"Missing" forests: Including seasonally dry tropical forests in models

Despite stretching over 42% of potential tropical forest area, the tropical dry forest (TDF) biome has been largely overlooked by Earth System Models (ESMs). TDFs are distinguished from rainforests by their climate, vegetation, and disturbance regime. Models that do not account for these differences will poorly predict the effects of climate change on TDFs and their ecosystem services. We are using field observations to develop a viable, ESM-relevant framework for modeling TDFs based on above- and belowground functional traits. This presentation will highlight the model’s unique features, the constraints placed on the model by field observations, and critical data needs.