Download Tropical Dry Forest

Tropical dry forests are located all over the
world. In the Americas, these dry forests
are the source of vegetation to the north
and south of the Amazon rain forest.
Fauna of the Tropical Dry
Forest
Common Long Nosed
Armadillo
African
Lion
Capuchin Monkey
Spotted
Hyena
African
Elephant
Animal Adaptations
• Such animals as the Capuchin monkey will move to areas like
stream beds, where it is moist all year which allows them to
survive.
• To adapt to the hot environment frogs and insects have gone into
“estivation” which is the summer- time version of hibernation.
• Small rats are nocturnal so they gather food at night when it is
cooler out.
• Their large ears help dissipate the heat.
•
Flora of the Tropical Dry
Forest
In order to survive the periods of little to no moisture or
precipitation, the trees of this area are either deciduous or
Evergreens.
• The plants that are deciduous save water by loosing their
leaves, therefore saving energy.
Ceiba Tree
Orchids
Jacaranda
Tree
Human Influences
• Tropical Dry Forests are the perfect area for
agriculture. Because of this, numerous amounts of
land are lost to cattle ranches, grain farms, and
cotton fields.
• Tropical Rain Forests hold the publics eye, while the
dry forest disappears.
Soils and Climate
• Soil in the dry forest tend to be less acidic compared
to a rain forest, and richer in nutrients.
• Climate of the dry forest ranges from periods of dry
season lasting 6 to 7 months, while having a very
wet season for 5 to 6 months. Between both dry and
rain forests, the dry forest is more seasonal.
Biology
• The trees of this forest are greatly influenced by physical
factors. How tall a tree will grow depends on how much
rain there has been. The wetter the area the taller trees
which tend to be evergreens. In the drier areas are shorter
and loose their leaves throughout dry season.
• Similar to the rain forest, plants produce animal –
dispersed seeds. But they are also wind-dispersed seeds.