Scientists conducted a long-term study to evaluate the effects of El Niño on seasonally dry tropical forests. (IMAGE)

Osaka Metropolitan University

Scientists conducted a long-term study to evaluate the effects of El Niño on seasonally dry tropical forests.

Caption

Data collected over 7 years show that seedling mortality increased when severe and prolonged drought occurred in seasonally dry tropical forests, which are deemed more drought-tolerant than tropical rainforests. The mortality rate was greater in evergreen forests at higher elevations that typically experience less drought than in deciduous forests at lower elevations that experience severe drought more frequently.

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OMU

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