Ecoregions of Mexico

The Central American dry forests ecoregion, spanning Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, is a crucial transitional zone between the lush tropical rainforests and the arid deserts. This unique region along the Pacific Coast, from southern Chiapas to Guanacaste, exhibits a delicate balance of life in the face of a prolonged dry season.

The Central American montane forests ecoregion is a collection of forest patches scattered across Central America's highest mountains. This region is ecologically significant and exhibits unique adaptations. It stretches from southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua and showcases diverse vegetation and wildlife on the elevated canvas of the region.

Nestled between the highland cloud forests and the lowland rainforests of northern Central America, the Central American pine-oak forests ecoregion unfolds as a diverse tapestry supporting a rich assortment of conifer species. Spanning across the mid-elevations of Mexico's Chiapas, southern Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and small portions of west-central Nicaragua, this region is a vital habitat for various flora and fauna.

The Sierra Madre Oriental Pine-Oak Forests represent a critical component of Mexico’s diverse ecological landscape. Stretching along the eastern side of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, these forests are known for their rich biodiversity and unique environmental characteristics. The varied altitudes, climate conditions, and soil types foster a complex and dynamic ecosystem.

The Marismas Nacionales–San Blas Mangroves stretch across the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Nayarit, forming the most extensive mangrove area on Mexico's Pacific coast. This ecoregion, which includes the Marismas Nacionales Lagoon System, is celebrated for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance. The vast mangrove forests play a crucial role in stabilizing the coastline, supporting diverse species, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The Marismas Nacionales Lagoon System is one of the most extensive and ecologically critical coastal wetlands along the Pacific coast in northwest Mexico. This unique ecosystem is a vital natural resource, distinguished by its dynamic wetland habitats, including estuaries, marshes, mangroves, and coastal lagoons. It is recognized as one of Mexico's most crucial mangrove systems, playing a critical role in sustaining biodiversity, protecting coastal areas, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The Baja California Desert is located within the Mexican states of Baja California Sur and Baja California Norte, on the western side of the Peninsular Ranges in the northern and central Baja California Peninsula. Situated between the Pacific Ocean to the west and cradled by the Peninsular Ranges to the east, the Baja California Desert is a geographical mosaic and a dynamic display of biodiversity and resilience.

The Sierra Madre evergreen forests in western Mexico are known for their year-round greenery and diverse flora and fauna. They cover various altitudes, climates, and habitats and are home to unique plant and animal species. The evergreen forests, thriving on the slopes of the Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental mountain ranges, support a remarkable array of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic to the region.

The Pantanos de Centla is a tropical moist forest region in southern Mexico, spanning the states of Tabasco and Campeche and serving as a biological corridor between them. This unique ecoregion is characterized by its year-round wetlands, freshwater swamp forests, and diverse ecosystems, including riparian habitats and moist forests.

Mangrove ecosystems are among Earth's most productive and biologically diverse habitats, providing vital ecological services and supporting a rich array of plant and animal life. The Petenes mangrove ecoregion in the western Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico is a unique and extraordinary example of these coastal wetlands. The Petenes mangroves are a biodiversity hotspot, harboring endemic and migratory species.