The steppe is a combination of amazing climate and breathtaking landscape. It captivates with its beauty and amazes with its vast expanses. You can look into the distance for a long time and see only a barely distinguishable strip of hills on the horizon. Steppe animals and plants are unique, they impress not only with the variety of species, but also with their ability to adapt to life in such peculiar conditions. The steppe is a special world, the study of life in which the works of many scientists are devoted to.
Steppe territory
The conditions for the formation of the steppe in a certain area are the features of the relief and some other factors that determine the climate, which lead to insufficient soil moisture. This regimen may persist throughout the year or appear only in certain seasons. As a result of this feature, vegetation in the steppe appears either in early spring, when groundwater still remains deep in the soil, or during rainy seasons, which, although they do not differlarge volumes of precipitation, but are able to provide plants with moisture. Some species of flora can adapt to permanent existence in conditions of water shortage. Thus, the steppe zone is a territory with a certain type of vegetation, mainly grassy cereals. Forest plots, if any, are located in lowlands, where increased soil moisture is provided due to accumulations of snow. Outside the territory of the lowlands, for example, in the interfluve, there will no longer be conditions for the appearance of a forest, since the soil in this area is too dry. In a subtropical climate, shrubs may appear in the steppe.
Plots of the steppe can be found on all continents, the only exception is Antarctica. They are located on the territory between forests and desert zones. The steppe landscape is formed within the temperate and subtropical zones of both hemispheres. The soil in the steppe is predominantly black soil. Chestnut soils and s alt marshes can be found in the south.
During the year, the steppe zone, whose plants and animals constantly need moisture, receives about 400 mm of precipitation. True, during the period of drought it rains extremely rarely, during the year their volume may not reach even 200 mm. Depending on the geographical location of the steppe, the volume of moisture supply in each season varies greatly. In the western regions, precipitation is distributed fairly evenly over the months. In the eastern part, the minimum amount of precipitation during winter and their maximum amount in summer are determined.
Animals andplants of the steppes of Kazakhstan. In this arid region, the average annual rainfall is 279 mm. At the same time, a wet year can bring them up to 576 mm, and during the drought period, only 135 mm falls. Typically, a rainy year is followed by an extremely dry year.
Climate in the steppe
In the steppe, there are sharp fluctuations in temperature, depending both on the season and on the time of day. Plants and animals of the steppe largely depend on these changes. In summer it is very hot in the steppe, the scorching sun shines. The average temperature in July in the western part of Europe is between 21 and 26 degrees. In the east, its value reaches 26 degrees. With the onset of autumn, the temperature begins to decrease, it gets colder. In the eastern regions of the steppe, snow appears already at the end of October. The Black Sea zones, which are milder in their climate, are covered with snow at the end of November. Therefore, all living things in these territories are able to exist in unpredictable weather conditions, for example, grassy plants of the steppe are resistant not only to drought, but also to severe frosts.
In general, it is very difficult to determine the boundaries of spring and autumn in the conditions of the steppe. This is due to the large difference between the air temperature during the day and at night. By the end of September, these differences become very pronounced, the amplitude of fluctuations can reach 25 degrees. You can fully understand that winter has receded by looking at the plants of the steppe. In the spring, thanks to the bright sun and the earth, soaked with moisture after the snow melts, they cover the earth with a multi-colored carpet. A large temperature difference is observed indifferent seasons. The extreme temperature in the steppe in summer is +5 degrees, and in winter it can drop to -50. Thus, in the steppe, compared to other climatic zones, such as the desert, there are maximum temperature fluctuations.
Characteristic for the steppe and a sudden change in the weather in the conditions of the same season. A sudden thaw can begin in April or November, and in the middle of a hot summer, a severe cold snap suddenly comes. Under such conditions, animals and plants of the steppe must have maximum endurance and special qualities that allow them to adapt to a changing climate.
Rivers in the steppe
Large full-flowing rivers in the steppes are a rarity. And it is difficult for small rivers to deal with such an unpredictable climate, they quickly dry up. The only opportunity for their revival is years rich in heavy rainfall. Summer rains are not able to affect the amount of water in drying rivers, unless we are talking about showers. But long autumn rains, lasting for weeks, can increase the water content of small rivers. All this complicates life in the steppe for animals, which in various ways adapt to the lack of water. Steppe plants are characterized by long branching roots that penetrate the soil to a great depth, where moisture can remain even in severe drought.
The only period when even almost dried-up rivers turn into powerful raging streams is the spring flood. Jets of water rush across the steppe, eroding the soil. This is facilitated by the absence of forests, rapidly melting under the influence of hot steppesun snow, plowing the land.
The water network of the steppe differs depending on its geographical location. Steppe zones in Europe are penetrated by a network of small and medium-sized rivers. On the territory of Western Siberia and in the steppes of Kazakhstan there are chains of small lakes. On the site of the Siberian-Kazakhstan steppe there is one of the largest concentrations of them in the world. There are almost 25 thousand of them. Among these lakes there are water bodies with almost any degree of mineralization: fresh, drainless s alty, bitter-s alty waters.
Variety of steppe landscapes
In every corner of the Earth, the steppe zone has its own characteristics. The animals and plants of the steppe differ on different continents. In Eurasia, territories with a characteristic landscape are called steppes. Areas with steppe vegetation in North America have the status of prairies. In South America they are called pampas, in New Zealand the steppes are called Tussoks. Each of these zones has a unique climate that determines the specific plant and animal species found in the area.
Pampa is the most characteristic of Argentina. It is a section of the subtropical steppe with a continental climate. Summer in these areas is hot, the average temperature ranges from 20 to 24 degrees. It gradually turns into a mild winter with average positive temperatures from 6 to 10 degrees. The eastern part of the pampas in Argentina is rich in moisture, from 800 to 950 mm of precipitation falls here annually. The western section of the Argentine pampas receives 2 times less precipitation. pampas inArgentina is a territory of fertile chernozem-like soils, reddish or gray-brown. Thanks to this, it serves as the basis for the development of agriculture and animal husbandry in this country.
The prairies of North America are similar in their climate to the steppes of Eurasia. The annual rainfall in the area between the deciduous forest and the prairie itself is approximately 800 mm. To the north, it decreases to 500 mm, and in the south it reaches 1000. In dry years, the amount of precipitation decreases by a quarter. Winter temperatures in the prairies differ markedly depending on the latitude where this steppe zone is located. In the southern parts, the temperature in winter usually does not fall below 0 degrees, and in the northern latitudes it can reach its minimum - 50 degrees.
In the steppe of New Zealand, called the Tussocks, there is very little precipitation during the year, in some places up to 330 mm. These areas are some of the driest, with a climate reminiscent of semi-deserts.
Mammals and birds of the steppe
In the steppe, despite the harsh and unpredictable conditions, a variety of animals live. Steppe zones in Eurasia are home to almost 90 species of mammals. A third of this number is found exclusively in the steppe, the rest of the animals moved to these territories from adjacent areas of deciduous and desert lands. All animals miraculously adapted to life in a unique climate and bizarre landscape. The steppe is characterized by a large number of rodents living in it. These include gophers, hamsters, voles, mice, jerboas and many others. Many in the steppe and smallpredators: foxes, ferrets, ermines, martens. Omnivorous animals of the steppe - hedgehogs - have adapted well to the conditions of the steppe climate.
In addition to animals that live only in the steppe, there are also individual birds, also characteristic only for this area. True, there are not so many of them, and the plowing of land leads to their gradual disappearance. The bustard lives in the steppe, in our country it can be seen in Transbaikalia and the Saratov region, as well as the little bustard, found in the Southern Urals, in the Middle and Lower Volga regions. Before the plowing of land in the steppe zone, one could meet demoiselle crane and gray partridge. Currently, these birds are rarely seen by humans.
There are many predators among the birds in the steppe. These are large individuals: steppe eagle, buzzard, imperial eagle, long-legged buzzard. As well as small representatives of birds: falcons, kestrels.
The larks, lapwings, and Avdotka delight with their singing in the steppe. Many species of birds living in floodplain zones, on the borders with deciduous forest or near lakes and rivers, have moved to the steppe zone from the forest.
The permanent inhabitants of the steppes are reptiles
The steppe landscape cannot be imagined without the participation of reptiles in its life. There are not very many species of them, but these reptiles are an integral part of the steppe.
One of the brightest representatives of the steppe reptiles is the yellow-bellied snake. This is almost two meters, rather thick and large snake. It is characterized by incredible aggressiveness. Unlike most snakes, when meeting a person, it does nottries to crawl away faster, but rolls up and, hissing loudly, rushes at the enemy. The snake cannot cause serious harm to a person; its bites are not dangerous. Such a fight will end sadly, most likely for the snake itself. These reptiles, as a result of their aggressiveness, began to gradually disappear from the steppe territories.
Yellow-bellied snake can be seen on rocky slopes, well warmed up in the sun. In such places, the reptile feels most comfortable and prefers to hunt here.
Another snake characteristic of the steppe is the viper. Its shelter is the abandoned burrows of small rodents. The snake hunts mainly late in the evening and at night; during the hot daytime hours, the viper basks in the sun, stretching out on the stone slopes. This reptile does not seek to fight with a person and, at the sight of him, tries to hide. If, by negligence, step on a viper, it will immediately pounce on an inattentive traveler, leaving a poisonous bite on his body.
The steppe is home to many lizards of various colors. These nimble reptiles whirl past, shimmering in amazing shades in the sun.
Reliable shelter - a way to survive in the steppe
Features of steppe animals are aimed at their survival in rather difficult conditions. They were able to adapt to open flat terrain, temperature fluctuations, lack of a wide variety of food, lack of water.
The need for secure shelter is what all animals have in common. The steppe zones are perfectly visible, and small animals could not escape frompredators without good shelter. As shelters, most steppe animals use burrows, in which they spend most of their time. Burrows not only protect representatives of the fauna from danger, but also help to escape from adverse weather conditions, serve as a haven for animals during hibernation. It is there that mammals raise their offspring, protecting them from all external dangers. Burrowing is most suitable for rodents: mice, hamsters, and voles. They make holes without difficulty even in dry hard ground.
In addition to rodents, large animals also need a safe shelter in flat terrain. Foxes and badgers also dig holes, and those representatives of the fauna that cannot dig a hole on their own try to take possession of someone else's. The habitat of foxes often becomes, for example, the prey of wolves, and small predators - ermines and ferrets, as well as snakes - settle in large burrows of gophers. Even some birds, such as hoopoe and owl, hide from dangers in burrows. Birds have to build nests right on the ground, because there are simply no secluded corners in a rock or a hollow tree in the steppe.
Staying in your hole all the time will not work, because you need to get food. Every animal on the steppe adapts in its own way to the constant threat of predators.
Some representatives of the fauna are able to run fast. These include saiga, hare, jerboa. Coloring is also a way of protection. Steppe animals have sandy-gray fur or plumage, which allows them not to stand out onenvironment.
The inhabitants of the steppe zone are characterized by herding. Ungulate mammals graze under the watchful eye of their leader, who, in case of danger, will immediately give a signal, and the herd will break away. Unusually careful, for example, ground squirrels. They keep looking around, controlling what is happening around. Hearing something suspicious, the ground squirrel immediately informs its relatives about it, and they instantly hide in holes. Speed and instant reaction allow many animals to be invulnerable even in open space.
Confronting the weather
Animals have also adapted to temperature changes during the day. These fluctuations determine the activity of mammals at different times. Early morning hours are most favorable for birds, mammals leave their holes in the morning and evening. Most of the animals tend to hide from the scorching rays of the daytime sun in burrows. The only exceptions are reptiles, who love to lie on hot rocks.
With the approach of winter, life in the steppe freezes. Most animals hibernate for the entire cold period while in their burrows. Thus, ground squirrels, hedgehogs, jerboas, reptiles and insects wait for spring. Birds and bats go to warmer climes for the winter. Those rodents that will spend the winter awake stock up on food. Hamsters manage to bring up to several kilograms of grain into their hole. Mole rats feed on plant roots and acorns accumulated over the summer throughout the winter. The Kurgan mouse, for example, does not come to the surface of the earth at all in winter. BeforeWhen cold weather sets in, it hides kilograms of grain deep in the soil and feeds on it all winter, setting up its nest in the place of the “warehouse”.
The eternal search for water
Animals and plants of the steppe are forced to adapt to the constant lack of water. Each individual copes with this task in a different way. Ungulate mammals and birds are able to travel long distances in search of a source of drinking. Gerbils, jerboas, ground squirrels and some other rodents eat succulent grass, making up for their need for water. Predators living in the steppe also do without water, as they get the required amount from the animals they eat. Kurganchik and house mice have an amazing feature. They feed only on dried plant seeds, and get water through a unique processing of the starch they eat in their bodies.
Animals have also adapted to the lack of food. Among the inhabitants of the steppe expanses there are many who can eat both animal and vegetable food. Omnivorous animals of the steppe are foxes, hedgehogs, some species of reptiles and birds that eat berries along with insects.
Steppe plants
Features of steppe plants are the ability to exist in conditions of lack of moisture, which is fatal for most representatives of the flora. There are several types of vegetation in the steppe:
1. Forbs.
2. Fescue-feather grass.
3. Wormwood-cereal.
Forb areas can be observed in the northern regions. With the appearance of the first rays of the sun after the descentsnow cover, early-flowering plants of the steppe appear - cereals and sedges, sleep-grass begins to bloom. Within a week, the entire steppe sparkles with golden dots of adonis. Some more time will pass, and the earth to the horizon will turn into a green carpet of lush lush grass. The herbaceous plants of the steppe are really beautiful in spring! During the summer months, the territory will periodically change its color. It can be covered with flowers of forget-me-nots, ragwort, daisies. By mid-July, when salvia flowers appear, the steppe is simply unrecognizable - it becomes dark purple. Flowering ends at the end of July, the moisture for the plants is no longer enough, and they dry up.
Typical plants of the steppe, especially in areas with the most arid climate, are feather grasses. They are among the most drought-resistant species. Thanks to long, branched roots that penetrate deep into the soil, feather grasses are able to absorb all the available moisture from the ground. The leaves of this plant are long, rolled into a tube. Due to this form, the least evaporation of moisture from the surface of the sheet is achieved. The flowering of feather grass is accompanied by the appearance of small flowers. The fruit of the plant is equipped with a kind of fluffy process, with the help of which the seeds of the feather grass spread over long distances and are introduced into the soil. It does this by twisting and untwisting the offshoot, which is screwed into dry, hard soil. Feathers are the best example of how plants in the steppe have adapted. The wind carries the seeds of the plant for many kilometers, and, thanks tothe ability of seeds to penetrate the soil, in some places large areas are formed, framed by feather grass.
If plants that grow every year and dry up at the end of summer are not cut, a layer of humus will gradually form in the soil. This is very important for grass and flowers, which already have to struggle for existence in conditions of lack of moisture.
Animals and plants of the Russian steppe are diverse and amazing. A look at this beauty just once on a sunny summer day will leave in memory the wonders created by nature for a long time.
