The vegetation of Yucatán is made up of a large number of different species and varieties. Because the region is 70% covered by forests, most of the plants are typical of this ecosystem.
However, the rest of the country presents a huge variety of ecological niches, with agricultural areas, mangroves, grasslands and other types of plant environments. For this reason, the country's plants are very different from one area to another.
Jungle of the Yucatan province
During the last 20 years, the native flora of the region has been subject to changes and severe deterioration due to human activity. Among the most important causes is excessive deforestation.
Despite the fact that most of Yucatán is covered with perennial forest, the presence of totally different climates and habitats throughout the region's surface causes a huge variety of native plants.
In addition to the so-called evergreen forests, other especially important habitats are mangroves and grasslands.
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The 3 types of typical Yucatan vegetation
1- Jungle
The jungles of Yucatán are divided into two types: high jungles, also known as humid or perennial jungles; and lowland or deciduous forests.
Usually the forests are classified according to the height of their trees. There are high forests (more than 30 meters), medium (between 15 and 30 meters) and low (less than 15 meters).
The humid or perennial forests are the most exuberant plant communities in the country. The trees in these forests are of many different species, and more than 75% of these retain their leaves throughout the year.
Most trees in evergreen forests have large, moist leaves; in addition, in these are many different species of other plants such as lianas and palms.
As for the deciduous forests, also known as dry forests, they usually have trees of less than 30 meters that lose their leaves in the dry season of the year. Therefore, they are classified as medium or low.
The dry forests have a great diversity, with many characteristic species such as the copals, the bonnet or the bunting.
These jungles are in particular danger as they are located in areas that favor drought and the appearance of deserts.
2- Mangrove
Mangroves are another of the most widespread areas in the Yucatan peninsula. Its name comes from a word in the native language of the area, which means "twisted tree."
Indeed, the vast majority of trees have a very characteristic curved shape.
This vegetation is very resistant to salinity in the environment. Therefore, mangroves are located at the mouth of freshwater streams in the sea.
Mangroves do not present as much plant diversity as the jungle, but are made up of plants specialized in this environment.
In total there are a little more than 50 species of mangroves, the characteristic trees of this area.
3- Pasture
Grasslands are known in other parts of the world as savanna, steppe, pampas, or prairie. In these are mostly herbaceous plants, with a great shortage of trees or shrubs.
Despite the lack of great diversity in vegetation in these areas, several types of native plants are found, especially near water sources such as streams and streams.
Some of the most characteristic are the poplar, the sycamore, the governor or the mesquite.
References
- "Dry forests" in: Biodiversity. Retrieved on: November 6, 2017 from Biodiversity: biodiversity.gob.mx
- "Humid forests" in: Biodiversity. Retrieved on: November 6, 2017 from Biodiversity: biodiversity.gob.mx
- "Grasslands" in: Biodiversity. Retrieved on: November 6, 2017 from Biodiversity: biodiversity.gob.mx
- "Mangrove" in: Wikipedia. Retrieved on: November 6, 2017 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.com
- "Flora of the Yucatan Peninsula" in: Cicy. Retrieved on: November 6, 2017 from Cicy: cicy.mx