- The 5 main terrestrial ecosystems of northern Mexico
- 1- Coniferous forests
- 2- Deciduous forests
- 3- Thorny forests
- 4- Sheets
- 5- Xerophilous scrub
- References
In the terrestrial ecosystems of northern Mexico, xerophilous landscapes and sparse vegetation are common, while to the south the proximity of the tropics produces abundant vegetation due to the humid climate.
The terrestrial ecosystems of Mexico are very varied from end to end of the country. There are so many that in fact it is estimated that within Mexico there is the natural habitat of about 10% of the world's biodiversity.
The wide variety of ecosystems throughout Mexico is defined by altitude and latitude. This wide range of ecosystems is the reason why the region has a rich biodiversity.
As you move towards northern Mexico, the savannas and sparsely vegetated forests become more abundant.
This area even has large desert areas, such as the Sonoran desert located to the northwest.
The temperature, the humidity level and the heights in this area generate drier and xerophilic ecosystems.
The 5 main terrestrial ecosystems of northern Mexico
1- Coniferous forests
Also known as pine forests, they are frequent in northern Mexico, but not abundant.
As their name indicates, they are forests in which the predominant vegetation is pine trees.
In these forests the temperatures change abruptly: during the summer they are high, while when winter falls they reach zero degrees.
Small vegetation is scarce in this type of ecosystem, which is dominated by pines and oaks.
2- Deciduous forests
They are also called dry forests, because the temperature is regularly high and the rainy seasons are short.
They also obtain that name for the type of trees, the vast majority of which lose their leaves in the dry season of the year, thus giving the appearance of dry trees.
It is the least common ecosystem in northern Mexico, and they do not proliferate at altitudes higher than 1200 meters above sea level.
3- Thorny forests
Shrubs abound here, and tall trees are rare. Its vegetation measures an average of 8 meters high. It owes its name to the fact that these trees commonly have stems with thorns.
It is the second least common ecosystem in northern Mexico, after dry forests. And as these proliferate at a maximum height of 1200 meters above sea level, the vegetation is very particular.
The ideal lands for this type of forest are wide plains, without considerable height variations. Annually it has a rainy season that extends from 2 to 4 months.
4- Sheets
They are also known as grasslands or plains. They are characterized by low-stratum vegetation, with a maximum height of 90 cm.
It is particularly dry, having an annual rainfall of 60 ml and an especially long dry season, lasting between 6 and 9 months.
It is an uncommon ecosystem throughout Mexico, and most of this ecosystem is concentrated in the north.
5- Xerophilous scrub
These are even drier and less populated than the savannas. The vegetation is xerophilous, designed by nature to tolerate long droughts and high temperatures.
Cacti and thorny bushes abound. But there are not great extensions of vegetation, but for the most part the soil is dry and clay soil.
It is the most common ecosystem in northern Mexico, covering a considerable part of the area.
References
- The 14 types of ecosystem in Mexico most common. (2017) lifepersona.com
- Mexico Ecosystem. paismaravillas.mx
- Principal ecosystems in Mexico. vivanatura.org
- Ecosystems of Mexico. biodiversity.gob.mx
- Mexican ecosystems, maximum world biological diversity. (2017) mexicodesconocido.com.mx