Dry forests (main)
From The Encyclopedia of Earth
Dry forests
Dry forests represent a biome that occurs in the tropics and sub-tropics, consisting of a chiefly deciduous tree mix. The climate consists of not only of less rainfall than most other forest types, but contains a long dry season. Endemism is often high, not only of plant species, but also vertebrates.
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Madagascar dry deciduous forests Last Updated on 2015-06-02 11:51:21 WWF Terrestrial Ecoregions Collection The Madagascar dry deciduous forests of western Madagascar are some of the world’s most species rich and most distinctive tropical dry forests. They are characterized by very high local plant and animal endemism at the species, genera and family levels. A significant fraction of these dry forests have been previously cleared, and the remaining forests are fragmented and critically threatened by uncontrolled burning and cuttining for charcoal production, grazing and agriculture. Since human settlement of this region during the Holocene, an estimated 97 percent of the island’s dry deciduous western forests have been destroyed, and those remaining are extremely localized and fragmented. This ecoregion also contains spectacular limestone karst formations, known as tsingy, and their associated forests,... More » 
Angolan mopane woodlands Last Updated on 2014-12-25 13:37:21 WWF Terrestrial Ecoregions Collection The Angolan Mopane Woodlands are located in northern Namibia and southern Angola, completely surrounding the Etosha Pan, which is considered a separate ecoregion. Mopane trees (Colophospermum mopane) dominate the vegetation, and are an essential resource for both the people and wildlife of the region. African Bush Elephants (Loxodonta africana) utilize almost every part of the mopane tree, and the region supports other large herbivores, including the critically endangered Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Species richness in this ecoregion is high, especially in comparison with the arid deserts to the west. Conservation potential is high in Namibia, due to the vastness of the desolate Namib Desert and the presence of Etosha National Park, and increasing awareness of conservation... More » 
Sierra Juarez and San Pedro Martir pine-oak forests Last Updated on 2014-05-25 11:59:00 WWF Terrestrial Ecoregions Collection The Sierra Juarez and San Pedro Martir pine-oak forests is a relatively small ecoregion, found in several disjunctive units within the northern part of the Baja Peninsula. Covering two mountain ranges, this area is rich in biodiversity and provides habitat for the threatened Bald eagle and California condor. Greater than average rainfall compared to Baja as a whole induces a Mediterranean climate here. This is one of the few places within Mexico where such a Mediterranean climate occurs; moreover, a number of endemic flora species area found within this dry forest ecoregion. This ecoregion is codified as NA0526 by the World Wildlife Fund, and is within the Temperate Coniferous Forests biome.Displaying low faunal species richness, a total of 289 vertebrate taxa are found in the Sierra Juarez and... More » 
Mediterranean woodlands and forests Last Updated on 2014-05-16 16:14:44 WWF Terrestrial Ecoregions Collection The Mediterranean woodlands and forests ecoregion stretches from the coastal plains to the hills of northern Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, and eventually surrounds the Atlas Mountains. To the north is the Alboran Sea, the westernmost element of the Mediterranean Sea. The variety of substrates and climates leads to a diverse mix of vegetation including holm oak forests, cork oak forests, wild olive and carob woodlands, as well as extensive Berber thuya forest. This old, endemic North African conifer species is representative of the great diversity and endemism of both flora and fauna in this ecoregion. Reptile diversity is high and the region harbors charismatic large mammals, including the rare and endangered Barbary leopard. Unfortunately, this region contains expanding human populations and is enduring... More » 
Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests Last Updated on 2014-05-16 16:01:48 WWF Terrestrial Ecoregions Collection The Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests ecoregion lies in the heart of the Middle East along the Levantine Sea coasts of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Israel, as well as in the neighbouring coastal plains and lowlands. Major avian migratory routes pass through this Palaearctic realm, contributing to its status as an area of high bird biodiversity. There is considerable flora and fauna species richness in the ecoregion, with 522 vertebrate taxa being recorded here. The ecoregion is also home to a number of globally threatened wildlife species, including the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita CR) and Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus CR), the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta EN) and the endangered Euphrates Softshell Turtle (Rafetus... More » 
