Chiapas Highlands with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests is a subregion encompassing the Chiapas Highlands, Sierra Lacandona, and Northern Sierras of Chiapas, characterized by a semi-warm to mild climate, varied topography, predominant mountain cloud and pine-oak forests, and a population whose primary activities are subsistence agriculture and livestock grazing.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Chiapas Highlands with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forest
CEC Level III Code
13.6.2
CEC Level II Code
13.6 Temperate Sierras
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Chiapas Highlands with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forest, Chiapas Highlands with Conifer Oak and Mixed Forest |
| Geographic Range | This subregion primarily covers the Chiapas Highlands, along with the Sierra Lacandona and Northern Sierras of Chiapas, ranging in elevation from 600 to 2,700 masl with predominant limestone sedimentary rocks. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate is mostly semi-warm with an average temperature of 18°C, becoming warmer in the lowlands (above 22°C) and milder at higher elevations (12-18°C), with a moisture gradient varying from sub-humid to humid, and rains occurring during the summer. |
| Terrain Profile | The subregion ranges in elevation from 600 to 2,700 meters above sea level, encompassing low regions, sierras including the Comiteca plateau, and inter-mountain valleys, primarily characterized by limestone sedimentary rocks and varied soils such as Phaeozems, Regosols, and Acrisols. |
| Vegetation Cover | The predominant vegetation includes mountain cloud forest, pine-oak forest, pine forest, high tropical evergreen forest, and deciduous forest, with varying amounts of virgin and second-growth areas. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The region is home to notable species like Stuart's burrowing snake and Godman's pit viper, as well as the coyote, white-tailed deer, mountain trogon, and Steller's jay. |
Eco snapshot
The predominant vegetation includes mountain cloud forest, pine-oak forest, pine forest, high tropical evergreen forest, and deciduous forest, with varying amounts of virgin and second-growth areas.
The region is home to notable species like Stuart’s burrowing snake and Godman’s pit viper, as well as the coyote, white-tailed deer, mountain trogon, and Steller’s jay.
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 they become active | Plant (or protect) early bloomers; avoid “spring cleanup” that removes nesting sites; keep pesticides out of the yard |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting materials and places | Add a variety of flowers; include shrubs/trees; leave some bare soil and hollow stems |
| Summer | Reliable nectar/pollen; water during hot/dry spells; shade/shelter | Plant heat/drought-tolerant natives; provide a shallow water source with landing stones; keep blooms coming |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season nectar/pollen to build reserves | Plant late bloomers; let some plants go to seed; reduce mowing and deadheading in a small area |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from cold/dry conditions; undisturbed nesting sites | Leave leaf litter, stems, and brush piles in a corner; avoid pesticides and unnecessary clearing |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs/trees and early perennials) that help pollinators when food is scarce.
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that keep nectar and pollen available through the main growing period.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often asters/goldenrods or local equivalents) that help pollinators build reserves.
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
Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.
Blackberries and raspberries (genus Rubus) are flowering bramble shrubs that can feed pollinators in bloom and people later with tasty berries—great for yards, school gardens, and even large containers with support.
Blazing stars (Liatris) are upright, purple-pink wildflowers that bloom in showy spikes and are well-loved by many pollinators. They’re a strong choice for sunny gardens, borders, and meadow-style plantings.
Blueberries and huckleberries (genus Vaccinium) are berry-producing shrubs with spring flowers that can support pollinators and later feed people and wildlife—great for gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are tough, long-blooming wildflowers that bring steady color and reliable nectar and pollen to gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
Currants and gooseberries are Ribes shrubs that offer early-season flowers for pollinators and later berries for people and wildlife. They’re a great choice for edible landscapes, mixed borders, and small yards where you want a plant that does more than one job.
Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.
Ironweeds are tall, purple-blooming wildflowers in the genus Vernonia that bring late-season color and steady nectar to pollinator gardens.
Joe-Pye weeds are tall, late-season native wildflowers in the genus Eutrochium that bring big, fluffy flower clusters to gardens and give pollinators a reliable place to feed when many other plants are winding down.
Maples are familiar shade trees that offer early-season flowers and later seeds, supporting a range of pollinators and adding strong structure to yards, school grounds, and streetscapes.
Milkweeds are tough, nectar-rich wildflowers in the genus Asclepias that can turn a garden bed, schoolyard edge, or even a sunny pot into a pollinator stop.
Mountain mints are tough, fragrant native wildflowers that bloom in summer and are famous for drawing in a busy mix of pollinators. They’re easy to grow, handle a range of garden conditions, and make a great “plant it and watch it” choice for pollinator patches.
Oaks are long-lived trees that can anchor a yard, school ground, or park with shade, structure, and lots of seasonal interest. Many pollinators use oak flowers in spring, and the tree’s leaves and bark support a wide web of life over time.
Prairie coneflowers (Ratibida) are tough, sunny wildflowers with drooping petals and a bold cone-shaped center that pollinators can easily find. They’re a great choice for low-fuss gardens, schoolyards, and naturalized patches where you want long-lasting summer color.
Rushes are tough, grass-like wetland plants (genus Juncus) that thrive in damp soil and help create calm, sheltered habitat at the edges of ponds, rain gardens, and low spots.
Sedges (genus Carex) are grass-like plants that form tidy clumps and thrive in many garden conditions, especially where soil stays a bit damp. They add texture, cover bare ground, and can support small wildlife by providing shelter and nesting material.
Serviceberries (genus Amelanchier) are small trees with early-season blossoms, edible berries, and strong wildlife value—an easy way to add beauty and pollinator support to a yard, school garden, or even a large container.
Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.
Wild bergamot and other bee balms (the genus Monarda) are easygoing native wildflowers known for their shaggy, pom‑pom blooms that draw in lots of pollinators. They’re a great choice when you want long-lasting summer color and a plant that feels lively with buzzing visitors.
Willows are fast-growing trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that offer some of the earliest pollen and nectar of the year, making them a strong choice for pollinator-friendly yards, parks, and school grounds.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
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 foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
