tropical dry

8/10/2019 Tropical Dry

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Tropical Dry Forest

K. Wettstein


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Temperature

Temperatures are high all year: the average

temperature is above 24C

Because of its proximity to the coast, fluctuations in

annual temperatures are only 10-15C

Frost and temperatures below freezing are rare

Temps. have been recorded as low as 3C and as high

as 31C

The air changes from moist due to inter-tropical region

mixtures in the summer to the dry air because of a

subtropical weather front during the winter

Imperative Information

Solar Isolation

Seasonal alternation

A well defined dry season, but a short wet season in

comparison to a tropical rain forest

The dry season typically lasts from June through August

Precipitation

The dry season is far longer than the brief period of

rainfall

There is no set amount of rain, it depends on the area

Annual rainfall is anywhere from 10-20 cm to 1000

1500 cm per year depending on the specific tropical dry

forest

There is decreasing summer precipitation

Limiting Factors

Its well defined dry season limits plant growth and the

activity of animals

A large soil-water shortage occurs, especially severe

during the hottest time prior to the rains


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Species DiversityPlant Life

Most of the trees and shrubs found in this

type of habitat are deciduous, losing their

leaves at beginning of the dry season

Leaves shed in dry season to conserve

soil moisture.

Up to 40 tree species in small forests

Dry forests consist of trees, shrubs, and

undergrowth of different heights which

form a canopy

Lotus, ironwood, and acacias

Columnar, jumping cholla and barrel

cactus

More light penetration and more

understory vegetation than a tropical rain

forest

Animal Life

Tasmanian devil

American alligator

Merriam's Kangaroo rat

Ants

Lizards

Shrews

Coyotes

Kit and gray foxes

Ringtails

Raccoons

Skunks

Badger

Bobcat

Mountain lion

Ocelot


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Food Chain

Energy

from sun

First tropic

level:

Producers

Second

tropic level:

Primary

consumers

Third tropic

level:

Secondary

consumers

Fourth tropic

level: Tertiary

consumers

Decomposers

heatheat heat heat

heat
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Interesting Facts

It may come as a surprise that for over 75%

of the tropics, annual drought is a way of

life.

Dry tropical forests are also heavily logged,

and are nearly vanished in Indonesia.There is really no actual distinction

between this zone and the tropical rain

forest. Because the length of the dry

season varies tremendously throughout

the tropics, one biome gradually changes

into the other over hundreds of miles.Wetter or drier soils sometimes produce

pockets of tropical dry forest within a

tropical rain forest.


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Climate / Seasons:Tropical dry forests have a seasonal

climate, alternating between a wet and dry

season. However, the dry season is oftenlonger than the wet season, lasting overfive months every year.

Temperature:The annual mean temperature is

approximately 81F, or around 27C.However, in the dry season, this may

increase to 99F, or 37C.

Geography:Located from 10 to

25 N and S.

Precipitation:The annual rainfall is

usually around 150-200

cm.

Soil:The soil in this area is

richer with nutrients, but ismore vulnerable to erosion.

Limiting Factors of the Biome:The fact that the dry season lasts longer than the wet season, as

well as the soils high susceptibility to erosion, limits the growth of

certain plant life. This, in turn, will limit the biomes ability to sustain

animal life.

Sunlight:Trees are not as close to

each other as in a rain forest,therefore allowing more sunlight

to reach the forest floor.


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The majority of the biomes fauna is deciduous, meaning these plantsshed their leaves at the onset of the dry season in order to preventexcess water loss. Other species of plants store water in their fleshyleaves or stems, or simply have thick waxy skins, such as cacti.

Types of plants: deciduous shrubs, cacti, deciduous

trees, and legumes.

Animals in the tropical dry forest have adapted to survive in the

arid, dry seasons. Many animals are nocturnal, gathering their foodin the cooler night, conserving water. Insects can readily survive in

these conditions, and provide a source of food for larger animals.

Types of animals: desert deer, cactus and pocket mice,wood and kangaroo rats, lizards, gophers, rabbits,

coyotes, foxes, raccoons, badgers, and bobcats.

Decomposers such as mold and fungi work during the brief wetseason to break down waste into nutrients.


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Deciduous shrubs Ants

Sun

Jackrabbit Coyote

Fungus


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Since dry forest is suitable for agriculture, much of ithas been burned to make way for farmland.

Tropical dry forests make up the majority of tropical forests onthe earth. Even though they are more endangered thanrainforests in some areas, public awareness is still at a minimal.

The high productivity during the wet season, as

well as the relief from rain during the dryseason makes this a favorable area for humans

to clear in order to be developed foragricultural needs.

tropical dry

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