Chiapas montane forests facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chiapas montane forests
Yajalón, in Chiapas, Mexico
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
Realm	Neotropical
Biome	tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Borders	List Central American pine–oak forests Chiapas Depression dry forests Petén–Veracruz moist forests Sierra Madre de Oaxaca pine–oak forests Southern Pacific dry forests
Geography
Area	5,759 km2 (2,224 sq mi)
Countries	Mexico and Guatemala
States	Chiapas
Conservation
Conservation status	Critical/endangered
Protected	273 km² (5%)

The Chiapas montane forests is a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion in southern Mexico and extending into western Guatemala. It includes the montane tropical forests on the northern and northeastern slopes of the Chiapas Highlands.

Geography

The Chiapas montane forests lie on the northern and northeastern slopes of the Chiapas highlands, between the lowland Petén–Veracruz moist forests to the north and east and the Central American pine–oak forests in the higher mountains to the south.

Climate

The climate of the ecoregion is tropical and humid. The forests have a cooler climate than the adjacent lowlands, and average annual temperatures decrease with elevation.

Flora

The predominant plant community is mountain cloud forest. Characteristic tree species include majagua (Trichospermum mexicanum), American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and alder (Alnus sp). There are approximately 98,050 hectares of primary forest, and 272,991 hectares of second-growth forest.

Fauna

Native animals include coyote (Canis latrans) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mountain trogon (Trogon mexicanus), Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), Stuart's burrowing snake (Adelphicos veraepacis), and Godman's pit viper (Bothrops godmani).

Protected areas

A 2017 assessment found 273 km², or 5%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include Nahá Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, and Lagunas de Montebello National Park.

See also

In Spanish: Bosques montanos de Chiapas para niños

• List of ecoregions in Mexico