Dense forest, towering trees, diverse animals and plants, torrential rain, humid and sultry noons, and tribal people are the major characteristic features that most of the equatorial natural regions represent.
A natural region is an unique or distinct geographical area where all the major factors like soil, rainfall, temperature, landforms, vegetation and food chains are relatively uniform. Such homogeneous geographical area is known as natural region.
Understanding characteristics of natural regions
Nothing is absolutely homogeneous if we think about a geographical region. Variations in factors like soil, climate, topography, vegetation, etc. are so common.
Nevertheless, some kind of uniformity in terms of life supporting systems can’t be ruled out. Here, I’m going to discuss the major characteristics of natural region which has distinct and unique identity.
Natural regions may be as small as Himalayan region, Rocky mountain or Savannah grassland at the global level.
Regionally, every nation, for hers convenience or for the sake of developmental purposes, try to demarcate territory on the basis of certain factors.
Major determinants factors of natural region
1.Soils — types of major soils and distribution
2.Climate — classification of climate
3.Vegetation — grassland, forests, deserts, etc.
4.Geographical location — tropical, temperate
5.Relief features — plains, plateaus, and highlands etc.
Overview of major natural regions in the world
Likewise, on the basis of above mentioned major determining factors, natural regions are classified in various categories at the global level. In ecological perspective, these are —
- Equatorial rain forests or equatorial natural regions
- Savannah tropical grassland
- Desertic vegetation
- Monsoon forests
- Mediterranean forests
- Steppe or temperate grassland
- China type warm wet forests
- Mixed forests of Laurentian type
- Deciduous forests of British type
- Siberian evergreen coniferous forests
- Polar type tundra vegetation
It looks like these natural regions overlap with major climatic regions of the world. Many a times, climatic and natural regions are interchangeably used for each other but have recognisable differences.
Major characteristics of natural region of the world
Now, let’s know the characteristic features that help to differentiate each natural region from others.
1.Distinct climatic conditions
Nearly all the natural regions have theirs own distinct climate. The nature of rainfall and temperature in Equatorial region are quite different than of monsoonal, Mediterranean or China type. Equatorial region receives heavy rainfall throughout the year; while monsoonal receives only in a season.
2.Variations in types of soil
Similar to climatic conditions, every demarcated region has different types of soil. Chernozem soil is predominant in the region of temperate grassland across the world.
These regions are also known as greenery of the world due to higher fertility. But in the regions of higher rainfall and temperature, red or laterite soil can be found.
3.Homogeneous vegetation
As I mentioned before that vegetation and climate often overlap with each other as the climate has profound impact on the distribution of vegetation in the given regions. So, every region has its distinct vegetation and biodiversity.
Apart from these characteristics of natural region, topographic features, geographical location and human interventions have some role in determining the demarcation of natural region.
Detailed explanation of Equatorial Natural Regions
Equatorial natural regions concentrate mainly around 5 degrees either of Equator belt across the globe. Brazil, Congo, Asian countries and middle east-west belt of Africa experience equatorial climate.
Importance and challenges for equatorial natural regions
Ecologically, these equatorial regions are highly important as they shelter, nurture, and support the largest numbers of species including insects, microorganisms, plants, animals,etc.
Comparatively, heavy annual precipitation, temperature and unbearable humidity produce planet’s most buzzing biotic repository. But, unfortunately, nowadays, the meance of human encroachment badly affecting equatorial natural regions.
Today, countless economic activities are penetrating theirs roots in the ecologically highly sensitive zones. Ongoing agricultural activities, harbouring medicinal plants, and tourism put this natural asset on ventilator.
Meaning, examples and description of equatorial natural regions
Natural region means the average totality of climate, soil, relief, vegetation, and other biotic organisms within a specific geographical area over a long period of time.
For example, Savanna tropical grassland, Steppe grassland, monsoonal regions, tundra regions, etc.
Generally, these regions display permanent climatic state. Hence, vegetation and organisms adapt themselves according to the climatic conditions there.
Obviously, any change may prove detrimental for all as everything in these regions are delicately interconnected and interwoven.
Geographical location in terms of latitudes of Equatorial natural regions
As per the percentage, equatorial natural region only covers 6 percent of the earth’s total surface. But its vegetation is popularly known as the lungs of the earth.
Latitudinal location of equatorial natural regions is around 5 and 10 degrees north and south of the equator.
East Asian nations, central east African countries, and South American countries including Brazil and Equator are the part of equatorial belt. Apart from this, some island nations are also experience equatorial climate.
Temperature, rainfall, and vegetation
Uniformity of temperature and torrential downpour, especially, after noon is the major characteristic feature of this region. Annually, temperature remains above 25 degree Celsius with small diurnal, as well as annual range.
Here, as average precipitation is around 160 to 200 cms in a year. Besides, absent of winter season is the most unique feature of this region.
Such high temperature with heavy rainfall is utmost important for the luxuriant growth of hardwood diverse species of plants and trees.
Understandably, high relative humidity, due to high temperature and rainfall, makes human habitation extremely difficult. However, this is the most favourable condition for the growth of biodiversity.
Types of Vegetation and animals
Tall, diverse hardwood species with outstanding canopy of leaves is the notable feature of this region.
Unlike other forests, this equatorial region displays stratified nature of forests with multiple layers due to scarcity of sunshine.
The top most layer can grow as much as 40mt or around 140 feet. Tentatively, these forests exhibits three distinct layers. Waxy large flat leaves is another conspicuous feature of trees.
Ebony, dyewood, cabinet wood, mahogany, and palm trees are most dominant species along some climbing plants like lianas.
As l mentioned earlier that all are hardwood diverse species. Therefore, there is no uniformity in the flowering. This is the reason why these forests have hunters and gathers in the vast numbers.
Occupation and environmental concern in equatorial natural regions
Primarily hunters and gathers are the major tribals which thrive on the forest products since many centuries.
Sometimes, nomadic activities are also noticed in the recent time though there are climatic bottlenecks.
Apart from this, shifting cultivation has been practiced in the majority of regions for basic livelihood by certain tribal people.
Yam,maize, bananas, natural rubber, and cocoa are widely being cultivated in the East Asian and African nations as a part of subsistence farming.
But, now, due to explosion of population, these ecologically rich regions are experiencing huge pressure of exploitation for various purposes. For plantation crops, alternative clearing forest cover as a part of shifting cultivation is taking heavy tolls on these well-known lungs of the earth.
Last words on equatorial natural regions
Unfortunately, when the entire world is fighting to control growing global warming impacts, the degradation of earth’s vast green layer is nothing less than a warning sign for global community.
At the same time, unless we provide an alternative means of survival for these age old forest dwellers, in consistent with theirs way of life, we might not succeed in arresting the ongoing pace of loss of these fragile biotic asset. This is all about the understanding equatorial natural regions. Hope, it will help you in your cause.
Explaining Steppe Grassland or Steppe natural regions
Continental climate, treeless short grass, low rainfall, great range of temperature, dominance of nomads, and black humus rich chernozem soil are the major characteristic features of steppe or temperate grasslands.
Geographically, these natural eco-regions are located at the heart of major continents. In this blog, you can enjoy the detailed description of steppe grasslands of the world.
What does “Steppe” mean?
Steppe is a well known Russian word used to describe temperate grasslands stretching from Black sea to eastwards to the Altai mountain.
In other words, Russian vast plain is known as “Steppe”. This is a transition between deserts and temperate forests. Let’s see the examples of steppe or temperate grasslands in different continents.
- Steppe — Russian federation
- Pustaz — Hungary and Manchuria
- Prairies — Rockies to Great lake’s
- Pampas — Argentina and Uruguay
- Bush-veld and High veld — South Africa
- Downs — Australia
- Centerbury-Otago tussock — New Zealand
Climate of steppe natural regions
Effects of continentality in the interior of continents
Due to continentality effect, the range of annual temperature is almost highest among all natural regions. In winter, temperature decline as much as -55 degrees; while in summer, it scales up upto 45°c in the majority of steppe regions.
Above range of temperature highlights the severity of climatic conditions across temperate grasslands as they are in the centre of the continents.
In the northern part of the world, the relative severity is more compare to Southern hemisphere because of the vast nature of landmass.
Luckily, these regions are out of desertic ambit as the relative evapo-transpiration doesn’t let to be deserts. This is the reason why these grasslands have treeless short grasses.
Annual precipitations or rainfall
Furthermore, due to lack of maritime influence, convectional rain is single source resulting excessive heating in summer season. An average, steppe grasslands receive around 25 to 50 cm annually. It is not enough for the growth of trees but sufficient to support short grasses.
Comparative to northern hemisphere, in southern part, rain as well as climatic conditions are not so severe. In this part, annual precipitation crosses 50 cm. It is due to narrow landmass and relatively better maritime influence.
Social and economic life of people in steppe natural regions
Undoubtedly, this is a very important aspect of description of steppe grasslands. Though there is low rainfall and high range of temperature, short but nutritious grasses and black chernozem humus rich soil are instrumental in making this region “Graineries of the world”.
Secondly, earlier, it was dominated by herders of sheeps and goats by nomads like, Kirghiz, Kazakh etc. But, in the recent century, these regions are transformed into extensive wheat cultivation.
In addition, food processing industries and livestock are the major components of economic activities there.
Last words on Steppe natural regions,
Truly, it is unlikely to avoid negative repercussions of human interventions like extensive agriculture, introduction of new species, modernization of pastoral activities etc.
Steppe, too, is in the process of losing its pristine luster and charm. Over-exploitation of chernozem humus rich belt is absolutely irreversible act that might costs us beyond our gain in near future.
In this article, I have given s detailed explanation of Equatorial natural regions, Steppe natural regions and major characteristics of natural regions.
Climate change causes and impacts
Elements of weather and climate
Natural resources and conservation