Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and Biosphere Reserve (Mexico)

Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and Biosphere Reserve (Mexico)

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Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and Biosphere Reserve is located in the northern portion of the Sierra Madre Oriental range in northeastern Mexico, near Monterrey, consisting of rugged terrain with steep mountains, deep canyons, rivers, and waterfalls.

Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and Biosphere Reserve

Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and Biosphere Reserve is in the northern portion of the Sierra Madre Oriental, a mountain range in northeastern Mexico. It is located near Monterrey in the states of Nuevo León and Coahuila.

The National Park was created in 1939 to protect the native flora and fauna against the spreading urbanization of the city of Monterrey. In 2006, UNESCO designated Cumbres de Monterrey as a Biosphere Reserve.

Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and Biosphere Reserve protect more than 1,770 sq km (680 sq mi) of rugged terrain, boasting steep mountains reaching an elevation of 2,260 m (7,410 ft) above sea level, as well as deep canyons, rivers and waterfalls.

The Sierra Madre Oriental is part of the American Cordillera, a chain of mountain ranges that consist of an almost continuous sequence of mountain ranges (the Continental Divide) forming the western "backbone" of North America, Central America, South America and Antarctica.

The highest peaks in Cumbres de Monterrey:

  • Pinar: 1,515 m (4,970 ft)
  • La Ventana: 1,955 m (6,414 ft)
  • La Antenna: 2,015 m (6,611 ft)
  • M Este: 2,020 m (6,630 ft)
  • Copete de las Águilas: 2,260 m (7,410 ft)

The main ecosystems are coniferous forests of oaks and scrub. It is considered a priority region and an important area for bird conservation because of its vicinity to El Taray reserve (a parrot reserve in the mountains in the east).

Grutas de García (García Caves) is one of Mexico's most extensive cave systems and popular attractions within the National Park. García Caves were hidden for millions of years until being discovered in 1843. Marine fossils have been found inside these caves because the lining of the caves mainly consists of oceanic sedimentary rock.

Cañón de la Huasteca is the most famous canyon in Cumbres de Monterrey and accounts for about 200 ha (494 acres) of the park. The walls of Cañón de la Huastecan are marked with a significant number of prehistoric glyphs created thousands of years ago by the region's ancient inhabitants.

Throughout the park/reserve, there are numerous waterfalls. The two most famous waterfalls are Cascada Cola de Caballo (Horsetail Falls) and Cascada de Chipitín (Chipitín Falls).

Cumbres de Monterrey contains many ecosystems due to its geography. Many microclimates allow a greater variety of flora and fauna to flourish. Agave, Dasylirion, and Rhus species are found in many park areas. The forest is made up mainly of the following tree species:

  • Spruce: Picea martinezii, Picea engelmannii
  • Yucca: Yucca carnerosana, Yucca filifera
  • Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga lindleyana, Pseudotsuga flahualti
  • Firs: Abies vejarii, Abies hickelii, Abies hidalgensis, Abies durangensis
  • Oak: Quercus fusiformis, Quercus greggii, Quercus hipoxlanta, Quercus laeta, Quercus saltillensis
  • Pine: Pinus ayacahuite, Pinus cembroides, Pinus greggii, Pinus hartwegii, Pinus pinceana, Pinus pseudostrobus, Pinus rudis, Pinus teocote

The Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and Biosphere Reserve have one of the most diverse ecosystems in northern Mexico. The pine and oak forests and steppe are home to many animals. Many fish can be found in the park, but most species are endangered.

The park hosts many bird species, including Accipiter striatus, Aquila chrysaetos, Circus cyaneus, Falco columbarius, Falco mexicanus, Falco peregrinus, Rhynchopsitta terrisi, Speotyto cunicularia, and Spizella wortheni.

The park's mammals include Puma concolor, Ursus americanus, Canis latrans and Odocoileus virginianus.

There are 32 towns in the reserve, with a population of around 2,000 people. The area has been zoned according to the priority of conservation of ecosystems and land use, including space for the development of the traditional activities of residents.

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