CHIAPAS VEGETATION: TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The vegetation of Chiapas is rich in diversity due to the orography that the state possesses, being the most reliable representation in the Lacandon Jungle.

Chiapas represents, according to statistics, the second state with the richest flora in Mexico. The agriculture of the state occupies 39% of its territory, which shows the fertility of its soils.

Its vast territory has 106 protected areas, within which 18 are by federal order, 25 by state order and the remaining 63 by municipal authorities.

You may also be interested in the hydrography of Chiapas or its natural resources.

Types of Vegetation of Chiapas

In the vegetation of Chiapas we can find forests with temperate climates, tropical forests, palm groves, mangroves and even grasslands.

Wooded areas

These are divided into:

-Pine forest

These forests have climates that can range from semi-warm to temperate. The type of climate affects the species of pine that can be found. Among the main ones are: the ayacahuite, the white, red and ocote.

-Pine-oak forest

This type of forest has a great variety of species. Among them you can find shrubs such as: manzanita, chaquira, strawberry tree, mule grass, wax tree, bitter tree, white pine, white oak, yellow oak, Chinese ocote, among others.

These forests are formed in mountains that can reach between 1,300 and 2,500 meters above sea level (masl). The species can grow between 15 and 40 meters in height.

-Mountain mesophilic forest or cloud forest

The climate of these forests is temperate with abundant rainfall. In the vegetation of the place you can find species such as: elms, dogwoods, ailes, hornbeam, sweetgum, holly, magnolias, podacarps, sycamores, myconia, turpinias, soaps, oaks, avocados and a great variety of ferns.

This mountainous area rises between 1,300 and 2,550 meters above sea level. The species found can reach between 25 and 35 meters in height.

The jungle areas

Divided as follows:

-Low jungle

The low forest is characterized by having trees that lose their foliage totally or partially in the dry season or in the rainy season, completely changing the landscape.

This jungle is found in the Pacific coastal plain, the central depression, and in the low hills of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas.

The most popular trees in this area are: canelo, chancarro, cacho de toro, anón, copal santo, palo mulato, cedar, milkweed, poroporo, aguardietillo, among others.

High jungle

This jungle independent of the time of year or the climatic conditions of the region, is characterized by maintaining the foliage of its evergreen and lush trees.

This jungle area includes the Lacandon Jungle and partially the Soconusco region. The most common trees are: chicozapote, mamey zapote, palo de lacandón, flor de mayo, anonillo, amargoso, ceiba, among others.

Characteristic Vegetation of Chiapas

In the region you can find a variety of woods, flowers and fruits.

Important timber trees

Pine, sabino, cypress, oak, shrimp, oak, mahogany, cedar and ceiba.

Most outstanding flowers

The white flower, yellow flower, child flower, dahlia, good night flower and Indian jasmine.

Most Found Fruits

The peach, avocado, lemon, orange, banana and guava.

References

1. Frodin, DG (2001). Guide to Standard Floras of the World: An Annotated, Geographically Arranged Systematic Bibliography of the Principal Floras, Enumerations, Checklists and Chorological Atlases of Different Areas. UK: Cambridge University Press.
2. INEGI. (November 02, 2017). Flora and fauna. Obtained from Cuentame.inegi.org.mx
3. Mario González-Espinosa, NR (2005). Biological diversity in Chiapas. Mexico: Plaza and Valdes.
4. Mexico, E. d. (November 02, 2017). Chiapas. Obtained from inafed.gob.mx
5. Reyes-García, A. (1997). Central Depression of Chiapas the low deciduous forest. Mexico: UNAM.