Why is it important to study natural complexes (PC)? The answer to this question can be short: to save the environment. The proposed article provides a detailed explanation of what types of PCs are, why it is important to know and preserve natural systems of different scales.
What is a natural complex?
The word "complex" in Latin means "connection, combination". This term is used by various sciences, including natural. A natural or geographical complex is any interrelated phenomena occurring in nature. It is not customary to identify the PC with the landscape, the first concept is much broader. For example, the edge of the forest, steppe or forest areas on the mainland, the entire geographical envelope is considered a natural complex.
The five main components of a PC
A natural complex is any combination of relief elements, rocks and soils, water and climatic factors with living organisms on a certain territory. Each PC necessarily consists of 5 interrelated components: climate, soil, water, plants and animals. Why is it important to studynatural complexes, starting from preschool age? To understand and not break the connections that are formed in the PC. Let us consider specific examples of the mutual influence of the constituent parts of the natural complex.
Climate is the main component of zonal PCs
Climatic features depend on the geographical location. In particular, the farther the territory is located from the equator, the less solar heat it receives. The PC of arctic deserts or tundra is formed. Significant insolation with a lack of moisture leads to the development of semi-deserts and deserts.
Climate influences the formation of certain types of soil. For example, in the steppes, there are warm and cold periods of the year. There is enough solar heat in summer, but there is little moisture. Organic matter gradually decomposes to form humus, a black substance that darkens the most fertile soil, the black soil.
Why is it important to study natural complexes? Knowledge of the components of PC allows you to understand how climate and soil affect the composition of plants and animals. Thus, herbaceous vegetation prevails in the steppes, and there is not enough rainfall for trees and shrubs. But if the amount of moisture continues to decrease, and human activities lead to the destruction of the soil, then desertification begins.
Types of natural complexes
PCs vary in size. So, a small pond, a clearing in a forest or a ravine are natural complexes of the lowest rank. On bigIn the spaces of the continents, under the decisive influence of climate, zonal natural complexes of the Earth are formed - natural zones (NZ). These include tundra, forests, steppes and deserts. In addition to these main zonal PCs, there are transitional complexes that combine the features of two neighboring natural complexes. The distribution of PZ on the plains obeys the law of latitudinal zonality.
In the mountains, there is a change in the PC with height (altitude zonation). If the mountain system is above 5000 m and is close to the equator, then the set of belts can include from 5 to 7 zones (moist forests, savannahs, mixed forests, mountain meadows, rocky deserts, snows and glaciers).
What is a natural complex (territorial)? Historically, another type has developed - azonal PCs. Allocate natural territorial complexes (NTC) on the continents and in the oceans. The leading role in the formation of this type of PC is played by the lithogenic base (relief, geological structure, composition of rocks).
PTK - space-separated systems formed by interconnected components: the earth's crust, atmosphere, water, plants and animals. Large natural complexes - continents, geographic countries and regions, landscapes, natural areas. The largest and most important PC is a geographical shell that connects the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere into a single whole.
Why is it important to study the natural complexes of your region?
All PCs, even of the lowest rank, are characterized by common patterns, such as integrity, when the violation of one component leads to destructionthe entire system. Looking around, observing the nature of the native land, one can give many examples illustrating this and other patterns. In nature, there are cycles of matter and energy. Components of inanimate nature, plants, animals and humans are involved in these processes.
When planning any kind of activity, it is necessary to take into account the consequences to which it can lead. Therefore, before the construction of residential and industrial facilities, before the construction of roads, mining, environmental surveys are carried out. Experts find out how this or that type of activity will affect the state of the environment. Knowledge about PC components, their interrelationships allow us not to damage nature, to preserve it for future generations.
