Central Indochina dry forests

The Central Indochina 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 318,937 km². Classified under the WWF ecoregion code IM0202, 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 Central Indochina 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 Central Indochina dry forests contributes to the broader biodiversity patterns of the Indomalaya realm.

Geographic Distribution

The Central Indochina dry forests extends across Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. This geographic range places it within the Indomalaya realm, one of the eight major biogeographic divisions of the world.

Notable Species

The Central Indochina dry forests supports a range of wildlife, including Alexandrian laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), Allspice (Pimenta dioica), American Black Nightshade (Solanum americanum), American carpet grass (Axonopus compressus), Anil de pasto (Indigofera suffruticosa), appleblossom cassia (Cassia grandis), Aroma (Dichrostachys cinerea), Arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia), 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 Central Indochina 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.