Hard-leaved and evergreen forests and shrubs grow in relatively compact groups in several areas. This natural zone was formed in the subtropical climatic zone, where the winter period is cool with strong moisture, and the summer is sultry. The annual amount of rainwater is about 600 mm. On the territory of forests, special soils have developed - brown. They are characterized by a large layer of humus and high fertility with an abundance of rainfall.
The key effect on the composition and activity of biocenoses in the subtropical region is exerted by the intensity and mode of precipitation. Low temperatures, especially those lasting a long time, practically do not exist here.
Geographical position
Hard-leaved and evergreen forests and shrubs grow on the territory of the Australian continent, the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, western North America, the African continent. Vegetation of this type belongs to sclerophytes. Forests have a rich species composition not only of flora, but also of fauna. A large number of animals adapted to life in these conditions.
What is remarkable for hard-leaved and evergreen forests and shrubs? The geographical position determined the composition of their flora and fauna. In the north of them are temperate forests. Endless deserts, savannas and tropical thickets approach them from the south. This arrangement determined the specific composition of the animal world, which resembles a symbiosis of the fauna of neighboring regions.
Animal world
Hard-leaved and evergreen forests and shrubs, animals living in them form a full-fledged ecosystem. In the forests of the Mediterranean Sea lives a large number of marmots and gophers. Their number gives out a lot of holes visible everywhere. From reptiles live snakes, turtles and various lizards. A large number of orthoptera and other insects. Among the birds, one can distinguish warbler, bluebird and mockingbird.
The hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs in Spain are home to genetics and tailless macaques. Corsica and Sardinia - the habitat of wild hares and goats, as well as mouflon. Among the birds, a black vulture, a Spanish sparrow and a mountain chicken stand out. The fauna of Australian eucalyptus forests is characterized by an abundance of slow koalas.
Vegetable world
Hard-leaved and evergreen forests and shrubs grow on all continents, but most of them in the Mediterranean Sea and on the Australian mainland. One of the most noticeable climatic features - warm and humid periods do not coincide in time. Thanks to this regime, sclerophytes dominate in these areas, having a number of distinctive features:
- There is bark or cork on the trunk.
- Branching plants begin almost from the ground.
- The widest crowns.
- Tough foliage that persists for several years.
- Often, leaf blades on the underside are fluffy.
- Wax coating is common.
- High content of essential oils.
- Deep penetration of roots into the soil (in some species up to 20 m).
The species diversity is great. The main period of flora growth occurs in the autumn-spring season. At this time, plants are actively blooming. Forests are very light with developed tiers of grass and bushes. Plants with bulbs and tubers that bloom in autumn or spring predominate.
Hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs have a long-established species composition. Cork and stone oaks dominate . Some representatives of the latter have a height of 20 m.
Deforestation
In the area of the Mediterranean Sea, as a result of anthropogenic impact, the process of forest extinction occurs. It lasts for several hundred years. Hard-leaved and evergreen forests and shrubs also disappear due to erosion, runoff and soil destruction. Because of this, the areas of stone soils unsuitable for plant life grow.
Areas that are not used for agricultural land, moved to maquis. This is the first stage of forest degradation. These areas are intensively cut down and suffer from fires that occur during the summer drought. The destroyed maquis is replaced by garigu - low bushes and xerophile herbs. Among them is kermes oak, its height is not more than 150 cm, but it is able to survive the fire and be reborn.