Datir Anuja Ashok

LA4015-1

Forests, vital ecosystems teeming with life, are shaped by the interaction between sunlight and topography. Sunlight interacts with topography ridges, valleys, and slopes, influencing microclimates and ecological processes. Using tools such as contour, slope, aspect, and hill shade maps,  analyze how solar exposure varies across different terrains, impacting vegetation distribution and forest structure. On ridges, high sunlight intensity causes thermal expansion and contraction of the terrain, leading to the formation of cracks that act as microhabitats for seed accumulation and germination, contributing to forest regeneration. These variations in sunlight also create distinct microclimates. Ridges experience drier, more fluctuating conditions, while shaded valleys maintain cooler, more stable temperatures. These microclimatic differences help shape the ecological diversity of the forest, supporting a wide range of plant and animal life.