Difference between revisions of "Jungle (range)"

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[[File:Jungle.jpg|right|630px]]
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[[File:Jungle (range).jpg|right|560px|thumb]]
'''Jungle''', also sometimes described as '''tropical rainforest''', describes an area of forest vegetation with a dense and tangled undergrowth that is impassable without cutting. Jungles are distince from sub-tropical [[Rainforest (range)|rainforest]], in that the understory of the latter is typically open of vegetation, and relatively easy to traverse.  Jungles form in low-lying areas with many streams, which enable light to reach the ground, spawning undergrowth, and upon the margins of rainforests, once again due to the greater available light at ground level.
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'''Jungle''', also described as a '''tropical rainforest''', manifests as a region of densely forested vegetation with a thick and intricate undergrowth, practically impenetrable without cutting through it.
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Jungles are unlike temperate and sub-tropical [[Rainforest (range)|rainforests]] in that the underlayer is dense and overgrown.  Jungles thrive in low-lying areas, often intersected by numerous streams that give sunlight a selective opportunity to penetrate to the forest floor, while rainforests may be mountainous.  Often jungles form on the lowland margins of rainforests.
  
Jungles are among the most inaccessible places on earth, with extensive parts that are untamed and isolated from civilisationThese regions experience no dry season, so that all months of the year receive a monthly rainfall of at least 4 in., and usually much more. The jungle floor consists of decaying plant and animal matter and is overrun with insects.  Vast areas consist of waterlogged lowlands, or '''flooded forests''', with the water table just inches below the surface or inundating the land, such as with mangrove swamps, which occur alongside saltwater coastlinesIn high altitudes, '''cloud forests''' are characterized by persistent, frequent or seasonal low-cloud cover.
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Among the most remote and inaccessible places on Earth, these regions remain largely untamed and cut off from civilizationThey experience no dry season, receiving a consistent monthly rainfall of at least 4 inches throughout the entire year, often much more. The jungle floor is composed of decaying plant and animal matter, teeming with insect lifeMany giant insects hunt in jungles.
  
In localized areas, typically with access to the water, indigenous peoples live as hunter-gatherers, trading high-value forest products such as hides, feathers, honey and hardwoods. Agriculturalists depend upon slash-and-burn techniques, or '''shifting cultivation''', in order to temporarily provide soils that will grow cropsMany plantation crops have been transplanted from naturally growing jungle plants, such as yams, coffee, chocolate, bananas, mangoes, papayas, macadamia, avocado and sugarcane.
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Vast expanses of these regions are waterlogged lowlands, known as "flooded forests," where the water table hovers just inches below the surface or inundates the land entirely. This includes environments like mangrove swamps, which are commonly found along saltwater coastlines.  At higher elevations, "cloud forests" dominate the landscape, featuring persistent, frequent, or seasonal low-cloud cover. These areas exhibit a unique and challenging ecosystem, contributing to their reputation as some of the most obscure places on the planet.
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== Occupants ==
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In localized areas, situated near water sources, indigenous communities lead a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle.  They rely on the rich resources of the jungle to sustain their way of life, trading high-value forest products like hides, feathers, honey and hardwoods. These indigenous groups have honed their knowledge of the jungle's flora and fauna over generations, using sustainable practices to extract valuable materials while preserving the ecosystem.
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Jungle regions provide a natural habitat that's able to produce many unusual plant species; in a medieval setting, a small amount of these find their way to temperate markets, but food supply is abundant for localsItems like yams, coffee, chocolate, bananas, mangoes, papayas and avocados have encouraged many Orientals and Europeans to trade with, or colonise, jungle populations.
  
 
== Conditions ==
 
== Conditions ==
Travellers grope slowly through jungles at reduced speeds, without visual contact of their surroundings, causing disorientation.  Oppressive heat and humidity prevail there during daylight hours, but penetrating cold can set in after dark at high altitudesAn inch of rain can fall in 5 minutes, which will turn the jungle floor into noxious mush.  Wet vegetation muffles sound, so that even large beasts can approach to close distances easilyNeophytes grow restless amidst the constant chatter and noise, especially at night.
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Travellers move at a slow pace, feeling their way cautiously through the thick vegetation, often without knowledge of their surroundings.  This leads to a sense of disorientation as they navigate the dense vegetationJungles are known for their oppressive daytime heat and humidity, creating challenging conditions for explorersWith nightfall, temperatures can drop sharply, producing a wet, penetrating coldCreating a fire is impossible for those unfamiliar with these places.
  
Maps are virtually useless, and the jungle reclaims open areas, trails and even whole villages or ruins that have been abandoned. Overland [[Travel|travel]] averages about ½ mile an hour where the going is good and ½ mile a day where it is notTravellers are subject to disease and fungal infections called "jungle rot," body rashes from profuse perspiration and heat exhaustion. Tropical maladies include dengue fever, scrub typhus, malaria, typhoid, cholera, hepatitus, diarrhea, dysentery and allergic reactions to insect bites. Blood-sucking leeches are plentifulClean water is impossible to find.
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There is a propensity for rapid, heavy rainfall. In just five minutes, an inch of rain can pour down, saturating the jungle floor and transforming it into a challenging, muddy terrain.  The constant lingering moisture in the air has the effect of dampening sound, creating an environment where even large animals can approach closely without being heard.  This is made worse by the constant chatter and noise made by birds and buzzing insects.  Newcomers cannot help being restless and unsettled as they acclimate to the unfamiliar and often noisy natural environment.
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Maps prove nearly futile, as the relentless jungle swiftly reclaims open spaces, trails and even villages or ruins that have been abandoned. Progressing overland is a slow and arduous endeavor, averaging approximately half a mile per hour under favorable conditions, and a mere half mile per day when conditions become especially challengingTravelers are vulnerable to a multitude of health hazards. Disease and fungal infections, collectively known as "jungle rot," pose a constant threat. Profuse perspiration in the stifling heat leads to uncomfortable body rashes, while the relentless tropical sun can cause heat exhaustion.
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Tropical maladies further compound the risks, including dengue fever, scrub typhus, malaria, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, diarrhea, dysentery and allergic reactions to insect bites. Blood-sucking leeches are abundantly present, adding to the discomfort and potential health concerns of travelersFinding a source of clean water in these challenging environments is an elusive and often impossible task.
  
 
== Major Jungles ==
 
== Major Jungles ==
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<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
 
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
* [[Amazon]] - enormous region covering northern South America
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* [[Amazon Jungle|Amazon]] - enormous jungle covering northern South America
 
* [[Central America]] - from south of the Yucatan to Panama
 
* [[Central America]] - from south of the Yucatan to Panama
 
* [[Choco-Darien]] - a moist forest west of the Columbian Andes
 
* [[Choco-Darien]] - a moist forest west of the Columbian Andes
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* [[Guinean]] - stretching from the Gold Coast to Senegal
 
* [[Guinean]] - stretching from the Gold Coast to Senegal
 
* [[Indochinese]] - extensive area surrounding Burma, Siam and southern China
 
* [[Indochinese]] - extensive area surrounding Burma, Siam and southern China
* [[Pacific Islands]] - located throughout the tropical Pacific
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* [[Pacific Islands]] - scattered throughout the tropical Pacific
 
* [[Tamil]] - Ceylon and southern India
 
* [[Tamil]] - Ceylon and southern India
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4">
 
<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4">
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* [[Aa]]
 
* [[Bamboo Grass]]
 
* [[Bamboo Grass]]
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* [[Boggy Clearing]]
 
* [[Cave]]
 
* [[Cave]]
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* [[Glade]]
 
* [[Gorge]]
 
* [[Gorge]]
 
* [[Hot Spring]]
 
* [[Hot Spring]]
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* [[Insect Nest]]
 
* [[Lake]]
 
* [[Lake]]
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* [[Pervasive Mist]]
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* [[Plantation]]
 
* [[Pond]]
 
* [[Pond]]
 
* [[Quicksand]]
 
* [[Quicksand]]
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* [[Spring]]
 
* [[Spring]]
 
* [[Thorn Thicket]]
 
* [[Thorn Thicket]]
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* [[Treetop Village]]
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* [[Village]]
 
* [[Waterfall]]
 
* [[Waterfall]]
</div>
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</div><br>
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== Jungle Creatures ==
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The following monsters are common to jungle ranges:
  
 
<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4">
 
<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4">
 
* [[Ankheg]]
 
* [[Ankheg]]
 
* [[Asiatic Elephant]]
 
* [[Asiatic Elephant]]
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* [[Bat (giant)]]
 
* [[Black Ant (giant)]]
 
* [[Black Ant (giant)]]
 
* [[Boa Constrictor]]
 
* [[Boa Constrictor]]
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* [[Boar (wild)]]
 
* [[Brobdingnagian Lizard]]
 
* [[Brobdingnagian Lizard]]
 
* [[Carnivorous Ape]]
 
* [[Carnivorous Ape]]
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* [[Couatl]]
 
* [[Couatl]]
 
* [[Cougar]]
 
* [[Cougar]]
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* [[Dog (wild)]]
 
* [[Dragonis Huakinthos (blue dragon)]]
 
* [[Dragonis Huakinthos (blue dragon)]]
 
* [[Dragonis Prasinochlorio (green dragon)]]
 
* [[Dragonis Prasinochlorio (green dragon)]]
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* [[Komodo Lizard]]
 
* [[Komodo Lizard]]
 
* [[Leopard]]
 
* [[Leopard]]
* [[Lizard Man]]
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* [[Lizardfolk]]
 
* [[Mandrill]]
 
* [[Mandrill]]
* [[Wild Boar]]
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* [[Naga]]
* [[Wild Dog]]
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
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See [[List of Ranges]]
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[[Category: Reviewed]]

Latest revision as of 18:27, 23 November 2023

Jungle (range).jpg

Jungle, also described as a tropical rainforest, manifests as a region of densely forested vegetation with a thick and intricate undergrowth, practically impenetrable without cutting through it.

Jungles are unlike temperate and sub-tropical rainforests in that the underlayer is dense and overgrown. Jungles thrive in low-lying areas, often intersected by numerous streams that give sunlight a selective opportunity to penetrate to the forest floor, while rainforests may be mountainous. Often jungles form on the lowland margins of rainforests.

Among the most remote and inaccessible places on Earth, these regions remain largely untamed and cut off from civilization. They experience no dry season, receiving a consistent monthly rainfall of at least 4 inches throughout the entire year, often much more. The jungle floor is composed of decaying plant and animal matter, teeming with insect life. Many giant insects hunt in jungles.

Vast expanses of these regions are waterlogged lowlands, known as "flooded forests," where the water table hovers just inches below the surface or inundates the land entirely. This includes environments like mangrove swamps, which are commonly found along saltwater coastlines. At higher elevations, "cloud forests" dominate the landscape, featuring persistent, frequent, or seasonal low-cloud cover. These areas exhibit a unique and challenging ecosystem, contributing to their reputation as some of the most obscure places on the planet.

Occupants

In localized areas, situated near water sources, indigenous communities lead a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle. They rely on the rich resources of the jungle to sustain their way of life, trading high-value forest products like hides, feathers, honey and hardwoods. These indigenous groups have honed their knowledge of the jungle's flora and fauna over generations, using sustainable practices to extract valuable materials while preserving the ecosystem.

Jungle regions provide a natural habitat that's able to produce many unusual plant species; in a medieval setting, a small amount of these find their way to temperate markets, but food supply is abundant for locals. Items like yams, coffee, chocolate, bananas, mangoes, papayas and avocados have encouraged many Orientals and Europeans to trade with, or colonise, jungle populations.

Conditions

Travellers move at a slow pace, feeling their way cautiously through the thick vegetation, often without knowledge of their surroundings. This leads to a sense of disorientation as they navigate the dense vegetation. Jungles are known for their oppressive daytime heat and humidity, creating challenging conditions for explorers. With nightfall, temperatures can drop sharply, producing a wet, penetrating cold. Creating a fire is impossible for those unfamiliar with these places.

There is a propensity for rapid, heavy rainfall. In just five minutes, an inch of rain can pour down, saturating the jungle floor and transforming it into a challenging, muddy terrain. The constant lingering moisture in the air has the effect of dampening sound, creating an environment where even large animals can approach closely without being heard. This is made worse by the constant chatter and noise made by birds and buzzing insects. Newcomers cannot help being restless and unsettled as they acclimate to the unfamiliar and often noisy natural environment.

Maps prove nearly futile, as the relentless jungle swiftly reclaims open spaces, trails and even villages or ruins that have been abandoned. Progressing overland is a slow and arduous endeavor, averaging approximately half a mile per hour under favorable conditions, and a mere half mile per day when conditions become especially challenging. Travelers are vulnerable to a multitude of health hazards. Disease and fungal infections, collectively known as "jungle rot," pose a constant threat. Profuse perspiration in the stifling heat leads to uncomfortable body rashes, while the relentless tropical sun can cause heat exhaustion.

Tropical maladies further compound the risks, including dengue fever, scrub typhus, malaria, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, diarrhea, dysentery and allergic reactions to insect bites. Blood-sucking leeches are abundantly present, adding to the discomfort and potential health concerns of travelers. Finding a source of clean water in these challenging environments is an elusive and often impossible task.

Major Jungles

Below is a list of the most extensive jungles in the world:

  • Amazon - enormous jungle covering northern South America
  • Central America - from south of the Yucatan to Panama
  • Choco-Darien - a moist forest west of the Columbian Andes
  • Congolese - a broad belt of forest in Central Africa
  • East Indies - peat swamps predominating throughout the archipelago
  • Guinean - stretching from the Gold Coast to Senegal
  • Indochinese - extensive area surrounding Burma, Siam and southern China
  • Pacific Islands - scattered throughout the tropical Pacific
  • Tamil - Ceylon and southern India

Jungle Features

Jungle is often a featureless expanse, with little change from place to place. However, below is a list of elements and features that occasionally occur in jungle ranges:


Jungle Creatures

The following monsters are common to jungle ranges:


See List of Ranges