Zone of variable humid monsoon forests. Zone of variable humid subtropical forests Geographical location of the zone of variable humid forests
Monsoon forests are vast green areas with lush vegetation and rich wildlife. During the rainy season, they resemble equatorial evergreen forests. Found in subequatorial and tropical climates. They attract tourists and photographers with a variety of picturesque landscapes.
Description
Monsoon rainforests are most common in the tropics. Most often they are located at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level. They are also called deciduous because the trees lose their leaves during periods of drought. Heavy rains return them to their former richness and color. The trees here reach a height of twenty meters, the leaves on the crowns are small. Evergreen species and many lianas and epiphytes are common in the undergrowth. Orchids grow in the monsoon zone. They are found in the Brazilian coastal mountain ranges, the Himalayas, Malaysia, Mexico, and Indochina.
Peculiarities
Monsoon forests in the Far East are famous for their diversity of plants and animals. Warm and humid summers and an abundance of plant food create favorable conditions for the habitat of insects, birds, and mammals. Coniferous and broad-leaved trees are found here. Among the inhabitants of the forests, sable, squirrel, chipmunk, hazel grouse, as well as animals rare for the climatic zone of Russia were noticed. Typical inhabitants of monsoon forests are the Ussuri tiger, black bear, sika deer, wolf, and raccoon dog. There are many wild boars, hares, moles, and pheasants on the territory. Reservoirs subequatorial climate are rich in fish. Some species are protected.
Rare orchids grow in the humid forests of Brazil, Mexico, and Indochina. About sixty percent are sympodial species, well known among gardeners. The red-yellow soils of monsoon areas are favorable for ficus, palm trees, and valuable tree species. The most famous ones include teak, satin, tallow, and iron. For example, it is capable of forming a dark grove from its trunks. A huge banyan tree grows in the Indian Botanical Garden, which has almost two thousand (!) trunks. The crown of the tree covers an area of twelve thousand square meters. Variably humid forests become the habitat of bamboo bears (pandas), salamanders, tigers, leopards, poisonous insects and snakes.
Climate
Which predominates monsoon forests? Winters here are mostly dry, summers are not hot, but warm. The dry period lasts three to four months. The average air temperature is lower than in the humid tropics: the absolute minimum is -25 degrees, the maximum is 35 with a “+” sign. The temperature difference ranges from eight to twelve degrees. A characteristic feature of the climate is prolonged rainfall in the summer and its absence in the winter. The difference between the two opposite seasons is huge.
Monsoon forests are known for their morning fog and low clouds. This is why the air is so saturated with moisture. By noon, the bright sun completely evaporates moisture from the vegetation. In the afternoon, a foggy haze forms in the forests again. High air humidity and cloudiness persist for a long period of time. In winter, precipitation also falls, but rarely.
Geography
IN subequatorial zone, due to large amounts of precipitation and its uneven distribution, high temperature contrast, monsoon forests develop. On the territory of Russia, they grow in the Far East, have a complex topography, and a rich flora and fauna. There are humid forests in Indochina, Hindustan, the Philippine Islands, Asia, North and South America, and Africa. Despite the long rainy seasons and prolonged drought, the fauna in monsoon forest zones is poorer than in humid equatorial zones.
The most pronounced phenomenon of monsoons is on the Indian continent, where a period of drought is replaced by heavy downpours, the duration of which can be seven months. This change in weather is typical for Indochina, Burma, Indonesia, Africa, Madagascar, northern and eastern Australia, and Oceania. For example, in Indochina and the Hindustan Peninsula, the dry period in forests lasts seven months (from April to October). Trees with large crowns and an irregular arch grow in vast monsoon areas. Sometimes forests grow in tiers, which is especially noticeable from above.
The soil
Monsoon wet soils are characterized by a red tint, granular structure, and low humus content. The soil is rich in useful microelements such as iron and silicon. There is very little sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in moist soil. In Southeast Asia, yellow soils and red soils predominate. Central Africa and are characterized by dry black soil. Interestingly, as the rains stop, the concentration of humus in monsoon forests increases. A reserve is one of the forms of wildlife protection in an area rich in valuable plants and animals. It is in humid forests that many species of orchids are found.
Plants and fauna
Monsoon forests in the subequatorial climate of Hindustan, China, Indochina, Australia, America, Africa, and the Far East (Russia) are characterized by a diversity of fauna. For example, in Southeast Asia, teak trees are common in variable humid zones, as are Indochinese laurel and ebony. There are also bamboo, vines, butea, and cereals. Many trees in forests are highly valued for their healthy and durable wood. For example, teak bark is dense and resistant to destruction by termites and fungi. Sal forests grow at the southern foot of the Himalayas. In the monsoon regions of Central America there are many thorny bushes. The valuable jat tree also grows in humid climates.
In subequatorial climates, fast-growing trees are common. Palms, acacias, baobab, spurge, cecropium, entandrophragma, ferns predominate, and there are many other types of plants and flowers. The humid climate zone is characterized by a wide variety of birds and insects. Woodpeckers, parrots, toucans, and butterflies are found in the forests. Among the terrestrial animals found in monsoon woodland are marsupials, elephants, various representatives of the cat family, freshwater, amphibians, frogs, and snakes. This world is truly bright and rich.
Africa is an amazing continent that combines a large number of geographical zones. In no other place are these distinctions so noticeable.
The natural areas of Africa are very clearly visible on the map. They are distributed symmetrically relative to the equator and depend on uneven precipitation.
Characteristics of natural areas of Africa
Africa is the second largest continent on Earth. It is surrounded by two seas and two oceans. But the most important feature is its symmetry in position in relation to the equator, which divides Africa into two parts along the horizon.
In the north and south of the continent there are hard-leaved evergreen moist forests and shrubs. Next come deserts and semi-deserts, then savannas.
In the very center of the continent there are zones of variable-humid and permanently humid forests. Each zone is characterized by its own climate, flora and fauna.
Zone of variable-humid and moist evergreen equatorial forests of Africa
The evergreen forest zone is located in the Congo Basin and runs along the Gulf of Guinea. More than 1000 plants can be found here. These zones have predominantly red-yellow soils. Many types of palm trees grow here, including oil palms, tree ferns, bananas, and vines.
Animals are placed in tiers. In these places the fauna is very diverse. The soil is home to a huge number of shrews, lizards and snakes.
The humid forest zone is home to a huge number of monkeys. In addition to monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees, more than 10 species of individuals can be found here.
Dog-headed baboons cause a lot of concern to local residents. They are destroying plantations. This species is distinguished by its intelligence. They can only be frightened by weapons; they are not afraid of a person with a stick.
African gorillas in these places grow up to two meters and weigh up to 250 kilograms. The forests are inhabited by elephants, leopards, small ungulates, and forest pigs.
Good to know: The tsetse fly lives in the eucalyptus zones of Africa. It is very dangerous for humans. Its bite infects the deadly sleeping sickness. The person begins to experience severe pain and fever.
Savannah zone
About 40% of the entire territory of Africa is occupied by savannas. The vegetation is represented by tall grasses and umbrella trees towering above them. The main one is baobab.
This is a tree of life that is of great significance to the people of Africa. , leaves, seeds - everything is eaten. The ash of the burnt fruit is used to make soap.
In dry savannas, aloe grows with fleshy and prickly leaves. During the rainy season, the savannah has very abundant vegetation, but during the dry season it turns yellow and fires often occur.
The red soils of the savannah are much more fertile than those in the rainforest zone. This is due to the active accumulation of humus during the dry period.
The African savannah is home to large herbivores. Giraffes, elephants, rhinoceroses, and buffalos live here. The savannah area is home to predators, cheetahs, lions, and leopards.
Tropical desert and semi-desert zones
Savannas give way to zones of tropical deserts and semi-deserts. Rainfall in these places is very irregular. Certain areas may not experience rain for several years.
The climatic features of the zone are characterized by excessive dryness. Sandstorms often occur, and strong temperature differences are observed throughout the day.
The relief of deserts consists of scattered rocks and salt marshes in places where there once were seas. There are practically no plants here. There are rare spines. There are types of vegetation with a short lifespan. They grow only after rains.
Zones of evergreen hard-leaved forests and shrubs
The outermost zone of the continent is the territory of evergreen hard-leaved leaves and shrubs. These places are characterized by wet winters and hot, dry summers.
This climate has a beneficial effect on the condition of the soil. In these places it is very fertile. Lebanese cedar, beech and oak grow here.
The highest points of the continent are located in this zone. On the peaks of Kenya and Kilimanjaro, even in the hottest period, there is constant snow.
Table of natural zones of Africa
The presentation and description of all natural zones in Africa can be clearly presented in the table.
Name of the natural area | Geographical location | Climate | Vegetable world | Animal world | The soil |
Savannah | Neighboring zones from equatorial forests to the north, south and east | Subequatorial | Herbs, cereals, palms, acacias | Elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals | Red ferrollite |
Tropical semi-deserts and deserts | Southwest and north of the mainland | Tropical | Acacias, succulents | Turtles, beetles, snakes, scorpions | Sandy, rocky |
Variably humid and humid forests | Northern part from the equator | Equatorial and subequatorial | Bananas, palm trees. coffee trees | Gorillas, chimpanzees, leopards, parrots | Brown-yellow |
Hardleaf evergreen forests | Far North and Far South | Subtropical | Strawberry tree, oak, beech | Zebras, leopards | Brown, fertile |
The position of the continent's climatic zones is very clearly demarcated. This applies not only to the territory itself, but also to the definition of fauna, flora and climate types.
The tundra occupies such areas as the coastal outskirts of Greenland, the western and northern outskirts of Alaska, the coast of Hudson Bay, and some areas of the Newfoundland and Labrador peninsulas. In Labrador, due to the severity of the climate, the tundra reaches 55° N. sh., and in Newfoundland it drops even further south. The tundra is part of the circumpolar Arctic subregion of the Holarctic. The North American tundra is characterized by permafrost, highly acidic soils, and rocky soils. Its northernmost part is almost completely barren or covered only with mosses and lichens. Large areas are occupied by swamps. In the southern part of the tundra, a rich herbaceous cover of grasses and sedges appears.
Some dwarf tree forms are characteristic, such as creeping heather, dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa), willow and alder.
Next comes the forest-tundra. It reaches its maximum size west of Hudson Bay.
Woody forms of vegetation are already beginning to appear. This strip forms the northern limit of forests in North America, dominated by species such as larch (Larix laricina), black and white spruce (Picea mariana and Picea canadensis).
On the slopes of the Alaska mountains, lowland tundra, as well as on the Scandinavian Peninsula, gives way to mountain tundra and char vegetation.
In terms of species, the vegetation of the tundra of North America is almost no different from the European-Asian tundra. There are only some floristic differences between them.<
Temperate coniferous forests occupy most of North America. These forests form the second and last vegetation zone after the tundra, which stretches across the entire continent from west to east and is a latitudinal zone. Further to the south, latitudinal zonality is preserved only in the eastern part of the continent.
A distinctive feature of the coniferous forests of the Pacific coast from the forest zone of the east is their appearance and composition of species. So, the forest zone of the Pacific coast is very similar to the eastern regions of the Asian taiga, where endemic coniferous species and genera grow. But the eastern part of the continent is similar to the European taiga.
The “Hudson” eastern taiga is characterized by the predominance of fairly developed coniferous trees with a high and powerful crown. This composition of species includes such endemic species as white or Canadian spruce (Picea canadensis), Banks pine (Pinus banksiana), American larch, balsam fir (Abies balsamea). From the latter, a resinous substance is extracted, which finds its way into technology - Canada balsam. Although conifers predominate in this zone, there are still many deciduous trees and shrubs in the Canadian taiga. And in burnt areas, of which there are many in the Canadian taiga region, even deciduous trees predominate.
Deciduous tree species in this coniferous zone include: aspen (Populus tremuloides), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), paper birch (Betula papyrifera). This birch tree has white and smooth bark, which the Indians used to build their canoes. It is characterized by a very diverse and rich undergrowth of berry bushes: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, black and red currants.
This zone is characterized by podzolic soils. In the north they turn into soils of permafrost-taiga composition, and in the south they become soddy-podzolic soils.
Variably wet forests. The zone of variable wet (including monsoon) forests extends in the east and south of Eurasia. The vegetation here is represented by both coniferous and deciduous trees (cedar, pine, oak, walnut, gingko) and evergreens (palm trees, ficus, bamboo and magnolias), which grow mainly on red-yellow soils. The fauna is also characterized by significant species diversity: monkeys, tigers, leopards, as well as endemics - bamboo bear (panda), gibbon, etc.
Slide 11 from the presentation "Natural areas of Eurasia".The size of the archive with the presentation is 643 KB.
Geography 7th gradesummary of other presentations
“Natural zones of Eurasia” - Among the impenetrable thickets here you can find orangutans, leopards, and tapirs. Main animals: reindeer, arctic foxes, some species of birds. The latter predominates in the Asian taiga, in a cold, sharply continental climate. Arctic desert zone. Mixed and broad-leaved forests. The desert zone stretches across three geographical zones. The fauna here is represented by elephants, tigers, and rhinoceroses. Many reptiles and reptiles, as well as various insects. Along the mountain ranges of Siberia, tundra vegetation penetrates far to the south.
“Sights of Paris” - See Paris - and die! Arc de Triomphe in 1836 by Louis-Philippe. Place de la Star is officially called Place Charles de Gaulle. The Sorbonne was founded in 1253 by Robert de Sorbonne. Georges Pompidou - Beaubourg. The Pantheon is a monument that contains the tombs of great people of France. The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris. The Louvre is one of the largest and richest museums of fine arts in the world. Goal: get to know the sights of Paris.
“Geographical position of the southern continents” - On plains composed of sedimentary rocks. Questions: To which oceans do the rivers of Africa and South America carry water? Why? Slide 7. Soil map. Igneous: ores of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, diamonds, noble and rare metals. General features of climate and inland waters. Slide 4. Minerals of the southern continents. Which climate zones have the largest network of rivers and many lakes?
“Water in the World Ocean” - Without water, a person cannot live for more than eight days. Thanks to water and in water, life arose on Earth. Next, deadly dehydration occurs. You can't grow crops without water. We begin to study the water shell of the Earth - the hydrosphere. Fundamental question: “Water! Group 2: Compare the area of land and ocean. What is the temperature at different ocean levels?
“Savannahs” - Branched acacias rise like huge umbrellas among the tall grasses. Animal world. Savannah. Economic activities of people. The average temperature in July and January is +22C. Soils. Geographical position. Climatic conditions. Umbrella acacia. Savannas are located in the subequatorial belt.
Variably wet monsoon forests
Variably humid monsoon forests can also be found on all continents of the Earth except Antarctica. If in the equatorial forests it is summer all the time, then three seasons are clearly defined here: dry cool (November - February) - winter monsoon; dry hot (March-May) - transitional season; humid hot (June - October) - summer monsoon. The hottest month is May, when the sun is almost at its zenith, rivers dry up, trees shed their leaves, and the grass turns yellow. The summer monsoon arrives at the end of May with hurricane winds, thunderstorms, and torrential rains. Nature comes to life. Due to the alternation of dry and wet seasons, monsoon forests are called variable-wet. The monsoon forests of India are located in the tropical climate zone. Valuable tree species grow here, characterized by the strength and durability of the wood: teak, sal, sandalwood, satin and ironwood. Teak wood is not afraid of fire and water, it is widely used for the construction of ships. Sal also has a durable and strong wood. Sandalwood and satin trees are used in the manufacture of varnishes and paints.
Monsoon forests in tropical and subtropical regions are also characteristic of Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and the northern and northeastern regions of Australia (see map in the atlas).
Temperate monsoon forests
Temperate monsoon forests are found only in Eurasia. The Ussuri taiga is a special place in the Far East. This is a real thicket: multi-tiered, dense forests, intertwined with vines and wild grapes. Cedar, walnut, linden, ash, and oak grow here. The lush vegetation is the result of abundant seasonal rainfall and a fairly mild climate. Here you can meet the Ussuri tiger - the largest representative of its species.
The rivers of the monsoon forests are fed by rain and overflow during the summer monsoon rains. The largest of them are the Ganges, Indus, and Amur.
Monsoon forests have been heavily cut down. According to experts, only 5% of the former forest areas have survived in Eurasia. Monsoon forests have suffered not only from forestry, but also from agriculture. It is known that the largest agricultural civilizations appeared on fertile soils in the valleys of the Ganges, Irrawaddy, Indus rivers and their tributaries. The development of agriculture required new territories - forests were cut down. Agriculture has adapted for centuries to alternating wet and dry seasons. The main agricultural season is the wet monsoon period. The most important crops are planted here - rice, jute, sugar cane. In the dry, cool season, barley, legumes, and potatoes are planted. During the dry hot season, farming is possible only with artificial irrigation. The monsoon is capricious, its delay leads to severe droughts and destruction of crops. Therefore, artificial irrigation is necessary.