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.

Geographic envelope

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

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

The shell is solid and continuous. Each of its components (terrestrial spheres) has its own patterns of development and features, but at the same time it is influenced by other spheres and influences them. They constantly participate in the circulation 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. There are a lot of them on the globe. What are natural complexes? These are certain areas of the planet that have homogeneous geological vegetation, wildlife, climatic conditions and the same nature of the waters.

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

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

complexes

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

The nature of geographic zones varies from the equator to the poles. Each of them has its own temperature and weather conditions, as well as the nature of soils, groundwater and surface water. There are such belts:

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

The next largest zonal complexes are natural zones, 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 height of the terrain, as well as proximity to the ocean. Allocate the 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 of the earth's crust. The largest azonal natural complexes are oceans and continents, which differ significantly in geological history and structure.

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

The natural countries of the planet include the Sahara Desert, the Ural Mountains, the East European Plain. They can be divided into narrower and more homogeneous sections. For example, gallery forests located along the outskirts of the steppes and savannahs, mangrove forests located along the coast of the seas and in estuaries. The smallest natural complexes include floodplains, hills, ridges, urems, swamps, etc.

Components of natural complexes

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

A change in even one component can lead to a complete change in the entire complex. The drying up of the river will lead to the disappearance of vegetation characteristic of the river area, to a change in the quality of the soil. This will certainly affect the animals that will leave the geosystem in search of their usual conditions.

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

Conclusion

So what are natural complexes? This is a natural-territorial system, the components of which are homogeneous in 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 the geographic shell, which includes part of the lithosphere and atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere of the Earth. The smallest complexes are individual hills, small forests, estuaries, swamps.

2. Natural complexes of land and ocean

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 geographic envelope is very diverse. Near the equator, for example, where there is a lot of heat and moisture, nature is rich in living organisms, passes more quickly

ongoing natural processes, in the polar regions, on the contrary, slow 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 sections, territories, or natural-territorial complexes of different sizes (abbreviated as natural complexes, or PCs). The formation of any natural complex took a long time. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of the components of nature: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils. All components in the natural complex, as well as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form an integral natural complex, it also exchanges substances and energy. A natural complex is a section of the earth's surface, which is distinguished by the features of natural components that are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries, has a natural unity, manifested in its external appearance (for example, a forest, a swamp, a mountain range, a lake, etc.).

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

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

All natural complexes experience a huge influence of man. 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).

3. Natural zoning

The natural complexes of the Earth are very diverse. These are hot and icy deserts, evergreen forests, endless steppes, bizarre mountains, etc. This diversity is the unique beauty of our planet. You already know how the natural complexes "mainland" and "ocean" were formed. But the nature of each continent, like each ocean, is not the same. In their territories there are various natural zones.

A natural zone is a large natural complex with a common temperature and moisture conditions, soils, vegetation and wildlife. The formation of zones is due to climate, on land - the ratio of heat and moisture. So, if there is a lot of heat and moisture, that is, high temperatures and a lot of precipitation, a zone of equatorial forests is formed. If the temperatures are high, and there is little precipitation, then a zone of deserts of the tropical belt is formed.

Natural areas of land outwardly differ from each other in the nature of vegetation. Of all the components of nature, the vegetation of the zones most clearly expresses all the most important features of their nature, the relationship between the components. If there are changes in individual components, then outwardly this affects primarily the change in vegetation. The names of the natural zones of the land were received according to the nature of the vegetation, for example, zones of deserts, equatorial forests, etc.

There are also natural zones (natural belts) in the World Ocean. They differ in water masses, organic world, etc. The natural zones of the ocean do not have clear external differences, with the exception of the ice cover, and are named according to their geographical location, like climatic zones.

In the placement of natural zones on the earth's surface, scientists have found a clear pattern, which can be clearly seen on the map of natural zones. To understand this regularity, let us trace the change of natural zones on the map from north to south along 20°E. e. In the subarctic zone, where temperatures are low, there is a zone of tundra and forest-tundra, which gives way to taiga to the south. There is enough heat and moisture for the growth of coniferous trees. In the southern half of the temperate zone, the amount of heat and precipitation increases significantly, which contributes to the formation of a zone of mixed and broad-leaved forests. Somewhat to the east, the amount of precipitation decreases, so the steppe zone is located here. On the Mediterranean coast in Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean climate dominates with dry summers. It favors the formation of a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. Then we get into the tropical zone. Here, in the expanses scorched by the sun, it is hot, the vegetation is sparse and stunted, in some places it is completely absent. This is a tropical desert zone. To the south, it is replaced by savannas - tropical forest-steppes, where there is already a wet season of the year and a lot of heat. But the amount of rainfall is not enough for the growth of the forest. In the equatorial climatic zone there is a lot of heat and moisture, therefore a zone of humid equatorial forests with very rich vegetation is formed. In South Africa, zones, like climatic zones, are repeated.

In Antarctica, there is a zone of the Antarctic desert, characterized by exceptional severity: very low temperatures and strong winds.

So, you, apparently, were convinced that the alternation of natural zones on the plains is explained by a change in climatic conditions - geographical latitude. However, scientists have long noted that natural conditions change not only when moving from north to south, but also from west to east. To confirm this idea, let us follow the map of the change of zones in Eurasia from west to east along the 45th parallel - in the temperate zone.

On the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, where sea air masses coming from the ocean dominate, there is a zone of broad-leaved forests, beech, oak, linden, etc. grow. When moving east, the forest zone is replaced by a zone of forest-steppes and steppes. The reason is the decrease in rainfall. Even farther to the east, precipitation becomes less and the steppes turn into deserts and semi-deserts, which further to the east are again replaced by steppes, and near the Pacific Ocean - by a zone of mixed forests. These coniferous-deciduous forests amaze with their richness and diversity of plant and animal species.

Geographical shell and its features

All shells of the Earth are closely interconnected. As a result of this interaction, the upper layers of the lithosphere, the lower layers of the atmosphere, the biosphere and the hydrosphere formed a special environment - geographical envelope.

Geographic Shell Properties:

1. Within the geographic envelope, substances are in three states

2. Life Exists Within It

3. Various cycles flow in it

4. The main source of energy is the Sun

Rice. 1. Scheme of the geographic shell

Rice. 2. Stages of development of the geographical envelope

natural complex

Within the geographic envelope, its components constantly interact with each other, forming natural complexes.

Rice. 3. Scheme of interaction of natural components

Natural complex - a combination of natural components in a certain area, closely related to each other.

Rice. 4. Scheme of the natural complex and its components

Examples of natural complexes

The natural complexes of the Earth are very diverse, they differ in plant and animal composition, geographical location, size, soils, climate, etc. The main component that affects the location of the natural complex is the climate.

Rice. 5. Types of natural complexes

The largest natural complex is the geographical envelope of the Earth.

Human impact on nature

Man and his activities with the development of science and technology, with an increase in the population, increasingly have an impact on the natural environment and its components. At the same time, one should not forget that when one component of the natural complex changes, others also change.

Rice. 1. Factory pipes

Therefore, the use of natural goods by man should be carried out carefully and reasonably.

Rice. 2. Man and nature: positive interaction

In connection with the growing influence of man on the natural environment, new questions arise for science and society. Already, scientists are thinking about how to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, how to reuse many types of resources, trying to develop new energy sources and much more.

To protect nature does not mean not to use its wealth and not to change it. The main thing is to carefully treat nature, use its resources economically and carefully, not take too much, develop new technologies, plant trees, and protect rare species of flora and fauna.

Conservation organizations

There are currently many international organizations for the protection and protection of nature:

1. World Wildlife Fund (the main goal is the conservation of the biosphere).

Rice. 3. Emblem of the Wildlife Foundation

2. Greenpeace (the main goal is to achieve a solution to global environmental problems).

3. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Rice. 4. UNEP emblem

4. World Conservation Union

5. Green cross, etc.

Dam construction

When a dam is erected on a river, a reservoir is created, thereby increasing the amount and volume of water upstream. Due to this, the humidity of the area increases, swamping of the territory can occur, the appearance of new plants and animals to replace the former inhabitants of these places. Thus, due to human activity, a change in the natural complex occurs.

Red Book

The Red Book is a list of rare and endangered plants, animals and fungi. In Russia, this book is published in two volumes.

Rice. 5. Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (plants)

Earth Day

April 22 is Earth Day. At the end of the 20th century, the celebration of this date became an international action. Earth Day has been celebrated in Russia since 1992.

Bibliography

Main

1. Initial course of geography: textbook. for 6 cells. general education institutions / T.P. Gerasimova, N.P. Neklyukov. – 10th ed., stereotype. – M.: Bustard, 2010. – 176 p.

2. Geography. Grade 6: atlas. – 3rd ed., stereotype. – M.: Bustard; DIK, 2011. - 32 p.

3. Geography. Grade 6: atlas. - 4th ed., stereotype. – M.: Bustard, DIK, 2013. – 32 p.

4. Geography. 6 cells: cont. maps: M.: DIK, Drofa, 2012. - 16 p.

Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections

1. Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia / A.P. Gorkin. – M.: Rosmen-Press, 2006. – 624 p.

1. Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements ().

2. Russian Geographical Society ().

3. Geografia.ru ().

1. Structure and properties of the geographic shell

2. Natural complexes of land and ocean

3. Natural zoning

4. Development of the Earth by man. Countries of the world

1. The 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, atmosphere and hydrosphere. With the advent of living organisms - the biosphere, this outer shell has changed significantly. All of its components have also changed. The shell, the Earth, within which the lower layers of the atmosphere, the upper parts of the lithosphere, the entire hydrosphere and biosphere mutually penetrate each other and interact, is called the geographic (earth) shell. All components of the geographic envelope do not exist in isolation, they interact with each other. Thus, water and air, penetrating deep into rocks through cracks and pores, participate in weathering processes, change them and at the same time change themselves. Rivers and underground waters, by moving minerals, are involved in changing the relief. Particles of rocks rise high into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions, strong winds. Many 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 shell 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, this is a thin film.

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

Only here are substances present in the solid, liquid and gaseous state, which is of great importance for all processes occurring in the geographical envelope, and above all for the emergence of life. Only here, at the solid surface of the Earth, first life arose, and then a person and human society appeared, for the existence and development of which there are all conditions: air, water, rocks and minerals, solar heat and light, soils, vegetation, bacterial and animal life. .

All processes in the geographic envelope occur under the influence of solar energy and, to a lesser extent, internal terrestrial energy sources. A change in solar activity affects all processes of the geographic envelope. So, for example, during the period of increased solar activity, magnetic storms increase, the rate of plant growth, reproduction and migration of insects changes, and the health of people, especially children and the elderly, deteriorates. The connection between the rhythms of solar activity and living organisms was shown by the Russian biophysicist Alexander Leonidovich Chizhevsky back in the 1920s and 1930s. 20th century

The geographic envelope is sometimes called the natural environment or simply nature, referring mainly to nature within the geographic envelope.

All components of the geographic shell are connected into a single whole through the circulation of matter and energy, due to which the exchange of substances between the shells is carried out. The circulation of matter and energy is the most important mechanism of the 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, the water cycle is of great importance, which is carried out due to the movement of air masses. Water is one of the most amazing substances in nature, characterized by great mobility. The ability to change from a liquid to a solid or gaseous state with slight changes in temperature allows water to accelerate various natural processes. There can be no life without water. Water, being in the circulation, enters into close interactions with other components, connects them with each other and is an important factor in the formation of the geographic envelope.

A huge role in the life of the geographical shell belongs to the biological cycle. In green plants, as is known, organic substances are formed from carbon dioxide and water in the light, which serve as food for animals. After death, animals and plants are decomposed by bacteria and fungi to minerals, which are then reabsorbed by green plants. The same elements repeatedly form the organic substances of living organisms and repeatedly again pass into the mineral state.

The leading role in all cycles belongs to the air cycle 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 circulation, forming the world water cycle. The intensity of other cycles also depends on it. The most active cycles occur in the equatorial and subequatorial belts. And in the polar regions, on the contrary, they proceed especially slowly. All circles are interconnected.

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

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 the 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 geographic envelope and the entire Earth as a planet. The main role of living organisms is to ensure the development of all life processes, which are based on solar energy and the biological cycle of substances and energy. Life processes consist of three main stages: the creation of primary products as a result of photosynthesis of organic matter; transformation of primary (plant) products into secondary (animal); destruction of primary and secondary biological products by bacteria, fungi. Without these processes, life is impossible. Living organisms include: plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. Each group (kingdom) of living organisms plays a certain role in the development of nature.

Life on our planet originated 3 billion years ago. All organisms have evolved over billions of years, 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 was more oxygen in the air and the content of carbon dioxide decreased. Green plants are the main source of atmospheric oxygen. Another was the composition of the oceans. 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 geographic envelope. The brilliant Russian scientist V. I. Vernadsky considered living organisms to be the most powerful force on the earth's surface in terms of its final results, transforming nature.

2. Natural complexes of land and ocean

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 geographic 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 natural processes, in the polar regions, on the contrary, slower 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 sections, territories, or natural-territorial complexes of different sizes (abbreviated as natural complexes, or PCs). The formation of any natural complex took a long time. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of the components of nature: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils. All components in the natural complex, as well as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form an integral natural complex, it also exchanges substances and energy. A natural complex is a section of the earth's surface, which is distinguished by the features of natural components that are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries, has a natural unity, manifested in its external appearance (for example, a forest, a swamp, a mountain range, a lake, etc.).

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

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

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 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 geographic 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 natural processes, in the polar regions, on the contrary, slower 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 sections, territories, or natural-territorial complexes of different sizes (abbreviated as natural complexes, or PCs).

The formation of any natural complex took a long time. On land, it was carried out under the influence of the interaction of the components of nature: rocks, climate, air masses, water, plants, animals, soils (Fig. 32). All components in the natural complex, as well as in the geographical shell, are intertwined with each other and form an integral natural complex, in which the exchange of substances and energy also takes place. A natural complex is a section of the earth's surface, which is distinguished by the features of natural components that are in complex interaction. Each natural complex has more or less clearly defined boundaries, 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

The 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. Large natural complexes are distinguished in the World Ocean - individual oceans, smaller ones - seas, bays, straits, etc. In addition, natural complexes of surface water layers, various water layers and the ocean floor are distinguished in the ocean.

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 due to the structure of the earth's crust. On the continents and oceans, smaller complexes are distinguished - parts of the continents and oceans. Depending on the amount of solar heat, that is, on the geographic latitude, there are natural complexes of equatorial forests, tropical deserts, taiga, etc. Examples of small ones are, for example, a ravine, a lake, a river valley, a sea bay. And the largest natural complex of the Earth is the geographical shell.

All natural complexes experience a huge influence of man. 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 the 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 is common between the components of each natural complex?
2. What is a natural complex?
3. How are natural complexes different?