Climate Types and Natural Regions-Soils

Introduction:

Soil is one of the most important natural resources that is provided to humanity. It actually sustains life on the planet as it is an essential ingredient for growing plants. Primarily soils are different in different regions due to the climatic issues like temperature, rainfall etc. The variety of flora and fauna of a region is also responsible for this soil variation. 

1. Equatorial Region:

The equatorial belt extends between 5°N and 5°S of the Equator. It has balanced hot and wet climatic conditions.  Economic Base: The region consists of red and yellow soils of low fertility. The natural vegetation comprises dense, equatorial forests, containing a variety of species. The Island of Java has been dwelled by farmers for many years for fertile volcanic soils.

2. Tropical Grassland (Savanna) Region:

It comes under the influence of the equatorial belt of summer and receives convectional rainfall. It is under the influence of trade winds during winter, the region also experiences drought. It lies between 5°N and 20°S latitudes. Natural vegetation consists of savanna or tropical grasslands present due to deficiency in water. These tropical grasslands are the main homelands of carnivorous animals.

3. Tropical Deciduous Forest Region:

This region includes eastern margins of the continents between 10°N to 30°N and 10°S to 30°S. Rainfall is moderate other than in coastal regions and mountainous tracts. Laterite soil occurs in these regions, except in river valleys where the alluvial soils are found in higher numbers. Natural vegetation consists of tropical forests which are less dense than equatorial forests. Teak, Rosewood, Mahogany are valuable trees. The lowlands and river valleys have fertile soil and abundant water supply.

4. Tropical Deserts: 

Tropical deserts are located on the western margins of continents in the Trade Wind belt roughly between 20° and 30°N and S latitudes Annual precipitation is generally less than 25 cm. In most of the region clear skies favour fired passage of insulation during day time and outgoing radiation from the earth during night. Soils here are sandy with saline deposits on the surface. 

5. Mediterranean Region: 

This region lays pole ward of the tropical deserts on the western margin of the continents, roughly between 30° and 40° N and S latitudes. The annual rainfall is moderate and the dry season is long and the annual range of temperature is 10°C to 17°C. Italy is important for mercury and North Africa is noted for phosphate deposits. With fine climate and fertility of soil, shores of Mediterranean have long been suited for human occupation. 

6. Cool (Mid Latitude) West European Type: 

This region is always under the influence of the westerly winds annually. Rainfall is of cyclonic origin and occurs throughout the year with a maximum in winter. The mean annual range of temperature is below 15°C in European and North American Regions. Intensive agriculture is common. Wheat, Barley, Potatoes, Sugar Beet are important crops cultivated. 

7. The Taiga (coniferous) Region: 

This region occurs as a broad belt in Europe, Asia and North America between the mid latitude of the grassland region in the South and the Polar Tundra in the North. Lumbering is the main occupation of people in areas which are easily accessible. Hunting of fur bearing animals like musk-rat, ermine and silver fox and fishing are other economic activities.

8. Polar Lowlands (Tundra) 

The vast lowlands, lying along the shores of the Arctic Ocean, where ground is frozen for the greater part of the year, are known as Tundra’s. They are low-lying cold deserts between the regions of eternal snow and ice in the north and coniferous in the south. People are nomadic, and hunting and fishing are their chief occupations. Furs and skins are the chief products and articles of trade in this region.

9. Polar Highlands (Ice cap type): 

Antarctica and Greenland are examples of large land masses in Polar Regions having permanent ice caps. During summer the temperature does not exceed 10°C. Precipitation is low and only occurs as snowfall during the winters. Hunting and fishing are their main occupations. Mining of oil and gold in Alaska, iron ore in Labrador, nickel in Siberia has resulted in the establishment of mining settlements.

Conclusion:

A natural region is a basic geographic unit. It is a region which is distinguished through its common natural features of geography, geology, and climate. From the ecological point of view, the naturally occurring flora and fauna of the region are likely to be influenced by its geographical and geological factors. Thus, most natural regions are homogeneous ecosystems. Human impact can be an important factor in the shaping and destiny of a particular natural region.