How does colombia's climate effect the plants?

Question

How does colombia's climate effect the plants?

Answer 1

The following is from the first article below. It summarizes the most important impacts of Columbia's geography and climate on the plants of Columbia. Check out the two articles below for more details.

Altitude affects not only temperature, but also vegetation. In fact, altitude is one of the most important influences on vegetation patterns in Colombia. The mountainous parts of the country can be divided into several vegetation zones according to altitude, although the altitude limits of each zone may vary somewhat depending on the latitude.

The "tierra caliente" (hot land), below 3,300 ft (1,000 m), is the zone of tropical crops such as bananas. The tierra templada (temperate land), extending from an altitude of 3,300 to 6,600 ft (1,000 to 2,000 m), is the zone of coffee and maize. Wheat and potatoes dominate in the "tierra fría" (cold land), at altitudes from 6,600 to 10,500 ft (2,000 to 3,200 m). In the "zona forestada" (forested zone), which is located between 10,500 and 12,800 ft (3,200 and 3,900 m), many of the trees have been cut for firewood. Treeless pastures dominate the páramos, or alpine grasslands, at altitudes of 12,800 to 15,100 ft (3,900 to 4,600 m). Above 15,100 ft (4,600 m), where temperatures are below freezing, is the "tierra helada", a zone of permanent snow and ice.

Vegetation also responds to rainfall patterns. A scrub woodland of scattered trees and bushes dominates the semiarid northeast. To the south, savannah (tropical grassland) vegetation covers the Colombian portion of the llanos. The rainy areas in the southeast are blanketed by tropical rainforest. In the mountains, the spotty patterns of precipitation in alpine areas complicate vegetation patterns. The rainy side of a mountain may be lush and green, while the other side, in the rain shadow, may be parched.

Answer 2

Since COlombia is close to the equatorial line, there are no seasons, rather there are diverse climates in different regions of the country depending on the altitude.

The average temperature in Colombia is 22º Celsius (72º F). Nevertheless, due to Colombia’s unique geographic location, the climate varies considerably from one place to another. In the flat coastal lowlands the temperature may rise up to

35º Celsius (95º F). In the central highlands the temperature may drop to 15º Celsius (59º F). At the central Andes Mountains the temperature oscillates between 14º and 18º

Celsius (57º and 64º F), and in the eastern lowland plains the temperature rises up to 32º Celsius (90º F).

Partly because of Colombia's position as a land bridge between North and South America, nearly 14 percent of the species of flora and fauna described by scientists

worldwide have settled in Colombia over the ages. Due to its specific location and geography, Colombia is the second most biologically diverse country in the world containing in its borders between 10% to 14% of the world’s species.

Colombia is the second most important flower exporter worldwide.

After Brazil, Colombia is the world's most important coffee supplier (about one sixth of the world production) and occupies worldwide the first place as an exporter of mild coffee.