subhumid

Subhumid describes a type of climate or moisture regime characterized by intermediate humidity, where air moisture levels are consistently higher than in arid and semiarid areas but lower than in fully humid regions. In practice, subhumid climates receive enough precipitation to maintain soils with moderate moisture and to support grasses, scrub, and some forest types, yet evapotranspiration and seasonal droughts prevent widespread dense forest cover in many areas. The term is widely used in climatology, soil science, and agronomy rather than as a formal Köppen category, and its exact thresholds vary by author.

Regions described as subhumid often experience seasonal rainfall patterns, with wetter months and a pronounced dry season, or relatively evenly distributed but below fully humid levels. The concept helps explain how moisture availability limits vegetation and influences land use.

Implications: Subhumid regions tend to have soils that can support agriculture with modest irrigation, but water management must account for seasonal moisture deficits. Natural ecosystems include grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands, with biodiversity shaped by the balance of moisture and temperature. Subhumid contrasts with humid climates, which have higher sustained rainfall and humidity, and with semiarid climates, which have lower precipitation. The concept is used in climate classification, ecological zoning, and land-use planning.