| Central American pine–oak forests | |
|---|---|
 Pine-oak forest inChimaltenango, Guatemala | |
 | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Neotropical |
| Biome | Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests |
| Borders | List
|
| Geography | |
| Area | 111,400 km2 (43,000 sq mi) |
| Countries | |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Critical/Endangered[1] |
| Global 200 | Yes |
| Protected | 11.67%[2] |
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TheCentral American pine–oak forests is atropical and subtropical coniferous forestsecoregion in the mountains of northernCentral America andChiapas state in southernMexico.[3]
The Central American pine–oak forests occupy an area of 111,400 square kilometres (43,000 sq mi),[1] extending along the mountainous spine of Central America, extending from theSierra Madre de Chiapas andChiapas Highlands in Mexico'sChiapas state through the highlands of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras to central Nicaragua.
The pine-oak forests lie between 600–1,800 metres (2,000–5,900 ft) elevation.[1] At lower elevations they transition totropical moist forests on the Caribbean slope, and totropical dry forests on the Pacific slope and interior valleys. Elevations above 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) are often covered with cloud forest ecoregions, including theSierra Madre de Chiapas moist forests in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, theChiapas montane forests along the northern slope of theChiapas Highlands, and theCentral American montane forests in high-elevation enclaves from southern Guatemala to northern Nicaragua.
The Central American pine–oak forests are composed mostly ofpines (Pinus spp.) andoaks (Quercus spp.), with pines more abundant at higher elevations and oaks at lower elevations. Typical pines includePinus chiapensis,Pinus tecunumanii,Pinus ayacahuite, andPinus maximinoi. Typical oaks includeQuercus corrugata,Quercus skinneri,Quercus oleoides,Quercus calophylla,Quercus acatenangensis,Quercus brachystachys,Quercus peduncularis,Quercus polymorpha, andQuercus acutifolia (syn.Quercus conspersa).American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is often found among the oaks and pines.[1]
The Central American pine–oak forests are the southernmost extent of species from genera typical of temperateNorth America, including pine,fir (Abies guatemalensis),cypress (Cupressus lusitanica),ash (Fraxinus hondurensis andFraxinus uhdei), andyew (Taxus globosa).[1]
Native mammals includejaguar (Panthera onca),puma (Puma concolor),ocelot (Leopardus pardalis),Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii),cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti),greater grison (Galictis vittata),tayra (Eira barbara),Central American spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi),mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata), andMexican mouse opossum (Marmosa mexicana). They also include the batsBalantiopteryx io,Molossus aztecus,Macrotus waterhousii,Glossophaga leachii,Hylonycteris underwoodi,Carollia subrufa,Dermanura azteca,Dermanura tolteca, andBauerus dubiaquercus. Native rodents includeLiomys pictus,Microtus guatemalensis,Ototylomys phyllotis,Peromyscus aztecus,Reithrodontomys sumichrasti, andScotinomys teguina.[1]
The mountains are designated anEndemic Bird Area, and are home to several limited-range and threatened species. Resident birds include thebearded screech owl (Megascops barbarus),fulvous owl (Strix fulvescens),ocellated quail (Cyrtonyx ocellatus),belted flycatcher (Xenotriccus callizonus),pink-headed warbler (Cardellina versicolor),black-capped siskin (Spinus atriceps),green-throated mountaingem (Lampornis sybillae),wine-throated hummingbird (Selasphorus ellioti),blue-throated motmot (Aspatha gularis),black-capped swallow (Atticora pileata),rufous-browed wren (Troglodytes rufociliatus),blue-and-white mockingbird (Melanotis hypoleucus),rufous-collared thrush (Turdus rufitorques),bar-winged oriole (Icterus maculialatus), andbushy-crested jay (Cyanocorax melanocyaneus).[1]
The pine–oak forests provide a winter home for several migratory species from temperate North America, including thegolden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) andazure-rumped tanager (Tangara cabanisi).[1]
11.67% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include:[2]
Internationally designated protected areas includeRío Plátano Biosphere Reserve, aWorld Heritage Site, and theRamsar SitesHumedales de Montaña La Kisst, Lago de Apanás - Asturias,Lagunas de Montebello National Park,Sumidero Canyon National Park, Embalse Cerrón Grande, Eco-región Lachuá, Complejo Güija,Humedales de Montaña María Eugenia, and Sistema de Humedales de la Zona Sur de Honduras.[2]
Media related toCentral American pine–oak forests at Wikimedia Commons