The alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called. Natural complexes and natural zones The alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called
The structure of the altitudinal zonality of the Caucasus is the most complete in comparison with other mountains Russian Federation. According to experts World Heritage UNESCO, the region is distinguished by a remarkable diversity of geology, ecosystems and species, contains vast tracts of undisturbed mountain forests, unique on a European scale. Let's look at the example of this majestic mountain system, on which the set of altitudinal belts depends. Let's find out how the population uses the resources of each of the vertical zones.
Altitude zones in the mountains
Vertical zoning - or altitudinal zonation - geographical pattern, which manifests itself in a change in plant communities from the foothills to the peaks. Different from latitudinal alternation natural areas on the plains, which is caused by a decrease in the amount of solar radiation from the equator to the poles. A complete set of altitudinal zones is presented in which are located in the equatorial and tropical zone. Let's list all possible verticals (from the bottom to the top):
- (up to an altitude of 1200 m).
- High mountain forests (up to 3000 m).
- Low-growing, twisted trees, shrubs (up to 3800 m).
- Alpine meadows (up to 4500 m).
- Rocky wastelands, bare rocks.
- Snow, mountain glaciers.
What determines the set of altitude zones?
The existence of altitudinal belts is explained by a decrease in temperature, pressure and humidity with increasing altitude. When rising 1 km, the air cools by an average of 6 °C. For every 12 m of height there is a decrease atmospheric pressure per 1 mmHg.
In the mountains, which are located at different distances from the equator, the vertical zonality is significantly different. Sometimes different natural complexes arise on the same surface.
We list what the set of altitudinal belts depends on, what conditions affect their formation:
- Geographical location of the mountains. The closer to the equator, the more vertical zones.
- The lowlands are usually busy natural community, which dominates the adjacent plain.
- Mountain height The higher they are, the richer the set of belts. The farther from warm latitudes and the lower the mountains, the fewer zones (there are only 1-2 in the Northern Urals).
- The proximity of seas and oceans, over which warm and humid air is formed.
- The influence of dry cold or warm air masses coming from the continent.
Vertical change of natural zones in the mountains of the Western Caucasus
There are altitudinal zones of the Caucasus, belonging to two types of vertical zonation: continental and coastal (seaside). The second is represented in the mountains of the Western Caucasus, influenced by the Atlantic and humid sea air.
Let us list the main altitudinal zones from the foothills to the peaks:
1. Meadow steppes, interrupted by clumps of oak, hornbeam, ash (up to 100 m).
2. Forest belt.
3. Subalpine crooked forests and tall grass meadows (at an altitude of 2000 m).
4. Low herbs rich in bellflowers, cereals and umbrella plants.
5. Nival zone (at an altitude of 2800-3200 m).
The Latin word nivalis means “cold”. In this belt, in addition to bare rocks, snow and glaciers, there are alpine plants: buttercups, primroses, plantain and others.
Altitudinal zone of the Eastern Caucasus
In the east, there are slightly different altitudinal belts of the Caucasus, which are often called the continental, or Dagestan type of vertical zonation. Semi-deserts are common in the foothills, which give way to dry steppes with a predominance of cereals and wormwood. Above there are thickets of xerophytic bushes and rare forest vegetation. The next alpine region is represented by mountain steppe and cereal meadows. On the slopes, which receive part of the Atlantic humid air, there are forests of broad-leaved species (oak, hornbeam and beech). In the Eastern Caucasus, the forest belt gives way to subalpine and alpine meadows with a predominance of xerophytic plants at an altitude of about 2800 m (in the Alps, the boundary of this belt is at an altitude of 2200 m). The nival zone extends at an altitude of 3600-4000 m.
Comparison of altitudinal zones of the Eastern and Western Caucasus
The number of altitudinal belts in the Eastern Caucasus is less than in the Western one, which is due to the influence of air masses, relief and other factors on the formation of natural zones in the mountains. For example, warm and humid Atlantic air almost does not penetrate to the east, it is delayed by the main ridge. At the same time, cold temperate air does not penetrate into western part Caucasus.
The main differences between the structure of the altitudinal zones of the Eastern Caucasus and the Western Caucasus:
- the presence of semi-deserts in the foothills;
- lower belt of dry steppes;
- narrow forest zone;
- thickets of xerophytic bushes at the lower border of the forest belt;
- absence of coniferous forest belt
- steppes in the middle and high parts of the mountains;
- expansion of the mountain meadow belt;
- higher location of snow and glaciers.
- forest vegetation only in valleys;
- There are almost no dark coniferous tree species.
Economic activity of the population
The composition of the natural zones of the Caucasus is determined by changes in climatic indicators within the mountain system from the foot to the peaks, as well as from west to east. Having found out what the set of altitudinal zones depends on, it should be noted that the region has a high population density, especially in Black Sea coast. The fertile steppe plains of the Ciscaucasia are almost completely plowed and occupied by crops of grain, industrial and melon crops, orchards, and vineyards. Subtropical agriculture is developed, including the cultivation of tea, citrus fruits, peaches and walnuts. Mountain rivers have a large supply of hydropower and are used to irrigate low-water areas. Steppes, semi-deserts and meadows serve as pastures. Timber harvesting is carried out in the mountain forest belt.
All altitude zones in the Caucasus Mountains have ample opportunities for tourism. A system of mid- and high-mountain ridges covered with forest, glaciers and snow attracts fans of skiing and snowboarding. The routes involve overcoming rocks, snow-covered slopes, and mountain rivers. Clean air of mixed forests, picturesque landscapes, sea coast- the main recreational resources of the Caucasus.
181. The cycle of substances is characteristic of:
A) hydrospheres.
C) hydrospheres and lithospheres,
C) all geospheres.
D) The upper layer of the atmosphere.
E) the inner layer of the earth.
182. Which sea has more water: the Black or the Baltic?
A) In Black.
B) in the Baltic.
C) Same.
D) It's hard to say.
E) In spring - in Chernoye, in autumn - in Baltiysky.
183. Temperature of rocks with depth:
A) is increasing.
B) Decreases.
C) Does not change.
D) Changes at a certain depth.
E) Depends on the time of year.
184. White buoys on the river show:
A) Left bank.
B) Right bank.
D) Turn of the river.
E) The depth of the river.
185. More than 80% of all swamps in Russia are located:
A) In the tundra.
B) In the forest-tundra
C) In the taiga.
D) In the steppe.
E) In the mountains.
186. Do the average levels of oceans and seas coincide?
A) They match.
B) They do not match.
C) The level is low.
D) The level is high.
E) All answers are correct.
187. The largest natural complex:
A) Continents.
B) Oceans.
C) Geographical envelope.
D) Taiga and mixed forest zone.
E) Ravine, lake, sea bay.
188. A small natural complex is -
B) Continents and oceans.
C) Sea Bay.
E) Ravine.
189. A large natural complex that has common temperature and moisture conditions, soils, vegetation and fauna is called:
A) Geographical envelope.
B) Natural area.
C) Climatic zone.
D) Continents.
190. An anthropogenic natural complex is
A) Lakes and swamps.
B) River valleys.
C) Ponds and parks.
E) Deserts.
191. Natural land areas are named after:
A) The nature of the vegetation.
B) Geographical location.
C) The separation of land and ocean.
D) The nature of the relief.
E) The spread of swamps.
192. The alternation of natural zones on the plains is called:
A) Altitudinal zonation.
B) Latitudinal zoning.
C) Landscape.
D) Geographical envelope.
E) Anthropogenic complex.
193. The alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called:
A) Altitudinal zone.
B) Latitudinal zoning.
C) Natural complex.
D) Climatic zone.
E) Plant community.
194. Which cape is further south?
A) Southern Cape of Africa - Agulhas.
B) Southern Cape of Australia - South - Eastern.
C) Southern Cape of Eurasia - Piai.
D) Southern Cape of South America - Froward.
E) Southern Cape of Hindustan - Kumari.
195. What natural area is being described here? The temperature is uniform, above +10° at night, precipitation falls regularly, and fever is common.
A) Tundra.
B) Mixed forest.
C) Equatorial forest.
E) Altitudinal zone.
196. In which zone is the soil fertile?
A) Steppe.
B) Tundra.
D) Tropical forest.
E) Semi-desert.
197. Main causes of soil pollution.
A) Industrial waste.
B) City landfills .
C) Fertilizers and pesticides, radioactive substances.
D) Construction.
E) Gardens, vegetable gardens.
198. What reasons affect human health?
A) Cleanliness of air, water, soil.
B) Intensity of traffic flows.
C) Development of hazardous industries.
D) Availability of forests and parks
E) All answers are correct.
199. Is the world ocean a natural complex?
C) Only its individual parts.
D) Only inland seas.
E) Only islands.
200. Which of the Earth's spheres includes parts of all other shells?
A) Hydrosphere.
B) Atmosphere
C) Biosphere.
D) Lithosphere.
E) Troposphere.
201. Which natural zone has more fertile soils?
A) In equatorial forests
B) In the steppes.
C) In deserts.
D) in the tundra.
E) In forest-tundra.
202. “Complex” translated from Latin means “plexus”. What is the meaning of the phrase “natural complex of the area”?
A) The relationship of soil with flora and fauna
B) The interconnection of everyone natural ingredients terrain.
C) The connection between the climatic features of the area and its relief,
D) The connection of all natural components of the area with human activities.
E) The relationship between rocks and relief.
203. In which natural zone does the forest height not exceed 50 cm?
A) In the Arctic deserts.
B) In a tropical forest.
C) in the tundra.
D) In the forest tundra.
E) in the savannah.
204. Where do trees that lack annual rings grow?
A) Forest zones of the temperate zone.
B) in the taiga.
C) in the tundra.
D) In the equatorial forest.
E) In the forest tundra.
205. Why is a flower that grows on the top of a volcano up to 3 thousand meters high called the “flower of death” by the residents of Java?
A) The appearance of this flower at such a height is a sure sign of an imminent volcanic eruption.
C) The flower contains toxic substances.
C) Poisonous snakes like to hide in the thickets of these flowers.
D) Negatively affects the human body.
E) All answers are correct.
206. What is this pattern called when natural zones are distributed depending on the amount of solar heat and moisture?
A) Latitudinal zoning.
B) Altitudinal zone.
C) Polar zoning.
D) Azonality.
E) Oceanic zonality.
207. What is the most complete version of the components of natural complexes?
A) Rocks, temperature, moisture.
B) Soil, forest, food .
C) Rocks, moisture, soil, biocomponents.
D) Swamps, mountains, rivers.
E) Only flora and fauna.
208. Which scientist established the law on geographical zonation:
A) L.S. Berg.
B) G.D. Richter.
C) N.N. Przhevalsky
D) V.V. Dokuchaev.
E) B.B. Polynov.
209. The largest natural area by area:
B) Tundra.
C) Desert.
210. How do the Arctic desert differ from other natural areas?
A) The amount of ice and snow in all seasons of the year.
B) Geological structure,
C) Harsh climatic conditions.
D) Frequently blowing strong winds.
Traveling from north to south, you can see how the nature around is changing: firs are replaced by birches and oaks, forests into fields, since the Earth has many different natural zones. But the same changes can be noticed when climbing the mountains. Let us consider in more detail what are the natural zones of mountainous regions (Grade 4).
Why does temperature decrease with height?
It seems that the higher you go, the closer you are to the sun, the warmer it should be. But in fact, it's the other way around. The sun does not warm the air, but the surface of the Earth. And heat is transferred from the ground to the surrounding space. And the closer, the hotter it gets. Therefore, the temperature decreases with height.
As you rise to altitude, the temperature of the mountains decreases. Every hundred meters it drops by 0.6 degrees Celsius. If at the foot (at sea level) + 40 ° Celsius, then let's calculate how many degrees at the top of 6000 meters? Only +4° Celsius. This means that there will no longer be tropical heat and lush vegetation here. At an altitude of 6000 there is eternal snow.
Rice. 1. Legend mountains on the map
On the map, each natural zone is marked with its own color. Only at the very top, looking down, can you see how nature changes. At the very bottom you will see a deciduous forest, a little higher - a spruce forest, behind it the tundra with low bushes will begin, and it will be replaced by alpine meadows, turning into a stone zone. This alternation is called altitudinal levels.
Consider the table
Table “Natural zones of mountain areas”
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Features of mountain Natural areas
Almost all natural areas of the mountains can be found on flat terrain. But there are special ecosystems characteristic only of heights. For example, alpine meadows. They are formed in spring summer period when meltwater from glaciers flows down. The mountain tundra turns into incredibly beautiful meadows. Cows and sheep graze on it. The most beautiful plants This zone has amazing flowers: crocuses, edelweiss.
The edelweiss flower is called the “Alpine star”. It grows so high that only the most resilient and strong travelers can see it.
Rice. 2. Edelweiss
Another atypical mountain belt is the zone of eternal snow and ice. If the mountains are not high, in the summer the snow may completely melt, and the ground will be covered with short grass. In high mountains, over 4000 m, snow never melts. Of particular danger to travelers are snow avalanches- this is a gathering of large masses of snow and ice rushing down at high speed. At such a height there are practically no plants, only moss and lonely lichens.
Animals
In the mountains you can find many different animals. Most of them are the same as in our forests. It is not difficult for them to overwinter: they can at any time go down lower, where it is warmer. There are bears and wolves in the forests. IN steppe zone: hares, gophers. A little higher you can find rare birds. But the most prominent representatives are mountain goats. They jump between the stones so briskly and quickly that it seems they are about to fall off.
Other countries also have extraordinary mountain animals. In South America, this llama is a special type of mountain camel. On the peaks North America lives a clever predator - Snow Leopard, a relative of cats.
Rice. 3. Snow leopard
What have we learned?
The air from the ground warms up unevenly. The closer to the surface, the warmer it is. Therefore, it gets colder with height. This affects the flora and fauna. The change of zones is called altitudinal zonation. The lowest zone is the steppe. Behind it comes the forest, and even higher - the tundra. The most beautiful mountain belt is the Alpine. Rare herbs and unusual flowers are found here. The tops of the high mountains are covered eternal ice and snow that does not melt even in summer.
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What explains the alternation of zones at the same latitude? Yes, all for the same reasons - a change in the ratio of heat and moisture, which is determined by the proximity or distance of the direction prevailing winds. There are changes at the same latitudes and in the ocean. They depend on the interaction of the ocean with land, the movement of air masses, and currents.
The location of natural areas is closely related to
climate zones. Like climatic zones, they naturally replace each other from the equator to the poles due to a decrease in solar heat entering the Earth's surface and uneven moisture. This change of natural zones - large natural complexes is called latitudinal zoning. Zoning is manifested in all natural complexes, regardless of their size, as well as in all components of the geographical envelope. Zoning is a basic geographical pattern.
A change in natural zones, as you know, occurs not only on the plains, but also in the mountains - from the foot to their peaks. With altitude, temperature and pressure decrease, up to a certain altitude the amount of precipitation increases, and lighting conditions change. Due to the change climatic conditions Natural zones are also changing. The successive zones seem to encircle mountains at different altitudes, which is why they are called altitudinal zones. The change in altitudinal zones in the mountains occurs much faster than the change in zones on the plains. It is enough to climb 1 km to see this.
The first (lower) altitudinal belt of mountains always corresponds to the natural zone in which the mountain is located. So, if the mountain is located in the taiga zone, then when climbing to its peak you will find the following altitude zones: taiga, mountain tundra, eternal snow. If you have to climb the Andes near the equator, then you will start your journey from the belt (zone) equatorial forests. The pattern is this: the higher the mountains and the closer they are to the equator, the more altitude zones there are and the more diverse they are. In contrast to zonality on the plains, the alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called altitudinal zonation or altitudinal zonation. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
The law of geographic zoning also manifests itself in mountainous areas. We have already considered some of them. Also, the change of day and night and seasonal changes depend on geographic latitude. If the mountain is located near the pole, then there is a polar day and a polar night, a long winter and a short cold summer. In the mountains at the equator, day is always equal to night, there are no seasonal changes.
4. Human development of the Earth. Countries of the world
Most scientists believe that the ancient homeland of man is Africa and Southwestern Eurasia. Gradually, people settled across all continents of the globe, with the exception of Antarctica. It is believed that first they mastered the habitable territories of Eurasia and Africa, and then other continents. In place of the Bering Strait, there was land that about 30 thousand years ago connected the northeastern part of Eurasia and North America. Through this land “bridge” ancient hunters penetrated into the North, and then into South America, up to the Tierra del Fuego islands. Humans came to Australia from Southeast Asia.
Findings of human fossils have helped to draw conclusions about the routes of human settlement.
Ancient tribes moved from one place to another in search of better conditions for life. The settlement of new lands accelerated the development of animal husbandry and agriculture. The population also gradually grew. If about 15 thousand years ago there were believed to be about 3 million people on Earth, today the population has reached 6 billion people. Most people live on the plains, where it is convenient to cultivate arable land, build factories and factories, and locate settlements.
There are four areas of high population density on the globe - South and East Asia, Western Europe and eastern North America. This can be explained by several reasons: favorable natural conditions, a well-developed economy, and the long history of settlement. In South and East Asia, in conditions of a favorable climate, the population has long been engaged in farming on irrigated lands, which allows them to harvest several crops per year and feed a large population.
IN Western Europe and in the east of North America, industry is well developed, there are many factories and factories, and the urban population predominates. The population that moved here from European countries settled on the Atlantic coast of North America. The nature of the globe is the environment for the life and activity of the population. By doing farming, a person influences nature and changes it. Wherein different types economic activities affect natural complexes differently. Changes natural complexes especially strongly Agriculture. Growing crops and raising domestic animals requires significant areas. As a result of land plowing, the area under natural vegetation has decreased. The soil has partially lost its fertility. Artificial irrigation helps to obtain high yields, but in arid areas, excessive watering leads to soil salinization and reduced yield. Domestic animals also change vegetation cover and soil: they trample vegetation and compact the soil. In dry climates, pastures can turn into desert areas. Under the influence of human economic activity, forest complexes experience great changes. As a result of uncontrolled logging, the area under forests around the globe is decreasing. In tropical and equatorial zones, forests are still being burned to make way for fields and pastures. The rapid growth of industry has a detrimental effect on nature, polluting the air, water and soil. Gaseous substances enter the atmosphere, while solid and liquid substances enter the soil and water. During mining, especially open method, a lot of waste and dust appears on the surface, and deep, large quarries are formed. Their area is constantly growing, while soil and natural vegetation are also being destroyed. The growth of cities increases the need for new land areas for houses, construction of enterprises, and roads. Nature is also changing around large cities, where large numbers of residents vacation. Environmental pollution has a negative impact on human health. Thus, in a significant part of the globe, human economic activity has, to one degree or another, changed natural systems. Economic activity population of the continents is reflected on comprehensive maps. By their symbols one can determine: a) places of mining; b) features of land use in agriculture; c) areas for growing crops and raising domestic animals; d) populated areas, some enterprises, power plants. shown on the map and natural objects protected areas. People living in the same territory, speaking the same language and having a common culture form a historically established stable group - an ethnos (from the Greek ethnos - people), which can be represented
1. The main components of the natural complex are relief and rocks, climate, water.
2. Natural complexes that are called anthropogenic are gardens and reservoirs.
3. The main reason for the change in natural complexes to earth's surface– climate change depending on geographic latitude and movement of air masses.
4. A large natural complex with common temperature conditions and soil moisture, plants and fauna is a natural zone.
5. The formation of natural zones on land is determined by climate, that is, the ratio of heat and moisture.
6. The most vulnerable natural component is soil.
7. The alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called altitudinal zonation.
8. The largest natural complex is the geographical envelope.
9. The small natural complex is a ravine.
10. A natural area where the temperature is uniform at night above +10⁰, precipitation falls regularly and fever is common - the equatorial forest.
11. “complex” translated from Latin means “plexus”. The meaning of the phrase “natural complex of an area” is the interconnection of all natural components of the area.
12. The shell of life is the biosphere.
13. The alternation of natural zones on the plains is called latitudinal zoning.
14. The alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called altitudinal zonation.
15. The natural zone where the increase in climate severity as you move from west to east is most clearly visible is the taiga.
16. An area with fertile soil is the steppe.
17. Natural land areas are named according to the nature of their vegetation.
18. The lowest temperature that was recorded in the village of Oymyakon. – 71⁰s.
19. The pattern when natural zones are distributed depending on the amount of solar heat and moisture is latitudinal zoning.
20. The natural area in which shagyls (dunes) are found is desert.
21. The most complete version of the components of natural complexes - rocks, moisture, soil, biocomponents.
22. The scientist who established the law on geographic zoning is V.V. Dokuchaev.
23. The largest natural area in terms of area is the desert.
24. Arctic desert from other natural areas - it differs in harsh climatic conditions.
25. The reasons why the snow line in the Himalayas runs at an altitude of 4300 - 4600 m, and in the Alps 2500 - 2900 m is their geographical location.
26. Territories developed by humans for several millennia - Mesopotamia, Indus-Gangetic lowland, coast Mediterranean Sea, the great Chinese plain.
27. The main type of vegetation in the forest zone of the north is coniferous evergreen forests.
28. The natural zone where the change of seasons is not clearly expressed is the equatorial forest.
29. The zone most developed by man is the steppe.
30. The natural zone in which the height of the forest does not exceed 50 cm is the tundra.
31. The polar night in the circumpolar regions lasts - 6 months.
32. Monsoons Indian Ocean It is the precipitation regime that hinders to influence the climate.
33. The local name for the natural territorial complex located at the foot of the southwestern slopes of the Himalayas to an altitude of 400-600 m is terai.
34. The slopes of the Tien Shan, which are more humid, are northern.
35. The anthropogenic natural complex is ponds and parks.
36. Over the years, the position of natural zones in a certain territory changes, but very slowly.
37. The most humid season in East China is summer.
38. The transitional natural zone is the forest-tundra.
39. A natural zone that is located mainly in a temperate climate, the vegetation cover is dominated by coniferous species, typical large predators, as well as artiodactyls - taiga.
40. The type of soil with the maximum humus content (fertility) is chestnut soils.
41. The relationship of components in a natural complex is determined primarily by the exchange of substances and energy between them.
42. The ocean that has the greatest impact on the climate of the Arabian Peninsula is the ocean that has a negligible effect on the climate of the Arabian Peninsula.
43. Geographic zoning consists in a natural change in all natural components and the geographical envelope from the equator to the poles.
Altitudinal zone
Altitudinal zonality or altitudinal zonality - a regular change natural conditions and landscapes in the mountains as the absolute height increases.
Accompanied by changes in geomorphological, hydrological, soil-forming processes, composition of vegetation and fauna.
Altitudinal zonality - alternation of natural zones in the mountains
Many features of altitudinal zonation are determined by the location of the slopes in relation to the cardinal points, dominant air masses and distance from the oceans.
The number of belts usually increases in high mountains and as we approach the equator.
Altitudinal zonality is determined by changes in density, pressure, temperature, moisture and dust content of air with altitude. Atmospheric pressure decreases in the troposphere by 1 mm Hg. Art. for every 11-15 m of height. Half of all water vapor is concentrated below 1500 - 2000 m, quickly decreasing with increasing altitude and dust content. For these reasons, the intensity of solar radiation in the mountains increases with height, and the return of long-wave (or thermal) radiation from the surface of mountain slopes into the atmosphere and the influx of counter thermal radiation from the atmosphere decrease.
This leads to a decrease in air temperature within the troposphere by an average of 5-6°C for every kilometer of altitude. The conditions for condensation of water vapor are such that the number of clouds, concentrated mainly in the lower layers of the troposphere, increases to a certain height.
This leads to the existence of the belt maximum precipitation and to their descending at a higher altitude.
The set of altitudinal zones of a mountain system or a specific slope is usually called the spectrum of zones. In each spectrum, the basic landscape is the foothills of the mountains, close to the conditions of the horizontal natural zone in which the given mountain system is located.
There is an analogy in the change of altitudinal zones within the spectrum of any mountainous country, on the one hand, and horizontal geographical zones from low to high latitudes - on the other hand.
However, there is no complete identity between them. For example, the tundra of Arctic latitudes is characterized by polar day and polar night, and with them special rhythm hydroclimatic and soil-biological processes. The high-mountain analogues of the tundra in lower latitudes and alpine meadows lack such features. High mountain areas Equatorial latitudes are characterized by special landscapes - paramos (Andes of Ecuador, Kilimanjaro), which have little in common with the belt of alpine meadows.
The most complete altitudinal spectra can be observed in the high mountains of equatorial and tropical latitudes (Andes, Himalayas). Toward the poles, the levels of altitudinal belts decrease, and the lower belts at certain latitudes wedge out. This is especially well expressed on the slopes of meridionally elongated mountain systems (Andes, Cordillera, Ural). At the same time, the altitudinal spectra of the external and internal mountain slopes are often different.
The composition of the altitudinal spectra also changes greatly with distance from the seas inland.
Oceanic regions are usually characterized by a predominance of mountain-forest landscapes, while continental regions are characterized by treeless ones.
The composition of altitudinal spectra also depends on many local conditions - features of the geological structure, slope exposure in relation to the sides of the horizon and prevailing winds.
For example, in the Tien Shan mountains, high-altitude belts of mountain forests and forest-steppe are characteristic primarily of the northern, i.e., shady and more humid, slopes of the ridges. The southern slopes of the Tien Shan at the same levels are characterized by mountain steppes.
Altitudinal zones create a variety of impressions and, as a result of the contrast of the zones, their special acuteness when traveling and climbing in the mountains.
During one day, the traveler manages to visit different zones - from the waist deciduous forests, to alpine meadows and eternal snow.
In Russia, a particularly complete range of altitudinal zones is observed in the Western Caucasus in the Fisht or Krasnaya Polyana region.
Here, on the southern slope of the Main Caucasus Range, rising, for example, from the Mzymta valley (500 m above sea level) to the Pseashkho peak (3256 m), one can observe a change in numerous altitudinal belts. Oak forests, alder forests and subtropical Colchis forests of the foothills give way higher up to beech forests with the participation of hornbeam and chestnut forests.
The upper belts of vegetation are formed by dark coniferous fir and spruce forests, light pine forests, and park maple forests. This is followed by crooked forests, subalpine and alpine meadows.
The top of the pyramid at altitudes above 3000 m is closed by the subnival and nival-glacial belts.
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Altitudinal zone
A change in natural zones, as is known, occurs not only on the plains, but also in the mountains - from the foot to their peaks. With altitude, temperature and pressure decrease, up to a certain altitude the amount of precipitation increases, and lighting conditions change. Due to changes in climatic conditions, natural zones are changing. But unlike the plains, in the mountains this change occurs from the foot to the top. The successive zones seem to encircle mountains at different altitudes, which is why they are called altitudinal zones.
The change in altitudinal zones in the mountains occurs much faster than the change in zones on the plains.
The first (lower) altitudinal belt of mountains always corresponds to the natural zone in which the mountain is located. For example: The Subpolar Urals are located in the taiga zone.
At its foot, the first belt will be mountain taiga, and as we climb to the top, we will find the following high-altitude belts - forest tundra, mountain tundra, arctic deserts.
The alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called altitudinal zonality or altitudinal zonality.
The change of day and night and seasonal changes depend on geographic latitude. If the mountain is near the pole, there is a polar day and a polar night, a long winter and a short cold summer.
In the mountains near the equator day is always equal to night, there are no seasonal changes.
Natural areas of mountainous areas (grade 4)
Why do changes occur in natural areas in the mountains? At altitude, temperature and pressure decrease, humidity and lighting change. Click on the slide.
Figure 29 from the presentation “Natural areas of the 2nd level”
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ALTITUDE ZONE (altitudinal zonality, vertical zonality), the main geographical pattern of changes in natural conditions and landscapes with altitude in the mountains. It is caused mainly by changes in the conditions of heat supply and humidification with increasing absolute altitude.
The causes, intensity and direction of these changes differ significantly from the corresponding changes in geographic latitude. When atmospheric pressure decreases with height due to a decrease in air density, a decrease in the content of water vapor and dust in it, the intensity of direct solar radiation increases, however, the own radiation of the earth's surface increases faster, resulting in a sharp decrease in air temperature with height (on average 0.5 -0.65°C for every 100 m of ascent).
Due to the barrier effect of mountains, precipitation increases up to a certain altitude (usually higher in dry areas) and then decreases. The rapid change in climatic conditions with altitude corresponds to a change in soils, vegetation, runoff conditions, the set and intensity of modern exogenous processes, relief forms and, in general, the entire natural complex.
This leads to the formation of high-altitude zones, distinguished by the predominant type of landscape (mountain forest, mountain steppe). Within them, according to the dominance of a certain subtype of landscape, altitudinal belts, or altitudinal subzones, are distinguished (for example, belts of mixed, broad-leaved or dark-coniferous forests of the mountain forest zone). High-altitude zones and belts are named according to the type of prevailing vegetation - the most obvious component of landscapes and an indicator of other natural conditions.
From latitudinal landscape zones and subzones, high-altitude zones and belts differ in their smaller extent, the manifestation of specific exogenous processes in conditions of highly dissected and steeply sloping terrain that are not characteristic of flat landscapes (landslides, mudflows, avalanches, etc.); gravelly and thin soils, etc. Some high-altitude zones and belts have no plain analogues (for example, a mountain-meadow zone with subnival, alpine and subalpine belts).
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For the first time, M. wrote about the differences in climate and nature of mountains depending on the proximity of the earth’s surface to the “frozen layer of the atmosphere”.
V. Lomonosov. Generalizations of the patterns of altitudinal zonation belong to A. Humboldt, who identified the relationship between climate change and vegetation in the mountains. The doctrine of vertical zonation of soils, as well as climate, flora and fauna as the main soil-forming factors was created by V.
V. Dokuchaev, who pointed out the identity of vertical zonality in the mountains and latitudinal zonation on the plains. Subsequently, in order to emphasize the identified differences in the genesis of altitudinal (vertical) zonality from latitudinal one, in Russian landscape science it was proposed to use the term “altitudinal zonation” (A.
G. Isachenko, V. I. Prokaev, etc.), widely used in geobotany and soil science. To avoid confusion in terminology, some Russian physical geographers (N. A. Gvozdetsky, A. M. Ryabchikov, etc.) believe that the pattern of distribution of vegetation with height is better called altitudinal zonation, and in relation to changes in natural complexes the term “altitudinal landscape zonation” should be used. , or “altitudinal zonation”.
The term “vertical zonation” is sometimes used in modern geography to describe the deep zonation of the nature of the oceans.
The structure of altitudinal zones is characterized by a spectrum (set) of altitudinal zones and belts, their number, sequence of location and loss, vertical width, and altitudinal position of boundaries. The type of altitudinal zonation of landscapes is determined by a natural combination of vertically alternating altitudinal zones and belts, characteristic of territories with a certain zonal-sectoral association (see Zoning).
The influence of the orographic features of mountain systems (striking, absolute and relative heights of mountains, exposure of slopes, etc.) is manifested in a variety of spectra reflecting various subtypes and variants of structures within a particular type of altitudinal zonality. The lower altitudinal zone in a mountain system, as a rule, corresponds to the latitudinal zone in which this system is located.
In the southern mountains, the structure of altitudinal zonality becomes more complex, and the boundaries of the zones shift upward. In the longitude sectors of the same geographical zone, the structures of altitudinal zonality often differ not in the number of altitudinal zones, but in their internal features: the mountains of the oceanic sectors are characterized by a large vertical width of altitudinal zones, the fuzzy nature of their boundaries, the formation transition zones and etc.; in the mountains of the continental sectors, zone changes occur faster, the boundaries are usually more pronounced.
In mountains of meridional and submeridional strike, latitudinal zonality is more pronounced in the spectra of altitudinal zonality. In latitudinal and sublatitudinal mountain systems, the influence of longitudinal differentiation on the spectra of altitudinal zonation is more clearly expressed. Such mountain systems also emphasize and enhance zonal contrasts due to exposure effects, often serve as climatic divisions, and their ridges form the boundaries between latitudinal landscape zones and geographical zones. For example, for the Greater Caucasus they allocate Various types altitudinal zonality structures characteristic of the northern and southern slopes in its western and eastern parts(picture 1).
Depending on the features of the relief, full and shortened spectra of altitudinal zonality are distinguished.
Simplification of the structure of altitudinal zonality occurs both due to the insignificant height of the ridges (falling out of the upper zones in low and medium-altitude mountains), and with an increase in the absolute height of the foot of the slopes and bottoms of the valleys (falling out of the lower zones).
The greatest diversity of altitudinal zones and belts is characterized by low and middle mountains. In the upper tiers, the structure of altitudinal zones is quite homogeneous due to the uniformity of the climate of the peaks.
For example, in the Urals, at the intersection of different latitudinal zones, landscapes corresponding to these zones are formed in the lower parts of the slopes, and in the upper parts mountain tundra and char, found both in the north and in the south, predominate (Figure 2). At the same time, the width of the bald zone narrows to the south, and its border rises. Given the large extent of the Urals from north to south (over 2000 km), fluctuations in the boundary of the goltsy zone are insignificant - from 750 m in the north to 1050 m in the south.
The exposure of the slopes is associated with the asymmetry of altitudinal zonation, that is, the difference in spectra on slopes of different insolation (relative to the Sun) and circulation (relative to the direction of movement of moist air masses) exposures.
The asymmetry of altitudinal zonation is manifested in an increase in the boundaries of altitudinal zones on the southern slopes and a decrease in the width of individual zones - up to their complete pinching out. For example, on the northern slope of the Western Sayan, the upper boundary of the taiga is located at an altitude of 1300-1350 m, on the southern slope - 1450-1550 m. Exposure differences are more clearly manifested in mountain systems with a continental climate, especially if they are located at the junction of latitudinal landscape zones. Circulation exposure enhances the effect of insolation exposure, which is typical for latitudinal and sublatitudinal ranges.
On the other hand, different orientations of slopes in relation to the main transport routes of moisture-bearing air masses lead to the formation of unequal spectra of altitudinal zonation. In the region of western transport of moist air masses, precipitation falls mainly on the western slopes, in the region of monsoon climate - on the eastern.
The windward slopes of the ridges are characterized by humid landscapes, while the leeward slopes are characterized by arid ones. In dry climates, exposure contrasts appear brighter, especially in mid-mountains - at altitudes where there is rainfall. maximum amount precipitation.
Inversion of altitudinal zones, that is, the reverse sequence of their change with height, is observed on the slopes framing intermountain basins and large valleys.
In areas of heat deficiency and increased moisture, mountain slopes are usually occupied by more southern types of landscapes compared to the bottoms of basins (for example, in the Polar Urals, tundras at the bottoms of basins are replaced by forest-tundras on the slopes). In areas of sufficient heat and lack of moisture, more southern types of landscapes are typical for valleys and basins (for example, in the mountains of Transbaikalia, steppe basins are found among forested lowlands).
The structure of the altitudinal zonation of landscapes is one of the criteria for the physical-geographical zoning of mountainous countries.
Lit.: Dokuchaev V.
B. To the doctrine of natural zones. Horizontal and vertical soil zones. St. Petersburg, 1899; Shchukin I. S., Shchukina O. E. Life of the mountains. M., 1959; Ryabchikov A. M. Structure altitudinal zonation land landscapes // Bulletin of Moscow State University. Ser. Geography.
Lecture: Regularities of the geographical envelope
1968. No. 6; Stanyukovich K.V. Vegetation of the mountains of the USSR. Shower, 1973; Grebenshchikov O.S. On the zonality of vegetation cover in the mountains of the Mediterranean in the latitudinal band of 35-40 degrees latitude // Problems of botany. L., 1974. T. 12; Gorchakovsky P. L. Vegetable world high mountain Urals. M., 1975; Gvozdetskikh N. A., Golubchikov Yu. N. Mountains. M., 1987; Isachenko A. G. Landscape science and physical-geographical zoning. M., 1991; Avssalamova I. A., Petrushina M. N., Khoroshev A. V. Mountain landscapes: structure and dynamics.
M. N. Petrushina.
Accompanied by changes in geomorphological, hydrological, soil-forming processes, the composition of vegetation and fauna, which leads to the formation of altitudinal zones.
The number of altitudinal zones, as a rule, increases with the height of the mountains and as one approaches the equator.
the alternation of natural zones in the mountains is called:
The high zonality of equatorial latitudes is characterized by a natural change from the belt of humid equatorial forests to belts of savannas and light forests, mountain variable-humid forests, mountain tropical vegetation (paramos), mountain tall grasses and shrubs (subalpine), mountain meadows (alpine) and eternal snow and ice (nival).
Many features of altitudinal zonation are determined by the exposure of the slopes, their location in relation to the prevailing air masses and distance from the oceans.
Altitudinal zonality has a number of similar features to latitudinal zonality, but in the mountains the change of natural territorial complexes occurs more abruptly (at intervals of several km compared to hundreds and thousands of km on the plains). The discovery of the general patterns of altitudinal zonation belongs to A. Humboldt.
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