What are natural complexes? Their types and features. Natural complex

They can cover both vast territories and completely small areas of the Earth. What natural complexes are there? What is the difference? What are they characterized by? Let's find out.

Geographical envelope

When telling what natural complexes are, it is impossible not to mention the geographical envelope. This is a conditional concept that unites several spheres of the Earth at once, which intersect and interact with each other, forming unified system. In fact, it is the largest natural complex on the planet.

The boundaries of the geographical envelope almost repeat the edges of the biosphere. It includes the hydrosphere, biosphere, anthroposphere, top part lithosphere (earth's crust) and lower layers of the atmosphere (troposphere and stratosphere).

The shell is solid and continuous. Each of its components (earthly spheres) has its own patterns of development and characteristics, but at the same time it is influenced by other spheres and influences them. They constantly participate in the cycles of substances in nature, exchanging energy, water, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, etc.

Natural complex and its types

The geographical envelope is the largest, but not the only natural complex. them on globe there are a lot. What are natural complexes? These are certain areas of the planet that have homogeneous geological vegetation, fauna, climatic conditions and the same nature of the waters.

Natural complexes are also called landscapes or geosystems. They differ in the vertical and horizontal directions. Based on this, complexes are divided into zonal and azonal. The main reason their diversity is the heterogeneity of the geographical envelope.

First of all the differences natural conditions provide uneven distribution solar heat on the ground. This is due to the elliptical shape of the planet, the unequal ratio of land and water, the location of mountains (which trap air masses), etc.

complexes

The complexes represent predominantly the horizontal division of the planet. The largest of them are Their arrangement is consistent and regular. The emergence of these complexes is directly related to the climatic conditions of the area.

Character geographical zones varies from the equator to the poles. Within each of them there are observed temperature and weather, as well as the nature of soils, underground and surface waters. The following belts are distinguished:

• arctic;
• subarctic;
• Antarctic;
• subantarctic;
• northern and southern temperate;
• northern and southern subtropical;
• northern and southern subequatorial;
• equatorial.

The next largest zonal complexes are natural areas, which are divided according to the nature of moisture, that is, the amount and frequency of precipitation. They do not always have a purely latitudinal distribution. And they depend on the altitude of the area, as well as proximity to the ocean. Highlight arctic desert, steppe, tundra, taiga, savannah and other natural areas.

Azonal natural complexes

Azonal complexes are not associated with the latitudinal division of the planet. Their formation is associated primarily with the relief and formation earth's crust. The largest azonal natural complexes are the oceans and continents, which differ significantly geological history and structure.

Continents and oceans are divided into smaller complexes - natural countries. They consist of large mountain and plain formations. For example, natural complexes Far East include the Central Kamchatka Plain, the Sikhote-Alin Mountains and the Khingan-Bureya Mountains, etc.

TO natural countries planet includes the Sahara Desert, Ural Mountains, The East European Plain. They can be divided into narrower and more uniform areas. For example, gallery forests located on the outskirts of steppes and savannas, mangrove forests located along the sea coast and at river mouths. The smallest natural complexes include river floodplains, hills, ridges, urems, swamps, etc.

Components of natural complexes

The main components of any geographical landscape are relief, water, soil, flora and fauna, and climate. The relationship between the components of the natural complex is very close. Each of them creates certain conditions for the existence of the others. Rivers influence the condition and climate - the appearance of certain plants, and plants attract certain animals.

Changing even one component can lead to a complete change in the entire complex. Drying out the river will lead to the disappearance of vegetation characteristic of the river area and a change in soil quality. This will certainly affect animals that will leave the geosystem in search of conditions familiar to them.

Excessive reproduction of any animal species can lead to the destruction of the plants they eat. There are cases when huge swarms of locusts completely destroyed meadows or fields. This development of events does not go unnoticed by the natural complex and provokes changes in the soil, water, and then climate regime.

Conclusion

So what are natural complexes? This is a natural-territorial system, the components of which are homogeneous in their origin and composition. The complexes are divided into two main groups: azonal and zonal. Within each group there is a division from large to smaller areas.

The largest natural complex is geographic envelope, which includes part of the lithosphere and atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere of the Earth. The smallest complexes are individual hills, small forests, river mouths, and swamps.

1. Structure and properties of the geographical shell

2. Natural complexes of land and ocean

3. Natural zoning

4. Human development of the Earth. Countries of the world

1. Structure and properties of the geographical shell

Before the appearance of life on Earth, its outer, single shell was made up of three interconnected shells: the lithosphere, the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. With the advent of living organisms - the biosphere, this outer shell has changed significantly. All its components - components - have also changed. The shell of the Earth, within which the lower layers of the atmosphere, the upper parts of the lithosphere, the entire hydrosphere and the biosphere mutually penetrate each other and interact, is called the geographic (earth) shell. All components of the geographic shell do not exist in isolation; they interact with each other. So, water and air, penetrating deep into cracks and pores rocks, participate in weathering processes, change them and at the same time change themselves. Rivers and groundwater, moving minerals, participate in changes in relief. Rock particles rise high into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions, strong winds. A lot of salts are contained in the hydrosphere. Water and minerals are part of all living organisms. Living organisms, dying, form huge strata of rocks. Different scientists draw the upper and lower boundaries of the geographic envelope in different ways. It has no sharp boundaries. Many scientists believe that its thickness is on average 55 km. Compared to the size of the Earth, it is a thin film.

As a result of the interaction of components, the geographical shell has properties inherent only to it.

Only here there are substances in solid, liquid and gaseous states, which has great value for all processes occurring in the geographical shell, and above all for the emergence of life. Only here, near the solid surface of the Earth, life first arose, and then man and human society, for the existence and development of which all conditions are available: air, water, rocks and minerals, solar heat and light, soil, vegetation, bacterial and animal life.

All processes in the geographic shell occur under the influence of solar energy and, to a lesser extent, internal earthly sources energy. Change solar activity affects all processes of the geographical shell. For example, during periods of increased solar activity, the magnetic storms, the rate of plant growth, reproduction and migration of insects changes, and the health of people, especially children and the elderly, worsens. The connection between the rhythms of solar activity and living organisms was shown by the Russian biophysicist Alexander Leonidovich Chizhevsky back in the 20-30s. XX century

The geographic envelope is sometimes called natural environment or simply by nature, meaning mainly nature within the boundaries of the geographical envelope.

All components of the geographic shell are connected into a single whole through the circulation of substances and energy, due to which the exchange of substances between shells takes place. The circulation of matter and energy is the most important mechanism of natural processes of the geographical envelope. There are various cycles of matter and energy: air cycles in the atmosphere, the earth’s crust, water cycles, etc. For the geographic envelope great importance has a water cycle, which is carried out due to movement air masses. Water is one of the most amazing substances of nature, characterized by great mobility. Ability to change from liquid to solid or gaseous state with minor temperature changes, it allows water to accelerate various natural processes. Without water there can be no life. Water, being in the cycle, enters into close interactions with other components, connects them with each other and is important factor formation of the geographical envelope.

The biological cycle plays a huge role in the life of the geographic envelope. In green plants, as is known, in the light from carbon dioxide and water, organic substances are formed that serve as food for animals. Animals and plants, after they die, are decomposed by bacteria and fungi into minerals, which are then reabsorbed by green plants. The same elements repeatedly form the organic substances of living organisms and repeatedly return to the mineral state.

The leading role in all circulations belongs to the air circulation in the troposphere, which includes the entire system of winds and vertical air movement. The movement of air in the troposphere draws the hydrosphere into the global cycle, forming the global water cycle. The intensity of other cycles also depends on it. The most active gyres occur in the equatorial and subequatorial belts. And in polar regions on the contrary, they proceed especially slowly. All cycles are interconnected.

Each subsequent cycle is different from the previous ones. It does not form vicious circle. Plants, for example, take nutrients from the soil, and when they die, they give them back much more, since the organic mass of plants is created mainly by atmospheric carbon dioxide, and not by substances coming from the soil. Thanks to the cycles, the development of all components of nature and the geographic envelope as a whole occurs.

What makes our planet unique? Life! It is difficult to imagine our planet without plants and animals. In a wide variety of forms, it permeates not only water and air elements, but also the upper layers of the earth's crust. The emergence of the biosphere is a fundamentally important stage in the development of the geographical envelope and the entire Earth as a planet. the main role living organisms - ensuring the development of all life processes, which are based on solar energy and biological circulation of substances and energy. Life processes consist of three main stages: creation through photosynthesis organic matter primary products; transformation of primary (plant) products into secondary (animal) products; destruction of primary and secondary biological products by bacteria and fungi. Without these processes life is impossible. Living organisms include: plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. Each group (kingdom) of living organisms plays a specific role in the development of nature.

Life on our planet arose 3 billion years ago. All organisms over the course of billions of years developed, settled, changed in the process of development and, in turn, influenced the nature of the Earth - their habitat.

Under the influence of living organisms, there is more oxygen in the air and a decrease in carbon dioxide content. Green plants are the main source of atmospheric oxygen. Another thing was the composition of the World Ocean. Rocks of organic origin appeared in the lithosphere. Deposits of coal and oil, most limestone deposits are the result of the activity of living organisms. The result of the activity of living organisms is also the formation of soils, thanks to the fertility of which plant life is possible. Thus, living organisms are a powerful factor in the transformation and development of the geographical envelope. The brilliant Russian scientist V.I. Vernadsky considered living organisms to be the most powerful force in the world in terms of their final results. earth's surface transforming nature.

2. Natural complexes of land and ocean

The geographical envelope, being integral, is heterogeneous in different latitudes, on land and in the ocean. Due to the uneven supply of solar heat to the earth's surface, the geographical envelope is very diverse. Near the equator, for example, where there is a lot of heat and moisture, nature is distinguished by the richness of living organisms that pass more quickly natural processes, in the polar regions, on the contrary, slowly flowing processes and poverty of life. At the same latitudes, nature can also be different. It depends on the terrain and distance from the ocean. Therefore, the geographic envelope can be divided into areas, territories, or natural-territorial complexes of different sizes (abbreviated as natural complexes, or PC). The formation of any natural complex took a long time. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of natural components: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils. All components in the natural complex, as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form an integral natural complex; metabolism and energy also occur in it. A natural complex is a section of the earth's surface that is distinguished by its natural ingredients, which are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries, has a natural unity, manifested in its appearance(for example, forest, swamp, mountain range, lake, etc.).

Natural complexes of the ocean, unlike land, consist of the following components: water with gases dissolved in it, plants and animals, rocks and bottom topography. In the World Ocean there are large natural complexes - separate oceans, smaller ones - seas, bays, straits, etc. In addition, in the ocean there are natural complexes of surface layers of water, various layers of water and the ocean floor.

There are natural complexes different sizes. They also differ in education. Very large natural complexes are continents and oceans. Their formation is determined by the structure of the earth's crust. On continents and oceans, smaller complexes are distinguished - parts of continents and oceans. Depending on the amount of solar heat, i.e. on geographic latitude, there are natural complexes equatorial forests, tropical deserts, taiga, etc. Examples of small ones include, for example, a ravine, lake, river valley, sea bay. And the largest natural complex of the Earth is the geographical envelope.

What determines the formation of natural areas? What natural areas stand out on our planet? You can answer these and some other questions by reading this article.

Natural zoning: formation of natural zones in the territory

The so-called planet of ours is the largest natural complex. It is very heterogeneous, both in the vertical section (which is expressed in vertical zonation) and in the horizontal (latitudinal) section, which is expressed in the presence of various natural zones on Earth. The formation of natural areas depends on several factors. And in this article we will talk specifically about the latitudinal heterogeneity of the geographical envelope.

This is a component of the geographical envelope, which is distinguished by a certain set of natural components with its own characteristics. These components include the following:

• climatic conditions;
• the nature of the relief;
• hydrological grid of the territory;
• soil structure;
• organic world.

It should be noted that the formation of natural areas depends on the first component. However, natural zones usually get their names from the nature of their vegetation. After all, flora is the most striking component of any landscape. In other words, vegetation acts as a kind of indicator that displays the deep (those that are hidden from our eyes) processes of the formation of a natural complex.

It should be noted that the natural zone is the highest level in the hierarchy of the physical-geographical zoning of the planet.

Factors of natural zoning

Let us list all the factors in the formation of natural zones on Earth. So, the formation of natural zones depends on the following factors:

1. Climatic features of the territory (this group of factors includes temperature regime, the nature of moisture, as well as the properties of the air masses dominating the territory).
2. General character of the relief ( this criterion, as a rule, affects only the configuration and boundaries of a particular natural zone).

The formation of natural areas can also be influenced by proximity to the ocean, or the presence of powerful ocean currents off the coast. However, all these factors are secondary. The main root cause natural zoning is that different parts (belts) of our planet receive unequal amounts of solar heat and moisture.

Natural areas of the world

What natural zones do geographers identify today on the body of our planet? Let's list them from the poles to the equator:

• Arctic (and Antarctic) deserts.
• Tundra and forest-tundra.
• Taiga.
• Broad-leaved forest zone.
• Forest-steppe.
• Steppe (or prairie).
• Semi-desert and desert zone.
• Savannah zone.
• Tropical rainforest zone.
• Wet zone (hylea).
• Rain (monsoon) forest zone.

If we look at the map of the natural zonality of the planet, we will see that all natural zones are located on it in the form of belts in a sublatitudinal direction. That is, these zones, as a rule, extend from west to east. Sometimes this sublatitudinal direction can be violated. The reason for this, as we have already said, is the topography of a particular territory.

It is also worth noting that there are simply no clear boundaries between natural areas (as shown on the map). Thus, almost each of the zones smoothly “flows” into the neighboring one. At the same time, border “zones” can very often form at the junction. For example, these are semi-desert or forest-steppe zones.

Conclusion

So, we have found out that the formation of natural areas depends on many factors. The main ones are the ratio of heat and moisture in a particular area, the properties of the prevailing air masses, the nature of the relief, and so on. The set of these factors is the same for any territory: continent, country or small region.

Geographers identify on the surface of our planet over a dozen large natural zones, which are elongated in the form of belts and replace each other from the equator to the polar latitudes.

1. Name several natural complexes in your area. Briefly describe one of them and indicate the relationships between the components.
2. From natural history and biology courses, remember how soils are formed and what kind of soils you know.

Natural sushi complexes. The geographical envelope, being integral, is heterogeneous at different latitudes, on land and in the ocean. Due to the uneven supply of solar heat to the earth's surface, the geographical envelope is very diverse. Near the equator, for example, where there is a lot of heat and moisture, nature is distinguished by the richness of living organisms, faster-moving natural processes, in the polar regions, on the contrary, slow-flowing processes and poverty of life. At the same latitudes, nature can also be different. It depends on the terrain, on the distance from the ocean. Therefore, the geographic envelope can be divided into areas, territories, or natural-territorial complexes of different sizes (abbreviated as natural complexes, or PC).

The formation of any natural complex took a long time. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of natural components: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils (Fig. 32). All components in the natural complex, as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form an integral natural complex; metabolism and energy also occur in it. A natural complex is a section of the earth's surface that is distinguished by the characteristics of natural components that are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries and has a natural unity, manifested in its external appearance (for example, a forest, a swamp, a mountain range, a lake, etc.).

Rice. 32. Relationships between the components of the natural complex

Natural complexes of the ocean, unlike land, consist of the following components: water with gases dissolved in it, plants and animals, rocks and bottom topography. In the World Ocean there are large natural complexes - individual oceans, smaller ones - seas, bays, straits, etc. In addition, in the ocean there are natural complexes of surface layers of water, various layers of water and the ocean floor.

Variety of natural complexes. Natural complexes come in different sizes. They also differ in education. Very large natural complexes are continents and oceans. Their formation is determined by the structure of the earth's crust. On continents and oceans, smaller complexes are distinguished - parts of continents and oceans. Depending on the amount of solar heat, i.e. on geographic latitude, there are natural complexes of equatorial forests, tropical deserts, taiga, etc. Examples of small ones include, for example, a ravine, lake, river valley, sea bay. And the largest natural complex of the Earth is the geographical envelope.

All natural complexes experience enormous human influence. Many of them have already been greatly changed by centuries of human activity. Man has created new natural complexes: fields, gardens, cities, parks, etc. Such natural complexes are called anthropogenic (from the Greek “anthropos” - man).

1. Using the text of the textbook, write down the components of the geographical shell in the left column of your notebook, the components of the natural complexes of the land in the middle column, and the components of the natural complexes of the ocean in the right column. What do the components of each natural complex have in common?
2. What is a natural complex?
3. How do natural complexes differ?

The geographic envelope is not tripled equally everywhere; it has a “mosaic” structure and consists of individual natural complexes (landscapes). Natural complex- this is a part of the earth’s surface with relatively homogeneous natural conditions: climate, topography, soils, waters, flora and fauna.
Each natural complex consists of components between which there are close, historically established relationships, and a change in one of the components sooner or later leads to a change in the others.

The geographical envelope, being integral, is heterogeneous at different latitudes, on land and in the ocean. Due to the uneven supply of solar heat to the earth's surface, the geographical envelope is very diverse. Near the equator, for example, where there is a lot of heat and moisture, nature is distinguished by the richness of living organisms, faster-moving natural processes, in the polar regions, on the contrary, slow-flowing processes and poverty of life.

At the same latitudes, nature can also be different. It depends on the terrain and distance from the ocean. Therefore, the geographic envelope can be divided into areas, territories, or natural-territorial complexes of different sizes (abbreviated as natural complexes, or PC). The formation of any natural complex took a long time. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of natural components: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils. All components in the natural complex, as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form an integral natural complex; metabolism and energy also occur in it. A natural complex is a section of the earth's surface that is distinguished by the characteristics of natural components that are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries and has a natural unity, manifested in its external appearance (for example, a forest, a swamp, a mountain range, a lake, etc.).

Natural complexes experience enormous human influence. Many of them have already been greatly changed by centuries of human activity. Man has created new natural complexes: fields, gardens, cities, parks, etc. Such natural complexes are called anthropogenic (from the Greek “anthropos” - man - approx..

Forest. Photo: Axel

The diversity of natural complexes within natural zones is primarily due to the influence of relief. In the mountains, there is a natural change in natural complexes with altitude - their altitudinal zonation. Its main reason is changes in temperature and precipitation depending on altitude and the altitudinal zonation of the climate. The higher the mountains and the closer they are to the equator, the larger and more diverse the set of altitudinal zones, the more complex the natural altitudinal zones. However, the daily and annual rhythm of changes occurring in natural complexes in connection with the change of day and night and the change of seasons is the same in all altitudinal zones: it is the same as in the latitudinal zone at the foot of the mountains.

Each natural complex, regardless of its size, is a single whole. Therefore, when one of its components changes, all the others must change, and, consequently, the entire complex. These changes may occur at different speeds and on different scales, but they are inevitable. Since the geographic envelope is unified, changes caused by one or another reason in one place over time affect the entire envelope as a whole.