monsoon forest A term for tropical seasonal forest in Asia. There is a marked seasonal rhythm induced by the alternating wet and dry seasons produced by the two monsoons. Most of the canopy top trees lose their leaves in the dry season. Monsoon forests contain valuable hardwood species (e.g. the teak forests of Burma).

monsoon forest A tropical forest with a marked seasonal rhythm induced by alternating wet and dry seasons typical of the true monsoon lands. Most of the trees lose their leaves in the dry season, but, since many of them also flower at this time, the ‘wintry’ aspect is far less marked than in higher latitudes. Monsoon forests contain many valuable hardwood species, e.g. the teak forests of Burma.