DRY FOREST

 
 

IN THIS ARTICLE:  

  1. WHAT IS A DRY FOREST

  2. DRY FORESTS IN JAMAICA

  3. ADAPTATIONS OF DRY FORESTS

  4. DRY FORESTS AND THE JAMAICAN IGUANA

  5. THREATS TO DRY FORESTS

 
 

  1. WHAT IS A DRY FOREST

A great variety of forest ecosystems can be found on the island of Jamaica. One of these being dry forests.

A dry forest, experiences a distinct dry season during parts of the year.

 

2. Dry Forests in Jamaica

Dry forests can be found scattered along the central to eastern parishes of the island. A popular Jamaican dry forest is the Hellshire Hills in St. Catherine. Tropical Dry forests are more endangered and cover less land area in Jamaica than Tropical Rainforests.

 

3. adaptations to dry forests

Dry and wet seasons are more clearly experienced in a dry forest and this affects the types of plants and animals which are found there. These plants and animals have adaptations to increase survival in this environment.

Some plants have waxy leaves and spines, in an effort to preserve water.

Adaptations are even observed in the germination process. Many seeds of dry forest trees mature in the dry season and are released at the start of the rainy season when there is enough moisture for germination. If seeds were released in the dry season, many would dry up and there would be little to no germination.

Another seed adaptation for survival in a dry forest is the presence of oil in seeds. Some trees like wild cinnamon produce seeds with oil. The oil content of these seeds prevent it from drying out when it is released in the dry season and help them to remain moist until the wet season.

 

4. DRY FORESTS AND THE JAMAICAN IGUANA

The Jamaican Iguana can be found in the dry forests if the Hellshire Hills. The Jamaican Iguana is critically endangered and is the largest endemic land animal in Jamaica. The iguana plays as important role in the forest as a seed disperser, helping to maintain the diversity of the forest and acts as a keystone species.

 

5. threats to dry forests

In Jamaica the major threats to our dry forests are cutting down trees for wood, coal production and development.