The dry jungle, also known as the dry forest, xerophilic forest, deciduous forest, tropical dry forest or tropophile jungle, are forests that are in tropical and subtropical areas of dry climates. It is characterized by its alternation of rainy stations (being able to receive several centimeters of rainfall per year) and longer dry times, in which they must survive dry seasons that last several months. In this ecology article, we talk about The dry jungle: characteristics, flora and fauna.
The dry jungle: general characteristics
We can find this type of jungles in southern Mexico, the lowlands of Bolivia, the center of Brazil, the Caribbean, the valleys of the northern Andes, the coasts of Ecuador, Peru, Central India, Indochina, Nueva Caledonia, Madagascar or Southeast Africa. However, the most important and rich in biodiversity are those that are in Mexico and South America.
This jungle must pass long seasons without rains Every year and that is why deciduous trees predominate, since they retain water better and resist the drought better. In contrast, during this time, the sunlight arrives better to the ground, so these seasons are good for the forest floor, even if they are worse for the trees.
The dry jungle (or dry forests) are the home of great Wildlife varietyalthough it has less biodiversity than other areas of forests and forests of the planet, such as monkeys, various rodents, parrots, felids and various varieties of birds. Many of the species that live here have developed adaptations to dry climate.
Most important characteristics of the dry jungle: weather, flora and fauna
Some of the main characteristics of the dry jungle They are its climate and the flora and fauna that can be found there:
Tropical dry forest climate
In the dry rainforest, the average annual temperatures usually around 25ºC to 30ºC, while in the subtropical jungle it is a bit lower. In the dry rainforest, the level of average rainfall ranges between 1000 mm and 2000 mm, but during the winter the station is drier. On the other hand, the subtropical dry forest experiences lower levels of rain, with average levels per year between 500 mm and 1000 mm.
Dry jungle fauna
Although the fauna usually vary according to the continent, the deer is one of the dominant species in the tropical dry jungles. These are large herbivores that feed mainly with leaves and branches of various trees and shrubs and significant amounts of grass, fruits, mushrooms or acorns. The deer It is a species that has great importance within the food chain of these ecosystems and their disappearance would affect other species that are their prey, such as Pumas.
In addition to deer, in these jungles there are also different species of Felidos, rodents, monkeys and birds.
Dry jungle flora
As we said, a characteristic of this kind of jungles are the deciduous treesit is an adaptation of trees to the weather. Even many evergreen species become expired in this area.
Since in these habitats, the conditions for growth are not as favorable as in other areas, the treetops are usually lower compared to other types of forests and less dense trees where droughts are more important and, when filtering more sunlight made the ground, allow further growth of seedlings, herbs and shrubs. In addition, trees have a thicker and rough cortex, with deep roots and more varied leaf shapes, such as compound leaf legumes.
Epiphytic plants are abundant as orchids and bromelias and plants like cacti or cactussince long periods of droughts can pass and without receiving rainfall.
Biodiversity in dry jungles
The dry jungle is the habitat of different species, although in general The Bodiversity of the Dry Forest is lower That in other types of forests, because there is greater environmental stress due to the succession of dry periods and plants and animals must face these conditions through different adaptations. Some of these species are temporary, that is, they are animals that migrate, such as migratory birds In Central or India America.
These species are characterized by having a greater seasonality in their reproductive cycles and migrating to more humid areas during the dry season. Some have short life cycles or remain in a state of latency during the driest times.
In addition, dry forests are very sensitive to factors such as excessive burning, deforestation, overparation or introduction of invasive exotic species. All these processes have increased in recent times, by which the jungle or dry forest is suffering important consequences.
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