The territory of Russia is considered the largest among all the states of our planet. It extends from east to west for almost ten thousand kilometers. And from north to south, its maximum length is more than four thousand kilometers.
The huge length of the country provides a variety of climatic zones in 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 regions of semi-deserts.
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 deciduous forests ;
- forest-steppe;
- steppes;
- desert zone;
- subtropical zone.
Arctic deserts are barren and cold lands. They are chained 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. From the vegetation, only mosses and lichens are observed.
Lesotundra is located on the border between the tundra and taiga strip from 20 to 200 kilometers. It is in this zone that rare vegetation and trees are already observed. They are rather weak and small in size. The reason for this is still a rather 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 number of pine forests.
The remaining zones located south, due to a more fertile soil layer and a warmer climate, are rich in vegetation. There are a large number of undersized and tall bushes, trees and grasses. The exception is the semi-desert zone, where the vegetation is quite poor due to the low rainfall.
Lesotundra: soil and climate
The first manifestations of active plant activity are observed in the forest-tundra zone. Yes, this is an area with a rather harsh climate and poor fertility. A separate question is what 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 glue 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.
The forest-tundra of Russia was previously considered by some researchers to be the tundra or taiga subzone. 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 a harsh subarctic climate.
In the summer months, the temperature reaches its maximum in the month of July to 10-14 degrees of heat. In the winter months, depending on the location on the continent, it can drop to minus forty degrees Celsius.
Waterlogging of the soil and permafrost
Despite the low rainfall, about 350 millimeters, Russia's forest-tundra is waterlogged. This is due to the negative coefficient between the intake and evaporation of moisture. Between ten and sixty percent of the total area is covered by lakes and swamps. Forest tundra is characterized by such conditions. The soil, due to excessive waterlogging and the presence of the permafrost sole against the background of low temperatures, forms the 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) of Russia and compare the degree of fertility, we will understand the level of suitability for farming of certain areas.
It must be understood that certain climatic conditions ensure the rate of natural accumulation of soil fertility. The chernozem soil (in comparison with a region such as forest tundra) quickly builds up a fertile layer, about 1 centimeter in a hundred years. This indicator is 5-10 times higher than in the forest-tundra zone.
Vegetation
The presence of 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 woodlands vary depending on zoning. Dwarf birches and subpolar willows grow in the western part. Black and white spruce also grow.
A warty birch grows on the territory of the Kola Peninsula. In Western Siberia - spruce and Siberian larch.
Climate Impact of Water
The rivers and reservoirs of the forest-tundra have a buffering effect on severe climatic conditions; therefore, vegetation in river valleys is more common. In these places the forest-tundra “flourishes”. Soils near rivers are more fertile. In addition, river valleys protect vegetation from violent winds.
The foci of forests are formed from birch, spruce and larch. Soil types (table below) are more diverse and fertile near water bodies.
Trees are very stunted, bent in some places to the ground. In places of interfluve, you can meet undersized thin 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 types of lemmings, shrews, arctic foxes, partridges and reindeers. Forest-tundra (soil and its type determines the appropriate vegetation) is a valuable pasture and land for various types of deer. 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 we hope that the determining factor in the conservation of nature will not be barriers to its destruction, but the creativity and rationality of human society.