Will tropical dry forests survive the next 50 years? – Mongabay

Report on the Conservation Crisis of Tropical Dry Forests and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Integration

Introduction

Tropical dry forests, once widespread across the globe, are now critically endangered ecosystems with less than 8% of their original extent remaining in some regions. These forests are vital for supporting biodiversity and the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people. However, rapid deforestation, agricultural expansion, and climate change threaten their survival. This report emphasizes the urgent need for conservation actions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to protect these ecosystems and the communities depending on them.

Overview of Tropical Dry Forests

Geographical Distribution and Importance

• Tropical dry forests span Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, including Madagascar’s thorny forests, Brazil’s Caatinga, South America’s Chaco, and India’s seasonal woodlands.
• They constitute nearly half of all tropical and subtropical forests worldwide.
• Approximately 60% of forests in India and 30% in mainland Southeast Asia are dry forests.
• Miombo woodlands in southern Africa support over 100 million people.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

• These forests host remarkable biodiversity, including jaguars, tapirs, tigers, lemurs, pygmy skunks, green macaws, and endemic species.
• They provide essential resources such as food, medicine, wood for cooking, wild fruits, vegetables, nuts, edible insects, and bushmeat.
• Economic opportunities arise from products like beeswax, honey, medicinal plants, and charcoal.

Current Threats and Challenges

Deforestation and Habitat Fragmentation

1. Between 2000 and 2020, over 71 million hectares of tropical dry forests were lost, an area twice the size of Germany.
2. Less than one-third of these forests are within protected areas.
3. Rapid deforestation frontiers exist, especially in South America (Gran Chaco, Cerrado) and Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam).
4. Remaining forests are fragmented into small patches, complicating conservation efforts.

Climate Change Impacts

• Extended dry seasons and increased temperatures have intensified droughts by up to two months compared to the 1960s.
• Species face thermal stress, reduced foraging time, and altered reproductive patterns.
• Vertical migration of cloud forests reduces refuges for dry forest species.
• Increased fire risk threatens forest fragments.
• Disrupted rainfall patterns affect insect populations and food webs.

Conservation Efforts and Emergency Responses

Successful Models and Initiatives

• Guanacaste Conservation Area in Costa Rica connects fragmented forest patches to enable regeneration.
• Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Mexico protects large dry forest areas and supports wildlife recovery.

Challenges and Recommendations

1. Economic pressures favor conversion of forests to agriculture and pastures.
2. Limited scientific research and monitoring hinder effective conservation planning.
3. Urgent need for improved deforestation monitoring and land-use planning.
4. Emergency interventions such as assisted migration, supplemental feeding, and irrigation may be necessary.

Integration with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Relevant SDGs Addressed by Tropical Dry Forest Conservation

• SDG 1: No Poverty – Protecting dry forests sustains livelihoods of hundreds of millions dependent on forest resources.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Forest products contribute to food security, especially during scarcity.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Medicinal plants from dry forests support traditional and modern medicine.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Conserving forests mitigates climate change impacts and enhances ecosystem resilience.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Protecting biodiversity and restoring habitats preserves ecosystem services and species survival.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborative conservation efforts and knowledge sharing are essential for success.

Strategic Actions for SDG Alignment

1. Enhance protection and restoration of tropical dry forests through policy and community engagement.
2. Implement sustainable land-use practices that balance agricultural needs with conservation.
3. Increase funding and research focused on tropical dry forests to inform evidence-based interventions.
4. Promote climate adaptation strategies including assisted migration and emergency management.
5. Support local communities with alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on forests.

Conclusion

The survival of tropical dry forests is critical for biodiversity conservation and the well-being of millions of people globally. Immediate and decisive conservation actions, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, are imperative to halt ecosystem collapse and ensure sustainable development. The next decades will determine whether these unique forests continue to thrive or become relics of a lost natural heritage.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article discusses the impact of climate change on tropical dry forests, including increased temperatures, extended dry seasons, and altered rainfall patterns.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Focus on conservation of tropical dry forests, biodiversity loss, species extinction risks, and ecosystem degradation.
3. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Many people depend on tropical dry forests for food, medicine, and economic opportunities, linking forest health to poverty alleviation.
4. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Forests provide wild fruits, vegetables, edible insects, and bushmeat, contributing to food security especially in times of scarcity.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article mentions the shift from small-scale farming to capital-intensive agriculture causing deforestation, highlighting the need for sustainable land use.
6. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (implied)
   • Changes in rainfall and water availability affect ecosystems and human communities, implying the importance of water management.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies and planning.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.2: Promote sustainable management of all types of forests and halt deforestation.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt biodiversity loss.
3. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.4: Ensure equal rights to economic resources and access to basic services.
4. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 12.8: Ensure people have relevant information for sustainable development and lifestyles.
6. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (implied)
   • Target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Forest Area and Deforestation Rates
   • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
   • The article cites satellite imagery data showing loss of 71 million hectares of tropical dry forests from 2000 to 2020.
2. Biodiversity and Species Extinction
   • Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index measuring extinction risk of species.
   • Mentions local extinction of species such as a wasp dependent on moth caterpillars.
3. Climate-Related Indicators
   • Indicator 13.1.2: Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.
   • Changes in number of days with temperatures above 32°C and length of dry seasons as measures of climate impact.
4. Livelihood and Economic Indicators
   • Indicators related to access to forest resources for food, medicine, and income generation (implied under SDG 1 and 2).
5. Land Use and Agricultural Practices
   • Indicators on proportion of land under sustainable agriculture (implied under SDG 12).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.mongabay.com