Laurel forest

Laurel forests are evergreen humid forests of subtropical climate zone. Typical are trees with leathery glossy leaves. The name derives from the laurel family, which occur frequently in the laurel forests of the northern hemisphere. In the Southern hemisphere usually dominate other plant families, but the vegetation type is the same.

Climate and differentiation from other vegetation types

Laurel forests grow in the subtropical climate zone in areas with sufficient rainfall, especially during the summer months. Winters are mild and summers are usually warm. Most plants can tolerate light frosts, but usually not exposed to temperatures below -10 ° C.

Of the deciduous hardwood forests, the laurel forests differ by milder winters, so evergreen and deciduous trees dominate. From the tropical rain forests they are distinguished by the presence of a cool season with occasional frosts (winter). Thus, the floor structure is simpler, and many typical tropical plant species are missing, but genera temperate regions are more common.

From the Mediterranean sclerophyllous forests, the laurel forests differ by the absence of a dry period in summer. Thus, the vegetation is lush and total broadleaf. From the temperate rainforests of the laurel forests can only poorly differentiate, and are often grouped with them. Climatically, the laurel forests differ from the temperate rainforests by warmer summers. Physiognomically the differences are small.

See also: Azores laurel.

Dissemination

Laurel forests occur in the following areas before:

  • Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores
  • Georgia and Turkey: Black Sea Coast
  • East Asia: northern Vietnam, southern China, southern Japan, South Korea
  • The southeastern United States
  • Southeastern Australia
  • North of New Zealand
  • South-east of South Africa
  • South-east of Brazil
  • North of Iran ( Hyrcanischer Forest)
La Gomera Tropical rainforest Maquis shrubland Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests Taiga Integrated Authority File
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