Sierra de Quila facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sierra de Quila |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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Phlebia incarnata fungus on a pine tree in Sierra de Quila
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 Sierra de Quila
Location in Mexico
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| Location | San Martín de Hidalgo, Tecolotlán, Cocula, Atengo, Tenamaxtlán, and Ameca municipalities, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Nearest city | Cocula, Jalisco |
| Area | 15,193 hectares |
| Designation | flora and fauna protection area |
| Established | August 4, 1982 (Forested and Faunal Protection Zone) June 7, 2000 (Flora and Fauna Protection Area) |
| Governing body | National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) |
The Sierra de Quila is a special natural area in Jalisco, Mexico. It's officially called the Sierra de Quila Flora and Fauna Protection Area. This means it's a place where plants and animals are protected.
The area covers about 15,193 hectares. That's like protecting over 37,000 football fields! It stretches across six different towns: San Martín de Hidalgo, Tecolotlán, Cocula, Atengo, Tenamaxtlán, and Ameca.
The Sierra de Quila is part of a large mountain chain. This chain is called the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. It runs across the middle of Mexico from east to west. The Sierra de Quila acts like a natural wall. It separates the Ameca River basin in the north from the Armería River basin in the south.
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Protecting Sierra de Quila
People have worked hard to protect the Sierra de Quila for many years. In the 1950s, people from Tecolotlán started a group. Their main goal was to stop too many trees from being cut down.
Later, in the 1970s and 1980s, more people spoke up. They wanted to stop forests from being used unfairly. This led the town of Tecolotlán to create a special committee. This committee worked to protect the natural resources of the Sierra de Quila. They also stopped illegal activities in the area.
Because of these efforts, Sierra de Quila became a "Forested and Faunal Protection Zone" on August 4, 1982. This was a big step! On June 7, 2000, it got an even higher level of protection. It was renamed a "Flora and Fauna Protection Area." This new name recognized all the different kinds of plants and animals living there.
Exploring the Geography
The Sierra de Quila Flora and Fauna Protection Area is full of natural wonders. You can find many beautiful spots here.
Some of the cool places include:
- Springs: La Ciénega, Charco de la Máquina, and Presa del Ahogado. These are places where water naturally flows out of the ground.
- Waterfalls: Salto de la Campana, Cascada Santa Rosa, Cascada La Ciénega, Salto de Tecolotlán, and Cascada El Columpio. Imagine the sound of water rushing down!
- Viewpoints: Cerro El Huehuentón, Mirador Tecolotlán, and Piedras Blancas. From these spots, you can see amazing views of the mountains and forests.
Plants and Animals
The Sierra de Quila is home to many different types of plants and animals. The kind of plants you see depends on how high up you are.
Forests of Sierra de Quila
At higher places in the mountains, you'll find pine-oak forests. These forests have lots of pine trees, oak trees, or a mix of both. There are also smaller areas of cloud forest. These forests are often covered in mist or clouds.
At lower elevations, the weather is warmer and drier. Here, you'll find tropical dry forests. These forests have trees that often lose their leaves during the dry season.
Wildlife of Sierra de Quila
This protected area is a safe home for many animals. It has:
- 28 different kinds of mammals.
- 90 different kinds of birds.
- 15 different kinds of reptiles.
- 5 different kinds of amphibians.
Together, these animals make up about 17% of all the vertebrate species found in the state of Jalisco!
Some of the larger mammals you might find here include:
- White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
- Collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu), which look a bit like wild pigs
- Puma (Puma concolor), a large wild cat
Why Conservation Matters
The Sierra de Quila was first set up as a wildlife protection zone in 1982. It was one of two important wildlife areas in Jalisco. The other was La Primavera Biosphere Reserve, near Guadalajara.
In 2000, its protection level was increased. Now, it's managed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP). This group works to keep the area healthy and safe for all its plants and animals. Protecting places like Sierra de Quila is important. It helps keep our planet's natural beauty and biodiversity safe for future generations.
See also
In Spanish: Sierra de Quila para niños
