The dry forest is currently the most threatened of the Caledonian biomes. It is truly the heart of the Caledonian ecosystems, which are known world wide for their exceptional biodiversity. The terms “dry forest” or “sclerophyllous forest” are given to forest formations that develop in a dry climate (less than 1100mm of rain per year). In comparison, the rest of the island of Grande Terre receives about 2500mm of rain per year. The Caledonian dry forests are found on the west end of New
Caledonia and extend to up to 300 meters à 400m above the coast.
They are often found on sedimentary rock, and occasionally on basaltic
rock. For about six months each year, they are subject to a dry season
with drying trade winds. |
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| According to scientists, the dry forest distribution we see today is only a relic of the original extent: 4500 km² of dry forest covered the western coast, whereas today barely 45 km² remain. This represents just 1% of the original area! |
Today we must stop the mentaility that dry forests are cumbersome, useless wastelands. |
The forest canopy forms a discontinuous blanket above the forest that does not exceed 15 meters in height. The understory, formed of bushes and vines, is very dense. The forest floor is characterized by grasses and a few sparse ferns. The leaves of many sclerophyllous plants are rough, leathery and glossy with a thick cuticle. Limbs are often reduced, helping the plant to reduce water loss during the dry season. Together, these characteristics define a "dry forest." Given the botanical diversity and micro-endemism
of the Caledonian dry forest, destroying just one hectare can cause the
irreversible extinction of a species. Some examples of species that could
be lost by such an event include the shrub Pittosporum tanianum and the
rice species Oryza neocaledonica. |