North America, like Eurasia, includes four of the world's six soil-bioclimatic zones. Of these, the Arctic and Boreal cover the northern, widest part of the continent. A large number of natural areas influence the diversity of soils in North America. Soils differ in structure and fertility, which allows them to be used for different purposes.
Description
This continent covers almost all major soil zones. Compared to other continents, deserts occupy the smallest areas. There is also very little blown sand here. In the north of the continent in the Canadian zone, large areas are allocated to podzolic soils, podzols and swamp soils.In the south of this country, the main part is made up of meadow chernozems and gray forest soils.
The most fertile soils are in the USA. These include chernozems, chestnut soils, and brunizems. High-quality soils are considered to be red soils, developed in the east of the continent, and brown soils, which are located in the interior subtropical regions. In the mountain belts of the continent, the best soils are considered to be mountain brown and mountain brown forest soils.
Climate
This continent has several types of climate, which differ depending on the natural zones:
- Arctic deserts are characterized by an arctic climate. Negative temperatures or values close to zero prevail here.
- Tundra - subarctic and partially arctic climate prevails here.
- Taiga - it is characterized by a temperate climate with high humidity.
- Mixed and deciduous forests are characterized by a temperate climate that turns into subtropical.
- Evergreen tropical forests have a subtropical climate.
- Forest-steppe - subtropical climate prevails here.
- Deserts and semi-deserts have a moderate, arid climate.
- Savannas and evergreen forests - there is a clear change between dry and wet seasons.
Soil classification
North America is characterized by different types of soils - it all depends on the natural area:
- Arctic deserts – characterized mainly by arctic desert soils with permafrost. Only a small number of plants can grow under such conditions.
- Tundra – peaty and tundra-gley soil types predominate here. In some places there is rich vegetation and mining activities take place.
- Taiga - this region is dominated by podzolic soils, in which trees grow well.
- Mixed and broad-leaved forests - mainly brown and gray forest soils are found. The zone is characterized by a variety of flora and fauna.
- Steppe and forest-steppe - chernozems and chestnut soils predominate here.
- Variably humid forests - this zone is considered very fertile, although it is characterized by high dryness. At the same time, it is dominated by red soils and yellow soils.
- Hard-leaved forests are characterized by a large amount of red and chestnut soils.
- Deserts and semi-deserts are unfavorable for life. The soils here are dominated by gray soils and gray-brown soils.
Animals and plants
The main part of the continent is located in cold climatic zones, which affects the characteristics of the plant world. In the north there are vast areas without plants at all. To the south are the tundras. In the northern regions only mosses and lichens grow, in the southern regions - cereals, sedges, and dwarf trees.
There are quite a few species of trees in the taiga. Sequoia and Douglas are considered characteristic of the continent. To the south there are deciduous forests. Various types of birch trees, oaks, and ash trees grow here.
Forest-steppes are characterized by the presence of western plane trees, black walnuts, and chestnuts. The south of the continent has a warm climate. This zone contains evergreen forests. Among mountain plants, it is worth highlighting sequoia and montezuma pine.
The fauna of the mainland is diverse. In the north there are reindeer and polar bears. Martens, minks, and weasels live in the taiga. Wolverines are also found here. The vast forest areas are home to wolves and foxes. American bison live in forest-steppes. There are many species of rattlesnakes found in southern North America.
Alligators and alligator turtles are found in humid tropical climates. You can also see giant bullfrogs here. Among the birds that live here is the red-tailed buzzard. On the warm coast of Florida you can find roseate spoonbills, which are similar to herons.
