Hills with High and Medium-high Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest (Lomer°os con con selvas alta y mediana subperennifolias) is one of the most conserved subregions in the Yucat°n Peninsula, with a total land area of 47,914 km2.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Hills with High and Medium Semi-Evergreen Tropical Forest
CEC Level III Code
15.2.3
CEC Level II Code
15.2 Tropical Wet Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Hills with High and Medium Semi-Evergreen Tropical Forest, CEC 15.2.3, Tropical wet forest hills, Semi-evergreen tropical forest hills |
| Geographic Range | This highly conserved subregion in the Yucatán Peninsula is characterized by hills, a warm and sub-humid climate, and dense natural forests, with human activity primarily focused on livestock and seasonal corn agriculture near the Pan-American Highway. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate is warm and sub-humid, ranging from the driest to the wettest sub-humid types from north to south, with a mean annual temperature of 22°C and mean annual precipitation increasing from 1,100 mm in the north to 1,500 mm in the south. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain is dominated by hills, with higher hills in the central part of the subregion not exceeding 400 masl, and lower hills toward the west with hollows, low areas with plains, and geological origins in sedimentary rock from the Cenozoic era. |
| Vegetation Cover | Vegetation is predominantly natural forest (82% of land area), with the dominant forest type being medium tropical semi-evergreen forest (56%), followed by low semi-evergreen thorn forest and medium semi-deciduous forest. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The region is home to a notable diversity of species, including felines such as the jaguar and ocelot, primates like the Mexican howler monkey and spider monkey, as well as Baird's tapir and 282 bird species. |
Eco snapshot
Vegetation is predominantly natural forest (82% of land area), with the dominant forest type being medium tropical semi-evergreen forest (56%), followed by low semi-evergreen thorn forest and medium semi-deciduous forest.
The region is home to a notable diversity of species, including felines such as the jaguar and ocelot, primates like the Mexican howler monkey and spider monkey, as well as Baird’s tapir and 282 bird species.
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 activity restarts | Plant or protect early-blooming natives; keep some leaf litter/brushy cover; provide shallow water with landing stones |
| Spring | Rapid food supply for growing populations; nesting sites | Add a mix of flowering herbs/shrubs; leave some bare soil patches; avoid “cleanup” that removes nesting spots |
| Summer | Reliable blooms; shade and water during heat; diverse flower shapes | Plant heat-tolerant bloomers; mulch; add a small water dish; keep flowers coming in sun and partial shade |
| Late summer/fall | “Finish-line” blooms; energy for reproduction and survival | Add late bloomers; let some plants go to seed; reduce trimming so flowers and shelter remain |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from heavy rain or drought; stable habitat structure | Keep hedges/leaf litter/standing stems in a corner; avoid broad spraying; plan next season’s plant additions |
Seed mix concept
Early starter: quick-blooming native flowers to begin the season and feed early foragers
Summer bridge: longer-blooming natives that carry pollinators through the busiest months
Late finisher: late-season bloomers that prevent a food crash when conditions shift (often toward cooler or drier 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.
