Forest-tundra: soil and climate. Characteristics of the forest-tundra zone

The territory of Russia is considered the largest among all states of our planet. It stretches from east to west by almost ten thousand kilometers. And from north to south, its maximum length is more than four thousand kilometers.
The huge length of the country provides a variety of climatic zones on the territory of the state. In the northern latitudes of its lands, cold arctic deserts begin . The southern regions of the country are located in hot and arid regions of semi-deserts.

Natural areas of Russia

The following natural zones are distinguished on the territory of Russia:

• Arctic deserts;
• Tundra zone;
• Forest-tundra zone;
• taiga;
• Mixed and deciduous forests ;
• Forest-steppe;
• Steppes;
• Desert zone;
• Zone of subtropics.

Arctic deserts are barren and cold lands. They are bound by permafrost and covered with glaciers.

The tundra zone covers about 10% of the country's areas. This region is very poor in nutrients and humus. At a depth of twenty centimeters there is permafrost. Of the vegetation, only mosses and lichens are observed.

Lesotundra is located on the border between the tundra and the taiga by a strip from 20 to 200 kilometers. It is in this zone that rare vegetation and trees are already observed. They are rather weak and small in size. The reason for this is still a rather harsh climate and low soil fertility.

The taiga zone is located in a region with a warmer climate. These lands occupy most of the territory of Russia, about 60% of the total area. In its territory there are dense fir and spruce forests, as well as a small number of pine forests.

The remaining zones located to the south, due to a more fertile layer of soil and a warm climate are rich in vegetation. There is a large number of stunted and tall shrubs, trees and grasses. An exception is the zone of semi-deserts, where the vegetation is rather poor because of the low amount of precipitation.

Forest Tundra: soil and climate

The first manifestations of active plant activity are observed in the forest-tundra zone. Yes, this is a zone with a rather severe climate and low fertility. A separate question is what kind of soil is in the forest-tundra. This is predetermined by the climatic conditions of the region. The soils of the tundra and forest-tundra are very poor. At a depth of more than twenty centimeters there is a gley soil layer. The development of the root system of plants at a depth of more than twenty centimeters is impossible. The reason for this is the lack of nutrients and permafrost in this layer.

Lesotundra of Russia by some researchers used to be classified as a subzone of tundra or taiga. But at the moment this zone is allocated to a separate area. There was a general name - forest-tundra. The soil of this region was formed under the influence of a severe subarctic climate.

In the summer months, the temperature reaches a maximum value in July to 10-14 degrees Celsius. In the winter months, depending on the location on the continent, it can drop to minus forty degrees Celsius.

Moisture overmoistening and permafrost

Despite the low amount of precipitation, about 350 millimeters, the forest-tundra of Russia is waterlogged. This is due to the negative coefficient between intake and evaporation of moisture. Ten to sixty percent of the total area is covered by lakes and marshes. Such conditions are characterized by forest-tundra. The soil, because of excessive overmoistening and the presence of the sole of permafrost against a background of low temperatures, forms a fertile layer rather slowly (the formation time of one centimeter of the fertile soil layer exceeds five hundred years).

If we consider the types of soils (the table is presented below) in Russia and compare the degree of fertility, the level of suitability for farming of certain plots will become clear. It is necessary to understand that certain climatic conditions ensure the rate of natural accumulation of soil fertility. The chernozem (in comparison with such a region as the forest-tundra) the soil grows quite rapidly a fertile layer, approximately 1 centimeter over a hundred years. This indicator is 5-10 times higher than in the forest-tundra zone.

Vegetation

The presence of vegetation is determined by the climate and the soil conditions of the zone. In turn, this is the determining factor for the animal world. Shrub tundra and woodlands vary according to zoning. In the western part, dwarf birch and subpolar willow grow. Black and white spruce are also growing. A warty birch grows on the territory of the Kola Peninsula. On the territory of Western Siberia - spruce and Siberian larch.

The effect of water on climate

The rivers and reservoirs of the forest-tundra have a buffer effect on the harsh climatic conditions, therefore, in the river valleys, vegetation is more common. In these places the forest-tundra "thrives". Soils near rivers are more fertile. In addition, river valleys protect vegetation from severe winds.
The centers of forests are formed from birch, spruce and larch. Types of soils (the table is presented below) are more diverse and fertile near water bodies. Trees are very short, sometimes bent to the ground. In the interfluve areas you can find small sparse forests with various representatives of lichens and mosses.

The fauna of the forest-tundra is diverse.

Ecosystem

The ecosystem in the forest-tundra zone is represented by various species of lemmings, shrews, Arctic foxes, partridges and reindeer. Lesotundra (soil and its type determines the corresponding vegetation) is for valuable species of deer valuable pasture and land. A large number of migratory birds, including waterfowl. So, despite the harsh conditions, the forest-tundra of Russia is rich in representatives of the animal world. This region of the country is a unique place. For today, the forest-tundra of our country for the most part is preserved in its original form. The reason for this is, again, the harsh climatic conditions.

The complexity of living in this zone determines the low urbanization of the territory. But let us hope that the determining factor of the preservation of nature will not be barriers to its destruction, but the creativity and rationality of human society.