ECOSYSTEMS OF MEXICO: TYPES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS - ENVIRONMENT - 2024

The ecosystems in Mexico are diverse because its geographical position confers on this country the influence of the Neotropical and Holartic biogeographic kingdoms. Being located in the south of North America, its territory ranges from temperate to tropical climates.

Regarding marine ecosystems, Mexico has coasts both in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand, it has around 135 rivers, as well as a large number of lakes and other wetlands.

Ecosystems of Mexico. Source: Adam Peterson

This country ranks second in diversity of reptiles and third in mammals worldwide. While in plant diversity it reaches fifth place, as well as in amphibian diversity, and it reaches eighth in birds.

The rich fauna and flora are distributed in different terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Among the former, it has temperate forests, tropical forests, scrublands, grasslands, coastal grasslands and deserts.

In the aquatic environment it has numerous rivers and lakes; while coral reefs, macroalgae forests and underwater grasslands develop in the seas.

Here we explain the types of ecosystems that exist in Mexico, their characteristics, vegetation, flora and fauna.

Humid rainforest

The northern limit of the American rainforests is reached south of Mexico, especially the Lacandon jungle in Chiapas. The humid tropical forests occupy 11% of the Mexican territory, growing in areas with a warm climate.

- Vegetation and flora

These are forests of complex structure with 5 to 6 layers of vegetation with evergreen trees that reach up to 60 m in height. Species such as mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and red cedar (Cedrela odorata) are found in the arboreal strata.

Humid tropical rainforest of Mexico. Source: Strobilomyces

Other tree species are the chicozapote (Manilkara zapota), the ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) and various species of ficus (Ficus sp.).

In the understory there are grasses, some of which are large, such as platanillos (Heliconia spp.), And there are abundant climbing plants on the trees. A saprophytic angiosperm species endemic to the Lacandon jungle (Lacandonia schismatica) stands out.

- Fauna

In these forests there is a great diversity of fauna, such as the howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) and the spider monkey (Ateles geoffrogyi). Also other mammals such as the jaguar (Panthera onca), the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), the tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and the serete (Dasyprocta punctata).

Tapir (Tapirus bairdii). Source:

Among the birds are the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), the snout (Crax rubra), the royal toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) and the scarlet macaw (Ara macao). Among the insects, butterflies with species such as the malachite butterfly (Siproeta stelenes) and the blue or morpho butterfly (Morpho helenor) stand out.

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) By Brian Gratwicke from DC, USA

- Weather

Average annual rainfall reaches 2,000 mm, reaching a relative humidity of 80% and with average temperatures of 27 to 30 ° C.

Dry rainforest

In the ecosystems of Mexico there are semi-deciduous forests, where about 50% of the species lose their leaves in the dry season. As well as deciduous forests where more than 75% lose their leaves during drought.

Dry forest of Mexico. Source: Aedrake09

Most of the Yucatan peninsula has this type of jungle, which is characterized by a dry period of up to 8 months. Dry rainforests also occur on the Pacific coast.

- Vegetation and flora

The dry forest has a less complex structure than the humid forest, especially in the case of the deciduous forest. This forest generally only has 2 or 4 strata, with a canopy of 12 to 30 m, with less climbing and epiphytism.

Legumes are abundant in these ecosystems, such as the chaparro (Acacia amentacea), the huizache (Acacia constricta) and the quebracho (Lysiloma divaricata).

Burseraceae

Within this family, the genus Bursera is relevant in these forests, which in Mexico has more than 100 species. These are known as palo mulatos (B. instabilis, B. simaruba) and copales (B. copallifera, B. bipinnata).

Cactaceae

Echinocactus grusonii, a cactus. Source: Karelj

An emblematic family of American dry areas are cacti, perfectly adapted to these conditions. In Mexico there are more than 600 species of cacti, being around 500 endemic to this country.

- Fauna

In these forests there is also a diverse fauna, being the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), the porcupine (Sphiggurus mexicanus) and the tepezcuintle (Cuniculus paca). As well as various species of felines such as the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), the margay (Leopardus wiedii) and the jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi).

Ocelot. Source: Ana_Cotta, via Wikimedia Commons

- Low thorny forests

There are diverse ecosystems in Mexico formed by low forests with a predominance of armed species (with thorns). They develop in coastal plains and there are both deciduous and sub-evergreen (bajiales). The bajiales are flooded depressions on the north coast of Yucatán.

Vegetation and flora

They are jungles with trees from 5 to 11 m high with a predominance of armed legumes and cacti. They present a highly developed shrub layer 2 to 4 m high and few herbs.

Among the species of the deciduous forest are Acacia cornigera, Opuntia sp., Crescentia cujete, and palo verde (Cercidium sp.). While in the flooded area, the dyewood (Haematoxylon campechianum) and the pucté (Bucida buceras) are found.

Temperate deciduous forest

In the temperate floors, forests are developed with a predominance of oaks (Quercus), a genus of which there are about 150 species in Mexico. Among the Quercus species there are deciduous and evergreen, the best known being Quercus robur.

Quercus rotundifolia. Source: Kevin T.

These forests extend west from the mountains of Baja California to Chiapas. While to the east there are them from the mountains of Nueva León and Tamaulipas also to Chiapas.

- Fauna

The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) inhabit these forests. As well as the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and the California condor (Gymnogyps californicus).

Male Mexican wolf. Clark Jim, US Fish and Wildlife Service

The smallest rabbit in Mexico is found here, the teporingo (Romerolagus diazi), the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and the black bear (Ursus americanus).

Coniferous forest

Coniferous forests predominate in the north of the country, especially in the Sierra Madre Occidental. In this ecosystem the species of the Pinus and Abies genera are dominant, with Mexico being the country with the most pine species in the world.

They develop between 100 and 4,200 meters above sea level, in temperate and semi-warm climates, with temperatures between 5 and 22 ºC and annual rainfall of 600 to 2,500 mm. These forests share fauna with deciduous and mixed forests.

- Ayarín forest

They are very localized forests in small patches in the Sierra Madre Occidental with a dominance of ayarín species (Psuedotsuga and Picea).

- Cedar forest

These forests are dominated by Cupressus species (C. lindleyi, C. benthami, C, arizonica and C. guadalupensis), called cedars in Mexico. Like the Ayarín forests, they are small patches in the Sierra Madre del Sur.

- Oyamel forest

They are small areas of forest on the slopes and ravines of the Sierra Madre del Sur, Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental. The dominant species is the oyamel (Abies religious) as well as the fir (Abies durangensis) and the ocote (Pinus spp.), Being able to form mixed forests with Quercus spp. and Alnus firmifolia.

Oyamel (Abies religious). Source: hspauldi

- Pine forest

These forests are developed in all the mountain ranges of Mexico, inhabiting various species of pines there. These include the Chinese pine (Pinus leiophylla), the white ocote (Pinus montezumae) and the straight pine (Pinus pseudostrobus).

Mixed forest

In Mexico several types of mixed forest are identified, not only the one traditionally referred to as such by the combination of conifers and broadleaves. There is also a transitional forest between the temperate and tropical zones that generates a mixed forest between species of one and the other.

- Mixed pine and oak forest

In this forest there are both coniferous species, mainly of the Pinus genus, and temperate angiosperm species, mainly Quercus, which are known as oaks.

Pine-oak forest of Mexico. Source: Mario E. Fuente Cid (me)

Fauna

The possum (Didelphis virginiana), the armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and the arboreal anteater (Tamandua mexicana) live here.

whitetail deer

- Táscate forest

In this forest the species of the coniferous genus Juniperus predominate, which are called táscate, juniper or cedar. These forests are always related to the oak (Quercus), pine-oak forests and the scrublands of arid zones, and they develop from Baja California to Chiapas.

Juniper plant in full fruiting. Source: Chris Cant from Cumbria, UK

- Mountain mesophilic forest or cloud forest

It is found in sections of the Sierra Madre Oriental, and on the Pacific coast up to Chiapas, even in patches in the Valley of Mexico. It generally develops in a temperate and humid climate, with low temperatures (up to 0 ºC) and a rainy season of 8 to 12 months.

In this case, angiosperm species of temperate and tropical genera such as Quercus and Tilia are combined with Neotropical gymnosperms such as Podocarpus reichei. The high relative humidity of these forests and their low temperatures allow the development of tree ferns such as the maquique (Alsophila firma).

- Southern mixed montane rainforests

Southern Mexico represents the southern limit of gymnosperms typical of the Holartic floristic kingdom. Cloudy forests develop in the mountains of this region with annual rainfall of up to 4,000 mm.

In them a peculiar combination of floristic elements of North America and the South is observed, including conifers and angiosperms.

Species of the holortic conifer genera such as Abies, Juniperus, Cupressus and Taxacus and temperate angiosperms of the genus Quercus are found. There are also tropical species such as the Persea genus and epiphytes of the bromeliads and orchids.

Fauna

The quetzal (Pharomacrus mocinno mocinno) is native to these forests, and the horned peacock bass (Oreophasis derbianus) also inhabits.

Quetzal. Source: Francesco Veronesi from Italy, via Wikimedia Commons

- El Nixticuil Forest

This plant formation is a mixed dry forest of angiosperms, with species of temperate and tropical climate. It is located in Guadalajara and it is a seasonal forest dominated by oaks and oaks, fagaceae of the Quercus genus.

El Nixticuil Forest. Source: Salvabosquetigre2

In addition, various tropical species such as copal (Bursera spp.) And palo dulce (Eysenhardtia polystachya) occur in this forest.

Xerophilous scrub

This ecosystem occupies a large part of the country (from 30% to 40%), being the vegetation characteristic of the lower parts of the Mexico basin. It can be considered as a set of ecosystems, since there are different kinds of scrub.

Among these we can mention the cardonales, tetecheras, izotales, nopaleras, chaparrales or magueyales, as well as thorny or unarmed bushes.

- Vegetation and flora

In general, they are plant communities with shrubs and low trees that do not exceed 4-5 m in height and herbaceous plants. However, some xerophilous scrubs are relatively complex, with various strata, epiphytism, and climber.

Among the species typical of these ecosystems are several of the genus Agave, as well as cacti and composites. Other species are candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica), palama samandoca (Yucca carnerosana) and guayule (Parthenium argentatum).

Inflorescence of Agave americana. Source: pixabay.com

- Fauna

The coyote (Canis latrans), the trail runner (Geococcyx californianus), the armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) and the rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) are characteristic.

Coyote. Source: Alan Vernon

- Relief and climate

In Mexico they are found from sea level to approximately 3,000 meters above sea level, especially in the north of the country. Average annual rainfall varies between 100 and 700 mm; being able to fall of 50 mm in boreal zones of the Gulf of California and the annual average temperature goes from 12 to 26 ° C.

- Coniferous scrub

Within the ecosystems of Mexico there is a coniferous thicket that develops in high mountains (3,400 to 3,600 meters above sea level) in a temperate subhumid climate. Here temperatures range from 12 to 16 ºC and rainfall from 350 to 600 mm per year.

It is a mixed scrub and among the conifers there are Pinus cembdamientos, Pinus culminicola, Juniperus monosperma and J uniperus monticola. Similarly, there are angiosperms as species of the Quercus, Agave, Yucca and Dasylirion genera.

- Mezquital

Mezquite (Prosopis sp.). Source: Sue in az

It is an ecosystem in Mexico formed by medium trees 5 to 10 m high dominated by mesquite (Prosopis spp.). They develop in a sub-humid to semi-dry climate with species such as Prosopis laevigata, Prosopis torreyana, Prosopis glandulosa, Acacia farnesiana and Pithecellobium mexicanum. In addition to cacti and rare epiphytes, for example Tillandsia recurvata.

Grasslands

In Mexico, reference is made to natural grasslands as zacatales and zacatonales. The zacatales being the low plains pastures and the zacatonales being the tall alpine pastures above the tree line (4,000 meters above sea level).

Zacatonal from Mexico. Source: Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata

- Vegetation and flora

These are plant formations made up of a more or less continuous herbaceous layer with no or little presence of trees. The dominant family is Poaceae or Gramineae, with genera such as Bouteloua, Andropogon, Eragrostis, Aristida, and others.

In addition there are some shrubs such as Ephedra compacta and izote (Yucca periculosa) and some trees belonging to legumes.

- Fauna

This is the habitat of the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), the lynx and the prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus). Likewise, the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and the owl called Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) are featured.

Mexican llanero little dog. Source: pexels.com

For its part, the bison (Bison bison) had been exterminated from the Mexican grasslands, however it has been successfully reintroduced.

- Bed sheets

Savannas are found on the Pacific coast, on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and in the Atlantic along the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico in Veracruz and Tabasco. These are areas with a bi-seasonal tropical climate, with floods in the rainy season with a predominance of grass species.

Coastal dunes and grasslands

These ecosystems are found on almost all the sandy low coasts of Mexico, both on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. The accumulation of sand forms dunes or mounds mobile by the effect of the winds.

Plants are scarce, but some endemic animals abound, such as the beef leg gecko (Phyllodactylus lanei).

Hot desert

The three most important deserts in Mexico are the Sonoran Desert, the Chihuahuan Desert and the Tehuacán Desert. The most representative plant families in these environments are cacti and legumes.

Marine ecosystems

The marine waters of Mexico have a rich biological diversity, suffice it to mention that its ecosystems are home to 42 species of marine mammals.

- Coral reefs

The second largest coral reef is the Mesoamerican-Caribbean coral reef, which spans the entire Mexican coast. 65 species of coral, 350 species of mollusks and 500 species of fish inhabit it.

Los Alacranes Reef (Mexico). Source: NASA

Reefs of great depths

Corals normally live less than 200 m deep, because this marks the limit of sunlight. However, there are deep-sea corals with species of the order Scleractinia, (Madrepora oculata and Lophelia pertusa) present in the deep and cold waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

- Macroalgae forests

On the coasts of the Mexican Pacific Ocean, macroalgae formations are found mainly of brown algae (phylum Heterokontophyta) and a group of red (phylum Rhodophyta) and green algae (Chlorophyta division).

They are extensions of several hectares that can reach up to 30 m in height present in waters with temperatures below 20 ° C, rich in nutrients. They are very thick with brown algae, giant sargassum (Macrocystis pyrifera) and other sargassum (Sargassum sp.).

- Seagrass meadows

In the Mexican Pacific there are four species of seagrass that are located on the coasts of Sinaloa, Sonora and Baja California Sur. The other five species of Mexican seagrass are located in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico and range from Tamaulipas to the reefs of Yucatán.

Flora

In Mexico there are 6 genera with 9 species of seagrass such as Zostera marina, Phyllospadix scouleri and Phyllospadix torreyi. There are also Thalassia testudinum, Halodule wrightii, Halodule beaudettei, Syringodium filiforme, Halophila decipiens and Halophila engelmanni.

Freshwater ecosystems

It is estimated that in Mexico there are about 1,751,500 hectares of inland wetlands, including constructed wetlands. This includes 135 major rivers, plus lakes, swamps, and other bodies of fresh water.

Hydrophilic vegetation

Among the ecosystems of Mexico there are those of vegetation adapted to the aquatic environment or riverside. Among these ecosystems are the petén, the tular, the popal and the gallery forest. The petén are islands of vegetation that develop in the mangroves and are associated with springs or cenotes.

Petén. Source: HAKEBRY1

For its part, the tular is vegetation of reeds or swamp reeds with species of genera such as Typha, Scirpus, Cyperus and Phragmites. The popales are areas of floating vegetation in bodies of water and gallery forests are plant formations that develop along river courses.

References

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