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{{Infobox ecoregion
{{Infobox ecoregion
| name = Chiapas Depression dry forests
| name = Chiapas Depression dry forests
| image = Morning_at_Sumidero_Canyon.JPG
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_caption = Chiapas Depression dry forests in [[Sumidero Canyon]]
| map = Ecoregion NT0211.png
| country = [[Mexico]] ([[Southern Mexico|Southern]])
| map_size =
| country1 = [[Guatemala]]
| map_alt =
| bird_species =
| map_caption = Ecoregion territory (in purple)
| mammal_species =
| biogeographic_realm = [[Neotropical realm|Neotropical]]
| plant_species = 980<ref name=WWF/>
| biome = [[tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests]]
| habitat_loss =
| border = [[Central American pine–oak forests]]
| habitat_loss_ref =
| border1 = [[Chimalapas montane forests]]
| protected =
| border2 = [[Petén–Veracruz moist forests]],
| protected_ref =
| border3 = [[Sierra Madre de Chiapas moist forests]]
| area = 13900
| bird_species =
| conservation = Critical/Threatened<ref name=WWF2>{{WWF ecoregion|id=nt0211|name=Chiapas Depression dry forests|accessdate=2013-08-24}}</ref>
| mammal_species =
| biome = [[Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests]]
| area = 13,974
| map =
| country = southern [[Mexico]]
| map_size =
| country1 = [[Guatemala]]
| map_alt =

| map_caption =
| habitat_loss =
| global200 =
| habitat_loss_ref =
| conservation = Critical/Endangered<ref name=WWF2>{{WWF ecoregion|id=nt0211|name=Chiapas Depression dry forests|accessdate=2013-08-24}}</ref>
| global200 = [[Mexican dry forests]]
|protected = 309 km² (2
|protected_ref = )<ref name=dinerstein>{{cite journal | first1=Eric | last1=Dinerstein | first2=David | last2=Olson | display-authors=etal | year=2017 | title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm | journal=BioScience | volume=67 | issue=6 | date=June 2017 | pages=534–545 | doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014| pmid=28608869 | pmc=5451287 | doi-access=free }} Supplemental material 2 table S1b.</ref>
|embedded =
}}
}}


The '''Chiapas Depression dry forests''' form one of the [[ecoregion]]s that belong to the [[tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests]] [[biome]], as defined by the [[World Wildlife Fund]]. This ecoregion is located in the central Chiapas Depression, on the border between [[Mexico]] and [[Guatemala]], and covers an area of around 13,900&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=WWF>{{cite web|title=Chiapas Depression dry forests|url=http://worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/nt0211|publisher=Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza|accessdate=2013-08-21}}</ref> It lies at an altitude of 420-800 [[m]] and has a hot, dry climate.
The '''Chiapas Depression dry forests''' form one of the [[ecoregion]]s that belong to the [[tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests]] [[biome]], as defined by the [[World Wildlife Fund]], in northwestern [[Central America]].
==Geography==
This ecoregion is located in the central Chiapas Depression, which lies between the [[Chiapas Highlands]] on the north and the [[Sierra Madre de Chiapas]] to the south. The Chiapas Depression is mostly within [[Chiapas]] state of [[Mexico]], and extends into northwestern [[Guatemala]]. The depression is drained by the [[Grijalva River]].
It covers an area of around 13,900&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=WWF>{{cite web|title=Chiapas Depression dry forests|url=http://worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/nt0211|publisher=Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza|access-date=2013-08-21}}</ref> It lies at an elevation of {{convert|420|-|800|m|ft}}.

==Climate==
The Chiapas Depression dry forests ecoregion has a hot, seasonally dry climate - warm sub-humid in the lowlands, transitioning to semi-warm humid on mountain slopes. It lies in the [[rain shadow]] of the Chiapas Highlands to the north and the Sierra Madre de Chiapas to the south, and is drier than the surrounding highlands and nearby lowlands. Much of the rainfall occurs in the summer, and there is a long dry season lasting four to six months. Average annual precipitation can be less than 800 mm in the driest areas.<ref name = Wiken/>

==Flora==
Tropical deciduous dry forest is the predominant plant community. Many trees lose their leaves during the long dry season, and the appearance of the forest changes dramatically between wet and dry seasons. The forests are generally low-canopied, and characteristic trees include ''[[Lysiloma divaricatum]]'', Mexican alvaradoa (''[[Alvaradoa amorphoides]]''), peacock flower (''[[Caesalpinia pulcherrima]]''), ceiba or kapok (''[[Ceiba pentandra]]''), buttercup tree (''[[Cochlospermum vitifolium]]''), ''[[Comocladia engleriana]]'', butterfly orchid tree (''[[Bauhinia divaricata]]'') and ''[[Bursera]]'' spp. Cactus and other succulent plants are common.<ref name = Wiken> Wiken, Ed, Francisco Jiménez Nava, and Glenn Griffith. 2011. ''North American Terrestrial Ecoregions—Level III''. Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Montreal, Canada.</ref>

Semi-deciduous and semi-evergreen forests of medium height are found in canyons and other areas with higher soil moisture, and in the northwestern transition to the [[Petén–Veracruz moist forests]]. [[Montezuma cypress]] (''Taxodium mucronatum'') and fig (''[[Ficus]]'' spp.) grow in riverine forests.<ref name = Wiken/>

There are areas of savanna in the central and northwestern parts of the ecoregion. Grasslands, including many introduced grasses, and palm groves are found in areas disturbed by human activity and livestock grazing.<ref name = Wiken/>

Its [[biodiversity]] is high, with about 980 plant species, and includes 40% of the endemic species of dry ecosystems found in Mexico.<ref name=WWF/> It also forms a corridor that connects two major biogeographic region, the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific in the west.
Its [[biodiversity]] is high, with about 980 plant species, and includes 40% of the endemic species of dry ecosystems found in Mexico.<ref name=WWF/> It also forms a corridor that connects two major biogeographic region, the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific in the west.


==Fauna==
Native mammals include the [[gray fox]] (''Urocyon cinereoargenteus''), [[hooded skunk]] (''Mephitis macroura''), and [[hog-nosed skunk]] (''Conepatus mesoleucos''), particularly in isolated sierras and canyons less disturbed by human activity.<ref name = Wiken/>

Characteristic birds include the [[plain chachalaca]] (''Ortalis vetula''), [[mottled owl]] (''Strix virgata''), [[lesser roadrunner]] (''Geococcyx velox''), and [[white-throated magpie-jay]] (''Calocitta formosa'').<ref name = Wiken/>

Native snakes include the [[boa constrictor]] (''Boa constrictor'') and [[neotropical rattlesnake]] (''Crotalus durissus'').<ref name = Wiken/>

{{Gallery
|width=150
|align=center
|File:Icterus galbula - 2021.jpg
|''[[Icterus galbula]]'' in [[Tuxtla Gutiérrez]], Mexico
|File:Bombycilla cedrorum - 2021.jpg
|''[[Bombycilla cedrorum]]'' in [[Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas|Chiapa de Corzo]], Mexico
}}

==Conservation and threats==
The ecoregion has been seriously threatened by cattle grazing, which is the main cause of its destruction, along with the effects of logging and the expansion of the agricultural frontier.<ref name=WWF/>
The ecoregion has been seriously threatened by cattle grazing, which is the main cause of its destruction, along with the effects of logging and the expansion of the agricultural frontier.<ref name=WWF/>

Much of the ecoregion has been converted to cropland, including corn, beans, and peanuts, with sugarcane and corn in irrigated areas. Large areas have been cleared for pasturing cattle, which graze on introduced grasses.<ref name = Wiken/>

[[Tuxtla Gutiérrez]] is the largest city in the ecoregion.<ref name = Wiken/>

==Protected areas==
A 2017 assessment found that 309 km², or 2%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas.<ref name=dinerstein/> Protected areas in the ecoregion include [[Sumidero Canyon|Sumidero Canyon National Park]] and a portion of [[La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve]].

==See also==
* [[List of ecoregions in Mexico]]
* {{C|Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests|Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests ecoregions}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Commons cat|Chiapas Depression Dry Forests Ecoregion}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{NatGeo ecoregion|id=nt0211|name=Chiapas Depression dry forests}}
* {{WWF ecoregion|id=nt0211|name=Chiapas Depression dry forests}}
* {{NatGeo ecoregion|id=nt0211|name=Chiapas Depression dry forests}}




{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


[[Category:Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests]]
[[Category:Neotropical dry broadleaf forests]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Guatemala]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Guatemala]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Mexico]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Mexico]]
[[Category:Flora of Chiapas|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Chiapas|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Guatemala|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Guatemala|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Southwestern Mexico|*]]
[[Category:Sierra Madre de Chiapas]]
[[Category:Flora of Southern Mexico|*]]
[[Category:San Marcos Department]]
[[Category:Neotropic ecoregions]]
[[Category:Grijalva River]]


{{ecoregion-stub}}

Latest revision as of 16:06, 7 January 2024

Chiapas Depression dry forests
Chiapas Depression dry forests in Sumidero Canyon
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmNeotropical
Biometropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
Borders
Geography
Area13,974 km2 (5,395 sq mi)
Countries
Conservation
Conservation statusCritical/Endangered[1]
Global 200Mexican dry forests
Protected309 km² (2%)[2]

The Chiapas Depression dry forests form one of the ecoregions that belong to the tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests biome, as defined by the World Wildlife Fund, in northwestern Central America.

Geography

[edit]

This ecoregion is located in the central Chiapas Depression, which lies between the Chiapas Highlands on the north and the Sierra Madre de Chiapas to the south. The Chiapas Depression is mostly within Chiapas state of Mexico, and extends into northwestern Guatemala. The depression is drained by the Grijalva River.

It covers an area of around 13,900 km2.[3] It lies at an elevation of 420–800 metres (1,380–2,620 ft).

Climate

[edit]

The Chiapas Depression dry forests ecoregion has a hot, seasonally dry climate - warm sub-humid in the lowlands, transitioning to semi-warm humid on mountain slopes. It lies in the rain shadow of the Chiapas Highlands to the north and the Sierra Madre de Chiapas to the south, and is drier than the surrounding highlands and nearby lowlands. Much of the rainfall occurs in the summer, and there is a long dry season lasting four to six months. Average annual precipitation can be less than 800 mm in the driest areas.[4]

Flora

[edit]

Tropical deciduous dry forest is the predominant plant community. Many trees lose their leaves during the long dry season, and the appearance of the forest changes dramatically between wet and dry seasons. The forests are generally low-canopied, and characteristic trees include Lysiloma divaricatum, Mexican alvaradoa (Alvaradoa amorphoides), peacock flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), ceiba or kapok (Ceiba pentandra), buttercup tree (Cochlospermum vitifolium), Comocladia engleriana, butterfly orchid tree (Bauhinia divaricata) and Bursera spp. Cactus and other succulent plants are common.[4]

Semi-deciduous and semi-evergreen forests of medium height are found in canyons and other areas with higher soil moisture, and in the northwestern transition to the Petén–Veracruz moist forests. Montezuma cypress (Taxodium mucronatum) and fig (Ficus spp.) grow in riverine forests.[4]

There are areas of savanna in the central and northwestern parts of the ecoregion. Grasslands, including many introduced grasses, and palm groves are found in areas disturbed by human activity and livestock grazing.[4]

Its biodiversity is high, with about 980 plant species, and includes 40% of the endemic species of dry ecosystems found in Mexico.[3] It also forms a corridor that connects two major biogeographic region, the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific in the west.

Fauna

[edit]

Native mammals include the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura), and hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus mesoleucos), particularly in isolated sierras and canyons less disturbed by human activity.[4]

Characteristic birds include the plain chachalaca (Ortalis vetula), mottled owl (Strix virgata), lesser roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), and white-throated magpie-jay (Calocitta formosa).[4]

Native snakes include the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) and neotropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus).[4]

Conservation and threats

[edit]

The ecoregion has been seriously threatened by cattle grazing, which is the main cause of its destruction, along with the effects of logging and the expansion of the agricultural frontier.[3]

Much of the ecoregion has been converted to cropland, including corn, beans, and peanuts, with sugarcane and corn in irrigated areas. Large areas have been cleared for pasturing cattle, which graze on introduced grasses.[4]

Tuxtla Gutiérrez is the largest city in the ecoregion.[4]

Protected areas

[edit]

A 2017 assessment found that 309 km², or 2%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas.[2] Protected areas in the ecoregion include Sumidero Canyon National Park and a portion of La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chiapas Depression dry forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  2. ^ a b Dinerstein, Eric; Olson, David; et al. (June 2017). "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm". BioScience. 67 (6): 534–545. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix014. PMC 5451287. PMID 28608869.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) Supplemental material 2 table S1b.
  3. ^ a b c "Chiapas Depression dry forests". Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wiken, Ed, Francisco Jiménez Nava, and Glenn Griffith. 2011. North American Terrestrial Ecoregions—Level III. Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Montreal, Canada.
[edit]