The natural zones of North America stretch along the meridians, because in each section of the continent a certain industry has the opportunity to develop. The deeper the natural zone is, the more it is stretched along the meridian. The fact is that the features of the relief lead to changes in the ratio of heat and moisture not only from north to south, but also from west to east.
The natural areas of North America, located in the region of Greenland and the Canadian archipelago, are called Arctic deserts. Since the climatic conditions here are very harsh, this contributed to a very meager representation of the flora and fauna. In areas that are not occupied by ice, only mosses and lichens can be seen. Almost the entire animal world lives in the ocean.
In the far north of the mainland is the tundra zone. Since there is always high humidity, the area has become boggy. Almost the entire territory is covered with mosses and lichens. As for trees, dwarf birch and alder do not reach a height of more than 5 cm.
The farther south, the more natural areas of North America become more like forest-tundra. It is considered a transitional stage and is characterized by the alternation of forest and tundra. It is also characterized by the presence of thickets of alder and willow. Only in the area of rivers do spruce and larch trees begin to appear.
The natural zone of coniferous forests is located further south. Here you can observe harsh and long winters, and summers are short and warm. As for the moisture content of the soil and air, since the territory is characterized by a low level of evaporation, humidity is in excess.
The natural areas of North America are characterized by intermediate phases. So, between coniferous and deciduous forests is the territory of mixed forests.
And already on the territory of the Appalachians there is a zone of broad-leaved forests, which is characterized by a variety of tree species. As for animals, there are a lot of deer, porcupines, baribalu bears, as well as possums, which are the only representatives of marsupials on the whole continent.
As for the flat territory of the mainland, there is a forest-steppe zone. Its eastern part is called the prairie because it has a higher degree of hydration. Today, this territory is completely plowed up, because it is characterized by equality of soil, favorable climatic conditions and good black soil.
North America, whose natural areas are clearly geographically located, is characterized by the presence of a steppe zone in the central part of the continent. Here, a large amount of heat enters, but this is not compensated for by a sufficient amount of moisture.
As for the eastern part of the subtropical zone, mixed forests grow here, represented by numerous coniferous species, dwarf palm trees and shrubby species of evergreen oak.
If we talk about the Pacific coast, solid-leaved bushes and forests dominate here. The soils here are chestnut, and many such rare species of evergreen oak, which were known even before the ice age, grow on them.
The natural areas of America, occupying the Florida and California peninsulas, are called subtropical and tropical. The zones here alternate each other meridionally. The interior of the districts is completely occupied by savannas and woodlands. As for the Atlantic lowland, it is abundantly moistened by trade winds, because there is a very large number of tropical forests.
In the Cordilleras, the altitudinal zonation is especially clearly represented.
