What is Drought Tolerance?
Drought tolerance is a plant's ability to survive dry periods—the months-long dry season (verano) in Guanacaste, temporary droughts, or naturally arid habitats. Costa Rica's dry forests are full of drought-tolerant species.
Drought Tolerance Strategies
1. Drought Avoidance
- Drop leaves (deciduous)
- Deep taproots reach water
- Store water in trunk
- Example: Guanacaste, Corteza Amarilla
2. Drought Endurance
- Thick waxy cuticle
- Small leaves (less water loss)
- Efficient water use
- Example: Indio Desnudo
3. Drought Escape
- Complete lifecycle before drought
- Rapid growth in wet season
- Annual/ephemeral strategy
- Example: Some dry forest herbs
Costa Rican Drought-Tolerant Trees
Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum):
- Deciduous in dry season
- Deep taproot
- Icon of dry forest
- National tree
Indio Desnudo (Bursera simaruba):
- Peeling red bark
- Stores water
- Evergreen or briefly deciduous
- Guanacaste symbol
Corteza Amarilla (Handroanthus ochraceus):
- Yellow flowering when leafless
- Spectacular dry season blooms
- Deep roots
- Drought-adapted timber tree
Why It Matters
Understanding drought tolerance helps with:
- Tree selection for dry regions
- Water-wise landscaping
- Climate adaptation
- Dry forest conservation
- Predicting climate change impacts