monsoon forest

views updated

monsoon forest A tropical forest with a marked seasonal rhythm induced by alternating wet and dry seasons typical of the true monsoon lands. Most of the trees lose their leaves in the dry season, but, since many of them also flower at this time, the ‘wintry’ aspect is far less marked than in higher latitudes. Monsoon forests contain many valuable hardwood species, e.g. the teak forests of Burma.

More From encyclopedia.com