Flora & Fauna

 

 The vegetation of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is composed of 14 vegetation types and subtypes, according to the local physical and ecological conditions. To date, 2,308 species of vascular plants have been registered.

The Reserve’s eco-diversity is shown by the presence of pure Nearctic species such as the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and the quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) in the highest part of the mountains of Pinal de Amoles, as well as species that grow in the jungles of southeast Mexico, such as the ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) and the breadnut (Brosimum alicastrum).The Reserve also contains species common to the arid deserts of northern Mexico, such as the cholla (Opuntia imbricata) and the creosote bush (Larrea tridentata); and in the humid cloud forests of Chiapas, represented by the elm (Ulmus mexicana) and the tree fern (Nephelea mexicana).

The Reserve’s vegetation types include the following:
  • Tropical Evergreen Forest
  • Tropical Sub-deciduous Forest
  • Tropical Deciduous Forest
  • Xerophyllous Scrubs (Piedmont, rosetophyllous, crasicaulescent, microphyllous and oak scrub)
  • Oak Forest
  • Coniferous Forest
  • Pine-Oak Forest
  • Cloud Forest
  • Riparian Forest
  • Aquatic Vegetation
Among the endangered species found in the Reserve are the following:
  • giant biznaga (Echinocactus grandis)
  • chapote (Diospyros riojae)
  • peyote (Lophophora diffusa)
  • magnolia (Magnolia dealbata)
  • Guatemalan fir (Abies guatemalensis)

Threatened species include the following:

  • magnolia (Magnolia schiedeana)
  • Mexican cycad (Dioon edule)
  • Yew (Taxus globosa)
  • Mexican cypress (Cupressus lusitanica)
  • red cedar (Cedrela dugesii)
  • paloescrito (Dalbergia paloescrito)
  • Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Also, a series of endemic species are found, such as: Adiantum andicola, Agave tenufolia, Dyscritothamus filifolius, D. mirandae, Berberis albicans, B. zimapana, Fouqueira fasciculata, Lophophora diffusa, Neobauxbamia polylopha, Yucca queretaroensis, Ceratozamia sabatoi, C. microstrobila, Pinguicola acnata, P. montezumae, P. calderoninae and Velascoa recondita.
There is a correlation between the Reserve’s outstanding vegetation diversity and the equally notable fauna diversity. A total of 621 vertebrate species are reported in the region. This reflects the fact that Sierra Gorda is situated at the confluence of the Nearctic and Neotropical Bioregions, making it one of the richest transition regions in North America.

Grup Total National Total Sierra Gorda % of total
Birds 1,050 327 31
Mammals 502 131 26
Reptiles 717 104 14
Amphibians 290 32 11
Butterflies 2,610 650 28
Fish 519 27 5.2

The following species reflect the region's position between the Nearctic and Neotropical bioregions:

  • bobcat (Lynx rufus)
  • black bear (Ursus americanus)
  • crested guan (Penelope purpurascens)
  • military macaw (Ara militaris)
  • agouti (Agouti paca)

 
All six of Mexico´s feline species are present:
  • jaguar (Panthera onca)
  • puma (Felis concolor)
  • bobcat (Felis rufus)
  • margay (Felis wiedii)
  • ocelot (Felis pardalis)
  • jaguarundi (Felis yagouaroundi)

Among the endemic species is the Querétaro pocket gopher (Pappogeomys neglectus) with a distribution limited to the highest part of the Pinal de Amoles range, an area that is suffering deterioration. Also found is the Autochton siermadrior butterfly, as well as arthropods and cave-dwelling fish that are in the process of being studied.
 
The Reserve also contains many endangered and threatened species:

Endangered Species

  • jaguar (Panthera onca)
  • Humboldt butterfly (Eucheira socialis)
  • black bear (Ursus americanus)
  • military macaw (Ara militaris)
  • bearded-wood partridge ( Dendrortyx barbatus).

Threatened Species

  • otter (Lutra longicaudis)
  • porcupine (Coendu mexicanus)
  • emerald toucanet (Aulacorynchus prasinus)
  • ocelot (Felis pardalis)
  • kinkaju (Potos flavus)

The only recorded group of invertebrates is the butterflies, with 650 species registered. This is a remarkable figure, placing the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve in second place nationwide for its butterfly diversity, surpassed only by the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, located in the Lacandon forest in Chiapas.