Vegetation

Vegetation . It is the coverage of wild or cultivated plants (flora) that grow spontaneously on the soil surface or in an aquatic environment. It is also the vegetal cover. The distribution on earth depends on the factors of Climate and [[Soil]. There is a close relationship between vegetation and climate; It is so important that climates are even given nomenclature according to the type of vegetation that grows in the area where they prevail. That is why we talk about a jungle , savanna , taiga , etc. climate.

Vegetation is a general term, without specific reference to a particular taxon , life forms , structure, extent or other specific botanical or geographical characteristics. It is broader than ” Flora ” which refers exclusively to species composition. Perhaps the closest synonym is plant community, but vegetation can and often does refer to a wide range of spatial scales, including scales as large as global.

The term vegetation ranges from primeval redwood forests, to coastal mangroves , desert bark, wild grasses to wheat fields or gardens and lawns. It is said that vegetation was committed to science when botanist Peterson Flemm discovered that it can reproduce taking into account climate and hydrography .

Summary

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• 1 Vegetation in Cuba
• 2 Vegetation Species in Cuba
• 3 Types of Vegetation
  • 1 Pine-oak forest
  • 2 Oak forest
  • 3 Low deciduous forest
  • 4 Thicket
  • 5 Grassland
• 4 Vegetation Zones
  • 1 Tundra
  • 2 Coniferous forest
  • 3 Deciduous forest
  • 4 Grassland (steppe)
  • 5 Desert
  • 6 Mediterranean vegetation
  • 7 Savannah
  • 8 Equatorial or tropical forest
• 5 Photo gallery
• 6 See also
• 7 External links
• 8 Sources

Vegetation in Cuba

The fields of Cuba are beautified and adorned by the tall and poetic palms that stand out in the mountains and plains , majestic and erect, raising to the sky their green plumes that swing gently to the blow of the breezes, giving the forest splendor and spreading on the earth, shadow, freshness, food and life. According to what Don Desiderio Herrera tells us, there are 26 different species of palms in Cuba, standing out among them all, the beautiful and slender Royal Palm , whose beauty is combined with its usefulness. Tree of blessing as Mr. Miguel Rodríguez Ferrer calls it; plant appreciable in everything and for everything: the roots are anti-blenorrhagic; The stem is applied to larger constructions, due to its fibrous richness; From the large and dense leaves they make roofs and even houses, Huts and ranches in the fields, already using the stalks, the wide petioles, called yaguas, also used to make thirds of Tobacco ; The fruit, called Palmiche , is very useful for fattening, especially pigs; The terminal bud, called palmetto, is used in sweets and salads. Furthermore, building with it and the products, cages, canes highly appreciated for the exquisite shine they acquire and the beautiful colors that shade them; and finally, from the clusters, after they are dry, brooms are made that are very durable. They follow the Palma Real , the Miraguano Criollo, which is made with the wool it produces, pillows and other mattress items; the Corojo that gives the thread or pita that gives it its name, and the Coconut , no less useful than the Royal Palm, and more so for the Fruit , which produces the “coconut oil”, of so much application in Industry .

Vegetation Species in Cuba

There are eight thousand plant species recorded on the island. However, the wooded area is only 8% of the land. To the precious woods such as mahogany, cedar and iron tree we must add fruit trees: mangoes, guavas, grapefruits and avocados. Cuba also has more than 70 million palm trees, which is the highest density in the world. The Soroa gardens constitute a beautiful example of this rich diversity. The rainforest has been largely cleared to make way for crops. It can be found intact and in good condition in the mountains. The Cuban swampy areas are the largest in the entire Antilles.

Types of Vegetation

Pine-oak forest

Located in the southern and southeastern part of the area in the states of Michoacán and Jalisco , it is mainly restricted to elevations, which in this case are volcanoes. This type of vegetation is characterized by having two to three strata: arboreal, shrubby and herbaceous. The most important stratum is the tree, which has characteristic heights between 15 and 25 m; Its dominant species belong to the genera Pinus and Quercus. The tree crowns cover between 80% and 100% of the surface.

oak forest

This type of forest is more widespread in the study area; It can be found in the south and in some areas in the northern part. The forest in the southern part is characterized by having two to three strata: arboreal, shrubby and herbaceous; The most important layer is the tree, which has heights of 6 to 8 m. Its dominant species belong to the genus Quercus. The tree crowns “cover” 70% of the surface. In the northern area the appearance of the forest is different; It is characterized by having two strata, the arboreal and the herbaceous, the most important being the arboreal, with heights of 4 to 6 m. The dominant species belongs to the genus Quercus. The tree crowns “cover” 50% of the surface.

Deciduous forest

The low deciduous forest is located in the extreme southeast in the state of Michoacán. It is characterized by having three strata: arboreal, shrubby and herbaceous; The most important layer is the tree, with a height of 3 m. The dominant species belong to the genera Bursera, Pithecellobium, Lysiloma and Lonchocarpus. The tree crowns cover 80% of the surface.

Scrub

The area is dominated by subtropical scrub and some crassicaule scrub. The subtropical scrubland is characterized by having two to three strata: arboreal, shrubby and herbaceous; The most important layer is the shrub, which has characteristic heights between 2 and 4 m. The dominant species belong to the genera Acacia, Opuntia, Fouquieria, Prosopis and Mimosa. Its crowns cover 60% of the surface.

Pastureland

Grassland predominates in the northern part of the area. It is characterized by having a height of 10 to 15 cm, a single herbaceous layer with 100% soil coverage and a closed horizontal arrangement. The dominant species belong to the families Poaceae, Asteraceae and Cyperaceae.

Vegetation Zones

Tundra

Tundra is the type of vegetation that exists in the coldest regions of the Earth. For most of the year it remains frozen, covered in snow. The vegetation develops in the short “warm” season, which allows the thaw and the reproduction of species that withstand low temperatures (such as fungi and algae ).

Coniferous forest

Also known as taiga, the coniferous forest is only found in the northern hemisphere (in areas of North America , Europe and Asia ), in regions characterized by a cold and slightly humid climate. It is made up mainly of conifers, such as pines .

deciduous forest

The deciduous forest is also known as deciduous (in which the trees lose their leaves in the dry season). It occurs in regions with a temperate and humid climate, more specifically in western and central Europe, eastern Asia and the eastern United States .

Prairie (steppe)

The prairie, or steppe, occurs on almost all continents, mainly in North America. In South America it is also called pampa and, in Brazil , we find it in Rio Grande do Sul. The prairie is a wide, open plain and, therefore, in many countries it is used for livestock activity.

Desert

Deserts are characterized by very low rainfall rates and have a soil composed mainly of sand, which may also have dunes. The best-known deserts in the world are the Sahara (Africa) and the Gobi (Asia). There are also deserts in Australia, Chile and the United States, for example.

Mediterranean vegetation

This vegetation is found in regions with a Mediterranean climate (with warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters), especially in southern Europe, in the region bathed by the Mediterranean Sea. It can also be found, on a smaller scale, in the United States, Chile, South Africa and Australia. This type of dispersed vegetation has three strata: trees, shrubs and herbs.

Sheet

The savanna is characteristic of areas with a seasonal climate (with about six dry months a year) and is basically composed of grasses and shrubs. We find it in Africa, in Australia and in South American countries, with peculiarities in each place. In Brazil, it is mainly in the Central-West region and in areas of the Southeast, South and Northeast.

Equatorial or tropical jungle

The equatorial, or tropical, forest is located in equatorial regions (such as the Amazon), Southeast Asia and in some African regions. This type of vegetation is characterized by having large plants, a high rainfall rate and the prevalence of small and medium-sized animals.