Country Mexico Habitat loss 21.36% Area 51,000 km² Mammal species 95 | States Sonora and Sinaloa Protected 0.02% Bird species 215 | |
Borders Sonoran desert
Sierra Madre Occidental pine-oak forests
Chihuahuan desert
Sinaloan dry forests
Northern Mesoamerican Pacific mangroves Biome Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests | ||
The Sonoran-Sinaloan transition subtropical dry forest is a tropical dry broadleaf forest ecoregion in northwestern Mexico.
Contents
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)
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).
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.