Population and political map. What are the features of the location of natural areas in Australia? how are they explained? Animals of variable rainforests in Australia

Variably humid forests of Africa and Australia Variably humid forests grow in those areas of the Earth where rainfall does not fall all year round but the dry season is short. They are located in Africa north and south of the equatorial rainforests, as well as in the northeast of Australia. Life is variable moist forests closely related to seasonal climate change: during the dry season, under conditions of moisture deficiency, the plants are forced to shed their leaves, and during the wet season, again dress in foliage.

Climate B summer months the temperature in areas of variable-moist forests reaches 27 degrees Celsius, in winter months the thermometer rarely drops below 21 degrees. The rainy season comes after the hottest month. During the summer rainy season often there are thunderstorms, several days in a row can be observed overcast, often turning into rain. During the dry season in some areas, rain may not fall for two to three months.

Soil and landscape In Australia, as in Africa, there is a well-defined natural zoning landscapes. This is facilitated by the flat nature of the relief of the mainland and the absence of well-defined orographic boundaries on it. The subequatorial climatic zone corresponds mainly to savannahs and light forests (of eucalyptus, acacia and casuarina). Under the canopy of light eucalyptus forests and in savannas, red-brown and red-brown soils are formed. Within the subtropical belt in the southeast and southwest of the mainland, special natural complexes. In humid subtropical forests in the southeast of the mainland, eucalyptus forests grow on red and yellow soils, and evergreen southern beeches grow in the southern part of this zone.

Diversity of the animal world Biodiversity is also very high here, however, much less than in the humid equatorial forests. Animals and plants here have to adapt to strongly changing weather conditions during a year. The animal world of variable rainforests is rich and varied. There are many rodents in the lower tier. Among the branches of trees found a haven of a monkey

The relationship between soil, climate, animals. Among the plants of variable humid forests, evergreen, coniferous and deciduous trees are distinguished. In variable humid forests lives significantly red. The soils here are also ferralitic, but predominantly red. With a decrease in the amount of rain, the concentration of humus in them increases. Variably humid forests, as well as equatorial forests, are threatened by humans. Restoration of these forests is possible, however, it will take a long time, so it is necessary to think about their rational use.

Variably moist forests grow in those areas of the Earth where precipitation in the form of rain does not fall all year round, but the dry season lasts a short time. They are located in Africa north and south of the equatorial rainforests, as well as in the northeast of Australia.

See geographical position zones of variable rainforests on the map natural areas.

The life of variable humid forests is closely related to seasonal climatic changes: during the dry season, under conditions of moisture deficiency, plants are forced to shed their leaves, and during the wet season, again dress in foliage.

Climate. In the summer months, the temperature in the areas of variable-moist forests reaches 27 degrees Celsius, in the winter months the thermometer rarely drops below 21 degrees. The rainy season comes after the hottest month. During the summer rainy season, there are frequent thunderstorms, overcast days can be observed for several days in a row, often turning into rain. During the dry season in some areas, rain may not fall for two to three months.

Variably humid forests are dominated by yellow earth and red earth soil. The structure of the soil is granular-cloddy, the humus content gradually decreases downwards, on the surface - 2-4%.

Among the plants of variable humid forests, evergreen, coniferous and deciduous trees are distinguished. Evergreens include palm trees, ficuses, bamboo, all kinds of magnolia, cypress, camphor tree, tulip tree. deciduous trees are represented by linden, ash, walnut, oak, maple. Of the evergreens, fir and spruce are often found.

Animals.

The animal world of variable rainforests is rich and varied. Many rodents live in the lower tier, among large animals - elephants, tigers and leopards, monkeys, pandas, lemurs, all kinds of felines have found shelter among the branches of trees. There are Himalayan bears, a raccoon dog and a wild boar. A variety of birds is represented by pheasants, parrots, partridges and black grouse. Pelicans and herons are found on the banks of rivers and lakes.

Man has destroyed a significant part of the variable rainforests. Rice, tea bush, mulberry, tobacco, cotton, citrus fruits are grown on the site of cut down forests. It will take a long time to restore the lost areas of forests.

In areas with a variable regime of change of seasonal rains and drought, moist forests of a variable type were formed. They are unique in their natural and climatic characteristics, contain unique landscapes, various representatives of flora and fauna. During the wet season, they resemble equatorial forests, abundant and evergreen.

Variably humid forests are characterized by seasonal precipitation falling on their territory, which distinguishes this type of forests from permanently humid forests. Non-year-round rainfall and often high daily temperature indicators affect the variety of plants and their special properties dump the main greens during the absence of rains. This unique ability allows you to save residual moisture during the scorching sun. Thanks to this ability, these forests can also be found under the names of deciduous forests or monsoon forests.

This type of forest is often located on the territory of the belt of the subequatorial variety and occupies some territories of the continents of almost all continents.

The biological diversity in the territories of deciduous forests is enormous, although it cannot be compared with the biodevelopment of moist forests in the equatorial regions of the Earth. This is due to the existing strong contrast between the favorable rainy period and the maximum drought, which contributes to the adaptation of all animals and plants to this difficult habitat. In the rainy summer period, precipitation falls up to 2000 mm. Then there is a sharp transition to winter time no precipitation.

The characteristic features of the periods of the year and climate have left their mark on the formation of ferralitic red soils, in which the formation of a humus layer is enhanced with a seasonal reduction in rainfall.

Where are variable rainforests located?

Wet forests of a variable type are located mainly in the subequatorial climate, which is characterized by a regime of drought and rainy periods. This type of forest is located on small areas of the planet, but nevertheless occupies many regions: namely the Central African Republic, northern part of Angola, Cameroon, Congo, southern borders of Sudan; North America; South America, namely vast territories; India; Sri Lanka; large areas of Indochina.

Variable-moist forests are also located in the territories of the subtropical and temperate climatic zones. In particular, this applies to the monsoon climate from the east of Eurasia. Variably humid forests affect the territories of such states as Korea, China and Russia. In the territory Russian Federation forests of this type are traced on Sakhalin, in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories.

Features of variable-moist forests

Variably humid forests are distributed in small areas on all continents of the planet, except for Antarctica. Comparing variable-humid forests with equatorial forests, one can clearly trace three main seasonal rhythms: winter cool and dry from November to February; transitional hot and dry from March to May inclusive; summer is hot and humid, falling between June and October. May is considered the hottest month of the year. This month temperature values reach maximum heights up to + 35-37 degrees, trees get rid of foliage to retain moisture in the soil, rivers dry up.

The summer monsoon overtakes the forest areas at the end of the last month of spring, enveloping the area with hurricanes, rain and severe thunderstorms. At this time, nature is reborn again, the soil is saturated with moisture.
In India, forests with variable humidity occupy the climatic tropical belt. Due to this, the most important tree species grow there, such as teak and ironwood. Also, the variable-humid forests of India have become a habitat for a wide variety of animals and birds that are not typical for other places on the planet.

Monsoon regions are also characteristic of Asia from its southern and eastern side, South and Central America, as well as Australia from the northeast and north of the mainland.

Climate of variable-humid forests

The climate of forest zones with a variable climate is characterized by their geographic location. Being in the subequatorial transition zone, some territories are subject to the monsoon climate. Average summer temperatures in daytime do not exceed the established +28 degrees, and winter ones do not fall below +21 degrees. Before the start of the rainy season comes the hottest period of the year.

Annual rainfall rates range from 650 to 2000 mm. The intratropical convergence zone has a significant impact on precipitation and cloudiness during the rainy summer period. There are often strong thunderstorms here, the sky is overcast with solid gray clouds, turning into heavy rains. It is noteworthy that during the rainy season, 95% of the entire annual moisture norm falls immediately. Due to subtropical anticyclones, a dry climate and arid winters are created above the territories of variable-humid forests.

Soils of variable-humid forests

Soils in all areas of variable-moist forests are significantly different from their own kind. They have a red tint and have a strong weathering of minerals. In areas of this type of forest, a large percentage of moisture falls in a short period of time and constant heat allows countless greenery to spread. Vegetation gives the soil organic acids, which the volume of water carries into the deep layers of the soil, thereby starting the process of dissolution of mineral rocks. An important fact is that the soil in the territory of variable forests is millions of years old. With such a strong rhythm of the process of weathering and moisture, most of the mineral and biochemical elements they are cleaned from the soil with water and only the most stable remain - iron, quartz, aluminum, kaolinite.

For this property, soils are called ferrallitic. The content of iron oxides, depending on the percentage, gives the soil a reddish tint, yellow and dark brown.
Variably humid forests are characterized by a humus horizon, which has a mixed color, echoing the yellow and red hues of the soil. In areas where the humus horizon is more resistant to leaching, there are more red-brown soils than minerals, and agriculture is actively developing.

Animals of variable-moist forests

Variably humid forests do not have a wide variety of animal species, but they are unique in their own way and have their own specifics, which makes them similar to the hylaean fauna. Representatives of animals of arid communities prevail, in particular, in thorny bushes and light forests.
The forced conditions of adaptation to arid conditions favorably contributed to the emergence of a unique biome.

A number of species of phytophagous animals in variable-humid forests are many times more diverse than in hylaea. This is due to the largest grass layers, that is, the largest amount of grass top dressing. Grass layering is most pronounced in light forests and shrublands, since it is not covered by a continuous cover of trees. This gives an abundant development of the forest floor, in which a large number of small insects live, including cockroaches, worms, mites, termites. The roots of plants and trees have become a haven and feeding place for aphids, beetles, bedbugs, goldfish, scale insects. It does not do without predatory invertebrates, namely scorpions, predatory beetles and poisonous centipedes.

Numerous and varied are not only small insects. Territories of deciduous forests are occupied by ungulates, terrestrial turtles, rodents and birds. The most common birds among carnivores and cereals are the parrot and the common peacock. Among mammals from the category of herbivorous squirrels, mice, porcupines, rats, bandicots are often found. Large animals in variable-moist forests are presented in the form of tigers, leopards, monkeys, adapted to the seasonality of the territory, pandas, elephants, rhinos and macaques, as well as anteaters, llamas, sloths.

Plants of variable-humid forests

Forests with a variable wet type are similar to hylaea, but have a smaller variety of subspecies. In general, they retain a similar set of living forms. The main differences are mainly manifested in the seasonal rhythm at the level of the upper layer of trees of deciduous species. The median forest stand includes more shrub varieties, and the grass cover is distinguished by the presence of dicotyledonous plants and ferns. Among these main tiers are man-made and are represented in small numbers in the form of cultivated plantations.

The structure of plants has 5 clearly distinguishable tiers:

- tier A, which includes the tallest trees;

- tier B, which is a continuous greenery of trees;

- layer C, located below layer B, but often intertwined with it and creating a dense cover;

- tier D, called shrub;

- tier E, meaning grass cover.

The most common tree is teak. This species makes up a large percentage of trees in Thailand, Burma and India. In addition to teak, laurel and marada are often found, having valuable wood. In the shrub layer, one of the varieties of bamboo used local residents for the extensive production of household items. The grass layer is filled with wild-growing forage cereal crops.

The shores, protected from the sea winds, serve as a habitat for mangroves. And palm trees are common along rivers and swamps.

Variable-humid forests of Eurasia

A kind of transitional zone on the territory of Eurasia between wet tropical forests and deserts is a zone of variable-humid forests. In Eurasia, it is located on the Hindustan Peninsula and the eastern part of Eurasia, affecting the ocean. It is characterized by a changeable monsoon climate, that is, a period of dry weather is replaced by a rainy season.

Located in the subtropical zone, the climate differs markedly from the Mediterranean. Despite this, the territory is overpopulated, which adversely affected the quality of flora and fauna. The characteristic features of the biome are clearly visible only in protected areas and reserves.
The forests of Eurasia are distinguished by a wide variety of evergreen, multi-layered plants. Laurel, teak, iron and camphor trees grow on the territory. Asian forests are famous for lianas.

You can also find many varieties of palm trees and orchids. There is a great variety of spicy plants that are comfortable growing in such a climate. by the most prominent representatives are turmeric, cardamom, pepper, sesame and nutmeg.

The climate is most comfortable for the development of agriculture. Plantations of bananas, mangoes, coffee, papaya, sugar cane and more are grown. The main occupation of farmers is the cultivation of rice.

Subtropical variable-humid forests

Variably humid forests of the subtropics are found on the coasts of the continents from their eastern side. In Eurasia, this is East China, Japan on the south side, South Korea south, southeast North America, Brazil from its southern side, the rivers of Uruguay, the north of New Zealand, Africa and Australia.
The amount of precipitation in the annual count does not exceed 1600 mm, while the evaporation rate remains at 1200. The amount of precipitation is greater than their evaporation. But at the same time, the decrease in the amount of evaporated precipitation occurs in proportion to the decrease in the volume of precipitation. This zone can be partially called an analogue of wet forests, but taking into account the regime, thermal and radiation values.

Vegetation is characterized by polydominance. The forests are evergreen with developed and clearly traced layering. Creepers, grass cover, broadleaf forests, which in some regions create taiga. Mixing vegetation zones happens randomly.

Soils, due to climatic conditions, have red and yellow shades of soil. The humus layer is thin, but clearly visible.

Variable rainforests of North America

A variety of variable-moist forests is developed on the territories of the western coast of the North and South America, where air masses from the ocean bring warm air and an average annual rainfall of up to 500 mm. The western regions of North America are also characterized by variable seasonal precipitation due to climatic zone, but at the same time there are significant temperature changes. During the daytime summer period year, the air can warm up to + 28-32 degrees, and in winter it can reach only 0- +2 degrees.

The plants of the variable-moist forests of North America have mainly 3 tiers: high, low and medium. But despite such an abundance, cold winters significantly reduce the quantitative index of animal forms. And compared to more wet forests ecology is the least complex. Most high representatives tree layer in western North America are represented by four main varieties: hemlock, spruce, fir and thuja. Their adult representatives can reach a height of up to 84 meters. Sequoia is the least common in variable-humid forests.

The litter level is compacted with a layer of fallen leaves and coniferous needles mixed with branches and rotten trees. All this is located on the surface adjacent to lichens, several varieties of mosses, grasses and algae. In some places you can see the accumulation of saprophytes actively involved in the processing of the surface layer.

Due to the large amount of organic matter, the soil is rich nutrients. All this nutrient material is slowly processed by the smallest microorganisms. Thanks to extensive plants and rich soil animal world varied. A greater percentage of the animals that exist in this area live on the ground or slightly above its level. This is due to more in a simple way food and better shelter from the heat during the drought.

Ecological problems of variable-humid forests

Variably humid forests are experiencing a number of environmental problems associated with vigorous activity person. The ecosystems of these forests, despite general climate, are slightly different due to their geographical location, but are similar in structure and contain a rich biome. Currently, at the location of this biome, active work is underway to cultivate agricultural land.

Due to the reduction in wildlife Hundreds of species of animals and reptiles are under attack every day, especially key species on which the existence of subspecies depends to one degree or another. Variably humid forests, which are a simplified version of wet gils, are a kind of superorganism where it is impossible to replace wild nature with cultivated nature.

In parallel with the total cutting down of trees, species of insects, trees, plants, birds, representatives of fauna disappear, soils degrade. Changes in soil structures occur due to the seasonality of the climate. In heavy rainfall, without grass and shrub cover, the earth is washed out, leaving only unusable minerals, and during a drought it dries up without the possibility of creating a humus layer.

By reducing the percentage of forest volume by clearing and cultivating land for agricultural purposes, the entire biome, hydrology and microclimate is changed without the right to revival. Cutting down also leads to more global issues humanity - to new forms of viruses, previously unknown and spreading around the world. So ecological problems Variably humid forests contributed to the spread of the Ebola virus.

The exceptional originality and antiquity of the flora and fauna of Australia is explained by its long isolation. Most plant species (75%) and animals (90%) of Australia are endemic, that is, they are not found anywhere else in the world. There are few mammals among the animals, however, species extinct on other continents, including marsupials (about 160 species), have survived. Characteristic representatives of the Australian flora are eucalyptus (600 species), acacia (490 species) and casuarina. The mainland did not give the world valuable cultivated plants.

Australia is located in four geographical zones- from subequatorial to moderate. The change in natural zones is due to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. The flat nature of the relief contributes to a well-defined, disturbed only in the east. The main part of the continent lies in tropical latitudes, That's why greatest development received tropical deserts and semi-deserts, occupying half the area of ​​the mainland.

The central parts of the mainland in two geographical zones (tropical and subtropical) are occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. Australia is rightly called the desert continent (Great Sandy, big desert Victoria, Gibson Desert, etc.). On the Western Australian Plateau in tropical conditions continental climate dominated by tropical deserts and semi-deserts. In stony and sandy riverbeds, thin forests of casuarinas stretch along the riverbeds. In the hollows of clayey semi-deserts, there are thickets of quinoa and salt-tolerant species of acacia and eucalyptus. Deserts are characterized by "pillows" of bushy cereal spinifex. Soils of semi-deserts are gray soils, deserts are primitive stony, clayey or sandy.

In the south of the mainland in the subtropics, deserts and semi-deserts occupy the Nullarbor plain (“treeless”) and the Murray-Darling lowland. They are formed in a subtropical continental climate on brown semi-desert and gray-brown soils. Against the background of dry rare cereals, wormwood and saltwort are found, tree and shrub vegetation is absent.

The shortage problem is the most acute in Australia. Previously, it was solved by pumping groundwater from numerous wells. But at present, a decrease in the water level in artesian basins has been recorded. The depletion of underground water reserves, along with a decrease in the full flow of rivers, has exacerbated the shortage of water in Australia, forcing the implementation of programs to conserve it.

One of the ways to preserve nature is the creation of specially protected natural areas. They occupy 11% of the area of ​​the continent. One of the most visited is the Kosciuszko park in the Australian. In the north is one of the largest parks in the world - Kakadu, where not only wetlands are taken under protection, which serve as a habitat for many endemic birds, but also caves with Aboriginal rock art. In the Blue Mountains Park, stunning mountain landscapes with a variety of eucalyptus forests are protected. The nature of deserts has also been taken under protection (parks Great Victoria Desert, Simpson Desert). object world heritage Ayers Rock, a giant red sandstone monolith sacred to the Aborigines, has been recognized by UNESCO in Uluru-Katayuta Park. fairy world corals are protected in the underwater park of the Great Barrier Reef.

In big barrier reef there is the greatest diversity of corals on the planet (up to 500 species). The threat, in addition to pollution of coastal waters and poaching, is posed by polyp-eating Starfish"crown of thorns". Temperature increase ocean waters Due to global warming, corals are bleaching and dying.

The main feature of the animal and flora Australia - the predominance of endemics. Australia is the most deserted continent. Global, exhaustion water resources, depletion of flora and fauna pose a threat to the nature of the mainland. specially protected natural areas occupy 11% of the area of ​​the continent.

Geographical location, natural conditions

In the subequatorial belt, due to seasonal precipitation and uneven distribution of precipitation over the territory, as well as contrasts in annual course temperatures, on the plains of Hindustan, Indochina and in the northern half of the Philippine Islands, landscapes of subequatorial variable humid forests develop.

Variably humid forests occupy the wettest areas of the lower reaches of the Ganges-Brahmaputra, coastal regions of Indochina and the Philippine archipelago, are especially well developed in Thailand, Burma, the Malay Peninsula, where at least 1500 millimeters of precipitation falls. On drier plains and plateaus, where the amount of precipitation does not exceed 1000-800 millimeters, seasonally moist monsoon forests grow, which once covered large areas of the Hindustan peninsula and southern Indochina (Korat Plateau). With a decrease in precipitation to 800-600 millimeters and a reduction in the rainfall period from 200 to 150-100 days a year, forests are replaced by savannahs, woodlands and shrubs.

The soils here are ferralitic, but predominantly red. With a decrease in the amount of rain, the concentration of humus in them increases. They are formed as a result of ferralitic weathering (the process is accompanied by the decay of most of the primary minerals, with the exception of quartz, and the accumulation of secondary ones - kaolinite, goethite, gibbsite, etc.) and humus accumulation under forest vegetation humid tropics. They are characterized by low content of silica, high content of aluminum and iron, low cation exchange and high anion absorption capacity, predominantly red and variegated yellow-red color of the soil profile, very acid reaction. Humus contains mainly fulvic acids. Humus contain 8-10%.

The hydrothermal regime of seasonally humid tropical communities is characterized by constantly high temperatures and a sharp change in the wet and dry seasons, which determines the specific features of the structure and dynamics of their fauna and animal population, which noticeably distinguish them from communities of humid rainforest. First of all, the presence of a dry season lasting from two to five months determines the seasonal rhythm of life processes in almost all animal species. This rhythm is expressed in the confinement of the breeding period mainly to the wet season, in the complete or partial cessation of activity during the drought, in the migratory movements of animals both within the biome under consideration and outside it during the unfavorable dry season. Falling into full or partial anabiosis is typical for many terrestrial and soil invertebrates, for amphibians, and migration is typical for some insects capable of flight (for example, locusts), for birds, bats and large ungulates.

Vegetable world

Variably humid forests (Figure 1) are similar in structure to hylaea, differing at the same time in a smaller number of species. In general, the same set life forms, variety of lianas and epiphytes. Differences are manifested precisely in the seasonal rhythm, primarily at the level of the upper tier of the forest stand (up to 30% of the trees of the upper tier are deciduous species). At the same time, the lower tiers include a large number of evergreen species. The grass cover is represented mainly by ferns and dicots. In general, these are transitional types of communities, in places largely reduced by man and replaced by savannahs and plantations.

Figure 1 - Variably humid forest

The vertical structure of humid subequatorial forests is complex. Usually there are five tiers in this forest. The upper tree layer A is formed by the tallest trees, isolated or forming groups, the so-called emergents, raising their “heads and shoulders” above the main canopy - a continuous layer B. The lower tree layer C often penetrates into layer B. Tier D is commonly called shrub. It is formed mainly by woody plants, of which only a few can hardly be called shrubs in the exact sense of the word, or rather, these are “dwarf trees”. Finally, the lower tier E is formed by grasses and tree seedlings. The boundaries between adjacent tiers may be better or worse. Sometimes one tree layer imperceptibly passes into another. Tree layers are better expressed in monodominant communities than in polydominant ones.

The most common teak forest, which is characterized by a teak tree. Trees of this species can be considered an essential component of the summer green forests of India, Burma, Thailand and relatively dry areas. East Java. In India, where very small patches of these natural zonal forests are still preserved, ebony and marada or Indian laurel grow together with teak mainly; all these species provide valuable timber. But teak wood, which has a number of valuable properties, is especially in great demand: it is hard, resistant to fungi and termites, and also reacts poorly to changes in humidity and temperature. Therefore, teak growers specially grow teak (in Africa and South America). The monsoon forests are best explored in Burma and Thailand. In them, along with teak wood, there are Pentacme suavis, Dalbergia paniculata, Tectona hamiltoniana, whose wood is stronger and heavier than teak wood, then giving bast fibers Bauhinia racemosa, Callesium grande, Ziziphus jujuba, Holarrhenia dysenteriaca with white soft wood used for turning and woodcarving. One of the bamboo species, Dendrocalamus strictus, grows in the shrub layer. The layer of grasses consists mainly of grasses, among which the bearded vulture predominates. Along estuaries and other storm-protected areas sea ​​coast the muddy tidal strip (littoral) is occupied by mangroves (Figure 2). The trees of this phytocenosis are characterized by thick stilted roots, like thin piles extending from the trunks and lower branches, as well as respiratory roots sticking out of the silt in vertical columns.

Figure 2 - Mangroves

Extensive swamps stretch along the rivers in the tropical rainforest zone: heavy rains lead to regular high floods, and floodplain areas are constantly flooded. The marshy forests are often dominated by palm trees and species diversity less here than in drier places.

Animal world

The fauna of the seasonally humid subtropical communities is not as rich as the fauna of the humid equatorial forests due to the dry period, which is unfavorable for animals. Although the species composition of various groups of animals in them is specific, at the level of genera and families, a great similarity with the gilea fauna is noticeable. Only in the driest variants of these communities, in light forests and thorny bushes, do species related to typical representatives of the fauna of arid communities begin to noticeably predominate.

Forced adaptations to drought contributed to the formation of a number of special animal species characteristic of this particular biome. In addition, some species of phytophagous animals are here more diverse in species composition than in Hylaea, due to the greater development of the herbaceous layer and, accordingly, the greater diversity and richness of herbaceous food.

The layering of the animal population in seasonally humid communities is noticeably simpler than in humid tropical forests. The simplification of layering is especially pronounced in light forests and shrub communities. However, this applies mainly to the tree layer, since the stand itself is less dense, diverse and does not reach such a height as in the hylaea. On the other hand, the herbaceous layer is much more pronounced, since it is not shaded so strongly by woody vegetation. The population of the litter layer is also much richer here, since the deciduousness of many trees and the drying of grasses during the dry period ensure the formation of a rather thick litter layer.

The presence of a litter layer formed by leaf and grass decay ensures the existence of a trophic group of saprophages with a diverse composition. In the soil-litter layer live roundworm nematodes, annelids, megascolecides, small and large nodule worms, oribatid mites, springtails, springtails, cockroaches, termites. All of them are involved in the processing of dead plant mass, but the leading role is played by termites already familiar to us from the giley fauna.

Consumers of green mass of plants in seasonal communities are very diverse. This is determined primarily by the presence of a well-developed herbaceous layer in combination with a more or less closed tree layer. Thus, chlorophytophages specialize either in eating the leaves of trees or in using herbaceous plants, many feed on plant sap, bark, wood and roots.

Plant roots are eaten by larvae of cicadas and various beetles - beetles, gold beetles, dark beetles. The juices of living plants are sucked by adult cicadas, bugs, aphids, worms and scale insects. Green plant mass is consumed by caterpillars of butterflies, stick insects, herbivorous beetles - beetles, leaf beetles, weevils. Seeds of herbaceous plants are used as food by reaper ants. The green mass of herbaceous plants is eaten mainly by various locusts.

Numerous and diverse consumers of green vegetation and among vertebrates. These are terrestrial turtles from the genus Testudo, granivorous and frugivorous birds, rodents and ungulates.

The monsoon forests of South Asia are home to the wild chicken (Callus gallus) and the common peacock (Pavochstatus). In the crowns of trees, Asian necklace parrots (Psittacula) get their food.

Figure 3 - Asian ratuf squirrel

Among herbivorous mammals, rodents are the most diverse. They can be found in all tiers of seasonal tropical forests and light forests. The tree layer is inhabited mainly by various representatives of the squirrel family - palm squirrels and a large ratuf squirrel (Figure 3). In the terrestrial layer, rodents from the mouse family are common. In South Asia, large porcupine (Hystrix leucura) can be found under the forest canopy, Rattus rats and Indian bandicots (Bandicota indica) are common everywhere.

Various predatory invertebrates live in the forest floor - large centipedes, spiders, scorpions, predatory beetles. Many spiders that build trapping nets, such as large nephilous spiders, also inhabit the tree layer of the forest. Praying mantises, dragonflies, ktyr flies, predatory bugs prey on small insects on the branches of trees and shrubs.

Small predatory animals prey on rodents, lizards and birds. The most characteristic are various viverrids - civet, mongoose.

Of the large carnivores in the seasonal forests, the leopard is relatively common, penetrating here from the hylae, as well as tigers.