46 species.
Flora of the Chelyabinsk region
The Chelyabinsk region covers three natural zones. Diversity is expressed in the richness of landscapes, forests, and vegetation. About 1.5 thousand species of flora are found within the region, 210 of which are ubiquitous. Such a diversity of nature is explained by the combination of vegetation from the European and Asian parts of the mainland within the boundaries of the subject.
The diversity of nature is explained by climatic conditions, which led to the fact that the steppes and forest-steppes are located much to the north compared to the Cis-Urals. And the border of the taiga, on the contrary, has shifted to the south. Vertical zonality is clearly visible in the mountains. Up to a height of about 1 thousand meters above sea level, there are dark coniferous forests, diluted with pine and larch.
The goltsovy belt starts from a height of 1, 2 thousand meters. Below this level is a transitionalarea filled with crooked forest. Trees of small height, rare, their growth is slow. Loaches - a belt of stones, mosses, lichens with tundra grasses.
Fauna of the Chelyabinsk region
Climatic conditions that have formed also explain the diversity of the nature of the Chelyabinsk region. Among the forest inhabitants, the most famous are bears, elks, lynxes, squirrels, capercaillie. Jerboa, lark and saiga are representatives of the steppe fauna. Wolves, foxes, ground squirrels, eagles have adapted to life in different conditions, so they can be found everywhere. The transitional zone between the forest and the steppe does not have its own endemics.
The zone of forest and mountains is favorable for large species: it is easier for them to hunt here and hide from predators. The diversity of nature in these places is explained by the abundance of food resources. The forest protects animals from severe winter frosts. Elk prefers swampy places and overgrown river banks in the warm season, and hills in winter. This animal is a typical representative of the steppe and forest-steppe zones.
