Sierra de la Laguna dry forests
Encyclopedia
The Sierra de la Laguna dry forests are a subtropical dry forest
ecoregion of the southern Baja California Peninsula
in Mexico
.
, from 250 to 800 m (820.2 to 2,624.7 ft) elevation. They are surrounded at lower elevations by the San Lucan xeric scrub
, which lies between sea level and 250 m (820.2 ft) elevation. Above 800 meters elevation, the dry forests transition to the subhumid and temperate Sierra de la Laguna pine-oak forests
.
species
of the dry forests are the Mauto (Lysiloma
divaricatum), Palo blanco (L. candidum), Cajalosucho (Bursera microphylla
) and Palo zorrillo (Hesperalbizia occidentalis
). Herbaceous plants are less prominent and include Caribe (Cnidoscolus
angustidens), Buena mujer (Chloracantha spinosa
), Solanum
spp., and Biznaga (Ferocactus
spp).
Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
The tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest biome, also known as tropical dry forest, is located at tropical and subtropical latitudes. Though these forests occur in climates that are warm year-round, and may receive several hundred centimeters of rain per year, they have long dry seasons...
ecoregion of the southern Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Location
The dry forests cover the lower elevations of the Sierra de la LagunaSierra de la Laguna
The Sierra de la Laguna is a mountain range on the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico. It lies at the southern end of the peninsula in the state of Baja California Sur, and is the southernmost range of the Peninsular Ranges....
, from 250 to 800 m (820.2 to 2,624.7 ft) elevation. They are surrounded at lower elevations by the San Lucan xeric scrub
San Lucan xeric scrub
The San Lucan xeric scrub is a xeric shrubland ecoregion of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.-Setting:The San Lucan xeric scrub covers an area of at the southern tip of the peninsula. The xeric scrub extends from coast up to 250 meters elevation, where the Sierra de la Laguna dry forests...
, which lies between sea level and 250 m (820.2 ft) elevation. Above 800 meters elevation, the dry forests transition to the subhumid and temperate Sierra de la Laguna pine-oak forests
Sierra de la Laguna pine-oak forests
The Sierra de la Laguna pine-oak forests is a subtropical coniferous forest ecoregion, found in the Sierra de la Laguna range at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, in the state of Baja California Sur of Mexico.-Setting:...
.
Flora
The predominant treeTree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of the dry forests are the Mauto (Lysiloma
Lysiloma
Lysiloma is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae.-Selected species:* Lysiloma acapulcense Benth.* Lysiloma candidum Brandegee* Lysiloma divaricatum J.F.Macbr....
divaricatum), Palo blanco (L. candidum), Cajalosucho (Bursera microphylla
Bursera microphylla
Bursera microphylla, known by the common name Elephant Tree, is a tree in genus Bursera. It grows into a distinctive sculptural form, with a trunk resembling that of an elephant. The Elephant Tree is quite rare...
) and Palo zorrillo (Hesperalbizia occidentalis
Hesperalbizia occidentalis
Hesperalbizia occidentalis is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family.As a native plant it is found only in Mexico, where it is endangered by deforestation...
). Herbaceous plants are less prominent and include Caribe (Cnidoscolus
Cnidoscolus
Cnidoscolus is a plant genus of the family Euphorbiaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words κνίδη , meaning "nettle," and σκολος , meaning "thorn" or "prickle."-Selected species:...
angustidens), Buena mujer (Chloracantha spinosa
Chloracantha
Chloracantha is a monotypic plant genus in the aster family containing the single species Chloracantha spinosa, the spiny chloracantha or Mexican devil-weed. It is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, where it grows in moist or damp areas in otherwise dry habitat, such as desert and...
), Solanum
Solanum
Solanum, the nightshades, horsenettles and relatives, is a large and diverse genus of annual and perennial plants. They grow as forbs, vines, subshrubs, shrubs, and small trees, and often have attractive fruit and flowers. Many formerly independent genera like Lycopersicon or Cyphomandra are...
spp., and Biznaga (Ferocactus
Ferocactus
Ferocactus is a genus of large barrel-shaped cacti, mostly with large spines and small flowers. There are about 30 species included in the genus. They are found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The young specimens are columnar but as they grow older ribs form and they take...
spp).
See also
- Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forestsTropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forestsThe tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest biome, also known as tropical dry forest, is located at tropical and subtropical latitudes. Though these forests occur in climates that are warm year-round, and may receive several hundred centimeters of rain per year, they have long dry seasons...
- Terrestrial ecoregion
- Ecoregions of Mexico
- NeotropicNeotropicIn biogeography, the Neotropic or Neotropical zone is one of the eight terrestrial ecozones. This ecozone includes South and Central America, the Mexican lowlands, the Caribbean islands, and southern Florida, because these regions share a large number of plant and animal groups.It is sometimes used...