The United States of America is located in the western hemisphere on the North American continent. Such an arrangement of the state, as well as a sufficiently large extent, determine the presence in the state of several successive natural zones with different climatic conditions, as well as the plant and natural world.
In the United States of America, zones of tundra, taiga, mixed forests, deserts, and even tropical forests replace each other. In each zone, certain species of flora and fauna prevail. Thus, the diversity of climatic conditions on the state territory is the cause of a sufficiently rich natural and plant world. This is one of the features of the country.
Us flora
The types of US flora and fauna directly depend on the natural zone.
In the central part of the United States of America, mixed forests dominate with diverse tree species – pine, oak, birch, and other common species.
In the northeast of the country, a humid continental climate is dominated. More precipitation falls, the temperature is milder. Compared with the central regions of the country, where mixed forests predominate, forests with pine trees, as well as cedar and larch species are increasingly common.
The southern part of the country is characterized by a warm subtropical and tropical climate. Sometimes, there are areas with a dry and arid climate. The flora of this area is very different from the flora of the central and northeastern region of the country. More thermophilic rubber and magnolias prevail here.
The western part of the state is located in the desert and semi-desert zones. In the dry and hot climate of this region, shrubs and semi-shrubs feel comfortable. Pine, cedar and mixed forests of other regions are replaced by cacti, succulents and other types of vegetation characteristic of a dry hot climate.
Another region with a special type of vegetation is distinguished by the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The warm, humid and mild climate determines the characteristics of the plant world. Mango trees, palm trees, citrus trees prevail on the coast.
Wildlife USA
A characteristic feature of the animal world of the United States is that most species of animals are similar to animals inhabiting Eurasia. This can probably be explained by some pre-existing land link between the continents. In addition to similar species, the United States also has its own unique animals, which is not surprising, since the continents have been divided for a long time.
The fauna, as well as the flora, strongly depends on the climatic zone. In the tundra zone live both large and smaller animals. The largest include musk oxen, caribou reindeer. Also in the tundra can be found smaller animals: weasel, polar wolf, as well as rodents: lemmings, white hares.
As we wrote above, the taiga zone is also found in the USA. Elks, deer, bighorn sheep, bears, wolves, minks, badgers and raccoons live in the taiga.
In the central part of the USA, where mixed forests prevail, the fauna is similar to the taiga’s fauna. However, there are species that are characteristic only for this area. For example, deer, possums, Mississippi alligator turtle, as well as Mississippi alligator.
On the flat and steppe areas of the United States bison, horses, various rodents, many species of reptiles: lizards, snakes, scorpions are found.
In general, the US fauna is diverse in various species of animals. There are many different species of predators, herbivores, reptiles, rodents, birds. In addition to all the animals listed above, there are also very rare species, such as bison, grizzly bears, pumas, jaguars. It is worth saying that the number of some species has recently sharply decreased, and some animals are found exclusively in reserves. This applies to bison, which for a long period of time mercilessly exterminated. Today, these animals are carefully protected, but bison can be found only in nature reserves.
