Tivives, Costa Rica Photograph by Linda Farley   Central America: Patches scattered through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests   26,300 square miles (68,000 square kilometers) -- about the size of West Virginia Critical/Endangered

· Patchwork of Dry Forests
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Patchwork of Dry Forests

The Central American Dry Forests ecoregion extends in patches from the dry forests of southeast Mexico, through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, ending in the transition zone of dry to moist forest in Costa Rica. These unique ecosystems represent dry habitat "islands" embedded in moist forests, pine-oak forests, and xeric habitats, and are important in the migration routes and life cycles of many species. Most dry forest areas are in the lowland plains. Generally, these forests are smaller in structure and simpler in composition than the neighboring moist forests, although many endemic species do occur here. Dry forests are dense and species-rich with 600 to 700 tree species in the various ecological zones.

Special Features

This habitat is distinct because of its sharp seasonal differences. The forests grow in the rain shadow of the central mountain range. This means they grow on the less-rainy side of the central mountain range and that moisture-laden clouds usually dump their rain before ever reaching this area. During 6 to 8 months of the year, little to no rain falls; the short rainy season lasts only between July and September. Most wildlife must either migrate to coastal or upland forests during the extensive dry season or congregate around sparse watering holes.

	Burning practices cut into the forest a little bit more each year and allow pasture grasses to encroach farther into the forest. After the fire burns the forest vegetation to the ground, the invasive African grass jaragua takes over and cattle are allowed to graze it.

Wild Side

Watering holes are busy places during the dry season, as more and more animals come to the remaining pools for water. A small herd of white-tailed deer remains wary as they lower their heads to take a much-needed drink. Blending in with the dry, light-brown landscape, a cougar could quickly grab one of their younger or weaker members. Dry forests are also important to migrating birds, because fruiting seasons often coincide with migrations. A large-billed hawk circles the open areas near the watering hole, waiting for a forest rabbit to venture out into the open. The scenery brightens as flocks of parrots gather in trees around the waterhole. It is also possible to see pairs or trios of long-tailed manakins performing courtship displays on vacant branches, fluttering and hopping over one another in a sort of "hop-scotch" or "cartwheel" dance.

Cause for Concern

Little is left of this once-vast habitat. Dry forests soils make good agricultural lands. As a result, much of the dry forest was burned and converted to pasture during the historic cattle era, when much of this area was covered with large herds. Grazing, burning, agricultural expansion, exotic species introduction, and exploitative hunting continue to threaten this ecoregion.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.