Definition of xeric in English:
xeric
adjective ˈzɪərɪkˈzɛrɪkˈzer-
Ecology (of an environment or habitat) containing little moisture; very dry.
Compare with hydric and mesic
Example sentencesExamples
- Although apogamy is an adaptation that enables reproduction in xeric environments, cheilanthoid ferns possess xeromorphic adaptations that explain their survival in xeric habitats.
- Communities range from xeric habitats such as scrub and scrubby flatwoods to hydric habitats such as floodplain forest and blackwater stream.
- Todies occupy virtually all forested habitats on the island of Puerto Rico, from the relatively cool rain forests of the northeastern mountains to the hot xeric scrub forests of the southwest coast.
- At this elevation, the dominant plant communities are pine-oak-juniper scrub in xeric areas and sycamore-cottonwood-walnut forest along the mesic creek bottoms.
- Males are more common in harsher environments, such as xeric, nutrient-poor or shaded conditions.
- The southern transect spanned principally xeric habitats, whereas the eastern crossed mesic forest.
Origin
1920s: from xero- 'dry' + -ic.