Nayarit and Sinaloa Plain with Low Tropical Thorn Forest (Planicie costera de Nayarit y Sinaloa con selva baja espinosa) is a flat subregion within the Pacific Coastal Plains that has a warm climate, experiences year-round flooding in some areas, and is characterized by mangrove swamps, low thorn tropical forest, coastal lagoons, and significant irrigation agriculture and shrimp production.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Nayarit and Sinaloa Plain with Low Thorn Tropical Forest
CEC Level III Code
15.5.1
CEC Level II Code
15.5 Tropical Wet Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Nayarit and Sinaloa Plain with Low Thorn Tropical Forest, “Nayarit–Sinaloa low thorn tropical forest” |
| Geographic Range | This subregion is a very flat area within the Pacific Coastal Plains of Nayarit and Sinaloa, characterized by a warm climate, intermediate precipitation, year-round flooding in some areas, the predominance of Solonchak soil, and elevations ranging from sea level to a maximum of 50 to 100 masl. |
| Climate Snapshot | The region has a warm climate with intermediate precipitation, and due to topographic, climatic, and soil conditions, some areas remain flooded year-round. |
| Terrain Profile | The subregion is very flat, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 50 to 100 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | The dominant vegetation benefits from permanent and seasonal moisture, including saltwater-condition mangroves (Rhizophora, Avicenia, Laguncularia) in permanently flooded areas, which are ecologically and economically important for aquaculture, alongside low thorn tropical forest primarily featuring Pithecellobium, Prosopis, Pisonia, and Sporobolus genuses. |
| Wildlife Habitat | This subregion has diverse, Neotropical wildlife, including 543 reported vertebrate species with at least 60 in danger of extinction and 51 endemic species, such as the jaguar, American crocodile, and military macaw. |
Eco snapshot
The dominant vegetation benefits from permanent and seasonal moisture, including saltwater-condition mangroves (Rhizophora, Avicenia, Laguncularia) in permanently flooded areas, which are ecologically and economically important for aquaculture, alongside low thorn tropical forest primarily featuring Pithecellobium, Prosopis, Pisonia, and Sporobolus genuses.
This subregion has diverse, Neotropical wildlife, including 543 reported vertebrate species with at least 60 in danger of extinction and 51 endemic species, such as the jaguar, American crocodile, and military macaw.
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 | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
| Spring | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
| Summer | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
| Late summer / fall | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
| Winter or dry season | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that kick off the season and help pollinators rebuild energy.
Summer bridge: heat-tolerant, drought-aware flowers that keep nectar/pollen available through the toughest stretch.
Fall finisher: late bloomers that help pollinators store energy and complete life cycles before the harsh 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.
