The
ecosystems of the tropical marine climate have to adapt to the dry season. Plants during the dry season must conserve water/moisture. However, the extent of the adaptation depends much on the annual rainfall.
Hygrophytic ecosystems occur when there is a short dry period with a few rain showers. The soil in this ecosystem holds adequate water for plant growth. Most of the tropical marine ecosystems are close to true rain forests.
Mesophytic ecosystem The mesophytic ecosystem is also known as a semi-evergreen forest. It is found where there is a long dry season that has little rainfall. There is less vegetation than in a rainforest. There are only two tree stories; trees shed their leaves or have very small leaves. This provides the plants a way to conserve moisture. There are fewer
epiphytes than a rain forest has as the canopy is dry. In the dry season the ground is covered by leaves that will not decay until the soil is moist. The trees often flower during the dry season and start to grow during the wet season. The soil is usually latasol.
Xerophytic ecosystem The xerophytic ecosystem is also known as dry woodland. It is found in areas of
rain shadow in the tropical marine climate. This ecosystem often develops soils that drain quickly. The dry woodland is very different from the
rainforest. The
biomass is a lot less than a rainforest as there is little rain. The tallest of trees are only 15 to 25 meters high in the dry woodland. Dry woodland trees either have small leaves or shed their leaves. The trees have very thick bark and the trunks are crooked.
Variations Mangroves grow in coastal wetlands, which are called hydrophytic ecosystems. The vegetation at the coast are usually adapted to sandy soil. The
montane forests and
elfin woodlands grow on the cool, moist, mountainous regions. ==See also==