Cerrado
In the South, the Amazon forest is bordered by the Cerrado. The border is determined by the climate. The climate of the Cerrado is characterised by a dry period resulting in a less dense vegetation. Cerrado literally means 'curled' and the Cerrado is named after the particular form of the trees and shrubs in this area. The curled form is caused by the dry period during which the tops of shrubs often die. During the next rain season, the shubs continue to grow from lower buds but they cannot grow straight anymore.
The Cerrado is less large than the Amazon forest but its surface is still impressingly large: about 2 million km². Agriculture has expended a lot in this vast area contributing significantly to the Brazilian economy. Nevertheless, more and more areas in the Cerrado are protected nature reserves.
See also
|
|
