Tropical and subtropical dry broad-leaved forests (the Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests ) - one of the 14 types of vegetation according to the World Wildlife Fund classification, characteristic of subtropical and tropical latitudes - is a forest that leaves foliage during the dry season . Fires are the main threat to this biome [1] .
Spread
Tropical and subtropical dry deciduous forests are common in many parts of the world at latitudes from 20 ° S. sh. up to 30 ° c. w., occupying an area of 3.7 million km 2 (2.5% of land). [2] . In America, they grow in southern Mexico , eastern Bolivia and central Brazil , in the Caribbean islands , in the northern valleys of the Andes , Ecuador and Peru , in Asia - in central India , in Indochina and the Lesser Sunda Islands , in Africa in its southeast and on the island of Madagascar , as well as on the Pacific island of New Caledonia [1] .
Climate
The climate is warm enough throughout the year ( 25–30 ° C ) and with a fairly large total annual precipitation ( an average of 1000–2000 mm per year ), but their unevenness Fallout during the year causes the presence of a dry season , the duration of which varies depending on the area and is several months [1] .
Flora and fauna
A characteristic feature of the distribution of forest dry tropical biological species , especially in plants, are wider ranges , however, in many species, the area of distribution is strictly limited, in any case, most are found only in dry tropical forests [1] .
Trees evaporate moisture through the leaves , so the lack of leaves allows them to avoid death from drying because of this, deciduous trees dominate here, shedding leaves for a period of drought, such as teak and ebony . Different types of trees have a different duration of leafless period. At the same time, the forest canopy, freed from the leaves, allows sunlight to pass through to the lower tiers of the forest, making it possible to grow dense shrub undergrowth [1] .
The fauna of tropical and subtropical dry deciduous forests is quite rich, although less diverse than in tropical rain forests . Monkeys , large representatives of the Feline family , rodents , parrots , and terrestrial species of birds are widely represented here. Many of these species have unusual adaptations for survival in these difficult conditions [1] .
The most diverse forests of southern Mexico and the valleys of Bolivia. Due to the isolation of the forests of the Pacific coast of the northeast of South America , a wealth of unique flora and fauna has been preserved here. Maputoland-Pondoland Subtropical Forests in southeastern Africa especially rich in endemics . The dry forests of India and Indochina are notable for the diversity of the fauna of large vertebrates . The dry forests of Madagascar and New Caledonia are characterized by pronounced endemism, many relict taxa of different levels [1] .
Some ecoregions
- Mata (ecoregion)
- Kaatinga
- Dry forests of Madagascar
- Dry deciduous forests of the Central Deccan
- Dry deciduous forests of the Southern Deccan
- Veracruz Dry Forests
- Dry forests of Cuba
- Chikitano Dry Forests
See also
- A tropical forest
- Subtropical forest
Notes
- 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 World Wildlife Fund: Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests. World Wildlife Fund. 2014. [1]
- ↑ Helen Diane Hazen . The World Heritage Convention in Protecting Natural Areas ProQuest 2006 p. 114 isbn = 0542835703 (English)