Tropical Monsoon Forests

The natural vegetation of tropical monsoon lands depends on the amount of the summer rainfall. Trees are normally deciduous because of the market dry period, during which they shed their leaves to withstand the drought. Where the rainfall is heavy, e.g. in southern Burma, peninsular India, northern Australia and coastal regions with a tropical marine climate, the resultant vegetation is forest. The forests are more open and less luxuriant than the equatorial jungle and there are far fewer species. Most of the forests yield valuable timber, and are prized for their durable hardwood. Amongst these teak is the best known. Burma alone accounts for as much as three-quarters of the world's production. It is such a durable timber that it is extensively used for ship building, furniture and other constructional purposes. Other kinds of timber include sal, acacia and some varieties of eucalyptus in northern Australia. Together with the forests are bamboo thickets, which often grow to great heights.

With a decrease in rainfall in summer, the forests thin out into thorny scrubland or savanna with scattered trees and tall grass. In parts of the Indian sub-continent, rainfall is so deficient that semi-desert conditions are found. Monsoonal vegetation is thus most varied, ranging from forests to thickets, and from savanna to scrubland.