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 are special tropical moist broadleaf forests. They are found in southern Mexico and reach into western Guatemala. This area is an ecoregion, which means it's a large natural space with its own unique plants and animals.

These forests grow on the northern and northeastern slopes of the Chiapas Highlands. They are known for their lush, green environment.

Where Are the Chiapas Forests?

The Chiapas montane forests are located on the northern and northeastern sides of the Chiapas highlands. Think of them as being on the slopes of tall mountains.

To their north and east, you'll find the lower Petén–Veracruz moist forests. Higher up in the mountains, to the south, are the Central American pine–oak forests.

What's the Weather Like?

The climate in these forests is tropical and very humid. This means it's warm and wet most of the time.

Even though it's tropical, the forests are cooler than the flat lands nearby. The temperature gets lower as you go higher up the mountains.

Plants of the Forest

The main type of plant life here is called a mountain cloud forest. These forests often have clouds or fog hanging around them, which keeps them very moist.

Some common trees you might see include the majagua (Trichospermum mexicanum). You can also find American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and alder trees (Alnus species).

A large part of these forests is still original, untouched forest. There are also many areas where the forest has grown back after being cleared.

Animals of the Forest

Many amazing animals call the Chiapas montane forests home. You might spot a coyote (Canis latrans) or a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Birds like the colorful mountain trogon (Trogon mexicanus) and the noisy Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) live here. There are also snakes, such as Stuart's burrowing snake (Adelphicos veraepacis) and Godman's pit viper (Bothrops godmani).

Protecting the Forests

It's very important to protect these unique forests. A study in 2017 showed that about 5% of this ecoregion is part of protected areas.

These protected areas help keep the plants and animals safe. Some of these special places include the Nahá Flora and Fauna Protection Area. There's also the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve and Lagunas de Montebello National Park.

Want to Learn More?

• List of ecoregions in Mexico