Second growth vegetation growing on what once was lowland tropical humid forest. Second Growth Forest and Woodlands Second growth habitats are largely a successional stage of vegetation that grows after the primary forest is cleared. Most second growth habitats occur in areas where the primary or the mature forest was cleared by humans. Natural disturbances that eliminate […]
Vine tangles in the mid-story of an evergreen tropical forest in Peru. Photo: Alfredo Begazo. Vine Tangles Vine tangles are an important feature in the Evergreen Lowland forest, but decrease and become nearly absent in evergreen montane forests. Vine tangles include foliage and a mat of tangled vines that in some cases traps dead leaves.
Sand beach on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Photo: Alfredo Begazo. Coastal Sand Beaches and Mudflats Coastal sand beaches and mudflats are subject to times under and receding water. Coastal sand beaches occur along ocean shores and are subject to the constant washing of waves. Mudflats are subject to tides and the periods of
Brackish marshes in northwest Peru. Photo: Segundo Crespo. Saltwater and Brackish Marshes Saltwater and brackish marshes are found in estuaries that border saltwater shores as well as in areas with coastal freshwater bodies of water subject to coastal tides. In both cases, these marshes are largely populated by sedges and bulrushes (Scirpus spp.) that often
Rocky outcrops are used as nesting and roosting sites in regions where these features are scarce. Rocky Outcrops Rocky outcrops, rocky walls, cliffs, and caves in regions where these features of the land are not common constitute a micro-habitat for some species of birds. Often the dependence for rocky outcrops is so important to the
Stand of bamboo Guadua angustifolia. Photo: Alfredo Begazo. Bamboo Stands of bamboo occur in disturbed areas surrounded by forest or sometimes courses of water. Bamboo is a type of grass (Gramineae) that colonizes new areas for a life cycle, which ends when the stand produces seed. The dominant bamboo species in the humid lowland Tropical
Aerial view of a typical Amazonian river. Photo: Alvaro del Campo. Rivers Rivers as habitat, include courses of running water with a width of 10 meters or more. This habitat includes the overhanging vegetation found along riverbanks, logs, branches protruding out of the water, and other features within the portion of the running water. River course
Lake Uyuni a permanent alkaline lake in Bolivia. Alkaline Lakes Alkaline lakes are found in the high Andes, Patagonia, and patchily distributed in other regions. Some alkaline lakes contain water permanently while others are ephemeral and contain water for only a few months after each rainy season. Other alkaline lakes only appear in years of
Freshwater lake in the high Andes. Freshwater Lakes and Ponds Freshwater lakes and ponds refer to the portion of water or water without emerging vegetation. Freshwater lakes and ponds are found from sea level to the high Andes. Vegetation at the edges of freshwater lakes and ponds varies from extensive areas of emerging vegetation along
Rocky beach and cliff in Ica-Peru. Coastal Rocky Beaches Coastal rocky beaches are found in areas where the ocean meets rocky formations, cliffs, or rocky outcrops. This habitat type can be extensive areas as well as isolated outcrops surrounded by the more extensive sand beaches. Coastal rocky beaches are constantly washed by the wave action
