Threatened tropical very dry forest habitats

Nature

Threatened tropical very dry forest habitats are ecosystems characterized by low annual rainfall, high temperatures, and distinct dry seasons, supporting unique biodiversity adapted to arid conditions. These forests are increasingly endangered due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and climate change, leading to habitat loss, fragmentation, and declining species populations. Their vulnerability is heightened by slow natural regeneration and limited conservation attention compared to wetter forests. The degradation of tropical very dry forests results in reduced ecosystem services, such as soil protection and carbon storage, and threatens the survival of endemic flora and fauna, making their preservation a critical environmental issue.

Background

According to Holdridge's system of ecological zones, tropical very dry forest has a mean annual temperature of 24 or more øC and an average annual rainfall of 500-1,000 mm.

Incidence

Tropical very dry forests, once widespread across regions such as Madagascar, Central America, and parts of South Asia, have experienced severe decline, with estimates suggesting that less than 10% of their original extent remains intact. These habitats are highly fragmented and continue to be threatened by agricultural expansion, fuelwood collection, and urbanization, making them among the most endangered forest types globally.
In 2022, the Pacific dry forests of Ecuador’s Manabí province suffered extensive degradation due to illegal logging and land conversion for cattle ranching. Satellite imagery revealed a loss of over 1,500 hectares within a single year, exacerbating local biodiversity loss.