The widest flat expanses, a wild field overgrown with flowers and herbs - that's what the steppe is. These are hectares of endless land, breathing freedom, calcined by the summer heat, blown by all winds or frozen by the winter cold. Indented by riverbeds, free, like the soul of a Russian person, the wild steppe is sung in folk songs. She was admired, loved, cherished. IN modern world little unexploited space. The steppes were plowed and sown with wheat, oats, and rye. The same fields that have remained untouched or have been abandoned and re-covered with grass continue to fascinate at any time of the year.

What is the steppe in the geography of Russia? These are endless expanses that stretch from the westernmost Russian outskirts to Siberia, covering the territory to the Black, Azov Seas and the Caspian Sea and reaching through the steppe strip such waters carry their major rivers like the Volga, Don, Ob ​​and Dnieper. This is somewhere flat, somewhere slightly hilly, on which sometimes, here and there, there are small islands of trees.

The nature of the steppes is diverse. The steppe in spring is a huge territory covered with rich colors. A riot of colors, a real artist's palette - that's what the steppe is at this time of the year. Islands of bright red and purple violets, blue and lilac hyacinths, golden sparks of adonis, and all this in the midst of bright green grass. A little later, already at the beginning of June, this spring coloration is replaced by an equally bright palette of pores - the expanses are covered with blue forget-me-nots, red poppies, irises, yellow tansy, wild peonies. July is the time for purple sage to bloom. In the second half of summer, the steppe turns white, covered with glades of daisies, clover and meadowsweet. In the hot season, when the sun rises high and dries the earth, and rains are rare, the steppe looks like an endless scorched canvas. Here and there, among the faded stalks of cereal grasses, gray threads of feather grass flutter. When the hot sun finally “works” over the endless expanses, tumbleweed balls will roll across the faded, scorched, cracked earth. These are various plants linked together, forming a lump and moving across the expanse, spreading their seeds.

rich and animal world steppes. For him, what is the steppe? These are harsh living conditions to which the inhabitants of the vast expanses are forced to adapt. Lives in the steppe a large number of rodents: ground squirrels, mole rats, jerboas, marmots, some They all build their burrows with numerous passages underground. Among ungulates there are various types of gazelles, antelopes. Not rare in the steppes and snakes. Birds of prey are represented by the steppe eagles, the kestrel, and the harrier. In addition, bustards and various species of small birds such as larks live in the steppes. They live in the steppes and predatory wolves and jackals become especially dangerous in winter. When the steppe was still little mastered, there were frequent cases when wolf packs attacked a person.

The steppe is also found on other continents. However, there it has other names. In America it is the prairie, in Africa it is the savannah.

In the temperate and subtropical zones of the two hemispheres, there are steppes - territories with a predominantly flat landscape. Steppes are widespread on all parts of the land, except for Antarctica. However, in Lately there is a gradual reduction in the area of ​​the steppe zone due to active human activity.

Description of the natural zone of the Steppe

Extensive natural complex Steppes are located between two intermediate zones: semi-desert and forest-steppe. It is a huge plain, completely covered with small shrubs and herbs. The exceptions are small forest belts near water bodies.

Rice. 1. Steppes occupy very large areas.

Far from all the treeless plain is a steppe. A similar topography and features of the flora, coupled with high humidity, form a zone of swampy meadows, and the influence low temperatures forms a different natural complex - the tundra.

The soil natural area The steppes are represented by chernozem, in which the humus content is the greater, the further north the steppe is. With the advancement to the south, the soils begin to lose their fertility, the chernozem is replaced by chestnut soils with an admixture of salts.

Due to the high fertility of the steppe chernozem and the mild climate, the steppe often becomes a natural and economic zone. It is cultivated for growing a variety of horticultural and agricultural crops, taken to pastures for livestock.

steppes- dry temperate ecosystems, in which the vegetation cover is formed mainly different types herbs, among which the most prominent place is occupied by turf grasses. The belt is called moderate, but the peculiarity of the steppes is precisely the habit of extremeness. The plants and animals that make up the steppe ecosystem are equally well adapted to the lack of moisture and the merciless summer heat, severe winter frosts and constant winds. Trees in such conditions are found only in special, protected habitats, but shrubs are no less common than grasses, but they are often not higher than the grass stand and are just as resistant to extreme conditions. Accustomed to the fact that the forest and Live nature- synonyms, the steppe seems to the inhabitants of central Russia a strange and “wrong” incident, a deviation from the norm. But this is not an incident, but one of the main global types of ecosystems, which on the plains of Eurasia corresponds to “its own” natural zone, and in many of its mountain systems - a special steppe belt. And outside the steppe zone, steppe ecosystems are found in conditions suitable for them - from the far north to subtropical latitudes. It's just that the ecological structure of the steppes is radically different from the forests.

Steppes are an important part of global biodiversity and have a global value. Responsibility for their preservation lies with the countries that have the main steppe territories, including Russia. At the same time, in many regions of Russia, it is the steppe ecosystems that form the basis natural environment, provide environmental services that are critical to human life and economy. Steppes around the world are among the most disturbed and least protected ecosystems; in the last decade, their menacing situation has been increasingly recognized and attracted more and more attention - especially at the level international institutions and organizations.

For Russia, the steppes are of particular importance. It is the steppe ecosystems that have formed the natural basis on which the main part of Russian agriculture has been based for almost two centuries. Chernozems and soil types close to them are the basis of Russian agriculture; these soils, which are among the most fertile, are formed by steppe ecosystems. Steppe pastures are the most important basis domestic production meat, milk, wool and other livestock products. But it's not just about economics; for many peoples of our country, the steppe is the “mother landscape”, the basis of not only the traditional economy, but also culture, the spiritual world.

Steppes make up an impressive part of Russia's biodiversity and are associated with many threatened and vulnerable plant and animal species. Among them, hundreds of species are endemic - they live only in Russia and neighboring countries.

As in the rest of the world, most of it has been destroyed. In their place are now fields, settlements, careers and dumps. The remaining steppe territories are used as pastures and hayfields, partly occupied by military training grounds and hunting grounds. Less than 1% of the steppe ecosystems of Russia are preserved within the framework of specially protected areas. natural areas, this is the smallest share among all types of ecosystems in the country.

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The steppe is a flat landscape zone located in the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Steppes are distributed on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.

Unfortunately, this kind of natural landscape is gradually disappearing from the face of the earth. There are many reasons: plowing the land, poaching, intensive grazing, fires.

General characteristics of the steppe

The steppes are characterized by the almost complete absence of trees. Exceptions are artificial plantations along paved roads and forest belts near water bodies. But in the steppe grows a large number of herbaceous plants and shrubs.

However, it is worth remembering that the flat treeless space with a humid climate is no longer a steppe. This is a zone of swampy meadows, and in the north, under such conditions, tundra is formed.

Natural zones of the steppes

The steppe natural zone is located between the forest-steppe and the semi-desert. The steppe is a treeless expanse, completely covered with grasses. Grasses form an almost closed carpet.

Steppe plants are distinguished by their ability to endure drought and heat. As a rule, the leaves of steppe plants are small, grayish or bluish-green. Many plants have the ability to fold their leaves during times of drought to prevent evaporation.

Since the steppes occupy vast areas, plant species are very diverse. Of great importance for humans are, first of all, fodder plants: clover, alfalfa, corn, sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke. Beets, potatoes, as well as cereals: oats, barley, millet.

Among the steppe plants also distinguish medicinal herbs and honey plants.

Steppe animals are not much different from the fauna of deserts and semi-deserts. They also have to adapt to the hot summer and frosty winters. Of the ungulates, antelopes and saigas are most common, of predators - foxes, wolves and manuls. There are many rodents (ground squirrels, jerboas, marmots), reptiles and insects. Steppe eagles, bustards, larks, and harriers are commonly found among steppe birds. Most representatives of birds fly away to warmer climes in winter.

Many steppe animals and birds are on the verge of extinction and are listed in the Red Book.

Steppe types

Types of steppes are distinguished depending on the ratio of cereal and herbaceous plants.

. Mountain- characterized by lush forbs. An example is the mountain steppes of the Caucasus and Crimea.

. Meadow, or mixed herbs - the largest number of species of steppe plants grows here. Meadow steppes are in contact with forests, and their soils are rich in chernozem. This species includes most of the steppes of the European part of Russia and Western Siberia.

. xerophilic- with an abundance of turf grasses, mainly feather grass. This type of steppe is often called feather grass. For example, the southern steppes in the Orenburg region.

. Desert, or deserted. There are most of all wormwood, tumbleweed, prutnyak and ephemera. Such were the once rich, herbal steppes of Kalmykia, which, as a result of human activity, are gradually turning into deserts.

Steppe climate

The main feature of all steppes is aridity. The type of climate is from temperate continental to sharply continental. The average annual rainfall rarely exceeds 400 mm. Windy weather prevails in the steppes, and summer is characterized by a large number of sunny days. Winters are not snowy, but snowstorms and blizzards are frequent.

Another feature of the steppes is a sharp drop in day and night temperatures, since at night the temperature can drop by 15-20ºC. These conditions make steppes related to deserts.

Dust storms often occur in the steppes, which affect soil erosion and lead to the formation of gullies and ravines.

The soils of the steppes located in the temperate climate zone very fertile and widely used in agriculture. Chernozem is the basis, chestnut soils are found only closer to the southern latitudes.

IN different countries the steppes have their own name. In Australia and Africa it is the savannah, in South America- llanos and pampas, or pampas, in North America - prairies, and in New Zealand - Tussoks.

In Europe, the steppes have been preserved mainly in protected areas. But in Siberia there are still virgin steppes - Kurai, Chui.

For 1 sq. km of steppe space inhabited by more insects than people in the whole world.

The largest birds live in the steppes. In Russia - bustards, and in Africa - ostriches.

“Steppe, yes steppe all around”, “Oh you, wide steppe”, “Dust, roads, steppe and fog”…. The words of these songs are the first thing that comes to mind when we try to imagine this endless plain. So what is the steppe, and why is it so dear to the Russian heart that so many folk tunes have been composed about it? Where are the steppes located, and how do the European steppes differ from the North American ones? What dangers can await us in the steppe and who lives there? You will learn about all this from the material below.

The steppe is a grassy plain in the temperate and subtropical zones of the North and Southern hemispheres. The steppe of Eurasia is located in the temperate zone. Trees are found here only in river valleys, where there is enough moisture. Look at the photo of the steppe: this is the real kingdom of grasses, feather grass, bluegrass, fescue and other plants that form a continuous or almost continuous carpet. Nowadays, vast expanses of the steppes have been plowed under fields through which roads have been laid, and now large cities have grown on them.

Plants and animals in the steppe

Steppe plants are well adapted to heat and drought, they are distinguished by a grayish or gray-green color. Their leaves are usually thick, covered with a film-cuticle, sometimes curled up in dry weather to reduce evaporation. The roots of the steppe vegetation are tenacious and long. In spring, when there is most moisture, beautiful flowers bloom in the steppe.

Steppe plants belong to various types. These are legumes, and cereals, and other plants, which are usually combined in the concept of "forbs". Some herbs serve as good food for animals, while others are inedible. But numerous inhabitants steppes find food there.

Stipe grasses are typical steppe plants. They belong to cereals, of which there are about 300 species. The inflorescence of the feather grass is a dense panicle, and its grain seeds are equipped with long pinnate awns. Thanks to this, they are perfectly carried by the wind, sink among other grasses and then burrow into the ground. In this they are helped by the sharp tip of the grain, which is simply screwed into the soil. So the feather grass spreads across the steppe.

Animals of the steppes are not only horses, which have long been domesticated, but also wild ungulate saigas. Hares live in the steppes, partridges nest, dig holes and various rodents store food.

Cause of fires in the steppes

Although steppe fires spread very quickly, they are easier to extinguish than forest fires. The fact is that a grassroots forest fire can turn into a terrible horse fire, but in the steppe this is simply impossible, since there are no trees there. main reason fires in the steppes - human activity, and much less often - lightning. Not all animals and birds have time to escape, and spring fires still destroy their nests, cubs and completely burn out the grass. Subsequently, the seeds are again carried by the winds to the soil, and life returns. But if the fire comes too often, the steppe can turn into a semi-desert.

North American steppe - prairie

Steppes and prairies are essentially the same thing, they are just located on different continents. The prairie is the North American steppe, it is rather arid, because it is located in the depths of the continent, and rocky mountains obscure it from precipitation from the west. Once upon a time, herds of bison grazed on these grassy expanses. Today they remain only in nature reserves and national parks, and the prairies have mostly been turned into fields where corn, wheat and other crops are grown.

The cowboys, about whom so many adventure films have been made and books written, were ordinary shepherds. Among them were many African Americans and Mexican Indians.

Prairie animals and plants

Often in the prairies you can see a group of mounds with a diameter of 120 cm and a height of 60 cm, around which there is no grass. These are settlements of prairie animals - prairie dogs, their voice really sounds like barking, but in fact they are rodents, related to squirrels. Dogs eat grass not only in order to get enough, but also in order to better view the surroundings. 32 prairie dogs eat as much in a day as one sheep, and 256 dogs eat the daily ration of a cow.

The prairie plant buffalo grass is a grass common to these latitudes. It tolerates drought well, grows after the first rains and serves as food for bison.

Yucca is an evergreen plant from the Agovaceae subfamily. It grows well in prairies, semi-deserts and deserts, withstanding both heat and winter cold. The fibers of one of its species - filamentous yucca - are added to cotton for the production of jeans. This makes the fabric more durable.

The Mexican hat, or columnar ratibida, grows on the prairie, wasteland, and along roads from Canada to Mexico. It is a very hardy plant that loves limestone-rich soils, but can grow in clayey areas and even slightly saline soils. And it got its name because of the shape of the flower with petals pointing down.

In past centuries, millions of bison, the closest relatives of bison, grazed on the expanses of the American prairies. But the prairies gradually turned into wheat and corn fields and pastures for cows, and bison were constantly hunted. And by the beginning of the 20th century. only 500 bison remained. Only then did people come to their senses and began to restore the number of these animals. Today there are several tens of thousands of bison.

In the 19th century pastures in the West were not fenced, and so herds from different ranches mixed with each other. Cows always had to be separated and driven into paddocks. This occupation required considerable skill, and later a competition appeared on its basis - rodeo. Cowboys, mounted on horseback, also drove cattle across the prairie to the nearest railroad stations. At times, this journey was long and dangerous. The heyday of the cowboy era was 1865-1885. After railways covered the whole country, and long drives of cattle were a thing of the past. However, the cowboys still work on the ranch and hold rodeos.