Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain with Wetlands and Tropical Evergreen Forest is an extensive area spanning parts of Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, characterized by abundant water resources, flat topography with some hills, and a mix of ecosystems that are heavily disturbed by human activities, with the petroleum industry and agriculture as the most important economic activities.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain with Wetlands and High Tropical Rain Forest
CEC Level III Code
15.1.1
CEC Level II Code
15.1 Tropical Wet Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain with Wetlands and High Tropical Rain Forest, Gulf Coast tropical wet forest coastal plain, Gulf of Mexico coastal plain wetlands |
| Geographic Range | This subregion is located in the states of Veracruz and Tabasco, part of Campeche, plus small portions of Oaxaca and Chiapas, situated within the Veracruz Coastal Plains and Tabasco Plains and Marshes physiographic subregions. |
| Climate Snapshot | The predominant climates are warm and semi-warm, with rainfall generally occurring throughout the year, though some areas experience mostly summer rains. |
| Terrain Profile | The characteristic topography consists of extensive plains with gentle hills and in some cases, beaches and sandbars. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation is dominated by cultivated grasslands but also features important mangrove swamps, tulars, popals, and endangered remnants of high and low tropical evergreen forests, along with some savannah and tropical oak forests. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The subregion's highly varied wildlife, including endangered species like the jaguar and West Indian manatee, has been severely disturbed by human activities across its forest and wetland ecosystems. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation is dominated by cultivated grasslands but also features important mangrove swamps, tulars, popals, and endangered remnants of high and low tropical evergreen forests, along with some savannah and tropical oak forests.
The subregion’s highly varied wildlife, including endangered species like the jaguar and West Indian manatee, has been severely disturbed by human activities across its forest and wetland ecosystems.
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 temperatures shift | Add a few early-blooming natives suited to your site; leave some leaf litter and stems in place; avoid “preventative” pesticide treatments |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting materials and nest sites | Plant a mix of native flowers and shrubs; keep some bare, well-drained soil patches; provide shallow water with landing stones |
| Summer | Heat- and humidity-ready flowers; shade and water; continuous bloom | Prioritize mid-summer bloomers; water new plants as needed; keep a “no-spray” buffer around flowers |
| Late summer/fall | High-energy nectar; late-season pollen; places to overwinter | Plant late bloomers; leave seed heads and stems; reduce mowing and trimming where safe |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from weather; undisturbed nesting/overwintering sites | Don’t clear everything; keep brush/leaf piles in a corner; plan next season’s plant additions for continuous bloom |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs/trees and early flowers) to help pollinators rebuild energy and start nesting.
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that keep nectar and pollen available through the hottest, most active months.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often asters/goldenrods and other late flowers) that help pollinators fuel up before the off-season.
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.
