Indochina Dry Forests - A Global Ecoregion

Most of the original monsoon forests have been degraded

About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Southeastern Indochina dry evergreen forests; Central Indochina dry forests.

Although most of the original monsoon forests of this ecoregion have been degraded, especially in Vietnam, those fragments that remain contain an extraordinary diversity of life. These forests are adapted to dry periods of several months, followed by several months of torrential rain.

Most of the native tree species lose their leaves during part of the year, though all of them are not leafless at the same time, as is the case with the northern deciduous forests.

Local Species
The beautiful red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus) is only found in north and central Vietnam and Laos. Its habitat is in the lowland to montane primary and secondary rainforests where it lives in the mid to upper levels of the canopy.

It is a species endangered due to many factors including illegal trade. However, Vietnamese laws protecting the douc langurs have been difficult to enforce. The highly endangered wild cattle called Kouprey (Bos sauveli) are believed to still exist in these forests although none has been seen for decades.

Also seen are the Pygmy lorises, the Sao la, Giant muntjac, and rare bird species such as the Orange-necked partridge and Siamese fireback (Lophura diardi). These forests support a number of other well-known threatened species including Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Tiger (Panthera tigris), Crested gibbon (Hylobates concolor), and the only Javan rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus) still living on the Asian continent.

Threats
Much of the original monsoon forest, particularly in Vietnam, has been degraded through logging, clearing for agriculture, and intensive hunting of wildlife. Some areas have been subjected to burning or conversion to teak plantations.

Resources
• NationalGeographic.com