The document discusses the different types of forests found in India, focusing on tropical dry forests. It notes that tropical dry forests are found between 10-25 degrees latitude, have a long dry season followed by heavy rainfall, and are located north and south of rainforests as well as near coasts. The main types of tropical dry forests in India are tropical dry deciduous forests and tropical thorn forests, which are characterized by drought-adapted plants and animals. Tropical dry deciduous forests in India are predominantly located in northern and southern regions, and have teak, ebony, and rosewood as main canopy trees. These forests provide important resources and habitat for wildlife.

1. TYPES OF FORESTS IN INDIA
Dry Tropical Forests
i. Tropical dry deciduous forest
ii. Tropical thorn forests
iii. Tropical dry evergreen forests

2. DRY TROPICAL FOREST

3. • Tropical dry forest, also called monsoon forest or tropical deciduous forest.
• Biome of any open woodland in tropical areas have a long dry season followed by
a season of heavy rainfall.
• Tropical dry forests are found between 10° and 25° latitude and are often found
north and south of the world’s tropical rainforests, and near windward coasts and
on the leeward sides of mountains or islands.
• With a dry season that lasts six or more months of the year, the climate is
significantly more seasonal than that of a rainforest. The trees usually shed their
leaves during the dry season and come into leaf at the start of the rainy season.

4. • Tropical dry forests around the world have been extensively devastated by deforestation for
agriculture and human development.
• The structure and composition of a tropical dry forests depends on the amount of rain it
receives.
• Forests with more rain tend to be taller and have more evergreen species, while those in
very dry areas generally have a lower, less dense canopy and more species that go dormant
during times of drought.
• Regardless of rainfall, many lianas (woody vines) and herbaceous epiphytes (air plants, such
as orchids) are common in these communities.

5. • These forests share many animal species with neighboring rainforests
and savannas, including monkeys, parrots, and large cats, and a number of animals
make seasonal migrations to wetter habitats during the dry season.
• Characteristic families that predominate in the dry forests are mainly Fabaceae,
Anacardiaceae, Bombacaceae, Bignoniaceae and Apocynaceae.

6. TROPICAL DRY DECIDIOUS FORESTS

7. • Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests are a transitional type of forest between
moist deciduous and thorn forests on the wetter side and thorn forests on the
drier side.
• They thrive in harsh and highly fluctuating climates marked by low annual
rainfall, 5-6 dry months per year.
• It has a nutrient-depleted soil.

8. • The biotic components (producer, consumers, and decomposers) in this ecosystem
type are characterized by plants and animals with specific adaptations to survive
the extended dry season.
• The abiotic factors (climate, temperature, soil, precipitation) such as lack of
precipitation for a lengthy period of time is more important than any other
component in producing a true dry forest.
• Seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF), tropical dry deciduous
forest, monsoon forest, caatinga, cuabal and other terms have been used to
describe this forest.

9. Distribution
• The dry deciduous forests of India are
predominantly found in North India
and the Deccan Plateau's southern
parts.
• They can also be found in the plains
of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and the
Peninsular plateau's northeastern
regions.

10. Climatic Conditions
• The annual rainfall in the tropical dry deciduous forest is 100-150 cm.
• There is a low annual rainfall with 5 to 6 dry months within the annual cycle.
• The climate in these forests is hot and humid, with average temperatures ranging
from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, but no lower than 18 degrees Celsius.

11. Soil
• The soil of tropical dry deciduous forests is generally nutrient-poor.
• Alfisols and Ultisols make up the majority of the soils in this area.
• The soils of tropical dry deciduous forests are old and less fertile.
• But because of dry season, more nutrients can be retained.

12. Flora
• The single most essential adaptation among plants
to extended droughts is deciduousness.
• After the rains stop, most trees drop their leaves and
essentially stop photosynthesis, as they would
otherwise be unable to survive the dry season due to
water loss.
• These forests are made up of a variety of deciduous
trees that can reach a height of 20 meters.
• Enough light reaches the ground to allow primary
producers and climbers to thrive.

13. •Teak (Tectona grandis), coromandel ebony (Diospyros melanoxylon),
dhaora (Anogeissus latifolia), Lagerstroemia parviflora, Terminalia
tomentosa, Lannea coromandelica, Hardwickia binata, and Boswellia
serrata are the main canopy trees found here.
•Axlewood, rosewood, common bamboo, red sanders, laurel, satinwood
and other significant species are also common among them.
Teak coromandel ebony rosewood

14. Fauna
• The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), together with gaur (Bos gaurus), packs
of dhole or Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus),
chousingha (Tetracerus quadricornis), and blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) live in
the tropical dry deciduous forests of Madhya Pradesh.
• There are 276 bird species in the area, none of which are endemic.
• The lesser florican (Eupodotis indica) and Indian bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) are
two large threatened bird species.

15. The Bengal tiger
blackbuck
sloth bear
Asiatic wild dog

16. Importance of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest
• Tropical dry deciduous forests are vital to rural livelihoods, especially for the poor
who rely on them.
• Tropical dry deciduous forests and woodlands contribute to the direct provision of
numerous products, including timber and non-timber forest products, in addition to
their roles in maintaining resilient and multi-functional landscapes.
• These products are shown to help people supplement their incomes and alleviate
poverty.
• They are especially important as a safety net during adverse situations when other
economic activities are affected by the regular droughts.

17. • A wide range of these products are collected, either for personal
consumption or to make a little amount of cash.
• Drought-prone animals rely on the forest for fodder.