Sonoran-Sinaloan transition subtropical dry forest

Sonoran-Sinaloan transition subtropical dry forest
Ecology
Biome Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
Borders
Bird species 215[1]
Mammal species 95[1]
Geography
Area 51,000 km2 (20,000 sq mi)
Country Mexico
States Sonora and Sinaloa
Conservation
Habitat loss 21.36%[1]
Protected 0.02%[1]

The Sonoran-Sinaloan transition subtropical dry forest is a tropical dry broadleaf forest ecoregion in northwestern Mexico.[2]

Location and description

This ecoregion forms a transition belt between the Sonoran Desert to the north and the Sinaloan dry forests to the south, running south from the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental highlands of the state of Sonora to the Pacific Ocean coasts of Sonora and Sinaloa. This region is also part of the transition zone between the Nearctic and Neotropic ecozones and as such habitats of the region range from sparse semi-desert in the north to dry forest in the south. It covers an area of 51,000 km2 (20,000 sq mi) from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Average annual rainfall is 100–200 mm (3.9–7.9 in)[2]

Flora

The northern section is home to typical desert vegetation such as cacti such as organ pipe (Stenocereus thurberi), jumping cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida) and barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni). Further south the habitats are dry woodland with trees including acacias such as boat-thorn acacia (Acacia cochliacantha), and tree catclaw (Acacia occidentalis).[2]

Fauna

Birds of the ecoregion include the black-throated magpie-jay (Calocitta colliei).

Threats and preservation

This woodland is vulnerable to logging and clearance for livestock grazing, particularly around the cities of Navojoa and Álamos, while the wildlife is vulnerable to hunting. Areas of particular conservation importance include the Yaqui River basin.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hoekstra, J. M.; Molnar, J. L.; Jennings, M.; Revenga, C.; Spalding, M. D.; Boucher, T. M.; Robertson, J. C.; Heibel, T. J.; Ellison, K. (2010). Molnar, J. L., ed. The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-26256-0.
  2. 1 2 3 "Sonoran-Sinaloan transition subtropical dry forest". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
  3. ↑ Benitez, H., C. Arizmendi, y L. Marquez, L. 1999. Base de datos de las AICAS. CIPAMEX, CONABIO, FMCN, y CCA. México
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 5/9/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.