Monzonic climate: what is, where are there, characteristics, flora and fauna

The monozonic climate is a type of climate characterized by marked stations of heavy rains and droughtswhich originate due to the interaction between the earth and the sea. The monsoon is a seasonal wind that changes direction between summer and winter. During the summer, hot air on the earth creates a low pressure area that attracts wet air from the ocean, which causes abundant and prolonged rains. On the other hand, in winter, the pattern is reversed: the earth cools faster than the sea, and the winds blow from the continent to the ocean, bringing a dry season.

This annual cycle has a significant impact on people’s life and the environment in the monsoon regions. Monzón’s rains are essential for agriculture, fill rivers and reservoirs, and hold millions of people. However, when the rains are excessive, they can cause devastating floods. On the other hand, if the monsoon is delayed or weaker than expected, it can lead to droughts that seriously affect food production and the trophic chain in ecosystems.

You can learn more about the Monzones: what are, types and consequences in this link.

The monozonic climate is in various regions of the world, mainly in areas near Ecuador and in areas where the interaction between the ocean and the continent is more pronounced. What countries have a monzonic climate? These are some:

Asia del Sur and Southeast Asia

This is the most emblematic region of the monozonic climate. Countries like India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and parts of China They experience intense monsoon rains during the summer, followed by a dry season in the winter. The monsoon in India, for example, is crucial for agriculture and affects millions of people. In the image below you can see monzón clouds on Bangladesh.

Western Africa

In this region, the monsoon climate is manifested through the western African monsoon, which affects countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast. Here, the rainy season comes with the humid winds from the Atlantic, while the dry station is controlled by the northeast winds, known as Harmattan.

Central America and the Caribbean

Although not as intense as in Asia, monsoon influences feel in some areas of Central America, including countries such as Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The monozonic climate in this region is related to the rainy season that occurs between May and October, when the winds loaded with moisture from the Atlantic and the Pacific bring heavy rains.

Australia

In northern Australia, especially in the North and Queensland territorythe monozonic climate is presented with a clear division between the wet and dry season. The wet station, which occurs between November and April, brings torrential rains and, often, cyclones, while the dry season is mostly without rains and cooler.

• The monozonic climate is characterized by having two main stations: a wet station and a dry season. The Wet season It usually lasts several months and is marked by intense and constant rainswhile the Dry station has little or no precipitation. The duration and intensity of these stations can vary according to the region.
• During the rainy season or wet season, Monzonic climate rainfall They can be very abundant, easily overcome 1,000 mm in some places. These rains, which can become torrential rains with great ease, are caused by Monzónic winds They bring wet air from the ocean to the continent.
• He change in the direction of winds It is one of the most important characteristics of the monozonic climate. During the summer, the winds blow from the ocean to the earth (winds of the southwest in the northern hemisphere), bringing moisture and causing rains, that is, producing the wet season. On the other hand, in winter, the winds change direction, blowing from inside the continent to the ocean (northeast winds in the northern hemisphere), resulting in a drier climate or dry season.
• The monozonic climate temperature is usually highespecially during the dry season and just before the start of the rainy season. Temperatures can exceed 30 ° C, and heat, combined with moisture, can make the weather very oppressive during the wet season.

The monzonic climate vegetation It is deeply influenced by the seasonal characteristics of this type of climate, especially the marked alternation between the wet station and the dry station. These are the characteristics of the monsoonic climate flora:

• Monsoon forests: These forests have a remarkable diversity of species and are characterized by deciduous trees, which lose their leaves during the dry season to reduce water loss. Examples of these trees include teak, salt and various species of acacias.
• Dense vegetation during the wet station: During the wet season, vegetation in monsoon areas grows rapidly due to the abundance of water.
• Plants adapted to drought: To survive the dry season, many plants in the monsoon regions have developed special adaptations. Here you can discover the adaptations of the plants: types and examples.
• Bamboo and high herbs: Bamboo is a characteristic plant in many monsoon regions, especially in Asia. During the wet season, bamboo grow rapidly, reaching impressive heights in a short time. In addition, high herbal meadows, such as grasses, are common in clear plains and areas, providing fodder for herbivorous animals.
• Mangroves in coastal areas: In the coastal regions of monozonic climate, mangroves are an important component of the flora. These salt tolerant plants grow in the intermareal areas where the rivers meet the sea.

The Monzonic weather animals They are as diverse and rich as vegetation. This fauna is also adapted to the marked seasonal differences between the wet station and the dry station. These are the characteristics of the fauna of the monozonic climate:

• Great diversity of species: The regions with monozonic climate house a wide variety of animal species, from large mammals to small insects, through very diverse birds, reptiles and amphibians.
• Mammals adapted to seasonality: Many mammals in monsoon regions are adapted to seasonal changes. For example, in Asia del Sur, the Asian elephant, the Bengala tiger and the Indian rhinoceros are some of the great mammals that inhabit these ecosystems.
• Migratory birds: Many species of migratory birds reach these regions coinciding with the wet station, taking advantage of the abundance of insects, fruits and other food sources.
• Amphibians and reptiles: During the rains, amphibians reproduce in ponds and temporary ponds, taking advantage of the abundance of water. Reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, are also common and, in many cases, become more active during the rainy season, when heat and humidity favor their hunting and reproduction activities.
• Insects and arthropods: Mosquitoes, ants, termites and butterflies are just some examples of the many insects that prosper during this time.
• Adaptations to seasonal change: Many animals in monsoon regions have developed biological adaptations to deal with the seasonality of the weather. Some mammals and birds can migrate to other areas during the dry season, while other animals, such as certain rodents, can enter a state of torpor or seasonal hibernation to reduce their need for water and food.

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