Sinaloa Coastal Plain with Low Tropical Thorn Forest and Wetlands is a subregion belonging to the Pacific Coastal Plain physiographic region, characterized by landform systems of plains and hills, with climates ranging from semi-dry to warm and dry, and containing important agricultural areas, major rivers, and diverse wildlife including marine species vital for fishing.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Sinaloa Coastal Plain with Low Thorn Tropical Forest and Wetlands
CEC Level III Code
14.3.1
CEC Level II Code
14.3 Tropical Dry Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Sinaloa Coastal Plain with Low Thorn Tropical Forest and Wetlands, Sinaloa coastal plain, low thorn tropical forest and wetlands |
| Geographic Range | The Sinaloa Coastal Plain with Low Tropical Thorn Forest and Wetlands is a subregion belonging to the Pacific Coastal Plain physiographic region and a small portion of the Western Sierra Madre, characterized by plains and hills with climates ranging from dry to semi-dry. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate in this subregion ranges from semi-dry to warm and dry, with conditions often adverse for seasonal agriculture due to low precipitation, high temperatures, and high evaporation. |
| Terrain Profile | This subregion consists mainly of flat land with low elevations, reaching a maximum of 300 meters above sea level in some isolated hills, and is characterized by deep, productive Chromic Vertisols soils. |
| Vegetation Cover | Vegetation in this subregion is diverse, ranging from tropical thorn forests at higher elevations to sarcocaul shrubland in the hills and ecologically important mangrove wetlands along the coastline, with distribution directly linked to environmental moisture and soil development. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Sinaloa Coastal Plain is home to diverse wildlife, including land mammals like the coyote and gray fox, numerous reptiles and amphibians, 31 types of at-risk birds such as the great blue heron and brown pelican, and important marine species in the Gulf of California like shrimp, various crabs, clams, and fish, along with the gray whale. |
Eco snapshot
Vegetation in this subregion is diverse, ranging from tropical thorn forests at higher elevations to sarcocaul shrubland in the hills and ecologically important mangrove wetlands along the coastline, with distribution directly linked to environmental moisture and soil development.
The Sinaloa Coastal Plain is home to diverse wildlife, including land mammals like the coyote and gray fox, numerous reptiles and amphibians, 31 types of at-risk birds such as the great blue heron and brown pelican, and important marine species in the Gulf of California like shrimp, various crabs, clams, and fish, along with the gray whale.
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 | Plant or protect early-blooming natives; leave some leaf litter and stems; provide a shallow water dish with stones |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites for bees | Add a mix of flowering shrubs and perennials; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil; avoid all pesticides |
| Summer | Heat- and drought-resilient flowers; water access | Prioritize drought-tough native blooms; water deeply but less often; keep a small muddy spot or damp sand area if feasible |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge” blooms to prevent food gaps; places to rest | Add late-blooming natives; let some plants go to seed; reduce trimming so insects can use stems and seedheads |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from dry conditions; any available blooms | Keep habitat “messy enough” (logs, stems, leaf litter); protect flowering shrubs; avoid clearing everything at once |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that provide the first strong nectar/pollen.
Summer bridge: heat- and rain-tolerant flowers that keep food available through the toughest stretch.
Fall finisher: late bloomers that help pollinators build reserves and complete life cycles before the dry season or cooler periods.
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.
