Coastal Plain and Hills with High and Medium-high Tropical Evergreen Forest and Wetlands (Planicie costera y lomer°os con humedales y selvas media y alta perennifolias) is a subregion extending along the coast in Chiapas and including nearby sierras, characterized by a warm, humid to sub-humid climate, significant elevation gradient, diverse vegetation ranging from temperate forests to hydrophytic vegetation near the coast, and features important wetlands and high precipitation, with agriculture including cultivated grasslands and croplands.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Coastal Plain and Hills with High and Medium-High Evergreen Tropical Forest and Wetlands
CEC Level III Code
15.6.1
CEC Level II Code
15.6 Tropical Wet Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Coastal Plain and Hills with High and Medium-High Evergreen Tropical Forest and Wetlands |
| Geographic Range | This subregion extends along the coast in the state of Chiapas, including nearby sierras and the Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, within the Coastal Plains of Chiapas and Guatemala, Southern Sierras of Chiapas, Isthmus Plains, and Central American Volcanoes. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate is warm and humid in the mountainous areas, warm and sub-humid near the coast, and humid and temperate in the higher mountainous areas. |
| Terrain Profile | The subregion's terrain is characterized by coastal plains, high and low sierras, and flooded beaches and sandbars, with elevations ranging from sea level up to just over 2,000 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | This subregion is characterized by medium and high tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, along with temperate pine-oak, cloud forests, and hydrophytic vegetation near the coast, though much of the area is now altered for cultivated grasslands and second-growth forests. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The varied wildlife of this subregion includes amphibians like the Xolocalca bromeliad salamander, reptiles such as Matuda's arboreal alligator lizard and the common caiman, and diverse bird species including the ornate hawk-eagle and fulvous owl. |
Eco snapshot
This subregion is characterized by medium and high tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, along with temperate pine-oak, cloud forests, and hydrophytic vegetation near the coast, though much of the area is now altered for cultivated grasslands and second-growth forests.
The varied wildlife of this subregion includes amphibians like the Xolocalca bromeliad salamander, reptiles such as Matuda’s arboreal alligator lizard and the common caiman, and diverse bird species including the ornate hawk-eagle and fulvous owl.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter/early spring | Early nectar/pollen; safe shelter as activity ramps up | Add a few early-blooming natives; keep some leaf litter/old stems; avoid any pesticide use. |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites; clean water/mud | Plant a mix of shrubs/flowers; leave small bare-soil patches; add a shallow water dish with stones. |
| Summer | Heat/rain resilience; continuous flowers; shade and shelter | Prioritize “bridge” blooms; plant in layers (groundcover + flowers + shrubs); water new plants during dry spells. |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season nectar; seed/fruit resources; places to rest | Add late bloomers; let some plants go to seed; reduce trimming and keep habitat structure. |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from weather extremes; reduced disturbance | Leave stems and leaf litter; avoid “cleaning up” everything; plan next season’s plant additions for continuous bloom. |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that begin the season with reliable nectar/pollen.
Summer bridge: heat- and rain-tolerant flowers that keep food available through peak growth.
Fall finisher: late bloomers that prevent an end-of-season food crash and help pollinators build reserves.
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Agaves are bold, sculptural succulents that store water in thick leaves and thrive in bright, dry spots. Their flowers can be a big seasonal draw for pollinators when plants are mature and in bloom.
Erythrinas (coral trees) are showy flowering trees in the genus Erythrina, known for bold, nectar-rich blooms that can be a seasonal food stop for pollinators in warm gardens.
Inga is a group of tropical trees (genus Inga) known for fluffy, brush-like flowers and long pods. In warm climates, it can be a shade tree that also offers nectar and pollen for a variety of insects.
Milkweeds from tropical Mexico (genus Asclepias) are nectar-rich wildflowers that can add bright blooms and pollinator activity to sunny gardens and containers.
Passionflowers (genus Passiflora) are climbing vines known for their intricate, otherworldly blooms and their ability to add vertical color to fences, trellises, and sunny walls.
Salvias are a big, colorful group of flowering plants in the genus Salvia, with especially rich diversity in Mexico. Many are easy, pollinator-friendly garden plants that bloom over a long season when given sun and well-drained soil.
Wild lilacs (genus Calliandra) are warm-climate shrubs known for fluffy “powderpuff” blooms that can add color and pollinator activity to sunny gardens and patios.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping many plants reproduce.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances, helping some plants set fruit and seed.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances and help many plants set fruit and seed.
They move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, supporting seed and fruit production in many plants.
They help pollinate many wild and cultivated plants in tropical and subtropical regions, supporting food webs and biodiversity.
