The flora and fauna of Mexico City is abundant thanks to its 88,652 hectares of natural areas, which represent 60% of its territory. Its ecosystems are rich in wildlife and have several species native to the region.
The Aztec nation stands out for having 10% of all animal species in the world. Due to its central geographic location, Mexico City is home to species from both the north and south of the country.
Furthermore, this city has the same biological and ecological heterogeneity as the Basin of Mexico, where it is immersed.
The flora and fauna of Mexico City is varied, especially in the areas of Tlalpan, Xochimilco, Milpa Alta, Tláhuac, Cuajimalpa and Magdalena Contreras.
This city is located at about 2100 meters, in a wide valley surrounded by mountains. There are also several volcanoes that rise to 3000 meters or more.
In general, the climate is quite mild, with cool or cold nights, warm days, and very moderate rainfall.
There is only one natural lake, the Xochimilco, while most of the rivers have been channeled or have become underground. All these conditions shape the flora and fauna of Mexico City.
The flora of Mexico City
According to data from the Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), 40% of the territory of Mexico City is mainly for urban use and 33% is occupied by temperate forests, grasslands and scrublands.
Of the valley's vegetation, only small areas of grasslands are located to the northeast, on the grounds of the Benito Juárez International Airport.
The diversity of the flora is demonstrated in the number of species of each genus. For example, there are 264 species of fungi and 248 of mosses. Of the latter, 64 are exclusive to urban substrates.
On the other hand, there are 108 species of club mosses and ferns, 8 of pines, 16 of oaks, 69 of orchids and 97 of the legume family. Of the latter, we can name palo dulce, beans, ayocote beans, bunting and clover.
The poinsettia flower stands out from the euphorbiaceae family, given its economic importance. And of the lipped plants, mint and oregano are important.
With regard to aquatic vegetation, only 35 species are currently reported. Of these 35, 4 are threatened: Sagittaria macrophylla or water potato, Triglochin mexicanum, Lemna trisulca and Nymphaea mexicana or yellow lily.
The fauna of Mexico City
According to the statistical data provided by INEGI, in the metropolitan area of Mexico City there are 9 types of amphibians, 23 reptiles, 55 mammals and 188 species of birds.
In relation to birds, the 60 different species of hummingbirds that this city houses are remarkable. The most abundant is the red sapphire, whose strong song resounds in the forest.
Rabbits, squirrels, coyotes, cougars, white-tailed deer, shrews, owls, possums, lizards, sparrows, tree frogs, kangaroo rats, rattlesnakes, and butterflies can also be found in these wooded areas.
Among the bushes and bushes you can see weasels, blackbirds, squirrels, raccoons and chameleons.
Rabbits are also observed, such as the zacatuche or volcano rabbit, the smallest and most exclusive of Mexico that is in danger of extinction.
Among the aquatic fauna are the water snakes, the axolotls (species of salamander) and the Mexican ducks.
References
- Wildlife in Mexico City. (s / f). In Mxcity. Retrieved on October 31, 2017, from en.mxcity.mx
- National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) and Secretariat of the Environment of the Federal District (SEDEMA). (2006).
Biodiversity in Mexico City. Mexico: CONABIO / SEDEMA.
- Standish, P. (2009). The States of Mexico: A Reference Guide to History and Culture. Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group.
- National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) (s / f). Flora and fauna, México DF Retrieved on October 31, 2017, from Cuentame.inegi.org.mx
- Perdomo-Velázquez, H. (2016). Executive Summary. Diversity of fungi and plants In: Biodiversity in Mexico City, Vol. II, pp. 53-55. Mexico: CONABIO / SEDEMA.