Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests

The Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests is a tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests ecoregion located in the Indomalaya biogeographic realm, covering South and Southeast Asia, extending from the Indian subcontinent to southern China, spanning approximately 48,213 km². Classified under the WWF ecoregion code IM0212, 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 Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen 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 Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests contributes to the broader biodiversity patterns of the Indomalaya realm.

Geographic Distribution

The Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests extends entirely within Sri Lanka. This geographic range places it within the Indomalaya realm, one of the eight major biogeographic divisions of the world.

Notable Species

The Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests supports a range of wildlife, including Achicoria azul (Launaea intybacea), Alexandrian laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus), banana poka (Passiflora tarminiana), Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), Black mimosa (Mimosa pigra), Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus), Buff tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), and 42 more species. Among these, 1 species is classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List, underscoring the conservation importance of this ecoregion.

Conservation

Like many tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests ecosystems, the Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen 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.