Sinaloa and Sonora Hills and Canyons with Xeric Shrub and Low Tropical Deciduous Forest is a subregion primarily located in the Western Sierra Madre, characterized by canyons, sub-humid and warm climates, and abundant tropical deciduous forest, where elevations range up to 2,800 masl and agricultural production is significant in the surrounding states.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Sinaloa and Sonora Hills and Canyons with Xeric Shrub and Low Tropical Deciduous Forest
CEC Level III Code
14.3.2
CEC Level II Code
14.3 Tropical Dry Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Sinaloa and Sonora Hills and Canyons with Xeric Shrub and Low Tropical Deciduous Forest, Sinaloa–Sonora hills and canyons |
| Geographic Range | This subregion is characterized by canyons, sierras, and hills primarily located in the Western Sierra Madre, extending to the Sonora plain, Pacific coastal plain, and Transverse Neovolcanic Belt. |
| Climate Snapshot | The predominant climate is sub-humid and warm with summer rains, followed by dry and semi-dry climates, influenced by the Western Sierra Madre which creates areas of great moisture as well as dry and semi-dry areas. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain is characterized by Sierras and hills covering nearly 70 percent of the area, with elevations ranging from sea level to 2,800 masl (average of 800 masl), and dominant Litosol-Regosol soil types. |
| Vegetation Cover | The most abundant vegetation in this subregion is tropical deciduous forest, covering over 30 percent of the land area, with species including Bursera spp., Fouquieria spp., Leucaena spp., Stenocereus spp., Pachycereus spp., bastard cedar, and Ceiba spp. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Sierra Álamos-Cuchujaqui River zone in this subregion is a vital natural protected area, home to approximately 500 animal species, including the jaguar, cougar, golden eagle, and peregrine falcon, and is believed to potentially still host the grizzly bear. |
Eco snapshot
The most abundant vegetation in this subregion is tropical deciduous forest, covering over 30 percent of the land area, with species including Bursera spp., Fouquieria spp., Leucaena spp., Stenocereus spp., Pachycereus spp., bastard cedar, and Ceiba spp.
The Sierra Álamos-Cuchujaqui River zone in this subregion is a vital natural protected area, home to approximately 500 animal species, including the jaguar, cougar, golden eagle, and peregrine falcon, and is believed to potentially still host the grizzly bear.
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 | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
| Spring | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
| Summer | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
| Late summer / fall | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
| Winter or dry season | Details coming soon | Details coming soon |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that provide the first big nectar/pollen push when conditions allow.
Summer bridge: heat-tough flowers (and a few shrubs) that keep resources available through the hottest stretch.
Fall finisher: late bloomers that extend nectar/pollen before the dry season or cooler season settles in.
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.
