Many think that nature - are disorderly and somewhat chaotic phenomenon.Forests and woodlands, steppes and deserts - all this supposedly randomly arranged natural habitats.This is not so.
All natural systems on a given territory are always in close cooperation not only with each other but also with other habitats, which is located next door.That's the whole array of interactions and different habitats (sometimes with a completely opposite characteristics) is a natural complex.
most global example of such cooperation is a huge shell, which arose as a result of the interaction of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and the lower part of the atmosphere.Of course, its components are extremely heterogeneous, because they come into contact in very different conditions, which cause the formation of unique natural complexes.
Thus, the natural complex - a combination of climatic, biological and geological factors that contribute to the formation of a certain territory of special habitat, characterized by a unique set of species.Contrary to popular belief, these complexes are not stable, can change relatively quickly, forming a completely different type of terrain.
Influence of environmental conditions
It affects the formation of a natural habitat latitude climate.Not surprisingly, the same latitude as possible to meet the same natural complex inhabited by different species, but has approximately the same characteristics.In the seas it's called natural aquatic systems.It should be noted that the process of forming a very long, depends not only on the environmental conditions, but also on the species that inhabit the habitat.
great example - the coral reefs.If you have polyps in the sea, the bottom topography is quite different from the characteristics of the surrounding area, where the coral for some reason are not available.However, do not forget about the geological factors: reefs could be formed solely in areas where more than 60 million years ago were extinct volcanoes.By the way, it has proved more famous Darwin, making the description of the natural complex of the oceans and seas.Thus, we can draw a simple conclusion.
Any natural formations is constantly evolving, and the speed of this process is quite different.Somewhere needed for millions of years, while in other cases, a few months.
main factors of development
main factor that affects almost any natural system is the solar radiation, the speed of rotation of the planet, as well as the collection of all the processes occurring in the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere.Because of this, habitats are extremely integral and dependent, but also on vulnerable formations.If at least one element is broken, it immediately affect the state of the entire complex.As a result, he or change or even disappear.It happened to the marshes in Polesye.
practical example of changing habitat
Historically, this area was formed in the conditions of a large number of rivers, which are continuously fed by a plurality of keys.In turn, the latter owed their existence to huge layers of clay, which are not allowed to go deep groundwater.Increased humidity contributed to the creation of the region with a special microclimate.The soil gradually covered with thickets of shrubs, moss and lichens.
It quickly appeared a huge number of insects.In turn, they attracted the amphibians, reptiles and birds.
What caused the destruction of the entire habitat?And only it was enough to break the impermeable clay layer.As soon as he had crossed the irrigation channel, habitat began to change rapidly.The unique microclimate been broken, water-demanding species began to die en masse.Marsh has given way to a moderately dry meadows with acidic soil, covered with stunted vegetation.Thus, the natural complex area was completely destroyed, but it replaced immediately came another formation.
historical diversity of natural systems
must not forget that for the time of the historical process on the surface of our planet formed and disappeared thousands of types of natural complexes.Repeatedly alternating sea and the dry land appeared, and disappeared without a trace, millions of species.Scientists believe that modern natural complexes began to form only 10-12 thousand. Years ago.
However, it is still quite "long" forecasts.Historians have long said that once Alexander was able to go so far in Asia alone due to the fact that some two or three thousand years ago the Amudarya and Syrdarya were much more deep rivers.Their ducts combined with each other, many areas inaccessible mountainous terrain, which can now be reached only by air or by land.
speed changes in natural systems
However, in some cases, habitats tend to change before our eyes.Of course, this does not happen because of some natural factors (volcanic eruptions, and other disasters do not happen so often), and under the influence of anthropogenic factors.Unfortunately, almost always ill-conceived intervention leads to very negative consequences.
main components of the natural complex
Every natural system is formed by a sort of "building blocks", the characteristics of which depend on the properties of the entire habitat.Firstly, the terrain.This word refers to the same type of terrain, similar climatic conditions, combined with features of flora and fauna.The structure of the landscape consists of Localities, Tracts, and facies.
Let's look at the components of the natural complex a little more detail.
characteristic elements
facies called biotope formed within a significant portion of the terrain.An example is the bottom of the ravine, mountainside or top, side of the river or the sea.In this case, the endemic species are often formed as facies conditions are very uniform and fairly constant.
If we talk about a group of related facies among themselves, it is called the natural boundary formation.For example, territorial and natural complex, which is located along the river - the tract.Of course, numerous and being permanently connected with each other, they form the areas.These include floodplain large and deep river, between two rivers, the rocky plateau.As
classified landscapes?
It should be noted that the landscape should be classified according to their geological features.They depend on the tectonic shifts and terrain.In particular, the Russian natural complexes include lowland and mountain landscapes.There are also class lowlands and uplands habitat.A separate class go mountain taiga landscapes in the territory of our country lacks.
Plains formations are divided into the following types: deciduous, mixed-deciduous, coniferous and steppe.Certain formations of the coast are flood plains, lakes and marshes.The main natural complexes of Russia - a plain covered with pine forests, forest-steppe, tundra and mountainous landscapes, characteristic of the Caucasus.
How does human activity on the natural habitats?
We have repeatedly pointed out that human activity often leads to irreversible changes in the natural elements of the area.And in this case, significantly changing the natural characteristics of the complex.And not only relief but also climate, soil characteristics, flora and fauna.The scientists isolated a pure agricultural, forestry, water management, as well as industrial and residential areas (towns, large settlements).
on the territory of our country active human intervention began in the VI-V millennium BC.e.So, the forest and the plains were formed largely by the development of a society that was beginning to consume more wood, actively cutting down forests.However, this process continued actively especially in the 18-19 th centuries.For example, the same Udmurtia, until recently, was known as "the town covered with forests."During World War II, when the country needed a lot of coal, of which almost nothing left.
In addition, the development of sea trade was the beginning of the mass development of the coastal colonies that developed rapidly to the size of large cities policies (in the case of the Greeks).On the 16-18 th centuries.there was a massive process of converting forests to plains.Since the 15th century people intensively mastering steppes.All this happened due to the fact that the population increased rapidly, people needed more food.Since the development of agriculture at the time was extremely extensive, it had to plow more fields to let the ax forest.
Thus, virtually no territorial natural complex could not escape change.
Until the 19th century on the territory of our country was much more forests, which went to the needs of a rapidly developing industry.During the two World Wars the speed of this process has increased significantly.For the first time there were really industrial landscape when in the Kuzbass coal mining began intensive, and the Baku - during the first oil wells.
early 20 th century was marked by an intense general transformation of landscapes under human needs.Paving the huge number of roads, metallurgy consume more coal, wood and ore, and the increased demand for electricity has demanded the construction of a large number of hydroelectric power stations, which is why a large number of lowland habitats were flooded.
Present
Thus, in European Russia today largely dominated by industrial anthropogenic landscapes.In some areas there are less than 20% of the natural systems that have not been affected by human activities.Unfortunately, until now the protection of natural complexes is located in our almost in its infancy.Recent years have shown a tendency to improve somewhat, but done in this direction is still not so much.
How can preserve natural habitats?
Many believe that it needs to build as much as possible reserves.Of course, to some extent, this is correct, but we need to think more global methods.Remember what we said about the interconnectedness of natural systems?
If next to a protected area is a large industrial enterprise, all measures for the protection of nature can not be in vain.It is necessary to introduce energy saving technologies throughout, to farm with modern techniques which require high yields from small squares.In this case, the person is no longer necessary to plow more and more land.
urgent need to reduce emissions into the atmosphere and hydrosphere, because only then will we be able to preserve the biological diversity of rivers and oceans for our descendants.
However, we should not think that human nature complexes are lifeless territory pipe coating plants.Nature shows amazing flexibility, constantly adapting to the changing parameters of the environment.
Thus, many biological species have learned to live side by side with the man, using all the advantages of such cooperation.For ornithologists have long pointed out that in the suburbs of large cities have already begun to form a separate subspecies of tits that even in the summer remain within the boundaries of the residential complex.
short, natural complex - it is a self-regulating an array that can be changed dynamically.
How to change species in anthropogenic biocenosis?
Typically, these birds migrate to the cities only in the winter, when the forest was becoming difficult to obtain the necessary amount of food.Today, they live year-round in the forest areas are not experiencing problems with food.As a result, the availability of food increased the number of eggs laid, because all the chicks can be provided with food.Researchers believe that in a few decades clearly designed the subspecies, which differ from the usual tits larger size and less conspicuous plumage.
So affects the animals changed the natural complex.Examples can be driven for a long time, but one of the best are the rats.In urban areas they are much larger and smarter of their wild cousins.Characterized by high multiple pregnancy and more varied coloration.The latter indicates a sharp reduction in the number of natural enemies, since the animals with "unusual" appearance were able to survive and produce offspring.
There are quite opposite examples.In the suburban area there is now a huge number of packs of feral dogs.They are aggressive, are not afraid of humans.The modified habitats, these animals occupied the niche of natural wolves.Researchers also believe that these groups of stray animals in the end be able to stand out, creating a very special genotype.
As you can see, man-made natural systems, though are artificially educated and supported formations, live on fairly standard natural laws that preserve the biosphere.
