Why is it important to study natural complexes (PCs)? The answer to this question may be short: to save the environment. This article provides a detailed explanation of what types of PCs are, why it is important to know and preserve natural systems of various sizes.
What is a natural complex?
The word "complex" in translation from Latin means "connection, combination." This term is used by various sciences, including the natural ones. A natural or geographical complex is any interconnected phenomena occurring in nature. It is not customary to identify a PC with a landscape, the first concept is much wider. For example, a forest edge, steppe or forest territories on the mainland, and the entire geographical envelope are considered a natural complex.
Five basic PC components
The 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 interconnected components: climate, soil, water, plants and animals. Why is it important to study natural complexes, starting from preschool age? In order to understand and not break the bonds that form in the PC. Consider specific examples of the mutual influence of the components of a natural complex.
Climate is the main component of zone PCs
Climatic features depend on geographical location. In particular, the farther the territory is located from the equator, the less it receives solar heat. Formed PC Arctic deserts or tundra. Significant insolation with a lack of moisture leads to the development of semi-deserts and deserts.
Climate affects the formation of a certain type of soil. For example, in the steppes, there are warm and cold periods of the year. There is enough solar heat in the summer, and little moisture. Organic matter gradually decomposes with the formation of humus - a black substance that gives dark shades to the most fertile soil - chernozem.
Why is it important to study natural complexes? Knowledge of the components of PCs makes it possible to understand how climate and soil affect the composition of plants and animals. Thus, grassy vegetation predominates in the steppes; there is not enough rainfall for trees and shrubs. But if the amount of moisture continues to decline, and human activity leads to the destruction of the soil, then desertification begins.
Types of natural complexes
PCs vary in size. So, a small pond, a clearing in the forest or a ravine are natural complexes of the lowest rank. In the vast expanses of continents, with the determining influence of climate, zonal natural complexes of the Earth — natural zones (PZ) —are formed. These include the tundra, forests, steppes and deserts. In addition to these basic zonal PCs, there are transitional ones that combine the features of two neighboring natural complexes. The distribution of PZ on the plains obeys the law of latitudinal zoning.
In the mountains, there is a change in PK with height (altitudinal zonation). If the mountain system is higher than 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, snow and glaciers).
What is a natural complex (territorial)? Historically, there is another type - azonal PCs. Allocate on the continents and in the oceans natural territorial complexes (PTC). The leading role in the formation of PCs of this type is played by the lithogenic base (relief, geological structure, rock composition).
PTC - space-separated systems formed by interconnected components: the earth's crust, atmosphere, water, plants and animals. Large natural complexes - continents, geographical countries and regions, terrain, tracts. The largest and most important PC is the geographic envelope connecting the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere into a single whole.
Why is it important to study the natural complexes of your region?
For all PCs, even the lowest rank, common patterns are characteristic, for example integrity, when a violation of one component leads to the destruction of the entire system. Looking around, observing the nature of the native land, one can cite many examples illustrating this and other patterns. In nature, cycles of matter and energy occur. The components of inanimate nature, plants, animals and humans participate 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 start of road construction, mining, environmental surveys are carried out. Specialists find out how this or that type of activity will affect the state of the environment. Knowledge of the components of PCs, their interconnections allow us not to harm nature, to preserve it for future generations.