HOME | DD

Description

Sukaya is a truly monumental continent, its size is only matched by the astounding diversity of habitats, climatic forms and species. The following summary of the principal vegetation zones of the continent is, out of necessity, a greatly simplified version of the reality, and each of these broad divisions shown here is composed of many different ecoregions. The reader should thus be made aware that the following representation is broad in the broadest of senses.

KEY:
Volcanic (V)
This zone is found on the island of Samok; plant cover is minimal due to the constant lava flows. The Species found within this zone are primarily endemic, specially adapted to life within the island. It is also a focal point for Dragons of various ages, and even High Dragons seem to frequent the island.

Cape heathland (CH)
This zone is found only in the extreme south of the continent around the Cape areas; evergreen shrubs and bushes, Fynbos and Heather dominate it. The plant life is so unique and endemic that it constitutes its own floral kingdom. Various species are endemic to this region.

Niccan Heathland and Forest (NC)
This zone is found only in the extreme north of the continent and, similar to Cape heathland, is dominated by evergreen shrubs and bushes, Macchia and Heather. Ancient forests survive in this zone, with a number of endemic species.

Lowland Tropical Rainforest (TF)
In tropical rainforests, the rainfall is high, and the trees are predominantly evergreen or semi-deciduous and frequently form a distinct canopy with a number of more or less discrete vegetation strata. These areas have some of the highest biodiversity on the planet, and many species are endemic to these forests.

Desert (D)
The two desert zones are the Daphora, which dominates the continent's north, and the Oyush, stretching in a narrow belt along the southwestern coastline. Deserts are characterised by very sparse vegetation, extremely low rainfall (less than 100mm per annum) and a number of species that are highly adapted to survival in this harsh environment.

Semi-desert (SD)
This region primarily comprises areas bordering and near deserts. Rainfall is generally Less than 500mm, and vegetation ranges from open Thorn tree woodland to areas covered by short, woody shrubs and succulents.

Montane Forest and Grassland (MF)
These areas are found in the various Mountains and ranges of the continent. Vegetation varies considerably between ranges and at different altitudes and includes forest types, bamboo thickets, woodland, grassland and sub-alpine zones. Several species are found only on these Montane' islands'.

Dry Savannah Woodland and Forest (SWL)
Woodland Savannah contains elements of woodland, grassland and scrub, but in the south, trees are more abundant and the grass is often taller and denser. The northern areas tend to be drier than the southern. Some of the world's greatest herds of animals are located in these areas.

Southern Grassland (SGL)
Grass species dominate in these savannas, with a scattering of trees, including acacias. Great migratory herds occupy these areas.

Volcanic Tropical Grassland (VG)
These zones comprise patchy rainforest areas dominated by grassland and tropical shrubs that are found by active or dormant volcanoes. These Zones shift constantly as forest dominates only to retreat elsewhere. These zones are home to various endemic species, especially grazers that usually can't survive in rainforest zones.

Tropical woodland (WL)
These are relatively high rainfall areas with a mix of open and closed Woodland Savannah, with some dense forest stands scattered throughout.

Woodland and Grassland (WG)
This vegetation zone consists of mostly dry woodland and grassland mixers in drought-prone areas, with iconic trees such as the baobab. These areas are home to large migratory herds that form some of the largest and most incredible migrations within the animal kingdom.

Coastal Forest/Grassland Mosaic (CF)
Of all the zones described, this is the broadest stroked of them. It occurs in narrow belts along much of the eastern coast of Sukaya, the western coast of Zumira, around Lake Vaal, and the various islands of the continent. The types of vegetation and wildlife thus vary dramatically. But in general, the mainland comprises a mix of broad-leaf woodland, open floodplains, and more dense forest types. There are several endemic species in this zone.

Mangrove (M)
Mangrove swamps and forests are extensive but relatively patchy around the Sukayan coastline. Trees and shrubs within the system are highly salt-tolerant, and the tides regularly inundate their root systems. Although few land animals live permanently in the swamps, many forage. They are also essential and valuable to marine life as feeding grounds and nurseries.

Dry Deciduous Forest (DD)
this zone is one of the most important and unique amongst the island's ecosystems, as it is home to large concentrations of species; despite the climate being tropical, due to the soil nature, tropical rainforest cannot establish itself. The zone's lakes and rivers are home to many of Analamanga's bird species.

Arid Spiny Bush (SB)
This zone of Analamanga, despite its aridity, is one of the most ecologically important regions in the continent as it is home to nearly half of all the flora species on the island, of which 95% of them roughly are endemic to this zone. Rainfall is low and erratic, and highly seasonal.

Analamanga Highland Forest (AH)
This zone comprises subhumid forests that dominate the Analamanga highlands, comprising hard-leafed trees like Tapia and succulents. This zone is home to many of the island's megafauna, such as Elephant Birds and Giant Lemurs.

Little something I did myself, this is to show a very broad picture of the habitats found in Sukaya
Base map drawn by the very talented Robbie McSweeney ( www.deviantart.com/robbiemcswe…)

Description

Sukaya is a truly monumental continent, its size is only matched by the astounding diversity of habitats, climatic forms and species. The following summary of the principal vegetation zones of the continent is, out of necessity, a greatly simplified version of the reality, and each of these broad divisions shown here is composed of many different ecoregions. The reader should thus be made aware that the following representation is broad in the broadest of senses.

KEY:
Volcanic (V)
This zone is found on the island of Samok; plant cover is minimal due to the constant lava flows. The Species found within this zone are primarily endemic, specially adapted to life within the island. It is also a focal point for Dragons of various ages, and even High Dragons seem to frequent the island.

Cape heathland (CH)
This zone is found only in the extreme south of the continent around the Cape areas; evergreen shrubs and bushes, Fynbos and Heather dominate it. The plant life is so unique and endemic that it constitutes its own floral kingdom. Various species are endemic to this region.

Niccan Heathland and Forest (NC)
This zone is found only in the extreme north of the continent and, similar to Cape heathland, is dominated by evergreen shrubs and bushes, Macchia and Heather. Ancient forests survive in this zone, with a number of endemic species.

Lowland Tropical Rainforest (TF)
In tropical rainforests, the rainfall is high, and the trees are predominantly evergreen or semi-deciduous and frequently form a distinct canopy with a number of more or less discrete vegetation strata. These areas have some of the highest biodiversity on the planet, and many species are endemic to these forests.

Desert (D)
The two desert zones are the Daphora, which dominates the continent's north, and the Oyush, stretching in a narrow belt along the southwestern coastline. Deserts are characterised by very sparse vegetation, extremely low rainfall (less than 100mm per annum) and a number of species that are highly adapted to survival in this harsh environment.

Semi-desert (SD)
This region primarily comprises areas bordering and near deserts. Rainfall is generally Less than 500mm, and vegetation ranges from open Thorn tree woodland to areas covered by short, woody shrubs and succulents.

Montane Forest and Grassland (MF)
These areas are found in the various Mountains and ranges of the continent. Vegetation varies considerably between ranges and at different altitudes and includes forest types, bamboo thickets, woodland, grassland and sub-alpine zones. Several species are found only on these Montane' islands'.

Dry Savannah Woodland and Forest (SWL)
Woodland Savannah contains elements of woodland, grassland and scrub, but in the south, trees are more abundant and the grass is often taller and denser. The northern areas tend to be drier than the southern. Some of the world's greatest herds of animals are located in these areas.

Southern Grassland (SGL)
Grass species dominate in these savannas, with a scattering of trees, including acacias. Great migratory herds occupy these areas.

Volcanic Tropical Grassland (VG)
These zones comprise patchy rainforest areas dominated by grassland and tropical shrubs that are found by active or dormant volcanoes. These Zones shift constantly as forest dominates only to retreat elsewhere. These zones are home to various endemic species, especially grazers that usually can't survive in rainforest zones.

Tropical woodland (WL)
These are relatively high rainfall areas with a mix of open and closed Woodland Savannah, with some dense forest stands scattered throughout.

Woodland and Grassland (WG)
This vegetation zone consists of mostly dry woodland and grassland mixers in drought-prone areas, with iconic trees such as the baobab. These areas are home to large migratory herds that form some of the largest and most incredible migrations within the animal kingdom.

Coastal Forest/Grassland Mosaic (CF)
Of all the zones described, this is the broadest stroked of them. It occurs in narrow belts along much of the eastern coast of Sukaya, the western coast of Zumira, around Lake Vaal, and the various islands of the continent. The types of vegetation and wildlife thus vary dramatically. But in general, the mainland comprises a mix of broad-leaf woodland, open floodplains, and more dense forest types. There are several endemic species in this zone.

Mangrove (M)
Mangrove swamps and forests are extensive but relatively patchy around the Sukayan coastline. Trees and shrubs within the system are highly salt-tolerant, and the tides regularly inundate their root systems. Although few land animals live permanently in the swamps, many forage. They are also essential and valuable to marine life as feeding grounds and nurseries.

Dry Deciduous Forest (DD)
this zone is one of the most important and unique amongst the island's ecosystems, as it is home to large concentrations of species; despite the climate being tropical, due to the soil nature, tropical rainforest cannot establish itself. The zone's lakes and rivers are home to many of Analamanga's bird species.

Arid Spiny Bush (SB)
This zone of Analamanga, despite its aridity, is one of the most ecologically important regions in the continent as it is home to nearly half of all the flora species on the island, of which 95% of them roughly are endemic to this zone. Rainfall is low and erratic, and highly seasonal.

Analamanga Highland Forest (AH)
This zone comprises subhumid forests that dominate the Analamanga highlands, comprising hard-leafed trees like Tapia and succulents. This zone is home to many of the island's megafauna, such as Elephant Birds and Giant Lemurs.

Little something I did myself, this is to show a very broad picture of the habitats found in Sukaya
Base map drawn by the very talented Robbie McSweeney ( www.deviantart.com/robbiemcswe…)