This review attempts to synthesize the available literature on tropical dry forests and their dynamics in the context of climate change and thereby identifies possible gaps and priority areas for further research and management endeavors. Tropical dry forests (TDFs) occur in dryland environments, which are characterized by prolonged periods of dry months. They experience distinct seasonality and high inter-annual variability in climatic variables, particularly rainfall. Despite the enormous ecological and livelihood importance of TDFs, these forests are highly threatened by global changes. So far, they have received far less attention from research and development interventions as compared to the humid tropical forests. Their significance is still overlooked in many countries’ national policies. Current modeling frameworks show that drought, precipitation, and temperature are highlighted as strong drivers of tree growth and/or mortality in these forests. Well-valued and sustainably managed TDFs have the potential to contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation, buffer against erosion and desertification, and contribute to economic development, food security, and poverty alleviation. TDFs suffer notable disregard from research and development strategies. Thus, greater awareness and appropriate policies and investments are needed at various levels to counteract the increasing vulnerability of people, forest ecosystems, and species living in these fragile ecosystems. Further research is also needed to generate knowledge on the status and significances of TDFs and their responses in the face of the changing climate so as to bring their sustainable management to the attention of policymakers and managers.

中文翻译：

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气候变化背景下的热带干旱森林动态：驱动因素，差距和管理观点的综合

这篇综述试图在气候变化的背景下综合有关热带干旱森林及其动态的现有文献，从而确定可能的差距和需要进一步研究和管理的重点领域。热带干旱森林（TDFs）发生在旱地环境中，其特征是干旱期较长。他们在气候变量，尤其是降雨方面经历明显的季节性变化和年际变化。尽管TDF具有极大的生态和生计重要性，但这些森林仍受到全球变化的严重威胁。迄今为止，与潮湿的热带森林相比，它们受到研究和开发干预的关注很少。它们的重要性在许多国家的国家政策中仍然被忽略。当前的建模框架表明，干旱，降水和温度是这些森林树木生长和/或死亡的重要驱动力。物有所值且得到可持续管理的TDF具有促进气候变化适应和减缓，缓冲侵蚀和荒漠化，促进经济发展，粮食安全和减贫的潜力。TDF被忽视了研发策略。因此，需要在各个层面上提高认识，并采取适当的政策和投资，以抵消人类，森林生态系统以及生活在这些脆弱生态系统中的物种日益增加的脆弱性。