Plain with Low and Medium-high Tropical Deciduous Forest (Planicie con selvas baja y mediana subcaducifolias) is a sub-humid and warm subregion on the Yucatán peninsula, characterized by rocky plains with deteriorated semi-evergreen, semi-deciduous, and deciduous forests, a lack of perennial surface water, and a homogenous geology of limestone layers.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Plain with Low and Medium Deciduous Tropical Forest
CEC Level III Code
15.2.1
CEC Level II Code
15.2 Tropical Wet Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Plain with Low and Medium Deciduous Tropical Forest |
| Geographic Range | This subregion is located on the Yucatán peninsula, encompassing parts of the states of Yucatán and Campeche. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate is sub-humid and warm, with mean annual temperatures between 24 and 26°C and average precipitation of 500 to 600 mm, making the subregion generally dry. |
| Terrain Profile | The subregion is characterized by relatively flat relief consisting of rocky plains with shallow hollows and low hills, with a small, faulted sierra located centrally. |
| Vegetation Cover | The subregion is characterized by largely deteriorated semi-evergreen, semi-deciduous, and deciduous forests of medium and low height, threatened by cultivated grasslands and agricultural areas. |
| Wildlife Habitat | This subregion is home to numerous bird species, including the greater flamingo and Yucatán wren, as well as mammals like the spider monkey and jaguar, and reptiles such as the American and Morelet's crocodiles. |
Eco snapshot
The subregion is characterized by largely deteriorated semi-evergreen, semi-deciduous, and deciduous forests of medium and low height, threatened by cultivated grasslands and agricultural areas.
This subregion is home to numerous bird species, including the greater flamingo and Yucatán wren, as well as mammals like the spider monkey and jaguar, and reptiles such as the American and Morelet’s crocodiles.
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 and safe shelter as activity ramps up | Plant or protect early-blooming natives; keep some leaf litter and undisturbed corners |
| Spring | Steady bloom and nesting materials/sites | Add a mix of flowering shrubs and ground-layer flowers; provide shallow water (pebbles in a dish) |
| Summer | Continuous nectar/pollen, shade, and water during heat | Plant heat-tolerant bloomers; add mulch/groundcover; keep water available |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge” blooms to prevent gaps; places to raise young | Add late-blooming natives; avoid heavy pruning during peak flowering |
| Winter or Dry Season | Survival resources: any available blooms, shelter, and nesting protection | Prioritize drought-tolerant native plants; reduce mowing/clearing; protect dead stems/brush piles until conditions improve |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter (early wet season): fast-establishing native flowers that begin blooming soon after rains begin.
Summer bridge (wet-season peak): reliable bloomers that keep nectar/pollen steady when growth is lush.
Fall finisher (late wet season into dry season): tougher, drought-tolerant natives that extend bloom and support pollinators as conditions dry.
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.
