Economic use of Arctic deserts. Arctic desert

The Arctic desert zone is located on the Arctic islands. On the map it is most often indicated in gray or blue.

Snow and ice are most abundant in this natural area. Another name for the Arctic desert zone is ice zone. This is where the least amount of sunlight gets.

In Russia, the Arctic desert zone receives the smallest amount of sunlight. The sun here never rises high above the horizon.

Polar night, day and northern lights

In winter there is a polar night in the icy zone. For several months in a row the sun does not appear at all - darkness. Strong winds blow and snowstorms often rage. Temperatures can reach 60 degrees below zero.

In summer, a polar day sets in in the ice zone. For several months there is light around the clock. But not warm. The temperature is only a few degrees above zero.

In the ice zone you can see the aurora - a heavenly glow of amazing beauty. It appears very suddenly and disappears just as suddenly. The aurora is associated with solar flares.

Plants and animals of the Arctic

Arctic plants

The following plants can be found in the Arctic:

polar poppy
Lichens

Arctic Animals

Beasts of the Arctic

Polar bear
Belukha
Arctic fox
killer whale
Seal

Birds of the Arctic

Guillemot
White Crane
Dead end
Auk
White seagull
polar owl

The polar bear, harp seal and ivory gull are similar in color - they are all white. This helps them hide among snow and ice.

The Harp Seal and Polar Bear can swim, which helps them hunt in the Arctic. Wide paws help animals swim quickly. A layer of fat helps animals not freeze in cold water.

A snow den for a bear is an example of the connection between living and inanimate nature. Interestingly, the polar bear eats seals. This is an example of the animal-animal bond.

Example of food chains

Fish - Bear - Killer Whale
Fish - Seal - Bear

Human activity in the Arctic

Human activities are harming the nature of the Arctic. Garbage gets into the water from various ships. On some northern islands, people have set up hazardous waste dumps.

For many years, people hunted polar bears, walruses and seals, and now these animals are listed in the Red Book of Russia.

The French word braconnier [poacher] is translated as “canine hunter.”

Illegal actions of hunting and destroying wild animals, cutting down forests in violation of established prohibitions are called poaching.

Cubs and adult seals die at the hands of poachers. It is necessary to protect animals from extermination.

In the Arctic seas, people engage in fishing, often without caring about the protection of fish resources. There are fewer and fewer fish in the sea.

We need to fight pollution environment, poaching and overfishing in the Arctic deserts.

Activities for the protection of Arctic nature

- ban hunting of rare animals
- protect seabird nesting sites
- limit fishing.

Reserve "Wrangel Island"

The Wrangel Island Nature Reserve is located in the Arctic. It is named after the Russian polar explorer Ferdinand Petrovich Wrangel.
The main task of the reserve is to study and preserve the fauna of the island part of the Arctic. One of the animals living in the reserve is the musk ox. Since 2004, the reserve has been included in the World Heritage List.

Polar Bear Program

Main objectives of the program:

study of habitats polar bear in the Russian Arctic
counting the number of polar bears

The Arctic desert zone is rich in minerals: manganese ores - carbonate and oxide, ores of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Silver, gallium, indium, germanium, yttrium, ytterbium, and niobium are found as associated components.

The last decades of human economic activity have turned into a real tragedy for some areas of the Arctic deserts: this includes radioactive contamination and a sharp decrease in the number of many Arctic animals. Environmental protection measures are being taken: testing is stopped nuclear weapons and limiting the fishing of sea animals, creating nature reserves and protecting rare animals

Conclusion

The Arctic is the northern polar region of the earth, where snowstorms often rage and cold winds blow; frost in the Arctic in winter reaches 60 degrees. Despite these temperatures, there is life in the Arctic. Various animals, birds, plants and fish live there. Arctic animals are unique because some of them are found nowhere else except in this region. The Arctic deserts are inhabited by polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes, hares, lemmings, different types birds (tundra partridges, snowy owls, guillemots, razorbills, seagulls, crows). Sea life Arctic fish are: polar cod fish, crustaceans, walruses, seals, narwhals, beluga whales. Many species are listed in the Red Book. Animals also have special adaptations for living in such harsh conditions, such as: white coloration of the fur of animals and the plumage of birds, the accumulation of a layer of subcutaneous fat, thick fur in animals, warm down in birds, insulation of limbs for the winter in arctic foxes - warm insoles, birds pubescent legs, hibernation.

Arctic plants are represented by lichens, mosses, polar poppies, and algae. Plants grow and develop in such a cold region due to the fact that the surface receives a large number of solar radiation. This also explains the fact that the surface temperature can exceed the air temperature by 20 ° C. Plants also have special adaptations: dwarf forms of plants, their small leaves are often rolled up, covered with hair, have a waxy coating, plants spread along the ground, forming pillows, The roots are located close to the surface, the plants are perennial.

When you hear the word "desert", what immediately comes to mind? For most people, the desert evokes images of endless sandy expanses, high temperatures and bushy vegetation. To some extent this view is accurate. Many of the world's deserts are characterized by big amount sand and high temperatures (at least during daylight hours).

However, there are Arctic deserts that are radically different from other deserts. There is no sand here, and the temperatures are often far from hot, but rather sub-zero.

If you know anything about the Arctic, you're probably wondering who came up with the idea to call this region a desert. After all, there is an Arctic Ocean in the Arctic. However, Arctic temperatures are so low that the ocean is almost always covered in ice. Extreme cold also means that the air is unable to hold moisture. Thus, the air is dry, like in a classic desert.

Another significant argument is the insignificant amount of precipitation in the form of rain or snow. In fact, the Arctic receives about the same amount of precipitation as the Sahara. All the factors described above gave rise to the concepts of “arctic or cold deserts”.

Natural conditions of the Arctic desert zone

To determine natural conditions arctic desert, below is given a brief description of and a table of main factors ( geographical position, relief, soils, climate, Natural resources, flora and fauna) that influence the lives of people of this natural area.

Geographical position

Arctic desert on the map of the main natural areas of the world

Legend:

Arctic deserts

The natural zone of the Arctic desert is located above 75° north latitude and is adjacent to the North Pole of the Earth. It covers total area more than 100 thousand km². The Arctic desert covers Greenland, the North Pole and several islands, many of which are inhabited by people and animals.

Relief

The topography of the Arctic desert consists of various physical features: mountains, glaciers and flat areas.

Mountains: The Arctic desert contains mountainous regions where a cold and dry climate prevails. In appearance, some of the region's mountains resemble those in Central America.

Glaciers: Due to extremely low temperatures, the Arctic desert is replete with numerous glaciers of different shapes and sizes.

Flat areas: make up the bulk of the region and have a distinct patterned texture that is the result of cycles of melting and freezing of water.

If you watched the series "Game of Thrones", then the lands beyond the Wall give general idea what the arctic desert looks like. These scenes were filmed in Iceland, which is not officially considered part of the Arctic desert, but bears a superficial resemblance to it.

Soils

In the main part of the Arctic desert natural zone, the soils remain frozen for most of the year. Permafrost reaches 600-1000 m in depth and makes it difficult for water to drain. In summer, the surface of the Arctic desert is covered with lakes of meltwater from the upper soil layer. Rubble and rocks, due to the movement of glaciers, are scattered throughout the natural area.

The soil horizon of Arctic deserts is very thin, poor in nutrients, and also contains a lot of sand. In warmer areas, soil types containing little organic matter, and capable of supporting the growth of small shrubs, algae, fungi and mosses. One such soil type is brown soil.

Climate

The climate of the natural zone of the Arctic desert is characterized by a long, very cold winter and short cool summers. During the cold months (usually from December to January), the temperature can drop to -50° C. In the warm months (usually July), the temperature can rise to + 10° C. However, during many months, average temperatures range from -20° to 0°C.

The Arctic desert receives very little precipitation. The average annual precipitation is below 250 mm. Precipitation usually falls in the form of snow and light drizzle, more often in the warm season.

During the summer months, the sun does not set at all in the Arctic desert. In fact, for 60 days, the sun is above the horizon 24 hours a day.

Animals and plants

In total, about 700 plant species and about 120 animal species are found in the natural zone of the Arctic deserts. Flora and fauna have adapted to survive and even thrive in such extreme conditions. Plants were able to adapt to nutrient-poor soils, low ambient temperatures and low rainfall. , as a rule, have a thick layer of fat and thick fur for protection from the cold. They breed during the short summer and often hibernate or migrate during the winter. Birds usually migrate south during the cold winter months.

Only about 5% of the natural zone of the Arctic desert has vegetation cover. Although this is not surprising given its desert status. Most plant life consists of the following plants: lichens, mosses and algae, which can survive in the extreme conditions of the Arctic.

Every year (especially in the warm season), some types of low (from 5 to 100 cm) shrub plants bloom. Typically these include sedges, liverworts, grasses and different kinds colors.

Animal life in the Arctic desert is very diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, fish and insects. All of these animals are adapted to extremely low temperatures. Here are some examples of animals in the natural zone of the Arctic deserts:

Mammals: arctic foxes, polar bears, wolves, squirrels, hares, arctic voles, lemmings, reindeer, seals, walruses and whales.
Birds: crows, falcons, loons, waders, snipes, terns and various species of gulls. Most of these birds are migratory (that is, they spend only part of their life cycle in the Arctic desert).
Fish: trout, salmon, flounder and cod.
Insects:

Natural resources

The Arctic contains significant reserves (oil, gas, minerals, fresh water and commercial fish species). also in last years Interest in this region from tourists has increased significantly, which also provides additional economic benefits.

The pristine and vast deserts of the Arctic play an important role in preserving biodiversity due to the growing presence of humans, as well as the fragmentation of vital habitats. Arctic deserts are particularly susceptible to soil depletion and disturbance of the habitats of rare animals native to the region. The Arctic also contains 20% of the world's reserves fresh water.

Table of the natural zone of the Arctic deserts

Geographical position

Relief and soils

Climate

Flora and fauna

Natural resources

Arctic regions located above 75° north latitude and receiving low precipitation (less than 250 mm per year).

The terrain is mostly flat, but sometimes there are mountainous areas.

Soils are very poor in organic matter nutrient, and also remain frozen for most of the year.

The climate is dry and cold. Average temperatures range from 0° to -20° C. In winter, air temperatures can drop below -50° C, and in summer they can rise to +10° C.

Animals

mammals: polar foxes, polar bears, wolves, reindeer, hares, squirrels, voles, lemmings, walruses, seals and whales;

birds: crows, falcons, loons, waders, snipes, terns and gulls;

fish: trout, salmon, flounder and cod;

insects: grasshoppers, arctic bumblebees, mosquitoes, moths, midges and flies.

Plants

shrubs, grasses, lichens, mosses and algae.

oil, gas, minerals, fresh water, commercial fish.

Peoples and cultures

The most numerous inhabitants of the Arctic deserts are the Inuit. If the word "Inuit" is not clear to you, then most likely you have heard about the Eskimos.

The Inuit adapted their lives to the difficult conditions of the Arctic desert. As a rule, there are practically no building materials in the Arctic. Eskimos build snow huts called Igloos. In the summer, when the Igloos melt, they live in tents made from animal skins and bones.

Given the extreme desert conditions, the Inuit do not grow grains or vegetables. They eat mainly meat and fish. Thus, their main food sources are fishing, as well as hunting seals, walruses and whales.

For transportation, the Inuit usually use dog sleds. The sled is made from hides and bones. They are drawn by strong, hardy, sled dog breeds (huskies, malmouths, samoyeds). When moving on water, they use kayaks or umiaks. Kayaks are small vessels suitable for carrying one or two people. Umiaki are large enough to carry several people, dogs and materials.

Eskimo communities are found in various parts of the Arctic desert and. In Greenland, they are known as Inupiat or Yup'ik. In Russia they are called Eskimos. Regardless of name or geographic location, Inuit speak a common language, Inuktitut. They also have similar cultural traditions and way of life.

Meaning for humans

In recent years, the Arctic desert has experienced an increase in tourism. Visitors to the cold desert come here for the unique ecosystem and stunning snowy landscapes. Lakes, rivers, streams and mountains provide additional leisure activities for tourists from all over the world. Some recreational activities include cruising, boating, sport fishing, mountaineering, hunting excursions, rafting, hiking, dog sledding, skiing, snowshoeing, and more. The never-setting sun during the Arctic summer is another reason for the interest of tourists who visit the Arctic desert for this surreal phenomenon. Visitors also gain experience of Inuit culture and life by visiting their settlements. The Arctic desert, being the polar region of the planet, plays a key role in regulating the Earth's climate.

Environmental threats

The human population in the natural zone of the Arctic desert and adjacent areas is quite low. The most pronounced threat comes from mineral exploration and extraction. Global warming also has an impact negative impact on the Arctic desert environment, upsetting the delicate balance of this ecosystem. As temperatures rise, the planet warms and melts, releasing carbon from the soil into the atmosphere, which accelerates climate change. Due to global warming they are melting polar ice, which contributes to sea level rise and increases the threat of flooding in the planet's coastal regions. Melting ice caps also threaten polar bears. They need ice for hunting, and melting ice reduces and fragments their hunting grounds. Additionally, orphaned cubs have even lower survival rates because they are left to fend for themselves.

Protection of Arctic deserts

To protect the natural zone of the Arctic deserts, it is necessary to ensure assistance, cooperation, coordination and interaction between states with the participation of indigenous communities of the Arctic on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection of the region.

The main goals of protecting Arctic deserts include:

Preservation of the rich biodiversity of the region;
Sustainable use of renewable natural resources;
Reducing pollution and wasteful consumption.

To achieve these goals, it is necessary to focus international attention on the following problematic aspects:

Marine environment;
Fresh water;
Biodiversity;
Changing of the climate;
Pollution;
Oil and gas.

Only political will and interaction between states can give positive result in the struggle to preserve both the natural zone of the Arctic desert and the nature of the world as a whole.

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Human use of the desert

Deserts are distinguished from other systems by their natural contrasts. Natural processes they occur on the verge of extreme conditions, violent reactions to imbalance in ecosystems. Desert phenomena affect the soil, topography, fauna and vegetation, economic activity person.

The main use of the desert zone by humans is for grazing livestock. Fine-wool sheep and camels are raised in deserts and semi-deserts. Agriculture develops only in oases. Since livestock farming is a leading industry National economy, then natural vegetation has important as a natural source of food. In this regard, sandy deserts are the most important, followed by wormwood and saltwort deserts, and then ephemeral deserts.

The desert, no matter what it is, is the land of the sun, warmth and light. But to successfully cultivate agricultural plants, you also need to irrigate the land. Under conditions of constant irrigation, “white gold” cotton is grown in desert and semi-desert zones. Man also learned to grow wonderful and tasty melons, sweet grapes, peaches, apricots, pomegranates and a variety of vegetables. The desert is becoming more and more subject to man every day - sources of minerals are being developed, desert vegetation is acquiring natural and cultural significance, livestock farming is increasingly developing.

Arctic desert zone. Human use

When you hear the word “desert,” the following associations come to mind: sandy expanses, high temperatures, palm trees and shrubs. All this is true. But there are also Arctic deserts, which are characterized by the absence of sand and sub-zero temperatures. For example, the Arctic, almost always covered with ice. Severe frost prevents moisture from being retained in the air, so it is as dry as the Sahara. In addition, in the Arctic the precipitation falls is equal to that of the hottest desert in the world. The above factors directly indicate that Arctic deserts exist.

The possibility of human use of the resources of the Arctic deserts is increasing every day. Recently, they have become popular as tourist sites - many tourists come here to see the unique ecosystem and stunning snowy landscapes. Water resources, such as streams, rivers and lakes, provide leisure activities for tourists and financial security for local residents. The use of Arctic desert resources by humans also involves the development of sources of minerals - oil, gas, fresh water. Commercial fish species are also caught in the Arctic.