Abstract:
Tropical dry forests (TDF) have many endemic species and were once
widespread, comprising over 40% of the total area of tropical forest.
Conversion to other land uses such as cattle pastures has reduced the
total area of TDF by up to 98% in some regions. Despite dramatic
losses in TDF over the past several centuries, secondary forests are
beginning to regenerate. The rates of recovery in key ecosystem
processes such are carbon storage are poorly known for TDF.
