Tropical deciduous forest is a major vegetation type that occurs in association with seasonally wet and dry or monsoon climates. These forests vary significantly in their composition and structure in relation to their geographic location in the tropical realm, rainfall and soil conditions, and history of disturbances. The transition from evergreen to deciduous forests is gradual in response to the occurrence of a water deficit, the length of the dry season, and the amount of rain received during the rainy season. Tropical deciduous forest, in contrast to tropical rain forest, includes trees that lose their leaves synchronously and remain without leaves for varying amounts of time. In contrast to tropical savanna, tropical deciduous forests maintain a greater dominance by trees (>50%) across the landscape.

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