Deccan thorn scrub forests

Deccan thorn scrub forests
Blackbucks at Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
Realm	Indomalayan
Biome	Deserts and xeric shrublands
Borders	List Central Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests East Deccan dry evergreen forests Godavari-Krishna mangroves Narmada Valley dry deciduous forests North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests
Geography
Area	338,197 km2 (130,579 sq mi)
Countries	India Sri Lanka
States of India	Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Maharashtra Tamil Nadu Telangana
Conservation
Conservation status	critical/endangered[1]
Protected	9,430 km2 (3%)[2]

The Deccan thorn scrub forests are a xeric shrubland ecoregion of south India and northern Sri Lanka. Historically this area was covered by tropical dry deciduous forest, but this only remains in isolated fragments. The vegetation now consists of mainly of southern tropical thorn scrub type forests. These consist of open woodland with thorny trees with short trunks and low, branching crowns; spiny and xerophytic shrubs; and dry grassland. This is the habitat of the great Indian bustard and blackbuck, though these and other animals are declining in numbers; this area was at one time home to large numbers of elephants and tigers. Almost 350 species of bird have been recorded here. The remaining natural habitat is threatened by overgrazing and invasive weeds, but there are a number of small protected areas which provide a haven for the wildlife. Trees in these forests have adapted to not require much water.