The Southern Domain is characterized by deciduous thicket or thorn scrub, and is perhaps the least disturbed of Madagascar's biogeographic areas, although the (Habitat edge) is often a sharp dividing line separating lemur habitat from cleared land. The Southern Domain runs southward from Morombe along the coast, covering much of Madagascar's southern tip from sea level to 400 m. Rainfall in this region is sparse and irregular, ranging from 300-800 mm. The dry season is marked and very long. Forest height is low and the formations are usually impenetrable due to a high incidence of thorny vegetation. The Didiereaceae, an endemic plant family, and various species of Euphorbia are the dominant plant forms.
See Introduction Module topic 'Vegetation' for more information.