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Nicaragua Travel |
Nicaragua NatureNicaragua has a broad spectrum of different biotopes and nature types, all found within this comparatively small country. There are for instance at least five different types of forest to be found in the Nicaragua nature: rainforest, tropical dry forest, semi-deciduous tropical forest, cloud forest and dwarf forest. Nicaragua nature – RainforestRainforest is scientifically defined as forests characterized by high rainfall. The exact requirements vary from 1750 mm to 2000 mm of normal annual rainfall depending on which definition you look at. In Nicaragua, you can find true rainforest in several parts of the country and a lot of the Nicaraguan rainforest is still comparatively undisturbed. The two major rainforest reserves are named Bosawas Reserve and the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve. The first one is found in northeastern Nicaragua, while the other one is located next to the San Juan River in the southeastern corner of the country. Nicaragua nature – Tropical dry forestAlong the lowlands of Pacific coast, you can find a type of Nicaragua nature similar to tropical rainforest but characterized by a lower amount of rainfall. This is the tropical dry forest where plants will die and trees and bushes drop their leaves to survive the dry season. When the rains return, the forest will explode in a myriad of colors and once again look fairly similar to a rainforest. Nicaragua nature – Semideciduous tropical forestThe semi-deciduous tropical forest can be described as the middle road between rainforest and tropical dry forest. This kind of Nicaragua nature is more humid than the tropical dry forest, but still without the permanent rainfall of the rainforest. In the semi-deciduous tropical forest of Nicaragua, most trees can keep their foliage year round. While the tropical dry forest is found at the lowlands of Pacific coast, Nicaragua's semi-deciduous tropical forest is chiefly located at higher elevations along the Pacific side of the country, typically from 400 m to 800 m above sea level. Nicaragua nature – Cloud forestIf you proceed really high, you can find the Nicaraguan cloud forests. These forests are situated at the upper parts of high mountains and volcanoes. As the name implies, a cloud forest is enclosed by clouds, which naturally cause the environment to become really humid. The flora never has to endure a dry season and this variety of Nicaragua nature is exceptionally productive with a high biodiversity. On the west side of Nicaragua, cloud forest is only found on Mombacho and Maderas, which means that the flora and fauna is isolated from the rest of the Nicaraguan cloud forests. This has led to development of several unique species on Mombacho and Maderas. Nicaragua nature – Dwarf forestAt the uppermost parts of volcanoes and high mountains the strong winds and exposed conditions can make it impossible for plants to reach their normal size. It is at such locations that you can find dwarf forests. Mombacho is famous for having this type of Nicaragua nature. A dwarf forest is filled with hardy species form the flora present at lower elevations, but in the dwarf forest their height is much lower than usual and their growth habits can also have changed. A species that normally grows in the form of a tall tree can for instance become more of bush when growing in a dwarf forest.
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