This ecosystem is characterized by its adaptation to the conditions of climatic changes of regular seasons, where flora and fauna must endure a period of 9 to 8 months of drought and a very short but intense rainy period, in addition to the El Niño and La Niña phenomena that gave origin to the evolution of a great number of endemic species, exclusive of this ecosystem.
The superposition of the distribution ranks of the endemic species delimit what it is known as the Tumbesian Endemism Region, one of the worlds 5 most important regions by the number of endemic species it has. Therefore, 55 species of birds are endemic to these forests, 8 mammals, amphibians and reptiles, besides that approximately 20% of its flora is unique in the world.
Unfortunately, scientific research and the efforts of conservation have been rather modest, reason why great part of the original surface of the Tumbesian Forests has disappeared already. NCI initiated their activities in the Tumbesian Dry Forest in the year 2002, with the creation of the La Ceiba and Laipuna Natural Reserves. Since then several investigations have been undertaken, specially on phenology, forest growth, natural regeneration of the forest and reforestation.
