In this article we will look at what latitudinal zonality is and how it affects the location of natural zones on Earth. An exhaustive answer to this question is given in the school geography course. But let's try to figure it out again. Let's get started.
Clarifying what latitudinal zoning is
The above term is used to denote a regular change in natural conditions and physical and geographical processes as you move from the poles to the equator. In addition, latitudinal zonality extends to the ocean.
The law of latitudinal zonality was formulated by V. V. Dokuchaev in 1899. In general terms, it tells about the location of natural areas in accordance with climate change. Since then, nature has changed, but the laws are still relevant.
What is the main reason for latitudinal zoning
To answer this question, let's turn to the structure of the solar system and the location of the Sun relative to the Earth. The sun's rays fall on the surface of the planet at different angles, respectively, the amount of solar energy receiveddifferent parts of the Earth, not the same.
This is clearly shown in the image below, which will easily help you understand what latitudinal zonation is.
Of course it affects the climate. Let's compare, for example, the average annual temperatures for Moscow and Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria.
Statistics show that in the capital of Russia it is about 5 °C, while in Lagos it is about 27 °C. The difference in the climate of these cities is partly due to different angles of incidence of sunlight. After all, Lagos is located close to the equator, and the rays are almost perpendicular to the surface, their energy is concentrated on a smaller area, which means that the territory here warms up more than in a temperate continental climate.
Geographical zones
Latitudinal zonality is the main reason for the formation of geographic zones. In addition, their formation is influenced by the deviation of air masses due to the rotation of the Earth around its axis, the proximity of the area to the ocean, etc.
We figured out what latitudinal zoning is, now let's talk about what geographical zones the Earth is divided into. There are seven of them in total, including transitional ones. Let's take a quick look at each of them, starting from the equator.
Equatorial Belt
Equatorial climate prevails here, characterized by high temperatures and humidity. Precipitation falls throughout the year. In the equatorial belt there isa wind phenomenon, like trade winds, formed due to the fact that, when heated, air masses rise up, and cold air flows come in their place from the north and south.
The flora is mainly represented by evergreen multi-tiered forests inhabited by numerous representatives of the fauna.
Subequatorial belt
There are seasonal changes in the climate. In summer, equatorial air masses predominate, in winter - tropical, so summer is characterized by high humidity and temperature, and winter - low humidity and almost complete absence of precipitation. The annual temperature range is approximately 4 °С. Tropical monsoons present.
Closer to the equator, the same evergreen forests grow. On the savannas, they are replaced by shrubs, baobabs, tall grasses.
Tropical belt
Temperature difference appears:
- in winter - 10-15 ° С, less often - drops to zero;
- and in summer - about 30 ° C or more.
The trade winds are back in action. In areas far from the ocean, there is little precipitation. Low air humidity almost everywhere.
Natural zones in the tropical zone are divided into tropical rainforests, savannahs, tropical deserts. Interestingly, about 2/3 of the entire flora and fauna of the Earth is located in tropical rainforests, and some of the representatives are endemic.
Tropical deserts are the driest area of the above, resulting in a low amount of vegetation. Reptiles predominate among the fauna. The temperature during the day can reach 45-50 ° C, but at nightare often cool.
Subtropical belt
Tropical air masses dominate in the subtropics in summer, air masses of temperate latitudes dominate in winter, so the boundaries of summer and winter are clearly distinguished. Monsoons are coming.
The average temperature in summer fluctuates around 20-30 °С, in winter it can drop below zero, but mostly it is not lower than 3-5 °С.
There are three types of climate in the subtropical zone:
- Mediterranean;
- monsoon with lots of rainfall in winter and summer;
- continental dry.
There are differences in the flora of the northern and southern hemispheres:
- In the northern hemisphere there are subtropical steppes, and in places with a continental climate - deserts and semi-deserts.
- The southern hemisphere is dominated by steppes and broad-leaved forests. Forest-steppes can be located near mountains and hills.
Temperate
The climate of the temperate zone is divided into 4 types. Let's look at each one briefly:
- Temperate maritime climate. It is characterized by high humidity and high rainfall. Winters are mild, temperatures rarely drop below freezing, and summers are warm.
- Temperate continental climate. It features fairly cold winters with possible temperature fluctuations (readings from -5 °С to -30 °С and below are common.) and warm summers with an average temperature around 20 °С, which can be both dry and rainy.
- Sharply continental climate. It is characterized by fairly warm summers (15-20 °C) and harsh winters with little snow. The temperature can drop to -40 °C. Precipitation is extremely low and usually falls in the summer. This climate is typical only for the northern hemisphere, since the territory of the sharply continental climate in the southern hemisphere is almost completely occupied by the ocean.
- Monsoon climate. Monsoons dominate its territory, which bring precipitation from the ocean in summer. And the winter season is dry. However, there are exceptions, as geographic location also influences rainfall.
The temperature values in the northern and southern hemispheres are also ambiguous. Much is predetermined by geographical location. For example, in the northern regions of the Russian Far East in winter, the temperature can drop to -20-25 °C. Summer is cool, only 15-20 °С. Winters are much milder in the southern hemisphere. It also happens that the positive temperature here lasts almost the entire winter period. In summer, the temperature is close to zero.
Subarctic and Subantarctic
Subarctic and Subantarctic - belts in the northern and southern hemispheres, respectively. They are characterized by short summers with temperatures below 15°C and severe windy winters.
Humidity is usually high. The area is occupied by swampy tundra, forest-tundra and taiga. Due to the poor quality of soils and the cold climate, flora and fauna are not very diverse.
Arctic and Antarctica
The Arctic is the polar region adjacent to the North Pole. The opposite region is Antarctica. These are permafrost areas. However, in the Arctic there are cyclones and temperatures can rise to zero or slightly higher. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica is -91°C.
Mosses, lichens, tall shrubs are common among plants.
Among the animals of the Arctic are reindeer, musk ox, polar bear, lemming, etc.
Microorganisms live in the Antarctic, a wide variety of penguins, small invertebrates.
