Subequatorial belt: features and differences, flora and fauna

On Earth, there are various climatic zones, each of which is accompanied not only by a certain temperature regime, but also by completely different representatives of flora and fauna, original relief and many other features. Their study allows us to better imagine the diverse nature of the planet. For example, the subequatorial belt. What does it characterize?

Key Features

On the planet, there are two subequatorial belts, one in each hemisphere. They cover an area between 20 and 30 degrees. In the World Ocean, the subequatorial belt coincides with the boundary of the Trade Winds. Its climate is characterized by monsoons and a change in air masses according to the season. In summer the territory is blown by a damp wind, in winter - dry and tropical. The average temperature of the cold season ranges from 15 to 32 degrees, accompanied by frost and snowfall only in high-altitude areas. The ocean water in this belt always differs by a temperature plus 25. In combination with increased salinity this results in a fairly low biodiversity in the basin.

Territorial differences

The characteristic of the subequatorial belt marks its main features, but there are differences due to each specific place. For example, in areas located near the equator, the maximum amount of rain that goes on for nine months and creates up to two thousand millimeters of precipitation. On mountain ranges this figure increases six times. In some regions, periods of drought are possible. For example, in Africa the fluctuation of the water level is so strong that the lakes and rivers full of water in the summer simply disappear.

Vegetable world

The subequatorial climatic belt is distinguished by red or yellow soils, in which organic substances rapidly decompose . This leads to the appearance of special plants. They are well adapted to local humidity and rainfall levels - they grow in many tiers and are distinguished by dense thick leaves and a powerful root system. Biodiversity is impressive: here you can find many species of trees with edible fruits or valuable bark, there are coffee trees, palm trees. The subequatorial belt includes the savanna zones. They differ separately growing trees with extensive bushes and tall grass. In savanna, the more fertile red-brown soil. Vegetation is represented by such species as acacia, palm trees, baobabs, mimosa. In the driest areas, they are replaced by aloe. The abundance of motley grass is also typical for savanna areas.

Animal world

Variety of fauna directly depends on the vegetation, which differs subequatorial belt. In areas of tropical forests in loose soil, live all kinds of invertebrates and microorganisms. In the lower tier you can meet forest pigs, okapi, small ungulates and even elephants. In the territories with water bodies dwarf hippos and gorillas live. The trees are inhabited by a variety of primates, rodents, birds and insects, of which the most common are ants and termites. The largest predator is the leopard. In the savannah conditions, a variety of species of ungulates live, including buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, and rhinoceroses. There you can also find elephants, hippos, giraffes. Variety and predators: in savanna live cheetahs, lions, hyenas, jackals. The world of birds is represented by ostriches, bird-secretaries, storks of marabus. Of birds, ostriches can also be noted, which sometimes occur even in the Sahara. In the most desolate regions there are many lizards and small snakes, there live small antelopes.