Los Cabos Plain and Hills with Low Tropical Deciduous Forest and Xeric Shrub is a subregion in the final part of Baja California Sur, characterized by very dry to semi-warm climates, predominant tropical deciduous forest, intermittent streams, and a population concentrated in cities where high-end tourism is the main activity.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Los Cabos Plains and Hills with Low Tropical Deciduous Forest and Xeric Shrub
CEC Level III Code
14.6.1
CEC Level II Code
14.6 Tropical Dry Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Los Cabos Plains and Hills with Low Tropical Deciduous Forest and Xeric Shrub, Los Cabos Plains & Hills |
| Geographic Range | This subregion is located at the southern tip of the Baja California Sur state, extending south of the Tropic of Cancer and bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the southwest and the Gulf of California/Sea of Cortez to the northeast. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate of the Los Cabos Plain and Hills is characterized by a mean annual temperature of 14 to 23°C and precipitation between 173 and 682 mm, with climates ranging from very dry and warm in coastal areas to dry and semi-warm near mountain systems. |
| Terrain Profile | The subregion features landforms ranging from high and low sierras to alluvial plains, with elevations from sea level to 1,500 masl, primarily composed of intrusive igneous, metamorphic, and extrusive igneous rocks. |
| Vegetation Cover | The predominant vegetation is tropical deciduous forest, covering about 92 percent of the subregion, complemented by xeric sarcocaul and sarcocrasicaul shrubland at lower elevations. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Los Cabos region is home to mammals like the mule deer, wild cat, coyote, and mountain lion, alongside reptiles such as the Baja California and prairie rattlesnakes. |
Eco snapshot
The predominant vegetation is tropical deciduous forest, covering about 92 percent of the subregion, complemented by xeric sarcocaul and sarcocrasicaul shrubland at lower elevations.
The Los Cabos region is home to mammals like the mule deer, wild cat, coyote, and mountain lion, alongside reptiles such as the Baja California and prairie 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 water sources | Add a few early-blooming natives; keep a shallow water dish with stones; avoid any pesticide use |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites | Plant a mix of shrubs + perennials; leave some bare soil; keep some hollow stems/brush |
| Summer | Heat/drought resilience; shade and water; “bridge blooms” | Include drought-tough bloomers; water new plants deeply but infrequently; provide light shade and wind protection where possible |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season flowers; energy for next generation | Add late bloomers; let some plants go to seed; reduce deadheading so flowers/seedheads remain |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter; undisturbed nesting; minimal disturbance | Leave leaf litter and stems; avoid heavy pruning/clearing; plan next season’s plant additions to fill bloom gaps |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early blooms that help pollinators rebuild energy and begin nesting
Summer bridge: heat-tough flowers that keep food available through dry or hot stretches
Fall finisher: late blooms that help pollinators store energy and complete life cycles
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.
