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South America is rich in a variety of plant and animal species. This is primarily due to the fact that here most of the territory is occupied by tropical rainforests, in which small areas you can meet a great variety of diverse life forms, many of which are not yet known to scientists. In addition to the vast tropical forests, in South America there are steppes, which are called pampas, coniferous and deciduous forests. All of them are located to the south, in a more temperate climate.

The main part of the tropical forests of South America is located in the Amazon basin, for which this region was called the Amazon. Scientists believe that the Amazonian forests are the "lungs" of the planet. Indeed, they absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide and release a lot of oxygen, maintaining the balance of these gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

The climate of the tropical forests is warm and humid. It's never winter here. All this contributes to the rapid development of life. Plants use every centimeter of space to gain a foothold and make their way to the sun. Many of them have adapted to live in large trees, using their trunk and branches as soil. This allows them to be closer to the light. Many insects live in these forests, among which you can find huge beetles and butterflies. Because of the bright light and a lot of light reflections, birds, butterflies and even flies had to “dress up” in incredibly colorful and bright outfits.

Unfortunately, America's rainforests are being mercilessly destroyed for valuable timber. By cutting down trees, people destroy the habitat for millions of other plants and animals. Clearings leave the land bare, and stormy torrents wash the soil into rivers. This leads to the fact that in the next hundreds of years the restoration of tropical forests becomes almost impossible.

The jaguar is the largest predator in South America. The body length of jaguars is up to 2 m, and the mass reaches 130 kg. This is a close relative of the African leopard, only stronger and more densely built.

Before intensive human use of tropical forests, jaguars lived in the territory from Argentina to the United States. Now these are rare animals and are found only in remote forest places.

Jaguars try to stick to forest waters, they are excellent swimmers and climb trees. Like most big cats, he lives and hunts alone. The prey is guarded and rushed at it from an ambush. They catch ungulates, monkeys, large rodents - capybaras, without abandoning the monkeys that have descended to the ground.

Males and females come together only during the breeding season. After mating, the male immediately disappears, leaving the female to take care of the offspring. Previously, jaguars were distributed throughout South America, now their range is limited to dense impenetrable forests and national parks.

Armadillos are peculiar mammals, they can be found only on the American continent. The smallest of the armadillos is the small frilled, or Argentine shield-bearer, the body length is not more than 12-15 cm. The giant armadillo, the largest of the armadillos, reaches a length of more than 1 m and weighs about 50 kg.

These animals got their name for the bony shell, which is laid in their skin and serves as a passive defense tool against predators. From above, the bone plates of the shell are covered with a horny substance. Armadillos have little wool, only rare tufts can be seen on the belly and between the plates. Therefore, there are no armadillos in the cold regions of the continent; they are heat-loving animals.

The nine-banded armadillo is quite common in America. Its dimensions are small, the body length reaches half a meter, and the weight is 5-8 kg. Armadillos have long claws, 3-4 cm, so when walking, the front paws rest on their tips. They run fast enough.

Armadillos are excellent diggers. In case of danger, they quickly, in a few minutes, dig a hole and hide underground. It is difficult for a predator to grab them by their protected back. When attacked, armadillos try to hide first, usually quickly burrowing into the ground. But in extreme cases, they roll up into a tight ball, so that the whole body is protected by a shell.

Armadillos live in burrows and are active at night. Their food is varied: frogs, lizards, juicy fruits and mushrooms, but termites are their favorite. With the help of long claws, it easily destroys termite mounds.

Having few enemies, armadillos are not too sensitive to danger. So, they often get out on the highway at night and do not run away even in the headlights, for which they often pay with their lives.

giant anteater

In the tropical part of Central and South America, peculiar mammals live - anteaters. The largest among them is the giant anteater.

In these animals, the anterior part of the head is disproportionately elongated and looks like a tube. The mouth is so small that only a thin, long tongue crawls through it. Giant anteaters have a huge flat tail, with which they cover themselves like a blanket while resting. The length of such a blanket is almost a meter, and the width is 80 cm.

Anteaters live in forests and savannas. Most of the time they roam in search of food, mainly ants and termites. The main tool for the extraction of insects is the tongue - a kind of trapping organ. It is wetted with sticky saliva and pulled out of the mouth like a string, more than 60 cm. Such a tongue allows the anteater to reach the most secluded places of the ant dwelling. To destroy impregnable termite mounds, anteaters use powerful forepaws armed with claws. Even jaguars fear these claws. In the event of an attack by a predator, the anteater is able to inflict terrible, non-healing wounds on it. Only young, inexperienced jaguars risk attacking a large anteater.

The female anteater gives birth to only one cub, which she carries on her back.

Maned wolves have a thin body and long legs, its weight reaches 25 kg. Being tall, they can look out for prey in the pampas and coastal lowlands where they live. Maned wolves feed on small mammals, insects, birds, plants, and fruits. They live alone, meeting only during mating. The female usually gives birth to three or four cubs and raises them herself. The beautiful and unusual maned wolf with its red fur, black muzzle, mane and paws has been nicknamed the fox on stilts, and it really looks more like a fox.

The economic development of the areas where they live and the intensive hunting of wolves have led to a sharp reduction in their numbers. For the past hundred years they have been constantly pushed further and further west.

Tapir

Tapirs are unusual animals. They are heavy, densely built, with short, thick legs and a small trunk. Outwardly, they resemble pigs, but they are larger. The body weight of tapirs reaches 300 kg. Tapirs are related to horses and rhinos. They belong to the order of equids.

The lowland tapir lives in the swampy forests and scrublands of South America. Its body is painted dark brown. Young tapirs have a yellow or reddish body with bright white stripes or spots. Such motley coloration makes them invisible to predators.

Tapirs are exclusively herbivorous. They spend the whole night eating a variety of plants, mainly aquatic ones. They are excellent swimmers, and in order to get the tasty parts of some plants, they are able to dive to a considerable depth. They live alone or in pairs, trying not to go to the neighbors' plot.

Tapirs are easy to train and do well in captivity.

In the Andes, from the foothills to the borders of eternal snows, passing at an altitude of 5 km, llamas live. These are pets. Local Indians tamed llamas long before the arrival of the Spaniards in South America. They use them as beasts of burden and for meat and wool. Lamas are very hardy: laden with luggage weighing tens of kilograms, they are able to walk for many kilometers without rest. In addition, they run great, on the mountain plains reaching speeds of up to 50 km / h.

The ancestors of llamas are wild guanacos, which are still found in the Andes. Guanacos are unpretentious, they feed on grass and mosses, they can even drink salt water. A favorite pastime of guanacos is swimming in mountain streams. They are happy to lie or stand in a cold stream for hours. And swim with great willingness and very well.

The Indians also domesticated alpacas, which are very similar to llamas, only smaller in size and have a thicker and longer coat. They probably also came from guanacos. Llamas, alpacas and guanacos are relatives of camels and belong to the callous-footed order. They easily interbreed with each other and give numerous offspring.

Vicuña lives in the most severe hard-to-reach high-altitude (over 4000 m) regions of the Andes. It belongs to the camel family and is perfectly adapted to life at high altitude. Thick fur reliably protects her from the freezing cold, and in very rarefied air she breathes easily due to the fact that her blood tends to be well filled with oxygen.

Vicuñas live in groups consisting of one male, several females and their cubs. The remaining males gather in independent groups of bachelors. Vicuñas feed on grass and lichen.

capybara

The capybara, or capybara, is the largest of all rodents that exist on earth. Her body reaches more than a meter in length, and she weighs about 60 kg. The capybara lives, as a rule, not far from the water: in swampy areas, in the coastal regions of rivers, in the forests and plains of South America - from Panama to Argentina.

During the dry season, capybaras gather in groups of 100 or more individuals near water bodies. Usually they live in small families (from 10 to 40 animals), consisting of dominant males and females with cubs. The rest of the males live separately and often fall prey to jaguars and anacondas. Capybaras are often attacked by predators, lying in wait near or inside water bodies where capybaras come to drink. Animals feed on grass and aquatic plants.

coata

Many different monkeys live in tall trees in the tropical forests of South America. Most often found koats. With strong tails, they cling to branches, jumping from one tree to another. There are four types of these monkeys. Most of them are black or dark brown.

They mainly feed on fruits, seeds, flowers, but they can also eat insects and bird eggs. Koats live in rather large communities, which are often divided into smaller groups. These monkeys are very mobile, they are dexterous acrobats and are among the most common species of monkeys in South America.

South America… Plants and animals of this region have attracted increased attention for centuries. It is here that a huge number of unique animals live, and the flora is represented by truly unusual plants. It is unlikely that in the modern world you can meet a person who would not agree to visit this continent at least once in his life.

General geographical description

In fact, the continent called South America is huge. Plants and animals are also diverse here, however, according to experts, all of them are largely due to the geographical location and features of the formation of the earth's surface.

The continent is washed on both sides by the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The main part of its territory is located in the southern hemisphere of the planet. The connection of the mainland with North America occurred in the Pliocene era during the formation of the Isthmus of Panama.

The Andes are a seismically active mountain system that stretches along the western border of the continent. To the east of the ridge flows the largest and almost the entire area is covered by South America.

Among other continents, this occupies the 4th place in terms of area and the 5th place in terms of population. There are two versions of the appearance of people in this territory. Perhaps the settlement occurred through the Bering Isthmus, or the first people came from the South Pacific.

Unusual features of the local climate

South America is the wettest continent on the planet with six climatic zones. In the north there is a subequatorial belt, and in the south there are belts of subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate climates. The northwest coast and lowlands of the Amazon have high humidity and an equatorial climate.

Jaguarundi

This small feline predator resembles a weasel or a cat. Jaguarundi has a long body (about 60 cm) with short legs, a small round head with triangular ears. The height at the withers reaches 30 cm, weight - up to 9 kg.

Wool of uniform color of gray, red or reddish-brown colors, not representing commercial value. Found in forests, savannahs or wetlands.

Feeds on insects, small animals and fruits. The jaguarundi lives and hunts alone, meets with other individuals only for breeding.

Here it is, unusual, stunning, alluring and bewitching South America, whose plants and animals are especially popular not only among scientists who connect their lives with the study of the continent, but also among curious tourists who seek to discover something new.

South America is the most diverse continent in the world in terms of flora, primarily due to its geographical location.

The diversity of the flora of South America is increasing due to the high mountains, especially the Andes, which stretch from north to south along the western part of the mainland.

South America includes as diverse as tropical rainforest, tropical, extremely dry, temperate and alpine forests.

The largest biomes are deserts, savannahs and rainforests. Due to the rapid rate of deforestation in places like , some plants may disappear before being registered, let alone studied.

The desert biome is the driest biome in South America and is generally limited to the western coast of the continent.

Arid conditions prevail from the coast to the relatively high Andes. The Atacama Desert in northern Chile and the Patagonian Desert in central Chile are the most famous deserts in South America. Smaller desert regions are also found in the rain shadow regions of the Andes.

Next on the humidity scale is the savannah biome, which is found in two completely different areas of the mainland. The largest savannahs are concentrated in regions such as: Cerrado; Pantanal; and further south, in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina, are the steppe savannas called the Pampas.

Although some of the forests in South America are dry, most of them receive 2000-3000 mm of rain annually. The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest rainforest, accounting for more than 3/4 of the mainland's forest area. This is one of the richest areas of vegetation on the planet, but it is rapidly being destroyed due to agricultural and other human activities. Young rainforests grow along the southeast coast of Brazil and in northern Venezuela.

A much smaller area is occupied by a small Mediterranean region in central Chile, characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers.

In the far south of Chile and in Argentina there is a small area that becomes the alpine tundra in the very south. Temperatures are relatively cool and mild throughout the year, except in the far south where it can get very cold in winter.

The Amazon rainforest is an extremely complex biome. The main plant biomass consists of trees, which form a closed dome that prevents much sunlight from reaching the forest floor.

Epiphytes

The forest floor has a small number of herbaceous plants, and most of the small species grow as epiphytes on the branches and trunks of trees. Epiphytes in the Amazon rainforest include species from the orchid family, bromeliads, and even some cacti.

There is a wide variety of bromeliads, ranging from small, inconspicuous species to larger species that can collect significant amounts of moisture in their central whorl of leaves. The water in these plants can form miniature, consisting of mosquito larvae, aquatic insects and frogs.

ferns

Ferns are considered another significant member of the epiphyte community. Some larger types of ferns, often called tree ferns, grow in the undergrowth.

creepers

Thus, the typical vegetation of the Amazon rainforest includes various types of vines.

The trees that form the canopy are divided into three fairly discrete levels. The two lowest levels are overcrowded, and the top level consists of tall trees that stand out randomly over the continuous lower layers.

Under the canopy there are a few smaller palm trees, shrubs and ferns, but they are only found densely where there is a break in the dome that allows sunlight to enter.

Some types of rainforests are well known, primarily for their economic value. The most popular wood for making furniture is mahogany. Because its wood is highly valued, many mahogany species are rare or have disappeared entirely.

South American rainforests are also a rich source of rubber. Brazil had a rubber monopoly until the seeds were smuggled out and planted in Malaysia, and synthetic rubber replaced natural rubber in several countries.

brazilian walnut tree

Another popular tree is the Brazilian walnut tree. Its fruits are rich in proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

cocoa tree

The fruits of the cocoa tree are widely used in cooking as the main ingredient in chocolate, as well as in medicine.

Every year during the rainy season, the lowest areas of the Amazon rainforest are filled with water (up to 1 m), which recedes after a few months. Trees grow well during this flood cycle.

Some trees have unique fruits that are eaten by fish and thus their seeds are dispersed. Flooding can be so extensive in some areas that the water reaches the lower parts of the canopy.

Coastal tropical rainforests are also found in northwestern and southeastern South America. Each of these forests contains a large number of endemic species. Some species of trees are so rare that they can be found in an area of ​​​​several square kilometers and nowhere else.

mangroves

Where the rainforest meets the ocean, they have adapted to the tidal environment.

Mangrove trees have a tangle of roots that often rise above the water, giving the appearance of "walking trees". Special root structures that rise above the water level during high tides allow the roots to breathe. Mangrove trees are also extremely salt tolerant.

Flora of mediterranean climate and temperate forests

Plants of the Mediterranean climate and temperate forests

This climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The vegetation consists mainly of leathery-deciduous evergreen shrubs that are well adapted to the long summer drought.

Chilean Matorral

The Chilean Matorral is the only Mediterranean area that has bromeliads. In lower areas, many shrubs are dry deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves in summer.

temperate forests

Since South America extends far to the south, it has a small region called the Valdivian forests. They range from temperate rain forest to drier temperate forests, and in all cases nothophagus tend to predominate.

It is dominated by small evergreen trees and shrubs. Fuchsias, prized throughout the world for their beautiful flowers, grow in the undergrowth. Although not rich in species, the temperate rainforests of the southern part of the continent can be quite dense.

Fauna of South America

No less rich than the vegetation cover, the fauna of South America is also characterized. The modern fauna, as well as the flora of the mainland, was formed starting from the end of the Cretaceous period, and from the middle of the Tertiary period, South America was isolated from other continents. This is connected with the antiquity of the fauna and the presence in its composition of a large number of endemic forms. Along with this, many of the oldest representatives of the animal world of South America or species close to them are found on other continents, which indicates the existence of long-standing land ties between the continents.

An example is marsupials, preserved only in South America and Australia.

There are no great apes in the fauna of South America. This circumstance, along with the absence of finds of the remains of primitive man, gave scientists grounds to assert that South America, like North America, was not the center of the formation of the human race and that man in South America was alien. All monkeys of South America belong to the broad-nosed group and are limited in their distribution to the tropical forest area.

A feature of the fauna of South America is also the presence in its composition of three endemic families of edentulous, united in one order.

A large number of endemic species, genera and even families are found among predators, ungulates and rodents of South America.

South America (together with Central America) stands out as a special Neotropical region of animals and is included within its two sub-regions - Brazilian and Chilean-Patagonian.

Depending on the differences in natural conditions, primarily in climate and vegetation, the fauna of different parts of the mainland is not the same. The tropical rainforests are characterized by the greatest originality and faunal richness, although the animals there do not play a big role in the landscape, hiding in dense thickets or spending most of their time on tall trees. Adaptation to an arboreal way of life is one of the features of the animals of the Amazonian forests, as well as the animals of the forests of the Congo Basin in Africa or the Malay Archipelago in Asia.

All American (broad-nosed) monkeys are associated with the tropical forests of South America, divided into two families - marmosets and capuchins.

Marmoset monkeys are small. The smallest of them - wistiti (Hapale jacchus) reach a length of no more than 15--16 cm, their limbs are equipped with claws that help them stay on tree trunks.

Many capuchin monkeys are characterized by a strong tail, which they cling to the branches of trees and which plays the role of a fifth limb for them.

Among the capuchins, a subfamily of howler monkeys stands out, which received its name for the ability to make screams that can be heard for many kilometers. Spider monkeys with long, flexible limbs are widespread.

Of the representatives of the edentulous family, sloths (Choloepus) live in tropical forests. They are little mobile and spend most of their time hanging in trees, feeding on leaves and shoots. Sloths climb trees confidently, and rarely fall to the ground.

Some anteaters are also adapted to life on trees. For example, it freely climbs tamandua trees; the small anteater, which has a tenacious tail, also spends most of its time in trees.

The large anteater is common in forests and savannahs and leads a terrestrial lifestyle.

Rainforest predators of the feline family are ocelots, small jaguarundi and large and strong jaguars, which sometimes even attack humans.

Of the predators belonging to the canine family, the little-studied forest or bush dog living in the tropical forests of Brazil and Guiana is interesting. Tree-hunting forest animals include the nasua (Nasua) and the kinkajou (Potos flavus).

Ungulates, few in South America, have only a few representatives in the forests. Among them are tapir (Tapirus terrestris), a small black peccary pig, small South American pointed deer.

Characteristic representatives of rodents in the forests of the Amazonian lowland and other parts of South America are the arboreal chain-tailed porcupines of the Coendu (Coendu), which climb trees well. Agoutis (Dasyprocta aguouti), which are found in the forests of Brazil and Guiana, do great harm to plantations of tropical crops. Almost throughout the mainland, and especially in the Amazonian forests, the capybara, or capybara (Hydrochoerus capibara), is the largest of the rodents, having a body up to 120 cm long.

In the forests of South and Central America, there are several species of marsupial rats, or opossums. Some of them are equipped with a tenacious tail and climb trees well.

The Amazon forests are teeming with bats, among which there are species that feed on the blood of warm-blooded mammals.

Reptiles and amphibians are very richly represented in the forests. Of the reptiles, the water boa, the anaconda (Eunectes murinos) and the land boa constrictor (Constrictor constrictor), stand out. Many poisonous snakes, lizards. There are crocodiles in the waters of the rivers. Of the amphibians, there are many frogs, some of them lead an arboreal lifestyle.

There are many different birds in the forests, especially brightly colored parrots. The most typical - the largest of the parrots - macaws. In addition, small parrots and beautiful brightly feathered green parrots are widespread.

The most characteristic representatives of the avifauna of South America and, in particular, tropical forests are hummingbirds. These small colorful birds that feed on the nectar of flowers are called insect birds.

There are also hoatzins in the forests, whose chicks have claws on their wings that help them climb trees, sun herons and shuttle-billed herons, harpies are huge birds of prey that hunt young deer, monkeys and sloths.

One of the features of the tropical forests of the mainland is the abundance of insects, most of which are endemic. Day and night butterflies, various beetles, ants abound there. Many of the butterflies and beetles are beautifully colored. Some beetles glow so brightly at night that you can read a book near them. Butterflies are huge. The largest of them - agrippa - reaches almost 30 cm in wingspan.

The fauna of the drier and open spaces of South America - savannahs, tropical woodlands, subtropical steppes - is different from that of dense forests. Of the predators, in addition to the jaguar, the cougar (found almost throughout South America and entering North America), the ocelot, and the pampa cat are common. Of the canine predators, the maned wolf is characteristic of the southern part of the mainland. On the plains and in mountainous regions, the pampa fox is found almost throughout the mainland, in the extreme south - the Magellanic fox.

Of the ungulates, a small pampas deer is common.

In savannas, forests and arable land, there are representatives of the third family of edentulous - armadillos (Dasypodidae) - animals equipped with a strong bone shell and having the ability to burrow into the ground when danger approaches. Locals hunt them because they find their meat delicious.

Of the rodents in the savannahs and steppes, there are viscacha and tuco-tuco living in the ground. The swamp beaver, or nutria, is widespread along the banks of reservoirs, the fur of which is highly valued on the world market.

Of the birds, in addition to numerous parrots and hummingbirds, there are South American ostriches rhea (Rhea), some large birds of prey.

Snakes and especially lizards abound in the savannas and steppes.

A characteristic feature of the landscape of the savannahs of South America, as well as Africa, are numerous termite buildings. Many areas of South America are affected by locusts.

The mountain fauna of the Andes is distinguished by peculiar features. It includes a number of endemic animals not found in the eastern part of the mainland. Throughout the mountainous region of the Andes, South American representatives of the camelid family, llamas, are common. There are two types of wild llamas - vigon (vicuna Lama vicugna) and guanaco (L. huanachus). In the past, they were hunted by the Indians, who exterminated them for their meat and wool. Guanaco was found not only in the mountains, but also on the Patagonian plateau and in the Pampas. Now wild llamas are rare. In addition, the Indians in the Andes breed two domestic species of animals of this genus - the llama itself and the alpaca. Lamas (Lama glama) are large and strong animals. They carry weights along difficult mountain roads, they eat milk and meat, and coarse fabrics are made from wool. Alpaca (Lama pacos) is bred only for its soft coat.

There are also spectacled bears in the Andes, some marsupials. Previously, small endemic rodents of the chinchilla (Chinchilla) were widespread. Their soft, silky gray fur was considered one of the finest and most expensive furs. Because of this, the chinchilla is currently completely exterminated.

Birds are represented in the Andes by usually endemic, mountain species of the same genera and families that are common in the east of the mainland. Of the birds of prey, the condor (Vultur gryphus) is the largest representative of this order.

Flora of South America

Most of South America is distinguished by exceptional richness of flora. This is due both to the modern natural conditions of the mainland, and to the peculiarities of its development. The tropical flora of South America has evolved since the end of the Mesozoic era. Its development has proceeded continuously up to the present time, not disturbed by either glaciation or significant fluctuations in climatic conditions, as was the case on other continents.

On the other hand, the formation of the vegetation cover of South America since the Tertiary period took place in almost complete isolation from other large areas of land. The main features of the flora of South America are connected with this: its antiquity, species richness and a high degree of endemism.

The vegetation cover in South America has changed much less under the influence of man than on other continents of the globe. The population density on the mainland is low, and vast areas in some parts of it are almost completely uninhabited to this day. Such territories have retained their natural soil and vegetation cover unchanged.

The vegetation of South America is a source of enormous natural resources - food, fodder, technical, medicinal, etc. But they are still used very poorly.

The flora of South America has given mankind a number of important cultivated plants. The first place among them is occupied by potatoes, the culture of which was known to the Indians long before the arrival of Europeans and is widely distributed in various regions of South America at the present time. Then from South America come the most common rubber tree, hevea, chocolate tree, cinchona, grown in many tropical regions of the globe.

South America lies within two floristic regions. The main part of the mainland is within the Neotropical region. In the composition of its flora there are some elements common with Africa, which indicates the existence of land connections between the continents up to the Tertiary period.

Part of the mainland south of the parallel 40 ° S. sh. belongs to the Antarctic floristic region. There is a similarity between the flora of this part of the continent and the flora of Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand, which also indicates the existence of links between these continents during the geological history.

The general picture of soil and vegetation zones in the Neotropical region of South America is somewhat reminiscent of Africa. But the ratio of individual types of vegetation and their species composition on these continents are different. If the main type of vegetation in Africa is the savannah, then the vegetation cover of South America is especially characterized by tropical rainforests, which have no equal on Earth either in the richness of species or in the vastness of the territory they occupy.

Tropical rainforests on lateritic podzolized soils spread over a vast area in South America. The people of Brazil call them selvas. Selvas occupy a significant part of the Amazonian lowland and adjacent areas of the Orinoc lowland, the slopes of the Brazilian and Guiana highlands. They are also characteristic of the coastal strip of the Pacific Ocean within Colombia and Ecuador. Thus, tropical rainforests cover areas with an equatorial climate, but, in addition, they grow on the slopes of the Brazilian and Guiana highlands, facing the Atlantic Ocean at higher latitudes, where there are abundant trade winds throughout the year.

In the richest tropical forests of the Amazonian lowland, you can find many valuable plants. These forests are characterized by high altitude and complex canopy. There are up to 12 tiers in non-flooded areas in the forest, and the height of the tallest trees reaches 80 and even 100 m. More than a third of plant species in these forests are endemic. Tropical rainforests rise up the mountain slopes to about 1000-1500 m without undergoing significant changes. Above, they give way to depleted montane tropical forests.

As the climate changes, rainforests are turning into red-soil savannahs. In the Brazilian Highlands, between the savannahs and the humid forest, there is a strip of almost pure palm forests. Savannahs are common in a large part of the Brazilian Highlands, mainly in its interior regions. In addition, they occupy large areas in the Orinoco Lowland and the central regions of the Guiana Highlands.

In the south, in Brazil, the typical savannahs are known as campos. Their vegetation consists of tall grasses. Woody vegetation is either completely absent, or is represented by individual specimens of mimosa, cacti, and other xerophytic or succulent trees. Campos of the Brazilian Highlands is a valuable but relatively underused pasture.

In the north, in Venezuela and Guiana, the savannas are called llanos. There, along with high and varied grassy vegetation, there are free-standing palm trees, giving the landscape a peculiar look.

In the Brazilian Highlands, in addition to the typical savanna, there are vegetation types close to it, adapted to endure a long dry period. In the northeast of the Brazilian Highlands, a significant area is occupied by the so-called caatinga, which is a sparse forest of drought-resistant trees and shrubs. Many of them lose their leaves during the dry season, others are distinguished by swollen trunks in which moisture accumulates. Red-brown soils form in caatinga.

On the Gran Chaco plain, in especially arid regions, thorny dry-loving shrubs and sparse forests grow on red-brown soils. They contain a number of endemic woody forms containing a large amount of tannins.

On the Pacific coast, south of tropical rain forests, one can also find a narrow strip of savanna vegetation, which then quickly turns into semi-desert and desert.

Large areas with mountain-tropical desert vegetation and soils are located in the inner highlands of the Andes.

Subtropical vegetation occupies relatively small areas in South America. However, the variety of types of vegetation cover in subtropical latitudes is quite large.

The extreme southeast of the Brazilian Highlands, which receives heavy rainfall throughout the year, is covered with subtropical araucaria forests with an undergrowth of various shrubs, including Paraguayan tea. Paraguayan tea leaves are consumed local population for the manufacture of a common hot drink that replaces tea. From the name of the round vessel in which this drink is made, it is often called "mate" or "yerba mate".

The second type of subtropical vegetation of South America - the subtropical steppe or pampa - is characteristic of the eastern, most humid parts of the La Plata lowland south of 30 ° S. This is a herbaceous cereal vegetation, on fertile reddish-black soils that form on volcanic rocks . It consists of South American species of those genera of cereals that are widespread in Europe in the steppes of the temperate zone. There are species of feather grass, bearded vulture, fescue. Unlike the steppes of the temperate zone, vegetation in the pampas is vegetative throughout the year. The pampa is connected with the forests of the Brazilian Highlands by a transitional type of vegetation, where grasses are combined with thickets of evergreen shrubs.

To the west and south of the pampas, as precipitation decreases, vegetation of dry subtropical steppes and semi-deserts appears on gray-brown soils, gray soils and saline soils.

The subtropical vegetation and soils of the Pacific coast, according to the peculiarities of climatic conditions, resemble the vegetation and soils of the European Mediterranean in appearance. Thickets of evergreen shrubs on brown soils predominate.

The vegetation of the temperate latitudes of South America is very peculiar. There are two main types of vegetation cover, which differ sharply from each other, according to differences in the climate of the eastern and western parts of the southern tip of the mainland. The extreme southeast (Patagonia) is characterized by vegetation of dry steppes and semi-deserts of the temperate zone. This is actually a continuation of the semi-deserts of the western part of the pampas in a more severe and cold climate. Soils are dominated by chestnut and gray soils, saline soils are widespread. The vegetation cover is dominated by grasses (for example, Argentine bluegrass) and various xerophytic shrubs, like cacti, mimosa, etc.

The extreme southwest of the mainland, with its oceanic climate, insignificant annual temperature differences and high annual precipitation, has a peculiar vegetation, very ancient and rich in composition. These are moisture-loving evergreen subantarctic forests, multi-tiered and very diverse in composition. In terms of species richness and height, they are not inferior to tropical forests. They abound with vines, mosses, lichens. Along with various tall conifers, evergreen deciduous species are common, such as southern beeches (Nothofagus). These moisture-soaked forests are difficult to clear and uproot. They are still preserved over large areas in an intact form and almost without changing their composition, they rise along the slopes of the mountains to a height of 2000 m. Podzolic soils prevail in these forests in the south, turning into forest burozems in more northern regions.

South America is the 4th largest continent on our planet. If you look closely at the map, the continent resembles a drop of water. The mainland is located in the southern hemisphere of the Earth.

natural areas

There are 5 climatic zones on the continent:

• equatorial;
• subequatorial;
• tropical;
• subtropical;
• moderate.

Relief

The relief of the mainland conditionally can be divided into 2 zones- it is a flat plain in the eastern part and a mountain range in the west. The Andes Mountains are a continuation of the mountain range of North America - the Cordillera. This is the longest mountain range on our planet.

plant community

The flora of the mainland is diverse. This is facilitated by a mild warm climate and a large amount of precipitation. The flora on the continent varies depending on the climate zone.

So the tropical zone is dominated by the jungle. And now scientists are discovering more and more new species of plants and representatives. The jungles of South America occupy a larger area than similar zones in Africa.

Rubber trees, melon and chocolate trees, various types of palm trees, hevea, orchids grow in the rainforest. In some areas the height of the forest cover reaches 100 meters. It could be a 12 story community with unique flora and fauna on each floor.

To the south of the Amazon selva, rare deciduous forests begin. A typical representative of the flora of this part of the mainland is a quebracho tree with strong and durable wood.

Moving south across the continent, travelers will cross the savannahs and get to the famous South American plains - pampas. This is a classic steppe zone with feather grass, wild millet and herbs. Occasionally there are thickets of mimosa and milkweed. The soils in this part of the continent are very fertile.

The closer to the southern extreme point of the mainland, the poorer the landscape becomes. The pampas are replaced by a zone of semi-deserts and deserts. Here there are dry shrubs, which form a kind of perekatipole pillows.

Fauna of South America

The fauna on the mainland also depends on the climate zone.

In the rainforests various types of monkeys live. Many species are adapted exclusively to life in trees. The lower tier of the forest was chosen by tapirs,. Of the predators - the famous jaguar. Entomologists are still discovering new species. A large number of unique species of birds live in the forests - these are toucans, macaws. There are about 320 species of baby hummingbirds in South America alone.

In the savannah zone there are fewer animals, and they are adapted to life in open spaces. These are wild pigs-bakers,. Of the large birds, rhea ostriches feel great. Live in the savannas and large cats - cougars and jaguars. Of the small predators in the savannas, the savannah fox and the maned wolf live.

Pampas- this is a habitat for swift-footed representatives of the animal world. These are llamas, deer and predators such as the pampas cat, several types of armadillos.

In the Andes mountains basically the same species of animals live as on the flat part of the mainland. but there are endemics - unique, inherent only in South America, animals. These are mountain llamas, spectacled bear, charming chinchillas.

Detailed information about the diversity of the nature of the South American continent can be found in the reports of various scientific societies.

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