Steppes are on all continents, only calledthem in different ways. In Eurasia, these are vast steppe zones on the territory of Ukraine and Russia, in Africa and Australia - savannas, in South America - the Pampas, in North - the prairies. But no matter how you call these biological systems, the environmental problems of the steppe zone are almost the same everywhere.
What is a steppe?
The steppe is called lowland areas overgrown withherbaceous plants. They are located in the temperate and subtropical zones of both hemispheres. A characteristic feature of the steppes is the absence of trees. The forest belts here are set artificially.
Climatic conditions
Steppe zones are usually located in moderatelycontinental and sharply continental climate. Summer is hot here, sometimes too much, as the temperature rises above +40. Little rain. Winter can be moderately mild and harsh. Snow falls a little. It covers the ground poorly, often drifting snow.
Animals and plants
Прежде чем описывать экологические проблемы steppe zone, you need to tell what animals and plants can be found here. The flora of the steppes is represented by a diverse grass carpet. In the steppes grow feather grass, myalik, grass, fescue, oatseed and a large number of bulbous species. Steppe plants are adapted to long periods of drought, therefore they actively grow in spring, using moist soil after winter.
Animals in the steppe zones are mostly nocturnal,because forced to wait out hot days. Antelopes, many rodents, jerboas, eagles, kestrels, larks are found here. In addition, there are a large number of snakes and insects. By the way, most birds fly away for the winter to other zones. Plants and animals are fully aware of the problems of the steppe zone, and, unfortunately, most of these problems are to blame for people.
Causes of environmental problems
Steppe zones are perfectly adapted foragricultural work. The man received ready arable land and nourishing pastures. But the irrational use of these lands very quickly depletes their resources. The ecological problems of the steppe zone lead to the destruction of the steppes and the absorption of these territories by forest-steppe and deserts. Introduced even a special term - “desertification”. This is a process of degradation of the ecosystem, the deterioration of its biological potential.
Since in the steppe zones there are often droughts anddry winds, a man began not only plowing, but also irrigating large areas of the steppes. Irrigation is called artificial watering of the soil. To supply water, irrigation systems and hydraulic structures are built. This allows you to grow stable yields, but has threatening consequences:
- the degradation of landscapes begins;
- salinization of soil and natural water bodies occurs;
- sewage threatens to pollute natural water bodies;
- salt lakes are formed in places of discharge of drainage drains;
- soil failures occur;
- Soils and water bodies are polluted with toxins and nitrates (including groundwater and groundwater).
Although irrigation gives a highthe economic effect in agriculture, it aggravates the environmental problems of the steppe. This means that a person needs to think through ways to minimize the problems that have arisen.
How to reduce the negative impact of a person
To save the steppe zones, developeda variety of activities. They are aimed at reducing problems and restoring ecological balance. The ecological problems of the steppe zone are solved as follows:
- protected areas and nature reserve funds are created;
- lists of endangered plants and animals are compiled for inclusion in the Red Book;
- measures are being taken to preserve and restore endangered species of flora and fauna;
- restricted to seizure of chernozem lands for non-targeted use
- agricultural machinery is being modernized;
- land reclaimed;
- restored landscapes disturbed in the process of economic activity.
The environmental problems of the steppe zone require maximum attention, as the steppe gradually disappears from the face of the earth.
