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The Ecuadorian dry forests are in the neotropical realm, in the tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests biome. [2] The ecoregion is part of the Tumbes–Chocó–Magdalena biodiversity hotspot , one of 25 biogeographic regions globally that have with a significant reservoir of biodiversity under threat from humans. [ 6 ]
Most dry forests have already been destroyed by human action, especially near the Central Highlands. The remaining forest is severely fragmented. Burning, grazing, and logging are the major threats, and siltation, overfishing and invasive species impact the wetlands. Some species such as lemurs suffer from hunting. [2]
Trinidad and Tobago dry forest on Chacachacare showing the dry-season deciduous nature of the vegetation. Dry forests tend to exist in the drier areas north and south of the tropical rainforest belt, south or north of the subtropical deserts, generally in two bands: one between 10° and 20°N latitude and the other between 10° and 20°S latitude.
Deforestation for farming and logging have severely disturbed at least 94% of temperate broadleaf forests; many old growth forest stands have lost more than 98% of their previous area because of human activities. [7] Tropical deciduous dry forests are easier to clear and burn and are more suitable for agriculture and cattle ranching than ...
Invasive species are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as non-native to the specific ecosystem, and whose presence is likely to harm the health of humans or the animals in said system. [139] Introductions of non-native species into new areas have brought about major and permanent changes to the environment over large areas.
Puerto Rican dry forest on Caja de Muertos, south of Ponce. The dry forest life zone exist in two areas on the island of Puerto Rico - along the south coast of the island (in the dry orographic rain shadow of the Cordillera Central) and in the northeastern corner of the island near Fajardo, where the combination of low elevation and strong winds off the ocean result in a dry environment.
The forests' plant composition changed following the arrival of Polynesians, even excluding the deliberate introduction of non-native species. [5] Fossilized pollen has shown that loulu forests with an understory of Ka palupalu o Kanaloa (Kanaloa kahoolawensis) and ʻaʻaliʻi (Dodonaea viscosa) existed on the islands' leeward lowlands [6] from at least before 1210 B.C. until 1565 A.D ...
Defaunation is the global, local, or functional extinction of animal populations or species from ecological communities. [4] The growth of the human population, combined with advances in harvesting technologies, has led to more intense and efficient exploitation of the environment. [5]