In Ecology Verde we want to show you another of the most curious biomes of our beloved planet. The idea of this article arises from the need to better know the surrounding environment and respect the biomes of forests, full of ecosystems so rich in biodiversity. Therefore, then, we explain in detail everything we can know about the thorny forests, so that you learn more about this type of forest.
To make it easy for you to recognize it if you have the opportunity to walk through one or to study them better, keep reading this article about What is the spiny forest, its characteristics, flora and fauna.
What is a thorny forest
A type of plant mass is known as thorny forest, which is generally constituted mainly by plant species with thornstypical of semi -arid climates.
Normally, The spiny forest It is formed by low shrubs and develops in places with dry weather, usually corresponding to tropical deciduous or somewhat more humid forests with the ecosystems of Xerophilic bushes. Similarly, this is usually located on slopes, hills and other types of shallow soils. It should also be noted that there are also thorny forests that exceed 2,200 meters high.
It is also important to know that one of the biggest problems of thorny forests is its way of creating large plant communities, not delimited, which gradually form other types of formations and that hinders its definition within an area. This means that it is often possible to make mistakes when recognizing it as such.
The spiny forest is characteristic of countries such as Madagascar and Mexicowhere it occupies a large extension of the land. It is located in areas such as the northwestern coastal plain until even reaching the southern part of Sinaloa, the depression of the rafts and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and in large part of the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, there are data that ensure that it covers 5% of the total area of the country.
Know more types of forests in this other Ecology Verde.
Characteristics of thorny forests
These are the main characteristics of thorny forestswhich are made by unique biomes:
- Be Low forests of purely shrub or thicket vegetation. Know more about the bushes: what are, types and fauna with this other post.
- They are forests that, as its name indicates are mostly formed by thorny trees.
- These forests need a Dry or semi -style climate for its development.
- The annual temperature of this type of forests ranges from 12 ºC and 26 ºC.
- These forests are not limited to the low areas, it also has a high plateau of about 2,000 m high.
- Has a supply of water table which is responsible for supplying the roots of the trees.
- The rainy season usually occurs between the months of June and September.
Escinous Forests Flora
Next, we will talk about the most characteristic plant species of the spiny forest. Most of them are bushes and small and strong leaves capable of living in extreme climates where water is scarce and there is an important load of sunlight. These are some of the species of the spiny forest flora:
Mezquite
These deciduous trees reach a maximum height of 9 meters, have narrow and compound leaves and their branches have thorns. The strength and resistance of these plants to drought makes them one of the most present species in thorny forests. Its fruit, in the shape of a pod, is also called Mezquite.
Chaparro Prieto
Another of the spinous forest plants is known as Chaparro Prieto or Acacia Rigidula. This reaches a maximum height of 3 meters high and has numerous spines grouped by peers that occur both in the trunk and in the branches. In addition, they are very important since their yellow flowers attract bees. These types of plants are known as men, since they provide food not only of bees, but other important insects for the ecosystem.
Biznaga
This species is also able to live in really inhospitable areas. They are characterized by their spherical shape, which gives them greater filtration and retention of water. In the same way that happens with many types of cactus, biznagas also have large and aromatic flowers. However, they need the shelter of another nurse plant to ensure their survival.
White stick
This tree that reaches a height of 6 meters, has a characteristic gray crust. Like the rest, it also has a large trunk of large thorns. The leaves are pale green and bell -shaped flowers are presented in reddish color branches.
Wooding forests
Among the most characteristic spiny forest animals we find coyote. This lone hunter is, next to Rapacesat the top of the food chain of this ecosystem. But be careful, not only feeds on small browsers, also eats vegetables and their fruits. As with The coyotewe highlight among the types of birds that we will find in this Bioama to the famous Roadrunches. These feed mainly with reptiles, insects and small mammals.
We also want to make a special mention to Tlacuache or Zarigüeyathe only marsupial that exists in Mexico and has a short and hard fur that protects him from high temperatures.
Finally, we will also find others common animals of thorny forests as:
- Hare
- Kangaroo rat
- Field rat
- Chameleon
- Beat snake
- Scorpion
- Bat
- Tecolote or Mochuelo
- Desert carpenter bird
- Owl
- Owl
If you want to read more articles similar to Spiny forest: what is, characteristics, flora and faunawe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.
