What natural areas of Kazakhstan do geographers identify? How many are there? What natural and landscape features distinguishes the territory of this state? This will be discussed in our article.
Landscapes of Kazakhstan and the main features of nature
The largest state in Central Asia is Kazakhstan. The natural zone, which occupies most of it, is the desert and semi-desert zone. The country does not have access to the oceans, but is washed by the waters of the inland seas (Aral and Caspian).
The nature of Kazakhstan is unusual, diverse and in its own way magnificent, even despite its general severity. The territory of the country is mostly flat, mountain ranges are only in the extreme west (Urals) and the east (Altai). Almost half of the area of Kazakhstan is occupied by desert and semi-desert landscapes. But forest landscapes here are extremely rare.
The climate of the country is significant continental. So, in winter in some regions of Kazakhstan, air temperature can drop to 50 degrees with a minus sign, and in summer it can rise to + 50.
Natural areas and their features: Kazakhstan
The natural zone is a fairly large natural complex in area , which is distinguished by the commonality of conditions such as:
- temperature condition;
- humidification coefficient;
- soil;
- vegetable world;
- animal world.
Does Kazakhstan have such natural complexes?
The natural zone in any part of the planet is determined by the ratio of heat and moisture. Kazakhstan is characterized by significant landscape diversity. Here you can see huge tracts of deserts, wild vast steppes, harsh mountain peaks and even forests.
Natural areas of Kazakhstan differ in climatic indicators, soils, flora and fauna. Very often within one zone there are small areas similar in physical and geographical features to another natural zone of the country. As a rule, this is due to increased continental climate or changes in topography.
A more detailed description of the natural zones of Kazakhstan is given in the following sections of the article.
Forest-steppe natural zone of Kazakhstan
Forest-steppes occupy no more than 5% of the total area of the state of Kazakhstan. The natural zone is located in the form of a narrow strip in the far north of the country.
The Kazakhstan forest-steppe has the form of individual massifs of tree formations that are scattered within the steppe landscapes. These arrays are called pegs. The relief in this natural zone is predominantly flat, there are small hollows occupied by lakes. The climate is relatively favorable for human life, there is much more atmospheric precipitation than in other regions of Kazakhstan.
Large rivers flow in the forest-steppe zone - the Irtysh, Ishim, Tobol and others. The local water resources are used not only for domestic but also for industrial purposes. Gray forest soils, as well as chernozems, are common in the Kazakhstan forest-steppe. As you move south, the humus content in the soils decreases. Accordingly, in this direction, the overall soil fertility decreases.
Flora of the natural zone is steppe and meadow-steppe. Feather grass, fescue, wheatgrass, and rump grow here. Forest "islands" consist of birch, oak, linden and aspen. Rose hips, hawthorn and bird cherry grow in undergrowths. In forest glades, wild strawberries and bones are found.
The forest-steppe in Kazakhstan is a natural zone that is most developed by man in economic terms.
Forests of Kazakhstan
There are few forests in Kazakhstan. Most of them grow in the mountains of Altai and the Tien Shan. In the rocky gorges you can see the thickets of apple and walnut. Of the representatives of the fauna, you can find a capercaillie, hazel grouse, snow leopard, mountain goat and even brown bear.
Forests are also common in southern Kazakhstan, mainly along river valleys. So, small forest “islands” can be seen on the banks of the Irtysh and the Urals. Pine forests are common in the granite massifs of Saryarka and Karkaraly. The latter stand out very picturesquely against the background of the wild and lifeless Kazakhstan steppe.
The total forest wealth of the country is estimated at about ten million hectares. In a number of natural reserves of Kazakhstan, forests are taken under state protection.
Kazakhstan steppes
The Kazakhstan steppe is a delightful and exciting sight. This is a natural complex, unique in relief and flora, within which zoologists number several hundred species of birds. Birds live on numerous lakes, salty and fresh. Here you can meet the most beautiful bird in the world - pink flamingos.
Almost all types of steppe vegetation are present in the Kazakhstan steppe: forbs-feather grass, fescue-feather grass and wormwood-fescue-feather grass. The feather grass, which spreads under the arid wind, is a peculiar symbol of the Kazakhstan steppe. And its typical resident is the saiga. True, recently, with the active development of the steppe by man, the population of these artiodactyls has been decreasing.
In the Kazakh steppe you can meet bustard, crane, black lark and a huge number of starlings. Of the birds of prey, it is worth highlighting the kite and the steppe eagle.
Currently, the UN is implementing one of its environmental projects in Kazakhstan. According to him, the organization plans to allocate a total of about $ 24 million for the development and conservation of the state’s steppe ecosystems. The main part of these funds will be used to finance and expand the country's protected areas.
Kazakhstan: desert and semi-desert natural zone
The natural zone of semi-deserts and deserts covers almost 60% of the country. Semi-deserts are natural complexes that traditionally stand out as transitional between the steppe and desert. Here, respectively, plants and animals from both natural zones can be found.
The southern border of semi-deserts in Kazakhstan is held at approximately 48th degree of northern latitude. The climate is dry, there is little rainfall (no more than 300 mm). Most rivers and streams dry out in the summer. The semi-desert flora is represented by wormwood, fescue, feather grass. Against this monotonous plant background, chamomile, quinoa, and kohiya are found.
Deserts are a natural zone of southern Kazakhstan. They stretch as a continuous wide strip from the Caspian to Tarbagatai. The following desert massifs can be distinguished here: Betpak-Dala, Moyunkum, Kyzylkum and Karakum.
The vegetation of the desert zone is extremely scarce. However, here nature created the conditions for the cultivation of cotton, gourds and some fruits (subject to additional irrigation). The Kazakhstan desert is the land of reptiles. Vipers live here, which actively hunt jerboas and gazelles, as well as 16 other species of other snakes. Another representative of this natural zone is the gray monitor lizard.
Conclusion
The natural zones of Kazakhstan are the steppe, forest-steppe, as well as the desert and semi-desert zone. The latter occupies most of the country (about 60%). Forest-steppes occupy only 5% of the area of Kazakhstan, steppes - about 35%. Forests are uncharacteristic for this country. Separate forests are found only on the slopes of the Altai and Tien Shan mountains.