Irrawaddy dry forests

The Irrawaddy dry 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 34,987 km². Classified under the WWF ecoregion code IM0205, 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 Irrawaddy 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 Irrawaddy dry forests contributes to the broader biodiversity patterns of the Indomalaya realm.

Geographic Distribution

The Irrawaddy dry forests extends entirely within Myanmar. This geographic range places it within the Indomalaya realm, one of the eight major biogeographic divisions of the world.

Notable Species

The Irrawaddy dry forests supports a range of wildlife, including Alexandrian laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), American carpet grass (Axonopus compressus), Aroma (Dichrostachys cinerea), Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus), Awnless Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa colonum), Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), Birdbill Dayflower (Commelina diffusa), Black mimosa (Mimosa pigra), and 42 more species. Among these, 2 species are 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 Irrawaddy 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.