Sierra La Laguna with Oak and Conifer Forests is an isolated mountainous area on the Baja California peninsula characterized by a sub-humid and temperate climate with oak forest as the most abundant vegetative type and the location of the Sierra La Laguna biosphere reserve.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
La Laguna Mountains with Oak and Conifer Forests
CEC Level III Code
14.6.2
CEC Level II Code
14.6 Tropical Dry Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | La Laguna Mountains with Oak and Conifer Forests, La Laguna Mountains oak–pine forests, La Laguna oak and conifer forests |
| Geographic Range | This isolated mountainous subregion is located on the Baja California peninsula and plays an important role as the area that receives the most rainwater in Baja California Sur. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate is predominantly sub-humid and temperate with summer rains, although dry climates are also significant. |
| Terrain Profile | The Sierra La Laguna is a mountainous massif with a very rugged relief and elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 masl, featuring deep canyons that run east-west. |
| Vegetation Cover | The most abundant vegetation type is oak forest (44%), followed by tropical deciduous forest (15%), and mixed pine-oak forest, which includes the endemic Pinus cembroides var. Lagunae. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve is ecologically important, harboring a diverse array of species, including the cougar, Xantus's hummingbird, and Peninsula mule deer. |
Eco snapshot
The most abundant vegetation type is oak forest (44%), followed by tropical deciduous forest (15%), and mixed pine-oak forest, which includes the endemic Pinus cembroides var. Lagunae.
The Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve is ecologically important, harboring a diverse array of species, including the cougar, Xantus’s hummingbird, and Peninsula mule deer.
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 insects “wake up” | Plant/maintain early bloomers; delay heavy cleanup; keep some leaf litter and stems |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites (soil, stems, cavities) | Add a variety of spring flowers; leave some bare, well-drained soil; provide small bundles of hollow stems |
| Summer | Reliable nectar/pollen; water access during dry spells | Plant mid-summer bloomers; add a shallow water dish with stones; keep blooms coming in sunny patches |
| Late summer/fall | “Finish-line” nectar/pollen; seed/overwintering prep | Plant late bloomers; avoid cutting everything back; let some plants go to seed |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from cold/dry conditions; undisturbed nesting | Leave stems standing; keep logs/brush in a corner; avoid disturbing soil where bees may be nesting |
Seed mix concept
Early bloomers for the first big food pulse.
Reliable mid-season flowers that handle typical warm/dry stretches once established.
Late bloomers that carry pollinators to the end of the 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.
