It seems to many that nature is the essence of an disordered and somewhat chaotic phenomenon. Forests and copses, steppes and deserts - supposedly all these are randomly located natural biotopes. This is far from the case.
All natural complexes in a given territory are always in a state of close interaction not only with each other, but also with other biotopes located in the neighborhood. It is this entire array of interactions and various biotopes (sometimes with completely opposite characteristics) that is called the natural complex.
The most global example of such an interaction is the enormous shell resulting from the interaction of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and also the lower part of the atmosphere. Of course, its components are extremely heterogeneous, because they touch in very different conditions, which determine the formation of unique natural complexes.
Thus, the natural complex is a combination of climatic, biological and geological factors that contribute to the formation of a particular biotope in a certain area, which is distinguished by a unique set of biological species. Despite the common misconception, such complexes are not stable, can change relatively quickly, forming a completely different type of terrain.
The influence of environmental conditions
Climatic latitude greatly affects the formation of one or another natural biotope. It is not surprising that at the same latitude you can meet the same natural complex, populated by different species, but with approximately the same characteristics. In the seas, this is called natural-aquatic complexes. It should be noted that the process of their formation is very long, depends not only on environmental conditions, but also on the species that inhabit this biotope.
A great example is coral reefs. If there are polyps in the sea, then the bottom topography will be completely different from the characteristics of the neighboring region, where corals are absent for some reason. However, we do not forget about geological factors: reefs could only form in those areas where volcanoes were extinct over 60 million years ago. By the way, the famous Darwin proved this, making a description of the natural complex of oceans and seas. Thus, a simple conclusion can be drawn.
Any natural formation is constantly evolving, and the speed of this process is completely different. Millions of years are needed somewhere, while in other cases several months are enough.
Key development factors
The main factor that affects almost any natural complex is solar radiation, planet rotation speed, as well as the totality of all processes occurring in the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere. Due to this, biotopes are extremely integral and dependent, but also vulnerable formations. If at least one element is broken, it will immediately affect the state of the whole complex. As a result, it will either change or completely disappear. This happened with the swamps in Polesie.
A practical example of a biotope change
Historically, this area was formed under the conditions of a large number of rivers, which were continuously fueled by many keys. In turn, the latter owed their existence to huge strata of clay, which did not allow deep water to go deep. High air humidity contributed to the creation of a region with a special microclimate. The soil was gradually covered with thickets of shrubs, moss and lichens.
A huge number of insects quickly appeared here. In turn, they attracted amphibians, reptiles and birds.
What caused the destruction of the entire biotope? But it turned out to be enough to break the waterproof clay layer. As soon as it was crossed by an irrigation canal, the biotope began to change rapidly. The unique microclimate was violated, water-loving species began to die out en masse. The swamp gave way to moderately dry meadows with acidic soil covered with stunted vegetation. Thus, the natural complex of the area was completely destroyed, but another formation immediately replaced it.
The historical diversity of natural complexes
We must not forget that during the entire historical process, thousands of types of natural complexes formed and disappeared on the surface of our planet. Repeatedly alternating seas and land, millions of species appeared and disappeared without a trace. Scientists believe that modern natural complexes began to form only 10-12 thousand years ago.
However, these are still quite “long” forecasts. Historians have long said that once Alexander the Great could go so far into Asia only because some two or three thousand years ago, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya were much more full-flowing rivers. Their ducts connected among themselves many sections of inaccessible mountainous terrain, which can now only be reached by air or by land.
The rate of change of natural complexes
However, in some cases, biotopes tend to change literally before our eyes. Of course, this is not due to some natural factors (volcanic eruptions and other cataclysms do not happen so often), but under the influence of anthropogenic factors. Unfortunately, almost always ill-conceived intervention leads to very negative consequences.
The main components of the natural complex
Each natural complex is formed by peculiar “bricks”, the properties of the entire biotope depend on the characteristics of which. Firstly, the landscape. This word is understood to mean the same type of terrain, similar climatic conditions, combined with the characteristics of the plant and animal world. The landscape itself includes terrain, tracts and facies.
Let's look at these components of the natural complex in a little more detail.
Characterization of elements
A facies is a biotope formed within one significant area of the terrain. An example is the bottom of a ravine, the slope of a mountain or its peak, the bank of a river or sea. In this case, endemic species are often formed, since the conditions of the facies are very homogeneous and quite constant.
If we talk about a group of interconnected facies, then this formation is called a natural boundary. For example, the territorial-natural complex, which is located along the river bed, is a natural boundary. Of course, being numerous and constantly interconnected, they form terrain. These include the floodplain of a large and deep river, interfluve, rocky plateau.
How are landscapes classified?
It should be noted that landscapes need to be classified depending on their geological features. They depend on tectonic shifts and terrain. In particular, Russia's natural complexes include plain and mountain landscapes. There are also a class of low and elevated biotopes. Mountain taiga landscapes are a separate class, which are enough in our country.
Plain formations are divided into the following types: broad-leaved, mixed-leaved, coniferous, forest-steppe and steppe. Separate formations are the banks of river floodplains, lakes, and swamps. The main natural complexes of Russia are plains covered with coniferous forests, forest-steppe, tundra and mountainous landscapes characteristic of the Caucasus.
How does human activity affect natural biotopes?
We have repeatedly noted that human activities often lead to irreversible changes in the natural elements of the area. Moreover, in this case, the characteristic of the natural complex changes significantly. And not only the relief, but also the climate, the characteristics of the soil, flora and fauna. Scientists distinguish purely agricultural, forestry, water management, as well as industrial and residential areas (cities, large settlements).
In our country, active human intervention began as early as the 6th – 5th millennium BC. e. Thus, forest-steppes and plains were formed largely due to the development of society, which began to consume more and more wood, actively cutting down forests. However, this process especially actively continued in the 18-19th centuries. For example, Udmurtia, until recently, was known as a “volost covered with forests.” During the Second World War, when the country needed a lot of coal, almost nothing remained of them.
In addition, the development of maritime trade laid the foundation for the massive development of coastal colonies, which quickly developed to the size of large city-policies (in the case of the Greeks). From the 16-18th centuries. the massive process of converting forests into plains began. Since the 15th century, people have intensively mastered the steppes. All this was due to the fact that the population was growing rapidly, people needed more and more food. Since the development of agriculture at that time was extremely extensive, it was necessary to plow more and more fields, to let forests under the ax.
Thus, practically no territorial-natural complex escaped change.
Until the 19th century, there were significantly more forests in our country that went to the needs of rapidly developing industry. During the two World Wars, the speed of this process increased significantly. Truly industrial landscapes first appeared when intensive coal mining began in Kuzbass, and in Baku during the period of the first oil wells.
The beginning of the 20th century was generally marked by the intensive transformation of landscapes to the needs of man. A huge number of roads were laid, metallurgy consumed more and more coal, wood and ore, and the increased demand for electricity required the construction of a large number of hydroelectric power stations, which is why a large number of plain biotopes were flooded.
Present
Thus, in the European territory of Russia today, industrial anthropogenic landscapes predominate in many respects. In some areas, less than 20% of natural complexes remained that were not affected by human activities. Unfortunately, the protection of natural complexes is still in its infancy. Recent years have shown a slightly improving trend, but still not much is being done in this direction.
How can a person preserve natural biotopes?
Many believe that for this it is necessary to create as many reserves as possible. Of course, to some extent this is correct, but it is necessary to think in more global ways. Remember what we talked about the interconnectedness of natural complexes?
If a large industrial enterprise is located near the protected area, then all measures to protect nature may be in vain. It is necessary to introduce resource-saving technologies everywhere , to conduct agriculture according to modern methods, which involve obtaining high yields from small areas. In this case, a person no longer needs to plow more and more land.
It is imperative to reduce emissions into the atmosphere and hydrosphere, since only in this case will we be able to preserve the biological diversity of rivers and oceans for our descendants.
However, one should not think that anthropogenic natural complexes are lifeless territories covered with pipes of factories. Nature demonstrates amazing flexibility, constantly adapting to the changing parameters of the external environment.
So, many species have learned to live side by side with humans, using all the advantages of such an interaction. So, ornithologists have long noted that in the suburbs of large megacities separate subspecies of tits have already begun to form, which even in the summertime remain within the boundaries of the residential complex.
In a word, a natural complex is a self-regulating array that can dynamically change.
How do species change in anthropogenic biocenosis?
Usually, these birds migrated to the cities only in the winter, when it became difficult to obtain the necessary amount of food in the forest. Today they live year-round in forested areas, without experiencing problems with food. As a result of the availability of food, the number of eggs laid has increased, since all the chicks can be provided with food. Researchers believe that in a few decades, subspecies will distinctly form, which will differ from ordinary tits in larger sizes and less noticeable plumage.
This is how the changed natural complex affects animals. Examples can be given for a long time, but rats are one of the best. In urban conditions, they are much larger and smarter than their wild counterparts. They are characterized by increased multiplicity and a more diverse color. The latter indicates a sharp reduction in the number of their natural enemies, as animals with a "non-standard" appearance got the opportunity to survive and give offspring.
There are completely opposite examples. In the Moscow region, a huge number of packs of feral dogs are currently observed. They are aggressive, completely not afraid of man. In modified biotopes, these animals occupied the natural niche of wolves. Researchers also believe that these groups of stray animals will eventually stand out, forming a very special genotype.
As you can see, anthropogenic natural complexes, although they are artificially formed and supported formations, live according to fairly standard natural laws that allow preserving the biosphere.