Tropical and subtropical forests
Tropical and subtropical forests are among the most diverse and rich ecosystems on Earth. They are located in tropical and subtropical latitudes where the climate is warm and humid throughout the year. One of the most distinctive features of tropical forests is their diverse vegetation.
Mesozoic tropical and subtropical forests differed significantly from modern rainforests. Ancient trees had smaller crowns and did not form a single canopy. Thus, the forests were noticeably brighter, resembling contemporary temperate zone sunlit forests, rather than dark jungles. There was no clear stratification - the vegetation was mainly limited to large trees and grasses growing under the shade of mighty branches.
Early Cretaceous tropical and subtropical forests were little different from their Jurassic predecessors. Fern (spore-bearing and seed-bearing) and gymnosperm trees still dominated. Bennettitales plants, such as Monanthesia - gymnosperms with a semblance of a flower, were still grow...
Mesozoic tropical and subtropical forests differed significantly from modern rainforests. Ancient trees had smaller crowns and did not form a single canopy. Thus, the forests were noticeably brighter, resembling contemporary temperate zone sunlit forests, rather than dark jungles. There was no clear stratification - the vegetation was mainly limited to large trees and grasses growing under the shade of mighty branches.
Early Cretaceous tropical and subtropical forests were little different from their Jurassic predecessors. Fern (spore-bearing and seed-bearing) and gymnosperm trees still dominated. Bennettitales plants, such as Monanthesia - gymnosperms with a semblance of a flower, were still grow...
