The territory of Russia is considered the largest among all the states of our planet. It stretches from east to west for almost ten thousand kilometers. And from north to south, its maximum length is more than four thousand kilometers.
The vast length of the country provides a variety of climatic zones on the territory of the state. In the northern latitudes of its lands, cold Arctic deserts begin. The southern regions of the country are located in hot and arid semi-desert regions.
Natural areas of Russia
The following natural zones are distinguished on the territory of Russia:
- arctic deserts;
- tundra zone;
- forest-tundra zone;
- taiga;
- mixed and broad-leaved forests;
- forest-steppe;
- steppes;
- desert zone;
- subtropical zone.
Arctic deserts are barren and cold lands. They are bound by permafrost and covered with glaciers.
The tundra zone covers about 10% of the country's area. This region is very poor in nutrients and humus. At a depth of twenty centimeters there is permafrost. Fromvegetation, only mosses and lichens are observed.
Forest-tundra is located on the border between tundra and taiga with a strip from 20 to 200 kilometers. It is in this zone that sparse vegetation and trees are already observed. They are quite weak and small in size. The reason for this is still quite a harsh climate and low soil fertility.
The taiga zone is located in a region with a warmer climate. These lands occupy most of the territory of Russia, about 60% of the total area. On its territory there are dense fir and spruce forests, as well as a small amount of pine forests.
The remaining zones located to the south, due to the more fertile soil layer and warm climate, are rich in vegetation. There are a large number of undersized and tall shrubs, trees and herbs. The exception is the semi-desert zone, where vegetation is quite poor due to low rainfall.
Forest-tundra: soil and climate
The first manifestations of vigorous plant activity are observed in the forest-tundra zone. Yes, this is a zone with a rather harsh climate and poor fertility. A separate question is what kind of soil is in the forest-tundra. This is predetermined by the climatic conditions of the region. The soils of the tundra and forest-tundra are very poor. At a depth of more than twenty centimeters there is a gley layer of soil.
The development of the root system of plants at a depth of more than twenty centimeters is impossible. The reason for this is the lack of nutrients and permafrost in this layer.
Forest-tundra of Russia by someresearchers used to classify it as a subzone of the tundra or taiga. But at the moment this zone is allocated in a separate area. A common name appeared - forest-tundra. The soil of this region was formed under the influence of the harsh subarctic climate.
In the summer months, the temperature reaches its maximum value in the month of July up to 10-14 degrees Celsius. During the winter months, depending on the location on the continent, it can drop to minus forty degrees Celsius.
Soil waterlogging and permafrost
Despite the low rainfall, about 350 millimeters, the forest-tundra of Russia is waterlogged. This is due to the negative coefficient between the entry and evaporation of moisture. Ten to sixty percent of the total area is covered by lakes and swamps. The forest-tundra is characterized by such conditions. The soil, due to excessive waterlogging and the presence of the base of permafrost against the background of low temperatures, forms a fertile layer rather slowly (the formation time of one centimeter of the fertile soil layer exceeds five hundred years).
If we consider the types of soils (table below) in Russia and compare the degree of fertility, it will become clear the level of suitability for agriculture of certain areas.
It must be understood that certain climatic conditions ensure the rate of natural accumulation of soil fertility. Chernozem (in comparison with a region such as forest-tundra) soil quickly builds up a fertile layer, about 1 centimeter per hundred years. This figure is 5-10times higher than in the forest-tundra zone.
Vegetation
Vegetation is determined by the climate and soil conditions of the zone. In turn, this is a determining factor for the animal world. Shrub tundra and light forests vary depending on zoning. Dwarf birches and subpolar willows grow in the western part. Black and white spruces also grow.
Warty birch grows on the territory of the Kola Peninsula. On the territory of Western Siberia - spruce and Siberian larch.
The impact of water on climate
Rivers and reservoirs of the forest-tundra have a buffering effect on harsh climatic conditions, so vegetation is more common in river valleys. In these places, the forest-tundra “thrives”. Soils near rivers are more fertile. In addition, the river valleys protect the vegetation from harsh winds.
Forest pockets are formed from birch, spruce and larch. Soil types (table below) are more diverse and fertile near bodies of water.
The trees are very stunted, sometimes bent to the ground. In places between the rivers, you can find low-growing sparse forests with various representatives of lichens and mosses.
The fauna of the forest-tundra is diverse.
Ecosystem
The ecosystem in the forest-tundra zone is represented by various species of lemmings, shrews, arctic foxes, partridges and reindeer. The forest tundra (the soil and its type determines the appropriate vegetation) is a valuable pasture for various deer species.and land. A large number of migratory birds, including waterfowl. So, despite the harsh conditions, the forest-tundra of Russia is rich in representatives of the animal world.
This region of the country is a unique place. Today, the forest-tundra of our country, for the most part, is preserved in its original form. The reason for this is, again, harsh climatic conditions.
The complexity of human habitation in this zone determines the low urbanization of the territory. But let's hope that the determining factor in the preservation of nature will not be barriers to its destruction, but the creativity and rationality of human society.
