Tropical and Subtropical Seasonal Forest Also known as Tropical and Subtropical Broadleaf/Deciduous Forests or Seasonal Rainforests, these forests are located where temperatures are high all year long but where there is a better developed dry season than in a tropical rainforest. They also contain many deciduous trees, which shed their leaves during the dry season, as opposed to tropical rainforests which are mostly evergreen. Precipitation can still be over 70 inches per year but not as evenly distributed, and drought can occur. Soils are similar to Tropical Rainforests, being nutrient poor, acidic, and with heavy leaching. Canopies are not as high nor well developed as in a Tropical Rainforest, with tree maximums being less than 100 feet. During the

Photo: Cosmi

dry season some of the trees lose their leaves so light can reach the forest floor, in consequence, undergrowth can be very thick and tangled.

Trees Very wide variety of trees both deciduous and evergreen, but compared to the tropical rainforest the trees have more variable leaves, thicker bark, and deeper roots without buttresses.

Plants Wide variety including drought resistant orchids, bromeliads and cacti.