The mystical, magical setting of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, which is located along Mexico’s Caribbean coast in the Yucatan peninsula, is brimming with lush vegetation and seemingly endless species of plants and flowers, and reports a staggering recorded total of 859 floral species. The Sian Ka’an biosphere is largely untouched by human activity, allowing the serene plant life to provide shelter and food for the many resident animals in this intricate ecosystem.
Here are some of the highlights of the vegetation and flora in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere:
Sub perennifolia tropical forest
The reserve is filled with abundant tropical forests. Some of the most prominent species of trees include Brosimum Alicastrum, Manilkara Sapota, Talisia Oliviformis, Nectandra Coriacea, Drypetes and Thrinax Radiata.
Deciduous tropical forest
Covering an area of roughly 12,000 hectares, the deciduous forest in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is brimming with Coccothrinax Readii, Pseudophoenix Sargentii, Bursera Simaruba, Caesalpinia Gaumeri and Metopium Brownei. There are at least 230 species of trees and shrubs here, and amazingly, just 14% are endemic to the Yucatan peninsula and only 10% to the Caribbean islands, meaning the majority aren’t native to the area.
Low flood-prone jungle
Situated on limestone depressions or marl, these areas create a mosaic of small areas interspersed with the larger evergreen forest. Orchids and bromeliads (part of the Epiphyte family) are plentiful, as well as Erythroxylum, Randia Aculeata, Byrsonima Crassifolia, Malpighia Lundellii, Cameraria Latifolia, Eugenia Buxifolia and Coccoloba Floribunda, as well as Dalbergia Glabra, Spinosa Bucida, Haematoxylum Campechianum and Bucida Buceras.
Wetlands
Large portions of the Sian Ka’an are covered in wetlands, where Typha Domingensis, Sawgrass, Phragmites Australis and Echinodorus Andrieux are dominant.
Mangroves
These dense thickets include trees and shrubs such as Rhizophora Mangle, Avicennia Germinans, Laguncularia, Conocarpus Erectus, Cladium Jamaicense and Eleocharis Cellulosa.
Tasistal
These swampy areas have palms that reach heights between 4 and 6 meters. While there are some small scattered patches, these regions typically form a strip along the coastline with plants such as Acoelorrhaphe Wrightii and Cladium Jamaicense.
Dunes
Differing from the rest of the country, the landscape here is similar to that of the West Indian islands. The vegetation here includes plants like Sesuvium, Ambrosia-Hymenocallis and Coccoloba-Thrinax.
Petenes
Not strictly classified as a type of vegetation or flora, these unusual formations are sometimes so large that a cenote waterhole can be found within them. Two types are present; one is found on calcareous rock located within mangroves; the other is found on flood loam or peat and is found in mangrove-forest areas.
Encounter these wonderful vegetation and flora species when you visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere for yourself!