Jalisco and Nayarit Hills and Coastal Plain with Medium-high Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest is a warm, sub-humid subregion located within the Southern Foothills, Plateaus and Canyons, Neovolcanic Sierras of Nayarit, and Coastal Sierras of Jalisco and Colima, characterized by landforms like sierras, canyons, hills, and plains, drained by the Lerma-Santiago and Ameca rivers, and supporting diverse vegetation and wildlife, with seasonal agriculture and significant tourism in coastal areas like Puerto Vallarta.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Jalisco/Nayarit Hills and Plains with Medium Semi-Evergreen Tropical Forest
CEC Level III Code
15.5.2
CEC Level II Code
15.5 Tropical Wet Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Jalisco/Nayarit Hills and Plains with Medium Semi-Evergreen Tropical Forest, Jalisco Nayarit Hills and Plains with Medium Semi-Evergreen Tropical Forest |
| Geographic Range | This subregion, located in the Southern Foothills, Plateaus and Canyons, Neovolcanic Sierras of Nayarit, and Coastal Sierras of Jalisco and Colima, is characterized by warm, sub-humid conditions, high and low sierras, canyons, hills, alluvial plains, and a dominant water system from the Lerma-Santiago River. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate of this subregion is generally warm and sub-humid, with a rainy season lasting 4-5 months and a distinct dry season. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain features common landforms such as high and low sierras, canyons, hills, and alluvial plains, with elevations ranging from sea level to 1,800 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | The subregion is characterized by medium-height tropical semi-evergreen forest in protected areas, but medium-height tropical semi-deciduous forests are more widely found, along with tropical deciduous forests, induced grasslands, and small relicts of oak forest in drier areas. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The subregion is home to nearly all the representative wildlife of Nayarit, including white-tailed deer, cougars, ocelots, armadillos, coatis, raccoons, and various bird species like wild turkey and quail, as well as rattlesnakes. |
Eco snapshot
The subregion is characterized by medium-height tropical semi-evergreen forest in protected areas, but medium-height tropical semi-deciduous forests are more widely found, along with tropical deciduous forests, induced grasslands, and small relicts of oak forest in drier areas.
The subregion is home to nearly all the representative wildlife of Nayarit, including white-tailed deer, cougars, ocelots, armadillos, coatis, raccoons, and various bird species like wild turkey and quail, as well as rattlesnakes.
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 ramps up | Add early-blooming natives; avoid cleanup that removes nesting sites; keep water available in warm spells |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting materials and undisturbed spots | Plant a mix of flowers + shrubs; leave some bare soil patches; keep pesticide-free |
| Summer | Heat-resilient blooms; shade and water; continuous forage | Prioritize drought/heat-tolerant native flowers; add light shade structure with shrubs; water young plants deeply (as needed) |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge” blooms when gaps happen; seed/fruit resources; shelter | Add late-blooming natives; let some plants go to seed; reduce trimming so habitat stays layered |
| Winter or Dry Season | Refuge from heat/drought; minimal disturbance; reliable water in dry periods | Maintain mulch/leaf litter; protect hedgerows and shrubs; water strategically for establishment (site-dependent) |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that provide the first reliable nectar/pollen when activity begins.
Summer bridge: heat- and rain-tolerant flowers that keep food available through the longest, most demanding period.
Fall finisher: late bloomers that fill common gaps and help pollinators build reserves before tougher weather or the dry season.
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.
