Which continent is rich in surface water? Lakes of the Southern Continents

Natural conditions taiga forest zone. The taiga-forest zone occupies significant areas - 15% of the land in the northern hemisphere. It stretches in a wide belt across North America and Eurasia. In the north it borders with forest-tundra, in the south with forest-steppe. In such vast expanses, conditions vary significantly both from west to east and from north to south.

Climate. Moderately cold, humid. Compared to the tundra zone, it is warmer and more humid. Although the average annual temperature varies from west to east from +4C to +7 – +16C. The duration of the growing season is 120–180 days, the total precipitation is from 700–600 mm (in the west) to 300–200 mm in the interior regions. There is permafrost, but the soil thaws by 50–100 cm (up to 250 cm on sand). The moisture coefficient is greater than 1. They develop under leaching water conditions.

Relief. Very varied and complex. Characteristic is the alternation of plains (hilly, leveled, river valleys, depressions) with mountains.

The diversity of the relief affects the redistribution of climatic conditions and the change of vegetation, which causes the diversity of the soil cover.

Vegetation. The predominant type is forests. Meadows, herbaceous vegetation and swamps are widespread. Forests in each part of the taiga forest zone have their own characteristics. The European and Siberian parts of the zone are divided into 3 subzones: northern, middle and southern. The northern subzone is sparse spruce forests with an admixture of birch, aspen, larch, and in the undergrowth there are long mosses, which alternate with sphagnum bogs. The middle subzone is dark coniferous spruce forests with a moss cover of green mosses and almost complete absence herbaceous vegetation. On the sands - pine forests. The southern subzone is dark coniferous forests with an admixture of broad-leaved species (oak, maple, ash, linden). Beyond the Urals there are spruce-fir forests of larch. In the Far East there are light-coniferous, dark-coniferous, coniferous-deciduous and broad-leaved forests. In North America, spruce, larch-spruce, and pine forests alternate with swamps (herbaceous and sphagnum).

Floodplain meadows (marsh forbs, sedge) and upland meadows (cereals, tall grass vegetation).

Soil-forming rocks are represented by Quaternary deposits of various origins and composition (glacial, water-glacial, loess, alluvial, eluvial, deluvial). Carbonate rocks are widely represented, but most soils do not have carbonates within the boundaries of the soil profile, because deep leaching of carbonates occurs due to intensive soil leaching.

Basic soil formation processes– podzolic, marshy. Basic soil types taiga-forest zone: sod, swamp, sod-podzolic, swamp-podzolic and permafrost-taiga.

Podzolic soils. Widely distributed on loamy moraines, cover loams, loamy deluvial and eluvial-deluvial deposits in the Northern and Middle taiga of Eurasia and in the eastern part of North America, in the southern taiga under coniferous forests on sandy rocks.
Formed under the influence of podzolic. The litter of coniferous forests is poor in ash elements and nitrogen. When it is destroyed, low molecular weight compounds are formed organic acids and fulvic acids, which, during the washing mode and acidic reaction, dissolve and wash iron hydroxides, as well as decomposition products of primary minerals, into the lower part of the profile. At the same time, there is a transfer of silt particles (lessivage). Quartz, which is more stable than other minerals, accumulates in the podzolic horizon. The leaching of iron compounds and the accumulation of quartz causes the whitish color of the podzolic horizon. Compounds and silt particles washed out from above are retained in the illuvial horizon.

As a result of all the elementary processes that occur in the soil under forests, a sharply differentiated profile of podzolic soils is formed. It includes: A0 – forest litter (1–10 cm), the lower part of which, at high thickness, consists of coarse humus; A1A2 (2–15 cm) – humus-eluvial, light gray or gray fine-lumpy or lamellar structure; A2 (2–25 cm) – ash-gray or whitish podzolic, lamellar structure on loamy and structureless, sandy loam and sandy rocks, A2B (of varying thickness) – transitional podzolic-illuvial; B (the total thickness of horizon B can be 100–170 cm or more) – illuvial of brown, dark brown, red-brown color, dense, blocky or prismatic structure. This horizon can be divided into subhorizons (B1, B2, B3...) when changing color or ; C – soil-forming parent rock, of different mechanical composition from a depth of about 200 cm. According to the degree of podzolization, podzolic soils are divided into types: weakly podzolic – the podzolic horizon is expressed in spots; medium podzolic – A2 (5–10 cm); highly podzolized - A2 (15-25 cm); podzols – A2 (25–30 cm or more).

Podzolic soils contain little humus (1.0–1.5% to 2–4%), which is concentrated only in the upper horizon, which is small in thickness (2–3 cm). Fulvic acids predominate in humus. Soils are depleted of N, P, K and microelements. Podzolic soils are characterized by low absorption capacity (E = 4–15 mg equiv/100 g of soil), low base saturation (V = 20–55%), and acidic reaction of the environment (pHKCl = 3.5-5.0).

Soddy-podzolic soils V soil cover taiga-forest zone occupy largest areas in the southern taiga, in the middle under deciduous and mixed forests with grass cover. In the taiga-forest zone they constitute the main fund of arable land. They are formed under the influence of sod and podzolic soil-forming processes, as a result of their alternating or joint influence. In the profile, the same horizons are distinguished as in podzolic ones, but unlike the latter, under the turf with forest litter (A0), the humus horizon A1 (10–20 cm) stands out clearly. Humus content is low 2–3%, high acidity (pH=4.5–5.5), low absorption capacity (E=5–20 mEq/100 g of soil), relatively low soil saturation with bases (V=40–70% ). Soddy-podzolic soils are depleted of nutrients.

Bog-podzolic soils. They develop under conditions of temporary excessive moisture from surface or groundwater on rocks of different granulometric compositions. They are formed under the influence of podzolic and bog processes. Swamp-podzolic soils retain the characteristics of podzolic soils, but are characterized by gleying of the mineral part and an organic horizon 10–30 cm thick from the surface. The profile of bog-podzolic soils includes: A0 – forest litter or litter; At – peaty horizon; A1 – humus horizon, maybe gleyed; A2 – podzolic, maybe gleyed; Bq – illuvial, gleyed, C or Cq – parent rock, gleyed. Horizons B and C are gleyed due to soil waterlogging. The thickness of the profile in different conditions is 50–200 cm.

Permafrost-subtaiga soils. They develop in the taiga-forest zone in areas with the presence of permafrost under light coniferous (deciduous) forests. Distributed in Central and Eastern Siberia Russia, found in northern Canada. These soils have a shortened profile (60–100 cm) due to the presence of permafrost. The podzolic process is not expressed in them, because There is no through washing of the soil profile. At the top of the profile, horizon A0 is the forest floor; A1 is a humus, gray-gray gleyed horizon, which below turns into a supra-permafrost accumulative horizon and then into a permafrost horizon. Glandular spots appear throughout the profile. The soils are acidic and have low . Their development is associated with regulation thermal regime, introducing large amounts of organic and mineral fertilizers, liming.

Podburs. They develop in the northern and middle taiga in cold, humid areas on light gravel-crushed rocks. Soils without signs of podzolization. Well drained. The following horizons are distinguished in the soil profile: A0 – peat forest litter; A0A1 – peaty-humus dark brown, B – dark brown or brown-brown humus-iron-illuvial horizon, C – gravel-crushed rock.

Swampy soils. They develop in the southern tundra, forest-tundra and northern taiga in Eurasia (West Siberian Lowland) and North America. They are formed under the influence of the swamp process, as well as gleying under conditions of constant excess moisture. Depending on the source of moisture (precipitation, groundwater), soils of highland and lowland swamps are distinguished. Profile structure: A0 – brownish-yellow tow (10–15 cm), consisting of the remains of mosses, grasses, roots; T – peat horizon of varying thickness from brown to gray-brown; G – gley mineral horizon of gray-gray or blue-gray, greenish-gray color.

The taiga zone extends south of the forest-tundra. Its southern border runs along the line St. Petersburg - Novgorod - Yaroslavl - Nizhny Novgorod- Kazan. In the southwest, the taiga merges with the zone of mixed and broad-leaved forests, and in the southeast - with the forest-steppe zone.

The taiga of the Russian Plain is different from the Siberian geographical location and the history of the development of the territory, and they determined the modern appearance of its nature. The close position to the Atlantic Ocean and the warmest sector of the Arctic predetermined the development of Pleistocene multiple glaciations, a temperate continental climate, promoting the settlement of both more heat-loving European plants and animals and more cold-loving Siberian ones across the plain. The European taiga receives more precipitation than the West Siberian taiga. Their annual quantity on the plains is more than 600 mm, and on the hills - up to 800 mm.

The entire zone of excess moisture, since precipitation exceeds evaporation by 200 mm. There are many lakes in the Onega and Volga basins, and East End The taiga is poor in lakes, but rich in swamps.

Podzolic soils are developed on moraine and fluvioglacial deposits of the taiga. The flat topography of the northern part of the forest zone, as well as the water-resistant properties of the soils, contribute to severe swampiness and the development of bog-podzolic peaty and peaty-gley soils east of the Northern Dvina. Typical podzolic soils are characteristic of the middle part of the taiga. The podzol formation process weakens in the north, where low temperature and waterlogging prevent the formation of podzol, also in the south due to a decrease in moisture content.

The European taiga is characterized by dark coniferous spruce forests: only here are Norway spruce (common spruce) and Siberian spruce found together. Norway spruce moves east only to the Urals, while Siberian spruce reaches Kola Peninsula and eastern Karelia. Siberian fir, Sukachev larch and Siberian cedar crossed the Urals to the west. There are many pine forests along the river valleys and outwash. A secondary role in forests belongs to deciduous trees: birch, aspen, alder. Lots of sphagnum bogs. Dry and floodplain meadows are widespread in the zone.

Among the animals typical for the taiga are reindeer, wolverine, lynx, wolf, squirrel, and white hare. The Siberian weasel and the Siberian rodent, the chipmunk, came to the northeast of the taiga, which settled west to the Northern Dvina and White Sea. Mink, otter, and water shrew live along the river banks. There are many birds in the taiga. Capercaillie and hazel grouse are found everywhere, and white partridge is found in moss swamps. The three-toed woodpecker is typical of spruce forests. Bee-eater, bullfinch, and kuksha are common. Some of them fly to more distant places for the winter. southern places and live in the mixed forest zone. In the meadows and swamps there are snipe and woodcock, geese, ducks, corncrakes, lapwings, etc. Among the reptiles, the viper and viviparous lizard are ubiquitous, and the gray toad is common. Newts are found in stagnant bodies of water.

The European taiga is divided into three subzones: northern, middle and southern. The northern taiga is characterized by excessive moisture. In its western part the winters are snowy and moderately cold, while in the eastern part the winters are cold and quite snowy. The forests here are low-growing and sparse of spruce and pine (green moss, long moss, sphagnum and lichen). The agroclimatic characteristics are as follows: the depth of soil freezing is 120 cm, the duration of the growing season is 65 days, the sum of active temperatures is 800-1200°C, i.e. This is the territory of early vegetable crops with reduced heat requirements.

The middle taiga is characterized by excessive moisture, moderately cold and cold, snowy winters. Here, blueberry spruce forests predominate (from European and Siberian spruce). The agroclimatic parameters are as follows: the duration of the growing season is 100 days, the depth of soil freezing is 70 cm, the sum of active temperatures is 1200-1500‰C, which corresponds to the early crops of the temperate zone (gray bread, legumes, potatoes, flax and other crops).

The southern taiga is also quite humid, but has significant differences in winter temperatures (the average January temperature in the west is -6°C, in the east -13°C), the depth of soil freezing in the west is 30 cm, in the east 60 cm or more. The sum of active temperatures is 1900-2400°C. Spruce, sorrel, shrub and pine forests grow here. In the south of the taiga, elm, linden, hazel and euonymus appear. Mid-early crops are cultivated: wheat, later varieties of legumes, sugar beets.

Within the taiga, not only subzonal, but also provincial differences are clearly expressed. As an example of taiga provinces, consider Pechora.

Pechora province is located in the extreme northeast of the zone. It occupies the southern most elevated part of the Pechora Lowland, confined to the syneclise of the same name. The bedrock here is sandy-clayey deposits of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous, overlain by a thick

(up to 100 m) thick Quaternary fluvioglacial, lacustrine-alluvial and lacustrine-glacial deposits. In the interfluves there are moraine spots here and there.

Flat or undulating interfluve plains are located at altitudes of more than 150 m, but only rarely in the very south do they rise above 200 m. In some places there are hills - the remains of terminal moraine ridges, kama and eskers. The lowland is drained by the Pechora and its numerous tributaries, the largest of which are the Izhma and Usa. The interfluve plains are swampy, the valley areas are better drained, so they are less swampy.

The climate of the province is the most severe and continental compared to other taiga provinces. Winter is harsh, long and snowy. The average January temperature is -18...-20°C. Here the highest snow cover depth on the Russian Plain is observed - 70-90 cm. Summer is cool, with cloudy, often rainy weather. The average temperature in July is 14-16°C; annual precipitation is 600-800 mm, gradually increasing to the east, approaching the Urals. The rivers of the province are full of water. The large thickness of the snow cover determines their high floods, which occur in May. There are many lakes in the lowlands. They are often found among swamps.

The Pechora province lies in the northern taiga subzone, only its extreme south falls into the middle taiga. The vegetation cover is dominated by sparse spruce and pine forests. Siberian conifers are common in the tree stand: cedar, fir, larch. Forests are usually swampy. Gleyic-podzolic soils develop under them. Only in the valley areas and on the slopes of the hills do not swampy spruce forests grow. In the northern part, primary birch forests are quite widespread and are also largely swampy. There are a lot of swamps in the province. Hilly ones predominate, and in the southern part - sphagnum ridge-hollows. Development along the rivers

you are floodplain meadows with high grass. The taiga is home to European and Siberian animal species.

The province is rich in oil and gas deposits. The population of the taiga is engaged in fur farming.

Lesson objectives:

• Educational: consider the taiga zone, factors of location, formation, features of the flora and fauna.
• Educational: develop the ability to systematize material, analyze maps and diagrams, highlight the main thing, generalize and draw conclusions;
• Educational: to form a sense of patriotism, love for the Motherland, and environmental culture.

New pedagogical technologies: information technology (preparation and transmission of information via computer).

Teaching methods: partially search, reproductive.

Form of training organization: frontal, individual, group.

Equipment:

• PC Celeron.
• Multimedia textbook “Geography of Russia: nature and population.”
• maps of Russia: physical, climatic, natural zones, atlas, textbooks, video material “forest fire”, pictures of plants and animals, pictures of the forestry zone, plan for describing the forestry zone.

Lesson objectives:

• continue the formation of the concept of “PTK” using the example of the taiga zone, the ability to draw up characteristics of the PZ according to the plan using various sources information.
• developing an idea of ​​the economic use of the taiga zone;
• development cognitive interest, aspirations for independent search knowledge;
• application of computer skills.

DURING THE CLASSES

I. Organizing time

– In the last lesson we got acquainted with the arctic desert zone and the tundra zone. Let's remember what we know about them.

II. Updating basic knowledge.

– Show on the map where the arctic desert zone and the tundra zone are located.

Geographical dictation

Place numbers on natural areas: arctic deserts, tundra.

1. The nature of the zone is easily vulnerable.
2. The soils are structureless with a gley horizon.
3. Significant areas are covered by glaciers.
4. The average temperature in January is 26…– 28 o C, and in July + 1…+ 4 o C.
5. Strong winds.
6. In this zone, huge areas are occupied by reindeer pastures.
7. Located on the Arctic islands.
8. Excessive moisture in many lakes and swamps.
9. Fishing for sea animals (walrus, seal).
10. On the southern border, the average July temperature is +10 o C.
11. There are “bird colonies” on the rocks.
12. Summer is short and cold.
13. The zone stretches along the coast of the Arctic Ocean.
14. There are a lot of fish in rivers and lakes.
15. Water is in solid form; melt water is formed only in summer.
16. There are many migratory birds in summer (ducks, geese, swans).
17. The polar night lasts up to 5 months.

Answers: Arctic deserts: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17. Tundra: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16.

III. Learning new material

– Today in class we will continue to study the natural zones of Russia. Next comes the forest zone.
Forests are the main type of vegetation in our country; they occupy 60% of its territory. Along with Canada, Brazil and Western European countries, Russia is the greatest forest power in the world. It has the world's largest forest reserves. According to the state accounting of the forest fund (1993), the forested area of ​​the country is 763.5 million hectares, and total stock wood – 80.7 million m3.

– What parts are the forest zone divided into? (Taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests).

– The topic of our lesson is “Taiga zone.”
We have to identify the natural features of the taiga zone of our country, establish the relationship between the components of nature in this zone, identify the adaptability of plants and animals to living conditions in this zone, get acquainted with the anthropogenic impact of humans on the natural reserve, find out what the significance of the forest is and draw up a report.
The study will proceed according to plan:

1. GP
2. Climate
3. Soils
4. Vegetation
5. Animal world
6. Possibility of economic use of the zone.
7. The meaning of the forest. Problems of natural area protection.

"Business card" of the taiga zone

– Using a textbook, atlas maps, pictures, an electronic textbook, make notes in notebooks and prepare for a report on the PP. To do this, we will divide into groups of researchers. All members of the group will be researchers of a subspecialty. Among you are climatologists, botanists, zoologists, soil scientists, geographers, ethnographers, etc. Experts pay attention Special attention to study those sections that fall within their competence and prepare for the presentation. During performances, you fill out the “Business Card” of the taiga zone. This will be your report.

1. Geographical location

Taiga is the largest, oldest and snowiest landscape zone in Russia. She takes northern part Russian Plains, most of the West Siberian Plain, almost the entire Central Siberian Plateau; taiga also predominates in the mountains of southern and eastern Siberia. Its width in the European part reaches 700–800 km, in Western Siberia – 650 km, and east of the Yenisei about 1500 km. The territory occupied by the Russian taiga is comparable to the territory of the whole of Europe.

2. Climate

Typical for taiga warm summer and cold winter with snow cover, especially severe in Siberia. The average July temperature varies from + 130 in the north to + 190 in the south. Atmospheric precipitation averages from 200 to 600 mm per year, exceeding the volume of evaporation. This predetermines a thick and high-water river network and the presence of swamps.
Taiga is entirely located in the temperate climate zone.

3. Soils

Taiga is composed of coniferous forests of uniform composition. Under them, to the west of the Yenisei, podzolic and sod-podzolic soils are formed, and to the east of the Yenisei - permafrost-taiga soils.
Podzolic soils occupy more than half of Russia's area. They form under coniferous forests with excess moisture. home distinguishing feature these soils – the presence of a well-defined podzolic horizon (washing out) and acid reaction, which is unfavorable for growing cultivated plants. Therefore, to neutralize acidity during agricultural cultivation, limestone flour is added to these soils. Podzolic soils are infertile.
In Eastern Siberia and the Far East in conditions sharp increase continental climate, close occurrence of permafrost and weakening leaching regime, permafrost-taiga soils develop. They are characterized by a light color of humus and a high content of iron compounds.

4. Vegetation

Taiga is coniferous forests. Taiga forests are usually formed by one layer of trees, under which there is a moss carpet with lingonberry and blueberry bushes and rare herbs.
Basic tree species taiga: larch, which easily tolerates severe frosts, less hardy spruce, its frequent companion - fir, light-loving pine, mighty cedar.
Larch sheds its delicate, soft needles and therefore tolerates frosts. Larch has very strong wood, and therefore hard, heavy wood sinks in water. It sinks, but does not rot. In Venice, the foundations of houses have been standing in water for decades, and they are made of larch. 110 years ago, when the Danube became very shallow, larch piles appeared in it. It turned out that these are the remains of the Troyan Bridge, built 1700 years ago. The piles were pulled ashore and could not be cut: the tree became like iron. It was turned on lathes and various decorations were made. Dry larch is good as firewood: it can be easily split with an ax and produces a lot of heat.
Fir is similar to spruce, only its needles are slightly longer, thick and non-thorny. Cedar, or Siberian pine, resembles our ordinary pine; the difference is that our pine needles grow and fall in pairs, while cedar needles grow in bunches of 5 pieces, they are twice as long, soft and non-thorny; Cedar cones are large, under each scale there are usually two nuts, the nuts are delicious.

But the taiga forest is not exclusively coniferous. Small-leaved trees – pioneers of the forest – can be found in large numbers: birch, aspen. There may be rowan and even poplar.

IV. An exhibition of drawings “Plants of the Taiga” is being organized.

5. Animal world

Presentation on a computer using Power Point ( Annex 1 ) or Windows Movie Maker (Appendix 2 ).

6. Possibility of economic use of the zone

Most of the taiga landscapes are still slightly disturbed by human economic activity. The development of the taiga is still patchy. Landscapes in areas of agricultural development have undergone major changes. They already have a forest-field appearance. Forests alternate with areas of arable land (fields), meadows and pastures. In the northern taiga these are only isolated pockets, and only in the southern taiga the area of ​​developed landscapes reaches 10%.
The taiga zone was characterized by forestry. Almost the entire adult male population was seasonally engaged in logging, river and lake fishing, hunting upland game (grouse), large animals (bear, elk, wild deer) and fur-bearing animals.
In the taiga, as in the forest zone in general, the main building material is wood - the forest is always “at hand”. Log huts are durable and retain heat well in harsh winters. In the European North and in a number of regions of Siberia, dwellings have become widespread, representing one elongated building: under one roof there is a two-story residential building, a vestibule and, closely attached to them, also a log two-story courtyard, in which there is a barn at the top, and a stable under it.
The main direction in agriculture is the breeding of dairy and beef cattle, since there are all suitable conditions for it, primarily the presence of excellent forage lands on floodplain meadows. The famous Vologda butter is made from the milk of cows grazing in such meadows.
There are certain opportunities for agriculture in the taiga zone. They are primarily found in the southern part of the zone with relatively fertile soddy-podzolic soils and a longer growing season. By using the right agricultural techniques (liming the soil, applying fertilizers, correct land reclamation measures), you can get good yields of rye, barley, flax, potatoes, vegetables and forage grasses.
The subsoil of the taiga zone is unusually rich in oil and gas, coal, peat, gold and diamonds, rare minerals and valuable ores, so from year to year it is subject to intensive development. This is the construction of cities and urban settlements, oil and gas pipeline routes, high-voltage power lines, waterworks, and reservoirs. Although at the moment this zone remains poorly developed and insufficiently studied. Its development has very good prospects, but is also associated with great difficulties.

7. The meaning of the forest

Since ancient times, the taiga has given man a home, fed and clothed him.
Now let's try to make a list together useful properties forests.

Source of oxygen on Earth

The forest is a giant natural filter that cleanses the atmosphere of carbon dioxide and harmful gases. There is evidence that one hectare of spruce forest annually retains more than 30 tons of dust, and pine forest – 36 tons.

Soil protection

The most effective means Protective afforestation is considered to combat soil erosion.

Improves the climate of the ground air layer

Softens sharp temperature fluctuations, accumulates and stores moisture, increases its turnover in nature.

Water protection role

The water conservation role of forests is best reflected in the motto of one of the World Forestry Congresses: “Forest is water; water is the harvest; the harvest is life."

Pantry

Russian folk proverb very aptly notes: “Living in the forest means you won’t see hunger.” The forest is an amazing storehouse. It contains mushrooms, berries, and nuts. There are many valuable game animals.

Pharmacy

There are a lot of medicinal plants in the forest, and the forest air also heals. Forest air contains 300 times less bacteria than city air, and this is thanks to phytoncides – active volatile substances released by leaves and flowers that kill pathogenic microbes and bacteria.

Wood source

It is difficult to name a more versatile material than wood. Despite the fact that recently concrete, metals, glass, and plastics have been increasingly used for construction, the need for wood does not decrease. No sector of the economy can do without wood. However, not only wood, but also bark, branches, pine needles, and even stumps and roots from trees serve as raw materials for many branches of the chemical industry.

Fuel source

Resting-place
The microclimate of the forest is very favorable for human recreation. Healthy air, forest landscapes with their beauty, unique smells of forest herbs and forest sounds evoke feelings of comfort and satisfaction in a person. Therefore the forest is A source of physical and mental health for people (an elixir for mental illnesses).
In many countries abroad, where everyone has long been able to count and where everything has a price, the cost of hunting and recreation in the forest often exceeds the cost of wood grown in the forest.

– Is a person always fair to the forest? Is it his fault that environmental problems in the forest arise? Listen to an excerpt from the work “Forest” by S. Aksakov:

“The complete beauty of any area lies in the combination of water and forest. Nature does this: rivers, streams and lakes are almost always overgrown with forests or bushes.
And this forest, this beauty of the earth, coolness in the heat, the home of animals and birds, the forest from which we build houses and with which we warm ourselves during long, cruel winters - we do not protect in of the highest degree. We are rich in forests, but wealth leads us into extravagance, and with it we are not far from poverty: cutting down a tree for no reason means nothing to us.
Of the entire plant kingdom, the tree excites participation more than others. Its enormous volume, its slow growth, its longevity, the strength and durability of the tree trunk, the nutritional power of the roots, always ready for the revival of dying branches and young shoots from an already dead stump, and, finally, its many-sided benefits and beauty should, it seems, be inspire respect and mercy...but the ax and saw of the industrialist do not know them. I have never been able to indifferently see not only a cut down grove, but even the fall of one large felled tree; there is something inexpressibly sad in this fall: at first, the ringing blows of the ax produce only a slight shaking in the tree trunk; it becomes stronger with each blow and turns into a general shudder of every branch and every leaf; as the ax penetrates to the core, the sounds become muffled, more painful... another blow, the last: the tree will settle, break, crackle, rustle at the top, for a few moments it seems to think about where to fall, and finally begins to lean to one side , at first slowly, quietly, and then, with increasing speed and noise, like the sound of a strong wind, it will collapse to the ground. For many decades it has reached its full strength and beauty, and in a few minutes it often dies from the empty whim of a person.”

– What environmental problem is being discussed in this passage? ( It's about about deforestation).

The deforestation card opens. Look at how the logging is going on. Screening of an excerpt from the film “Girls” about logging.

- Unfortunately, forest resources in Russia they are still used very irrationally. Half of the felled forest goes to waste and is lost during logging and processing. By making more complete use of wood, it is possible to almost halve the area of ​​cut down forest.

– Guys, what other environmental problem leads to the complete destruction of the forest? ( Fire)

- Let's watch the video “Fire in the Forest.” ( Appendix 3 )
Research by scientists has shown that taiga forests, particularly in the European north, burn repeatedly in dry areas every 50–100 years, and in wet areas every 150–300 years. Of all the trees, spruce and fir suffer the most from fire, since they have very thin bark and a shallow root system. Cedar is also very susceptible to fires, as it releases a lot of essential oils that promote combustion. In most cases, indigenous forests are restored. The situation is worse in areas with icy frozen soils, for example in Yakutia. There similar violations become irreversible.

– And now I’ll read you the chorus from the song “Request”, and you think and tell me what environmental problem we’re talking about.

“Birds, fish and animals look into people’s souls
Feel sorry for them, people. Don't kill in vain!
After all, the sky without a bird is not heaven!
And a sea without fish is not a sea!
And a land without animals is not a land!”

– What environmental problem does this song reveal? ( The problem of illegal hunting, poaching).

– Who is creating this problem? (Human).

“But people have been killing animals for a long time to get their own food. ( He killed no more than he could eat). .

– And now excessive hunting has led to the complete or almost complete extermination of some animal species.

– What problem will be discussed in Sukhomlinsky’s story “Ashamed of the Nightingale”:

« Olya and Lida, little girls, went into the forest. Tired of the journey, we sat down to rest and have lunch. They took bread, butter and eggs out of the bag. When the girls finished dinner, a nightingale began to sing not far from them. Fascinated by the beautiful singing, Olya and Lida sat, afraid to move. The nightingale stopped singing. Olya collected the remains of her food and scraps of paper and threw them under a bush. Lida wrapped the eggshells and bread crumbs in newspaper and put the bag in her bag.
- Why do you take trash with you? - Olya said. - Throw it under the bush. After all, we are in the forest, no one will see!
“I’m ashamed in front of the nightingale,” Lida answered quietly.”

- Guys, what is this environmental problem? (Garbage pollution).

– Since we are already talking about pollution, we cannot help but say that the landscapes of the taiga have been severely damaged as a result of oil pollution in the areas of its production. Of the 5.5 billion tons of oil produced in Western Siberia by 1991, oil workers spilled over 100 million tons of oil on the surface, destroying all life for many kilometers around the fields.

– So, we looked at the problems of the forest. Who is creating these problems?

– What should we, people, remember when coming to the forest? ( The forest is our wealth. Every person should think about what he will leave to his children).

– Of course, each of us should think about how our descendants will see the forests in a century, in a millennium, and whether the forest will be able to give them what it gives us now.

V. Summing up

Grading.

VI. Homework: § 34, create a crossword puzzle “Taiga of Russia”.

Champions of the Forest

1. The most durable tree, living up to 900 years - larch.
2. Tallest tree – cedar.
3. The most common tree is pine.
4. The most beautiful New Year tree - Christmas tree
5. The most common deciduous “pioneer tree” is birch.

Taiga is a forest zone with a difficult climate. Therefore, the main representatives of this ecosystem are coniferous trees who managed to adapt to harsh conditions. Boundless coniferous forest- this is what taiga looks like, and in the dialect of the people of Siberia this word means “coniferous forest”.

Geographical location of the taiga

The forests in northern Europe, Asia and America are the taiga. It is located in Canada, Alaska and northern states USA. In Europe, taiga occupies a significant part of Sweden, Norway and Finland, stretching across northern Russia to the east. These forests occupy about 30% of the entire forest area of ​​the Earth and are one of the largest ecosystems on our planet. In addition, the taiga is a supplier of oxygen to the atmosphere, for which it has deservedly received the name “green lungs” of the Earth.

The borders of the taiga are determined by parallels: the southern border runs along the 42nd parallel, and the northern border runs along the 72nd parallel and partially extends beyond the Arctic Circle.

Geographical position of the Russian taiga

In the south of Russia, the border of the taiga reaches St. Petersburg, Yaroslavl and Pskov, and beyond the Urals to Yekaterinburg and Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The taiga forest is located in the Ural and Altai mountains, as well as in Siberia, the Far East and the Baikal region. Taiga is the largest climatic zone in Russia, stretching over 7,000 km from west to east.

Climatic features

The geographical location of the taiga also determines its climate. For example, in Sweden and Norway the climate is characterized as maritime with temperature fluctuations from -10 to +10 degrees. In eastern Siberia, the climate is sharply continental with very long and cold winters, when temperatures can drop to -60 degrees, and short summers with temperatures reaching +14 degrees in the north of the region and +19 degrees in the south.

It is necessary to separately consider the climate features of the taiga of Eastern Siberia in the basin of the Yenisei and Lena rivers, where the temperature difference ranges from -62 degrees in winter to +40 degrees in summer time, which is caused by anticyclones. This region is the largest area of ​​intact forest in the world. It is included in the list World Fund wildlife as one of 200 the most important objects that need to be preserved for posterity.

The amount of precipitation that falls in the taiga during the year is small: from 200 to 1000 mm per year depending on the region, but this moisture also stagnates, which leads to the formation of a large number of swamps and lakes.

Vegetation

The climate features of the taiga influence its vegetable world. Frost-resistant species of trees and shrubs grow here, such as Siberian spruce, fir, Siberian cedar and juniper.

Based on the types of vegetation that grow, the taiga is divided into zones: southern, middle and northern. The southern taiga has a greater diversity of species than other zones. There is also a division of this natural zone into light-coniferous and dark-coniferous taiga.

Dark coniferous taiga

Dark coniferous forests grow where the moisture content is high, for example in the mountains. Representatives of dark coniferous forests are spruce, fir and Siberian cedar, but spruce forests predominate. Spruce taiga is a very shaded forest in which only shade-tolerant plants can grow: mosses, low shrubs and grasses. In areas of the spruce forest with less fertile and moist soil, blueberries grow, and in more fertile soils, sorrel grows.

Vegetable and animal world Taigas are adapted to the peculiarities of the existing climate here. For example, in the spruce taiga there is almost no air movement. Therefore, plants that reproduce using seeds in the form of “parachutes” do not grow here, but there are plants whose seeds are small, like dust. These are monoflower, wintergreen and wintergreen.

In addition, plants in the spruce forest reproduce vegetatively with the help of underground or above-ground shoots that quickly grow to the sides. To attract pollinating insects, most plants in the spruce forest have white flowers. This is how, for example, wood sorrel blooms, which allows them to stand out in the twilight.

Speaking about the dark coniferous taiga, one cannot fail to mention the Siberian cedar. This is one of the main tree species in this type of taiga. The lifespan of cedar reaches 800 years, and nuts appear on this tree after 50 years of its life. Pine nuts are an excellent food for people and various living creatures, and its wood is an excellent raw material for making furniture and building structures.

Light coniferous taiga

The characteristics of the taiga zone with light-coniferous plants make it possible to understand the difference between this forest and the dark-coniferous one. In this taiga they grow different kinds pines and larches. A pine forest is very different from a spruce forest in the presence of a large amount of light, but the grasses here grow, basically, the same as in the spruce forest.

On damp soils there are larch forests, which are even lighter than pine forests. Larch is a light-loving plant, so its lower branches that fall into the shade die over time, exposing the trunks. A large amount of light promotes the growth of a large number of different plant species. Here you can already find thickets of wild rosemary, blueberries, lingonberries, as well as some types of sedge.

Taiga - habitat for valuable animal species

The description of the Russian taiga also includes characteristics of its animal world. These are valuable breeds of animals such as sable, musk deer, Ussuri tiger and the owner of the taiga - the bear.

Sable is a subspecies of the mustelidae family. He is a small predator. Its body length is 50-60 cm, of which 30 cm is the length of the tail. Sable is most common in cedar forests, as living creatures live there that feed on cedar nuts. The sable feeds on all these living creatures. These are rodents, squirrels, hares and wood grouse. But the sable itself loves to eat cedar fruits, as well as blueberries and rowan berries. This fur-bearing animal is valuable for its fur, so it is constantly hunted. But it is quite difficult to track him down, since he has an excellent sense of smell, he is very cunning, dexterous and climbs trees very well.

The Ussuri or Amur tiger is named after its habitat - the Ussuri and Amur rivers. This is the largest subspecies of the tiger from the cat family. The length of the male reaches 3.8 m including the tail, and the weight is 250-300 kg.

Each representative of the flora and fauna of the taiga adapts in its own way to the harsh climatic conditions of this natural zone. The Ussuri tiger, for example, is the only subspecies of tiger that has a five-centimeter layer of fat on its belly, which protects the animal in winter. In addition, its fur is much thicker than that of its relatives living in more favorable conditions. In winter the shade of its fur is orange and its belly is white. The tiger is a predator that feeds on roe deer, wild boar, and deer, but can also eat fish, birds, mice, and frogs. In one day, a tiger needs to eat 9-10 kg of meat. The tiger has its own territory; when they meet, relatives send each other greeting signals.

Reindeer is a member of the deer family. Only in this genus of reindeer do both males and females have antlers. Deer living in the taiga are taller than their relatives living in the tundra, since they have to move through deeper snow. This is due to the climate, geographical location of the taiga and adaptability of this kind deer to existing conditions.

Deer is an assistant to people living in the harsh conditions of the taiga and tundra. People eat venison, make clothes from the skin and use it to insulate their homes. These animals are used to produce milk and also serve as transport.

Life on our planet can only exist within the biosphere, the state of which is influenced by the taiga. It is this natural zone that supplies oxygen to the atmosphere and replenishes it with moisture. Taiga also regulates the water balance of nearby reservoirs and is a filter for air purification. In Russia, the taiga is a source of fur trade, valuable timber and a huge amount of minerals.

Is characteristic of our planet. They replace each other and differ in their climatic conditions, flora and fauna, as well as the landscape that prevails in them. One of them is the taiga - a natural zone located within the temperate climate zone.

The taiga is characterized by coniferous trees, which are the main representatives of vegetation. There are a lot of swamps here. This is due to the fact that a large number of precipitation does not penetrate deep into the soil due to permafrost, but it also does not evaporate.

The taiga extends across Eurasia from west to east for 7 thousand kilometers, and in North America for 5 thousand kilometers. The Russian taiga is the largest landscape area in the country. It began to form long before the onset of the glaciers.

What else characterizes the taiga? Its climate is characterized by very cold winters and fairly cool summers. This natural area receives large amounts of rainfall. The soils in the taiga are podzolic and permafrost-taiga. All these conditions are favorable for the growth of Na European territory In Russia, spruce, fir, pine, and cedar grow in the taiga. These are dark coniferous forests. The herbaceous cover here cannot be called rich: mainly berry bushes are represented - blueberries, blueberries, lingonberries. In the light-coniferous taiga of Eastern Siberia spruce, larch and low-growing polar willow, polar birch and berry bushes grow. In the Far East, the taiga is predominantly larch and sparse.

In Europe, the taiga is located in and on the territory of Finland - it covers almost their entire territory.

Taiga, a natural zone, is conventionally divided into northern, middle and southern. They differ in climatic conditions, flora and fauna. Thus, in the northern zone the vegetation is the sparse: trees and shrubs are mostly stunted and sparse. The middle zone of the taiga is already more saturated with vegetation, but these are mainly mosses, grasses and spruce-blueberry trees. South zone The taiga is rich in flora. There are not only dark coniferous trees, but also small-leaved trees (birch, aspen) and low-growing shrubs.

The taiga, the natural zone of which extends from the 42nd parallel, the northern part of the island of Hokkaido (southern border), to the 72nd parallel (northern border), is considered the most extensive climatic zone planets.

Compared to the tundra, the fauna of the taiga is more diverse. In it you can find lynx, chipmunks, wolverine, sable, hare, and shrew. Taiga has been a place of fur production since ancient times. Some representatives of elk, red and reindeer, and roe deer also live here. Rodents in the taiga include mice, voles, and various types of squirrels. The taiga world of birds is diverse: here you can find wood grouse, nutcracker, crossbill, and hazel grouse.

The climatic conditions of the taiga are quite favorable for animals. It is home to the largest number of fur-bearing animals in the world. During the cold season, animal activity decreases because many of them hibernate.

The taiga of Russia, namely the taiga massifs of Siberia, are rightfully considered the green “lungs” of the planet: these forests maintain the carbon and oxygen balance of the lower layer of the atmosphere. That's why they create here National parks and nature reserves to be able to thoroughly study the unique flora and fauna of this natural area.

Taiga is a source of wood. In addition, it contains numerous deposits of minerals necessary for humans - coal, gas, oil.

Residents of the taiga area engage in hunting (in particular, fur hunting), collecting berries, fruits and nuts, raising livestock, and also harvesting medicinal herbs. Many of them are employed in the forestry industry.