Sierra de la Laguna pine–oak forests


The Sierra de la Laguna pine–oak forests are a subtropical coniferous forest ecoregion, found in the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico.
It is found within Los Cabos Municipality and eastern La Paz Municipality of southern Baja California Sur state.

Setting

The ecoregion encompasses an area of. The pine–oak forests are found above in elevation, and are surrounded at lower elevations by the Sierra de la Laguna dry forests. The pine–oak forests have a unique and diverse flora and fauna, including 694 plant species, of which approximately 85 are endemic.
The higher elevation gives the ecoregion a subtropical to temperate climate, in contrast to the dry tropical climate of the lowlands. Rainfall is higher than the lower-elevation dry forests and deserts of the peninsula, averaging 760 mm annually. Rain falls mostly in the summer, with occasional winter rains.

Flora

The composition of the pine–oak forests varies with elevation; oak woodlands predominate from in elevation, with oak-pine woodlands between in elevation, transitioning to pine–oak forests above in elevation. Mosses and lichens are abundant throughout.
The oak woodlands from in elevation are warmer and drier, with evergreen oaks predominant, along with lower trees and shrubs such as Dodonaea viscosa, Sideroxylon peninsulare, and Buddleia crotonoides.
Above in elevation, the oak woodlands transition to oak-pine forests. The only pine present is an endemic subspecies of Mexican Pinyon, Pinus cembroides subsp. lagunae, mixed with oaks, including Quercus devia and Quercus tuberculata, and other broadleaf trees, including Arbutus peninsularis and Nolina beldingi. Lower trees and understory shrubs include Calliandra peninsularis, Mimosa xanti, Heterotoma aurita, Verbesina pustulata and Hypericum peninsulare. Above in elevation, pine predominates, mixed with oaks, and with an understory of grasses.

Fauna

People

Conservation and threats

has designated the ecoregion as 'vulnerable'.
In 2003, UNESCO designated a portion of the Sierra de la Laguna as a biosphere reserve. The reserve covers an area of 112,522 ha, of which 32,519 ha is designated the core area, centered on the pine-oak forests. A larger buffer area also includes lower-elevation dry forests and shrublands. The reserve is administered by Mexico's Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas.