Coastal Plain with Low Tropical Deciduous and Thorn Forest (Planicie costera con selva baja caducifolia y espinosa) is a subregion in the northeastern part of the country, primarily within Tamaulipas, characterized by diverse climates, diminished original vegetation due to agricultural and livestock activities, numerous fluvial systems, and a dominance of these economic activities.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Coastal Plain with Low Tropical Deciduous Forest
CEC Level III Code
14.1.1
CEC Level II Code
14.1 Tropical Dry Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Coastal Plain with Low Tropical Deciduous Forest |
| Geographic Range | This subregion is located in the northeastern part of the country, primarily within the state of Tamaulipas, but also covering small portions of San Luis Potosí and Veracruz, and spans approximately 24,940 km2. |
| Climate Snapshot | This region experiences three climate types—semi-dry in the north, sub-humid and semi-warm in the center, and sub-humid and warm in the south—with temperatures between 20 and 24°C and annual precipitation ranging from 700 to 1,200 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The subregion is physiographically part of the Northern Gulf Coastal Plains, with elevations varying from 300 masl in Ciudad Victoria to less than 100 masl in the plains and bajadas, characterized by marine sedimentary rocks and Quaternary soils. |
| Vegetation Cover | Original vegetation has been significantly reduced due to livestock and agricultural activities, with remaining types including Tamaulipan thornscrub, sub-mountain shrub, mesquite vegetation, tropical thorn forest, tropical deciduous forest, tular, mangrove, and halophytic vegetation. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The subregion is characterized by limited biodiversity, but includes populations of white-tailed deer, wild boar, coyote, and various birds like the white-winged dove, with important wetlands serving as nesting, wintering, and breeding areas for local and migratory birds and marine life. |
Eco snapshot
Original vegetation has been significantly reduced due to livestock and agricultural activities, with remaining types including Tamaulipan thornscrub, sub-mountain shrub, mesquite vegetation, tropical thorn forest, tropical deciduous forest, tular, mangrove, and halophytic vegetation.
The subregion is characterized by limited biodiversity, but includes populations of white-tailed deer, wild boar, coyote, and various birds like the white-winged dove, with important wetlands serving as nesting, wintering, and breeding areas for local and migratory birds and marine life.
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 conditions shift | Plant or protect early-blooming natives; avoid “cleaning up” all leaf litter and stems at once |
| Spring | Steady bloom and nesting materials | Add a mix of flowering shrubs + herbs; leave some bare, well-drained soil for ground nesters |
| Summer | Reliable flowers, water, and shade during heat | Keep a shallow water dish; prioritize heat- and drought-tolerant native bloomers; mulch for soil moisture |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge blooms” to cover gaps; seed set for next year | Plant late-blooming natives; let some plants go to seed; reduce trimming until after flowering |
| Winter or Dry Season | Survival resources: shelter, occasional blooms, and water | Protect nesting areas; keep pesticide-free; add drought-season bloomers and maintain a small water source when needed |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: fast-establishing native annuals/perennials that bloom early in the greener period.
Summer bridge: heat-tough native flowers that keep nectar available through hotter stretches.
Fall finisher (or late-season finisher): late bloomers that carry pollinators toward the driest months and help set seed.
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.
