Final answer:
Very wet cloud forests are found near tropical dry forests due to climatic and geographical factors that result in adjacent areas having different rainfall patterns, leading to distinct but proximate ecosystems with high biodiversity in the wet forests and unique adaptations for the dry seasons in the dry forests.
Step-by-step explanation:
One often finds very wet cloud forests in close proximity to tropical dry forests due to the specific climatic conditions that prevail in these areas. The tropical wet forests, also known as tropical rainforests, are characterized by high net primary productivity, a consequence of the ideal combination of annual temperatures and precipitation that supports rapid plant growth. These regions boast a remarkable diversity, with between 100 to 300 species of trees per hectare, and a distinct vertical stratification of vegetation, which creates a variety of habitats for fauna.
Contrastingly, tropical dry forests experience a marked dry season where trees may lose leaves, thereby opening the canopy and allowing sunlight to promote the growth of underbrush. Such forests are frequently located adjacent to wet forests because they share similar latitudinal ranges that facilitate a juxtaposition of wet and dry climatic zones. Additionally, topographical features and wind patterns can create conditions where one side of a mountain range receives copious rainfall, sustaining a cloud forest, while the other side, being in the rain shadow, supports a dry forest ecosystem.