Categories: All - tropical - vegetation - climate - distribution

by Wang ShiMei 12 years ago

2275

Chapter 3, Natural vegetation

Natural vegetation comprises diverse ecosystems, such as coniferous forests, mangrove forests, and tropical rainforests, each with unique characteristics. Coniferous forests, featuring species like pine and spruce, typically have needle-like evergreen leaves and thrive in cold climates, particularly in regions like Alaska and Northern Canada.

Chapter 3, Natural vegetation

Chapter 3, Natural vegetation

Coniferous Forests

Roots
Shallow spreading roots
Branches slope downwards
Thick bark
Male cones produce pollens
Female cones produce seeds
Needle-like
Not dense
Pure stands of single species such as pine and spruce
Uniform in height
300mm to 635mm in rainfall
As low as -40degree in winter, about 21degree in the summer
Mainly located in Alaska, Northern Canada. Areas of high altitudes where the climate is cold
Between 60N and 70N of the equator

Tropical Monsoon Forests

Deep tap roots
Branches are around the middle
Thick and coarse bark
Flowering and fruiting during the dry season
Waxy with drip tips
Decidous
Dense undergrowth
Dense during wet season, sparse during dry season
High biodiversity but fewer than tropical rainforests
3 vertical layers (Canopy layer, Understorey layer, Undergrowth)
Over 1500mm, with wet and dry seasons
About 26degree
Southeast Asia, Southern China and Northern Australia
Between 10 and 25 N and S of the equator

Mangrove Forests

Aerial, Prop and Kneed roots
Bark and Branches
No adaptation to climate or environment
Buoyant fruits with sharp tips
Broad, leathery with drip tips
Dense canopy
4 main species: Avicennia, Sonneratia, Rhizophora, Bruguiera
3 horizontal zones (coastal zone, middle zone, inland zone)
Climate (temperature and rainfall)
1000mm to 2000mm in rainfall
20 to 30degree
Can be found in especially along sheltered coastal regions and places where rivers constantly deposit clay and silt.
Between 23.5N and S of the equator

Tropical Rainforests

Roots
Shallow buttress roots
Bark and branches
Smooth and thin bark
Branches are high up on the trunk
Flowers and fruits
Colourful flowers
Flowering and fruiting all year round
Leaves
Broad, waxy and drip tips
Evergreen
Density
Sparse undergrowth
Dense emergent and canopy layers
Diversity of plants
High biodiversity
Structure
5 vertical layers(Emergent layer, Canopy layer, Understorey layer, Shrub layer, Undergrowth layer)
Climate(temperature and rainfall)
Over 1500mm in rainfall
About 27degree
Distribution
Eg. Amazon Basin in South America and Congo Basin in Africa
Between 10N and S of the equator