Characteristics Isthmian-Atlantic moist forests

1 characteristics

1.1 climate
1.2 geology
1.3 flora
1.4 fauna

characteristics
climate

the average temperature isthmian-atlantic rainforests 24° celsius or above. coolest months tend november january, , warmest march may. topography affects region’s climate well; seasons come each slope of hills @ different times.

the average rainfall area can range 2,500 mm on 5,000 mm per annum. translates average temperature of 75° fahrenheit, estimated rainfall of 100 inches more 200 inches year. on caribbean slope, side facing atlantic ocean, rainy season lasts mid late april , continues until december , possibly january. dry spell tends occur towards end of summer. on days during time period, may rain 2 3 hours become sunny again.

geology

due relatively recent volcanic activity in central america, bedrock in isthmian-atlantic moist forests basalt, black igneous rock. soil of forests subject leeching. , trees feeding soil makes poor farming or other agricultural purposes.

flora

the layout of forests typical of tropical rainforests. tall evergreen buttressed trees can grow 40 meters make canopy. there large diversity in selection of epiphyte flora, plants grow on other plants not parasites, in region. in understory , canopy slow-growing trees such almendro tree , cream nut tree.

the isthmian-atlantic moist forests contain many types of rainforests, including lowland evergreen forests, coastal mangrove forests, , seasonal swamp forests. latter occurs near coast , rainforest turns mangrove forests on coast or in low lying areas in panama or nicaragua.

the almendro tree native central america. trunk forks repeatedly grows, resulting in effect of rounded crown. crown covered bunches of purple flowers after rainy season. tree classified ‘hardwood’, , covered smooth pink-gold bark. each fruit can weigh between 18-26 grams , contains single seed in thick wooden pod covered in sweet green pulp. 20 fruits per square metre of crown can produced 1 tree in year.

the monkey pot tree native species of americas. produces small purple flowers , woody fruit. when fruit ripe, bottom of pod open , release seeds.

fauna

there few species native isthmian-atlantic moist forests. 80-95% of mammal species in costa rica occur in panama, nicaragua, , outside rainforest in parts of honduras , colombia. however, home snowy cotinga, sulphur-rumped tanager, stripe-cheeked woodpecker, , streak-crowned antvireo. additionally, caribbean slope major migratory route birds. 30% of birds in region migrate through neotropic ecozone annually, on foothills. 4 species of marine turtles nest on coastal beaches @ edge of these rainforests, , atlantic lowlands have highest concentration of butterfly species in world, including of rarest species of butterfly. rainforest home animals such honduran white bat , common chunk-headed snake.

the common chunk-headed snake called blunthead snake. supposedly thinnest snake in world. native south america , can found in countries isthmian-atlantic moist forest covers. although venomous, venom restricted teeth aid tree snake in eating prey such small lizards.

the sulphur-rumped tanager (heterospingus rubrifrons) finds home in isthmian-atlantic moist forests of costa rica. belongs in family thraupidae, , makes home in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. despite small numbers, classified least concern iucn.