Cape Verde Islands dry forests

The Cape Verde Islands dry forests is a tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests ecoregion located in the Afrotropic biogeographic realm, covering sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, spanning approximately 4,548.1 km². Classified under the WWF ecoregion code AT0201, this region represents a distinct ecological community shaped by its unique combination of climate, geography, and evolutionary history.

Climate and Vegetation

This ecoregion experiences warm with a pronounced dry season lasting several months. The dominant vegetation consists of deciduous or semi-deciduous broadleaf trees that shed leaves during the dry season. These conditions create the foundation for the ecological communities found within the Cape Verde Islands dry forests.

Ecological Significance

These forests support lower species density than their moist counterparts but harbour many endemic species adapted to seasonal drought. Fire plays an important ecological role in maintaining forest structure. The Cape Verde Islands dry forests contributes to the broader biodiversity patterns of the Afrotropic realm.

Geographic Distribution

The Cape Verde Islands dry forests extends entirely within Cabo Verde. This geographic range places it within the Afrotropic realm, one of the eight major biogeographic divisions of the world.

Notable Species

The Cape Verde Islands dry forests supports a range of wildlife, including African tuliptree (Spathodea campanulata), agate cone (Conus ermineus), Anil de pasto (Indigofera suffruticosa), Aniseed-Weed (Foeniculum vulgare), Aroma (Dichrostachys cinerea), Banana bud moth (Opogona sacchari), Barbados nut (Jatropha curcas), Beach sheoak (Casuarina equisetifolia), and 42 more species.

Conservation

Like many tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests ecosystems, the Cape Verde Islands dry forests faces threats from conversion to agriculture, fire regime changes, and cattle ranching. Conservation efforts in this ecoregion focus on habitat preservation, sustainable land management, and protecting corridors that connect fragmented habitat patches.