Northwestern Yucatan Plain with Low Tropical Deciduous Forest is a subregion in the northwestern Yucatan Peninsula characterized by semi-arid climate, low relief with elevations under 100 masl, and totally subterranean drainage, where low tropical deciduous forest is the predominant vegetation type.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Northwestern Yucatan Plain with Low Tropical Deciduous Forest
CEC Level III Code
14.2.1
CEC Level II Code
14.2 Tropical Dry Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Northwestern Yucatan Plain with Low Tropical Deciduous Forest, CEC 14.2.1, Northwestern Yucatan Plain, Northwestern Yucatán Plain with Low Tropical Deciduous Forest |
| Geographic Range | The Northwestern Yucatan Plain is a gently extending subregion in the northwestern Yucatan Peninsula, spanning parts of Yucatan, Campeche, and minimal Quintana Roo, characterized by low relief and subterranean drainage. |
| Climate Snapshot | The dominant climates in the Northwestern Yucatan Plain are semi-arid (BS1 and BS0) with minimal annual precipitation (438 mm reported in Progreso) and are primarily affected by a jet stream effect causing wind to blow from land to sea. |
| Terrain Profile | This subregion has low relief and is nearly flat, with elevations under 100 meters above sea level, composed mostly of layers of carbonated rocks from the Upper Tertiary. |
| Vegetation Cover | The predominant vegetation is low tropical deciduous forest, characterized by trees between 8 and 15 meters high that lose their leaves during the five or more month dry season, alongside various woody and succulent species. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The subregion hosts a variety of wildlife, including amphibians like tree frogs, reptiles such as the neotropical rattlesnake and boa constrictor, mammals like the Jamaican fruit bat, and bird species including the American flamingo, with its northern beaches serving as a sanctuary for sea turtles. |
Eco snapshot
The predominant vegetation is low tropical deciduous forest, characterized by trees between 8 and 15 meters high that lose their leaves during the five or more month dry season, alongside various woody and succulent species.
The subregion hosts a variety of wildlife, including amphibians like tree frogs, reptiles such as the neotropical rattlesnake and boa constrictor, mammals like the Jamaican fruit bat, and bird species including the American flamingo, with its northern beaches serving as a sanctuary for sea turtles.
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 (often late dry season) | Reliable nectar/pollen when flowers are scarce | Plant or protect early/transition bloomers; keep a shallow water dish with stones; avoid “cleanup” that removes nesting sites |
| Spring (often building toward rains) | More flowers and safe nesting areas | Add a few native flowering plants; leave some bare soil; keep some hollow stems/woody bits |
| Summer (often wet season peak) | Continuous bloom and places to rest/shelter from heavy weather | Plant in clusters; include shade/structure; avoid pesticides and “mosquito fogging” near flowering plants |
| Late summer/fall (often late wet season) | “Bridge” blooms and energy for the coming dry period | Add late-season bloomers; let some plants go to seed; reduce mowing/trimming |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter, reduced disturbance, and occasional forage | Keep leaf litter in a corner; don’t over-prune; water young plants deeply but less often (as needed) |
Seed mix concept
Wet-season starters: fast-establishing flowers that begin blooming early in the wet season.
Summer bridge: mid-season bloomers that keep nectar/pollen steady through peak growth.
Dry-edge finishers: tough plants that can still flower as conditions dry, reducing bloom gaps.
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.
