Diversity of plant species and density

-The Tropical Monsoon Forest-

Diversity of plant species
There are fewer species of plants in the Tropical Monsoon forest compared to A tropical rainforest due to the inconsistent rainfall.
-About 202 species of plants can be found in one hectare of the forest
Trees
Most of them are hardwoods and some are commercially valuable species such as
-(Sandal wood used for making incense )

-(Sal is a important source of fuelwood )

-(Teak can be used to make furnitures )

 

  Bamboos and grasses are common species found in the undergrowth and Many lianas (woody vines) and air plants, such as orchids are present.

 

Density

Plant growth is abundant but its less dense compared to a  tropical Rainforest.

Hence

-Trees do not grow as closely compared to the tropical rainforest, resulting in their crowns not interlocking to form  a continuous canopy.

-Sunlight can filter through the gaps , resulting in a dense undergrowth comprising of bamboos and grasses as they get sufficient sunlight.

During the wet season, The monsoon forest is luxuriant and dense as leaves on the plants are more abundant , but during the Dry season, plants loses their leaves and the forest appears sparse.

Images from , 

google.com 

travelpod.com 

wikipedia.org

Tropical Monsoon Forests

Tropical Monsoon Climates
 What is it?
A tropical Monsoon Climate, occasionally also known as a tropical wet climate or tropical monsoon and trade-wind littoral climate.
-The climate have a monthly mean temperatures above 18°C in every month of the year and features distinct wet and dry seasons.
 -Have High annual rainfall and temperatures
-Experienced by countries between 10° and 25° North and south of the equator. 
-Some notable cities with this type of climate include (Mangalore, India ) and (Yangon, Myammar) .

Figure 9.4 Climograph for
Mangalore, India

Lat/Long = 12.53^o N, 74.52^o E
Average Annual Temperature (^oC) = 27.05
Annual Temperature Range (^oC) = 3.6
Total Annual Precipitation (mm) = 3409.2
Summer Precipitation (mm) = 3115.9
Winter Precipitation (mm) = 293.3

 Example of a climograph of Mangalore, India

Distribution
Tropical monsoon climates are most commonly found in South Asia and West Africa. However, there are sections of Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, North America, and South America that also features this climate.

Conditions
Temperatures about 26°C while annual rainfall is over 1500mm




Info from
-google.com
-Wikipedia.org

Notice

Please submit your project latest by this friday 24th December. Thank you.

zafirah

Leaves
Broad and large, their leaves have drip tips with a waxy leathery or hairy texture. The drip tips drain off rainwater. During hot and dry seasons, trees shed their leaves to overcome drought. 


 



Flowers and Fruits
Many of the tree species flower and bear fruit during dry season while they are leafless.


  

credits: http://www.slideshare.net/wong_teck_kiong_nicholas/tropical-forests-3n-elective-geography
           & google images.

Structure of the Forest

Overview

It has three vertical layers unlike Tropical Rainforest, which has five. This is because the trees found in the Monsoon forest are not as tall the ones found in Tropical Rainforest as it lack of water during the dry seasons.

Canopy layer

The height ranges from 25m to 30m. Unlike tropical rainforest, the trees in the monsoon rainforest are more spread out.Plants such as creepers, vines, epiphytes and parasite plant can be found there.


             Creeper

                  Vines

               Epiphytes

           parasite plants
Understorey layer

They are about 15m in height

Undergrowth

It is less dense during the dry season. However during the wet season grasses and bamboo thickets grow densely there.


             bamboo thrickets



Credits : http://www.google.com/

Bark, Branches and roots.

Bark and Branches

The thick and coarse bark of the trees protect the trunk from heat and dryness during the dry season. The thick bark also helps the trees to withstand the extreme heat from natural forest fires which break out occasionally.

The branches of the trees of a tropical monsoon forest are located around the middle of the trunks, instead of near the top. As the trees grow less densely than in a tropical rainforest, sunlight is able to reach the lower parts of the forest.

Here are some example of thick bark and branches:

 

 Picture credits to www.google.com

Roots

The trees have deep roots to tap water sources deep under the ground because rainfall is not regular throughout the year.

Some example of deep roots:

Picture credits to www.google.com

How is the project going to be done?

Post information that you are assign to :

Shawn - Distribution and the introduction of the tropical monsoon climate.( Textbook Pg 44 - 45)
              *introdution to the tropical monsoon climate can be explain briefly. In diagram or in words             
              *Distribution can be explained in a a diagram from the textbook or other webs.
              *The conditons of a tropical monsoon climate can be explained using a climograph.

Douglas - Diversity of the plant species and density.(Textbook Pg 47)
             
Zafirah - Leaves and flowers and fruits.(Textbook Pg 48)
              *Use pictures to explain. 

Li Ping - Bark and branches and roots.(Textbook Pg 48)
              *Use pictures to explain.

Elaine - Structure - Canopy,Understorey an undergrowth layer. (Textbook Pg 46)
             *Use pictures and diagrams to explain.

> Post your findings on this blog before December 22th ( extended )
> Credit any source that you have taken from
> Videos can also be used.
> All the information will be compiled into a powerpoint for presentation. - You will not be allow to read from the slides when presenting.
> The topics that you are doing is what you will be presenting.
>Try to write the findings in your own words.


Thanks
Elaine.

Discussion

Please post all discussion on the blog.
After every post please sign off with your name.This is to ensure that you did contributed to the blog.
More information will be posted at a later date.
For now, read up on the topic.


Thanks
Elaine

Introduction

Topic : Tropical Monsoon Forest

Sub-topics : Distribution
                   Climate conditions - climograph(optional)
                   Structure
                   Density
                   Diversity
                   Adaptations
             
Members : Elaine
                 Li Ping
                 Shawn
                 Zafirah
                 Douglas

-Elaine