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Facts on Dry Tropical Forest Adaptations

Dry tropical forests or tropical seasonal forests exist in regions where each year consists of several months of severe drought. Due to the long dry season, seasonal forests closely resemble the savanna. One difference is that savannahs are mainly grassy areas with sparsely placed trees, whereas dry tropical forests have a dense tree population. In order for plants and animals to survive in this type of ecosystem, they must process specific adaptations.

Trees
- In dry tropical forests, trees, such as the Ceiba trichastandra, adapt by shedding their leaves during the dry season, halting photosynthesis. During the short window of the rainy season, trees grow leaves at a heightened rate. The rainwater moistens leaf litter on the forest floor, awakening insects and bacteria. Insects and bacteria begin the decomposition process that released nutrients needed by the trees and other plants. Dry tropical forests also grow a large variety of palms that produce nuts and fruit.
Plants
- Many plants, called epiphytes, grow on trees and use green bark rich in chlorophyll as an alternative source of photosynthetic energy. Some plants adapt to the dry season by developing water storage tissues, such as swollen roots or stems. The roots and stems of cacti-type plants and orchids allow the plants to store enough water to draw on throughout the dry season. Still, some other plants have adapted by growing an extra, waxy layer on the exterior side of their leaves. This waxy layer of some bromeliads slows water evaporation. Some plants close their leaves at night to reduce the amount of exposed surface area, helping to slow water loss.
Animals
- The most common adaptation by animals is estivation, summer-time hibernation. During the dry season, frogs and insects burrow deep into damp mud and sleep, reducing their metabolism. Birds and monkeys retreat to damp areas along streambeds so they have enough water to survive. During the wet season Howler monkeys fight over territory but during the dry season, they congregate along streams without fighting and share the water for survival of the species.
Diversity
- Through adaptation, dry tropical forests are rich in plant and animal species. In every one quarter of an acre, you can find 50 to 70 species of trees and large shrubs. This type of ecosystem is typically home to 200 to 300 species of birds. Surprisingly, dry tropical forests support a large number of amphibians. This is mainly due to their tough skin and hard-shelled eggs.

Nature