structure of altitudinal zones of the Caucasus - the most complete compared to other mountains of the Russian Federation.According to experts of the World Heritage Site, is a region of remarkable diversity of geology, ecosystems and species, contains extensive tracts of undisturbed mountain forests unique on the European scale.Consider the example of this majestic mountain system, which determines the range of altitude zones.Let us see how people use natural conditions and resources of each of the vertical zones.
altitude zones in the mountains
vertical zonation - or high-altitude zone - the geographical pattern, which manifests itself in the change of plant communities from the foothills to the top.It differs from the latitudinal alternation of natural areas on the plains, which is caused by a decrease in the amount of solar radiation from the equator to the poles.A complete set of high-altitude zones is presented in the high mountains, which are located in the equatorial and tropical belt.We list all possible vertical natural zones (from the foot to the summit):
- Wet equatorial forests (up to an altitude of 1200 m).
- Mountain forests.
- Alpine forests (3000 m).
- stunted twisted trees, shrubs (up to 3800 m).
- Alpine meadows (4500 m).
- rocky wasteland, barren rocks.
- snow, mountain glaciers.
What determines a set of high-altitude zones?
existence of altitudinal zones is due to a decrease in temperature, pressure and humidity with increase in height.Air lifted to 1 km cooled in an average of 6 ° C.For every 12 meters of height necessary reduction in atmospheric pressure at 1 mm Hg.
in the mountains that are at different distances from the equator, the vertical zoning differs significantly.On the same latitude as sometimes there are different natural systems.
's list, which determines the set of high-altitude zones, what conditions affect their formation:
- Geographical location mountains.The closer to the equator, the more vertical zones.
- lowlands usually busy natural community, which dominates the surrounding plain.
- height of the mountains.What they are higher the richer set of belts.The farther from the warm latitudes and lower mountains, the lower zones (the North Urals there are only 1-2).
- proximity of the seas and oceans, over which is formed by warm, moist air.
- Effect of dry cold or warm air masses coming from the continent.
vertical change of natural areas in the mountains of the Western Caucasus
There are high-altitude belt of the Caucasus, relating to two types of vertical zoning: continental and coastal (maritime).The second is represented in the mountains of the Western Caucasus, are influenced by the Atlantic, moist sea air.
list the main high-altitude zones from the foothills to the heights:
1. Meadow steppe, interrupted clumps of oak, hornbeam, ash (up to 100 m).
2. Forest Zone.
- Broad mountain forests (up to 600 m).Occasionally in this zone there are coniferous trees (spruce, fir, caucasian).Some areas resemble a moist subtropical evergreen understory, which grow vines, boxwood, yew, laurel.
- belt of mixed forests (above 1200 m).
- Dark coniferous forest vegetation.
3. sub-alpine meadows and tall crooked (at an altitude of 2000 m).
4. low-grass alpine meadows rich in bells, cereal and umbrella plants.
5. nival zone (at an altitude of 2800-3200 m).
nivalis The Latin word means "cold."In this zone, but the bare rock, snow and ice, there are alpine plants: buttercups, primroses, plantain and others.
Altitude zonation Eastern Caucasus
In the east, there are several other high-altitude belt of the Caucasus, which is often called continental or Dagestan type vertical zoning.In the foothills of common semi-deserts, which are replaced by dry steppes with a predominance of grasses and sagebrush.Above are thickets of xerophytic shrubs, rare forest vegetation.Next mountainous natural area is represented by the mountain steppes, grass meadows.On the slopes of the receiving part of the moist air of the Atlantic, there are forests of broad-leaved trees (oak, hornbeam and beech).In the Eastern Caucasus forest belt is replaced by subalpine and alpine meadows with predominance of xerophytic plants at an altitude of about 2800 m (in the Alps the boundary of this zone is at an altitude of 2200 m).Nival zone extends at an altitude of 3600-4000 meters.
Compare altitudinal zones of East and West Caucasus
number of high-altitude zones of the Eastern Caucasus is less than the West, due to the influence on the formation of natural areas in the mountains the air mass, terrain and other factors.For example, the warm and humid Atlantic air almost does not penetrate to the east, it retains the main ridge.At the same time it does not get cold temperate air in the western part of the Caucasus.
main differences structure of altitudinal zones of the Eastern Caucasus from the West:
- availability of semi-desert in the foothills;
- lower zone of dry steppes;
- narrow forest zone;
- xerophytic thickets of bushes at the bottom border of the forest belt;
- no belt of coniferous forests
- steppe in middle and high parts of the mountains;
- expansion mountain meadow belt;
- higher location of snow and glaciers.
- forest vegetation only in the valleys;
- almost never occur coniferous tree species.
Economic activity of the population
composition of natural areas of the Caucasus due to changes in climatic parameters within the mountain system of the foot to the heights, and from west to east.Knowing exactly what determines a set of high-altitude zones, it should be noted that the region has a high population density, especially on the Black Sea coast.The fertile plains of the steppe Ciscaucasia almost completely plowed and occupied by crops of cereals and melon crops, orchards, vineyards.Of subtropical agriculture, including the cultivation of tea, citrus fruits, peaches and walnuts.Mountain River has large reserves of hydropower, are used for irrigation of shallow areas.Steppe grasslands and semi-deserts are pastures.In the mountain-forest belt held logging.
all altitudinal belts in the Caucasus Mountains have ample opportunities for tourism.The system of medium and high mountain ranges covered by forests, glaciers and snow, attracts fans of skiing and snowboarding.Routes involve overcoming rocks, snow-covered slopes of the mountain rivers.Clean air mixed forests, picturesque landscapes, the sea coast - the main recreational resources of the Caucasus.
