Ecological and Land Use Dynamics in Tropical Dry Forests
Summary
Tropical dry forests occupy regions characterised by marked seasonality, with prolonged dry periods alternating with intense rainfall. These ecosystems harbour high levels of endemism and provide vital ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, soil stabilisation and provision of non-timber forest products. Yet they are among the most threatened biome types, owing to rapid agricultural expansion, livestock grazing and infrastructure development. Land use change often follows complex pathways: direct forest clearance for pasture or cropland; indirect displacement of smallholder systems into frontier regions; and selective logging that fragments remaining stands. Climate variability further interacts with land use pressures, influencing tree mortality, regeneration rates and community composition. The interplay of ecological processes and human activities shapes patterns of biodiversity loss, carbon dynamics and hydrological function. Effective conservation and restoration strategies must integrate landscape-scale planning, local land tenure systems and adaptive management to maintain ecological integrity and support rural livelihoods.
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Ecological and Land Use Dynamics in Tropical Dry Forests publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in ecological and land use dynamics in tropical dry forests across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Tropical dry forest: A biome characterised by a pronounced dry season, deciduous or semi-deciduous vegetation and high biodiversity.
Deforestation frontier: The advancing edge of land cleared for agriculture or other uses, often encroaching on forested areas.
Land use displacement: The relocation of agricultural or pastoral activities from one area to another, frequently driving secondary deforestation.
Ecosystem services: The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting functions.
Seasonal drought resilience: The capacity of a forest ecosystem to withstand and recover from prolonged dry periods without significant loss of structure or function.
References
- Tropical dry woodland loss occurs disproportionately in areas of highest conservation value. Global Change Biology (2023).
- Will seasonally dry tropical forests be sensitive or resistant to future changes in rainfall regimes?. Environmental Research Letters (2017).
- Rapid expansion of human impact on natural land in South America since 1985. Science Advances (2021).
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