The steppe is a combination of amazing climate and breathtaking landscape. She captivates with her beauty and amazes with vast expanses. You can peer into the distance for a long time and see only a barely distinguishable strip of hills on the horizon. The animals and plants of the steppe are unique; they impress not only with the variety of species, but also with their abilities to adapt to life in such peculiar conditions. The steppe is a special world in which the work of many scientists is devoted to the study of life.
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 mode can 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 in the depths of the soil, or during the rainy seasons, which, although they do not differ in large volumes of rainfall, are able to provide plants with moisture. Some species of flora can adapt to permanent existence in conditions of lack of water. Thus, the steppe zone is a territory with a certain type of vegetation, mainly grassy cereal. Forest plots, if any, are located in lowlands, where increased soil moisture is provided due to accumulations of snow. Outside the lowlands, for example in the interfluve, there will be no conditions for the appearance of the forest, since the soil in this area is too dry. In the subtropical climate, shrubs may appear in the steppe.
Steppes can be found on all continents, with the exception of only 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. In the south you can find chestnut soils and salt marshes.
For a year , the steppe zone, whose plants and animals constantly need moisture, receives about 400 mm of rainfall. True, during a drought, rains are extremely rare; in a year their volume may not reach 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 rainfall during the winter and the maximum rainfall in the summer are determined.
Animals and plants of the steppes of Kazakhstan are endowed with enormous opportunities for adapting to difficult living conditions in the steppe. In this arid region, the average annual rainfall is 279 mm. At the same time, a humid year can bring them up to 576 mm, and only 135 mm falls out during a drought. Usually, after a period rich in rains, an extremely dry year follows.
Climate in the steppe
In the steppe, sharp temperature fluctuations are observed, depending both on the season and on the time of day. Plants and animal steppes are largely dependent on these changes. In the summer in the steppe it is very hot, the scorching sun shines. The average July temperature in western Europe is between 21 and 26 degrees. In the east, its value reaches 26 degrees. With the onset of autumn, the temperature begins to decline, it is very cold. In the eastern regions of the steppe, snow appears already in late October. The zones of the Black Sea, milder in their climate, are covered with snow at the end of November. Therefore, all living things in these territories can 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, the boundaries of spring and autumn in the steppe are very difficult to determine. This is due to the large difference between air temperature day and night. By the end of September, these differences become very pronounced, the amplitude of the oscillations can reach 25 degrees. It is possible to 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, saturated with moisture after the snow melts, they line the earth with a multi-colored carpet. A large temperature difference is observed at different times of the year. The extreme temperature in the steppe in summer is +5 degrees, and in winter it can drop to –50. Thus, in the steppe, in comparison with other climatic zones, for example, with the desert, maximum temperature fluctuations are observed.
The steppe is also characterized by a sudden change of weather in the conditions of the same time of the year. A sudden thaw can begin in April or November, and in the middle of a sultry summer, a severe cooling suddenly comes. In such conditions, animals and plants of the steppe should 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 struggle 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 it is a matter of rainfall. But long autumn rains, lasting for weeks, can increase the water content of small rivers. All this complicates the life of animals in the steppe, which in various ways adapt to a lack of water. The steppe plants are characterized by long, branched 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 rivulets turn into powerful raging streams is spring flood. Water jets rush along the steppe, eroding the soil. This contributes to the lack of forests, snow melting quickly under the influence of the hot steppe sun, plowing of land.
The water network of the steppe varies depending on its geographical location. Steppe zones in Europe are permeated 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 is one of the largest clusters in the world. They number almost 25 thousand. Among these lakes there are ponds with almost any degree of mineralization: fresh, closed saline, bitter-salted water.
Variety of steppe landscapes
In every corner of the Earth, the steppe zone has its own characteristics. Steppe animals and plants on different continents are distinguished. In Eurasia, territories with a characteristic landscape are called steppes. Plots with steppe vegetation in North America are prairie. In South America they are called pampa, in New Zealand the steppes are called tussoks. Each of these zones is characterized by a peculiar climate that determines the specific species of plants and animals present in this territory.
Pampa is most characteristic of Argentina. It is a stretch of subtropical steppe with a continental climate. Summer in these areas is hot, with an average temperature ranging 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 pampa in Argentina is rich in moisture, from 800 to 950 mm of precipitation falls here per year. The western part of the Argentinean pampa receives 2 times less rainfall. Pampa in Argentina 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 climate to the steppes of Eurasia. The annual rainfall 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 on the prairies vary 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 steppes of New Zealand, called Tussoki, there is very little rainfall during the year, in places up to 330 mm. These sites are one of the most arid, in their climate they resemble semi-deserts.
Mammals and birds of the steppe
Despite the harsh and unpredictable conditions, various animals live in the steppe. Steppe zones in Eurasia are home to almost 90 species of mammals. A third of this number is found exclusively in the steppe, the remaining animals moved to these territories from adjacent areas of deciduous and desert lands. All animals miraculously adapted to life in a unique climate and fanciful landscape. The steppe is characterized by a large number of rodents living in it. These include gophers, hamsters, voles, mice, jerboas and many others. There are many small predators in the steppe: foxes, ferrets, ermines, martens. Omnivorous animal steppes, hedgehogs, are well adapted to the conditions of the steppe climate.
In addition to animals that live only in the steppe, there are also individual birds that are also characteristic only for this area. True, there are not so many of them, and the plowing of lands leads to their gradual disappearance. Bustard lives in the steppe, in our country it can be seen in Transbaikalia and the Saratov region, as well as the strepto found in the Southern Urals, in the Middle and Lower Volga. Before plowing the land in the steppe zone, you could meet belladonna and gray partridge. Currently, these birds are extremely rare for human eyes.
Among the birds in the steppe there are many predators. These are large individuals: the steppe eagle, buzzard, burial eagle, and Buzzard. As well as small representatives of birds: falcons-males, kestrels.
Larks, lapwings, and avdotki delight in their singing in the steppes . Many species of birds living in floodplain zones, on the borders with deciduous forest or near lakes and rivers, moved to the steppe zone from the forest.
Permanent inhabitants of the steppes - reptiles
The steppe landscape cannot be imagined without the participation of reptiles in his life. There are not very many species, but these reptiles are an integral part of the steppe.
One of the brightest representatives of the steppe reptiles is the yellow-bellied snake. It is an almost two-meter, rather thick and large snake. She is characterized by incredible aggressiveness. Unlike most snakes, when meeting a person, she does not try to crawl faster, but curls up and, hissing loudly, rushes at the enemy. A snake cannot cause serious harm to a person; his bites are not dangerous. Such a fight will end sadly, most likely for the snake itself. As a result of their aggressiveness, these reptiles gradually began to 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 here prefers to hunt.
Another snake characteristic of the steppe is the viper. Her refuge are the abandoned burrows of small rodents. The snake hunts mainly late in the evening and at night, during the hot day hours the viper basks in the sun, stretching out on the stone slopes. This reptile does not seek to engage in a fight with a person and at the sight of it tries to hide. If inadvertently stepping on a viper, she immediately pounced on an inattentive traveler, leaving a poisonous bite on his body.
In the steppe there are many lizards of various colors. These brisk reptiles swirl past, shimmering in the rays of the sun in amazing shades.
Reliable shelter is a way to survive in the steppe
Features of the animal steppes are aimed at their survival in fairly difficult conditions. They were able to adapt to the open flat terrain, temperature differences, the lack of a wide variety of feed, lack of water.
The need for a reliable shelter is what all animals are united in. Steppe zones are perfectly visible, and small animals could not be saved from predators without a good shelter. As shelters, most animal steppes 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 refuge for animals during their winter hibernation. It is there that mammals grow their offspring, protecting it from all kinds of external dangers. Digging holes is best suited to rodents: mice, hamsters, voles. They easily make holes even in dry, hard soil.
In addition to rodents, large animals also need a reliable shelter in the conditions of flat terrain. Foxes and badgers also dig holes, and those representatives of the fauna who cannot dig a hole on their own try to capture a stranger. The habitat of foxes often becomes, for example, prey of wolves, and in large burrows of ground squirrels small predators settle - ermines and ferrets, as well as snakes. In the holes, even some birds, for example, hoopoe and owl, hide from dangers. Birds have to build nests right on the ground, because nooks and crannies in a rock or a hollow of a tree in the steppe simply cannot be found.
Constantly staying in its hole will not work, because you need to get food. Each animal of the steppe in its own way adapts to the constant threat from predators.
Some representatives of the fauna are able to run fast. These include saiga, brown hare, jerboa. A method of protection is also painting. Animal steppes have sand-gray fur or plumage, which allows them not to stand out from the environment.
For the inhabitants of the steppe zone herd is characteristic. Ungulate mammals graze under the watchful eye of their leader, who, in case of danger, will immediately give a signal, and the herd will burst. Extremely careful, for example, gophers. They now and then look around, controlling what is happening around. Hearing something suspicious, the gopher immediately notifies the relatives of this, and they instantly hide in burrows. Speed and instant reaction allow many animals to be invulnerable even in open space.
Weather Resistance
Animals adapted to temperature changes during the day. These fluctuations determine the activity of mammals at different times. The early morning hours are most favorable for birds; mammals emerge from their holes in the morning and evening. Most animals seek shelter from the scorching rays of the daylight in burrows. The only exceptions are reptiles who like to lie on hot stones.
As winter approaches, life in the steppes freezes. Most animals hibernate for the entire cold period while in their burrows. Thus, gophers, hedgehogs, jerboas, reptiles and insects are waiting for spring. Birds and bats go to the warm regions for wintering. Those rodents that will spend the winter awake are stocked with feed. 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 all winter. A kurganchikovy mouse, for example, does not go to the surface of the earth at all in winter. Before the onset of cold weather, she hides kilograms of grain in the depths of the soil and eats it all winter, setting up her nest on the site 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 different ways. Ungulate mammals and birds can travel long distances in search of a source of drinking. Gerbils, jerboas, ground squirrels and some other rodents eat juicy grass, making up for their need for water. Predators living in the steppe also do without water, as they receive the required amount from the animals eaten. An amazing feature is the kurganchikovy and house mice. They feed only on dried seeds of plants, and water is obtained through the unique processing of eaten starch in their bodies.
Animals adapted to lack of food. Among the inhabitants of the steppe expanses there are many who can eat both animal and plant foods. Omnivores of the steppes are foxes, hedgehogs, some species of reptiles and birds eating berries along with insects.
Steppe plants
Features of steppe plants - this is the ability to exist in conditions of lack of moisture, which for most representatives of the flora is fatal. There are several types of vegetation in the steppe:
1. Forbidden.
2. Fescue and feather grass.
3. Sagebrush-cereal.
Forbidden territories can be observed in the northern regions. With the appearance of the first rays of the sun after the melting of the snow cover, early flowering plants of the steppe appear - cereal and sedge, sleep-grass begins to bloom. Within a week, the entire steppe sparkles with golden dots of adonis. It will take some time, and the earth to the horizon will turn into a green carpet of lush lush grass. Forbs in the spring are really beautiful! During the summer months, the territory will periodically change its color. It can be covered with flowers of forget-me-nots, a godson, daisies. By mid-July, when salvia flowers appear, the steppe is simply unrecognizable - it becomes dark purple. Flowering ends in late July, moisture for plants is no longer enough, and they dry out.
Typical steppe plants, especially in areas with the most arid climates, are feather grass. They are among the most drought tolerant species. Thanks to the long branchy roots that penetrate deeply into the soil, the feather grasses are able to absorb all available moisture from the ground. The leaves of this plant are long, rolled up into a tube. Due to this form, the least evaporation of moisture from the surface of the sheet is achieved. Blooming 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 embedded in the soil. This occurs by twisting and untwisting a process that is screwed into dry, solid soil. Feather grass is the best example of how plants in the steppe have adapted. The wind carries the seeds of the plant for many kilometers, and, thanks to the ability of seeds to penetrate the soil, in some places large areas are formed, framed by a feather grass.
If plants that grow every year and dry at the end of summer are not cut, a layer of humus gradually forms in the soil. This is very important for grass and flowers, which already have to fight for existence in conditions of lack of moisture.
Animals and plants of the steppes of Russia are diverse and amazing. A look cast on a sunny summer day at this beauty only once will for a long time leave in memory the miracles created by nature.