Mayan jungle: what is, characteristics, flora and fauna

The Mayan jungle is a large green lung that extends by Belize, northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico and is considered as the Most extensive tropical forest in Mesoamerica. The natural biological systems of the region include from dry forests in the north to exuberant evergreen forests in the south.

The three nations that share the Mayan jungle are linked to the cultural roots of the Mayan peoples that these territories have inhabited for thousands of years and retain archaeological and cultural resources.

• It is considered as the continuous massif of the most extensive humid and subhumid tropical forest in Central America after the Amazon, since it occupies a surface greater than four million hectares of protected areas.
• Contains one of the Most important river systems in Mesoamerica Because it includes the average and low parts of the Usumacinta River basin, which, next to the Grijalva River basin, make up one of the essential river systems in Central America.
• It maintains an important function in terms of water production and maintenance of landscape connectivity. The Mayan jungle constitutes a system of biological corridors that allow the mobility of species, as well as the functionality of the ecosystem as a whole. It also plays a vital role in the Hydrological cycle regulation. Its rivers, streams and cenotes provide fresh water to local communities, supporting biodiversity.
• It has one great archaeological importance. In addition to its natural value, the Mayan jungle is home to old ruins and Mayan cities. These archaeological sites show the rich history and culture of the region.
• It is the habitat of emblematic animal species and many of them suffer some kind of threat such as, for example, the white lip pecarí (Tayassu Pecari), the jaguar (Panthera onca) and the Central American tapir (Tapirus Bairdii).
• In the Mayan jungle they are distributed More than 20 ecosystems different that provide numerous environmental contributions.

Among these different ecosystems of the Mayan jungle, we find:

• Tropical jungles: The predominant ecosystem of the Mayan jungle. In this post you can know the flora and fauna of the rainforest.
• Mangroves: While there are only relics of them, these are unusually in the heart of the Mayan jungle, in the San Pedro Mártir River. In this article we tell you more about what a mangrove is and its characteristics.
• Cenotes: Underground water bodies characteristic of the Yucatan Peninsula. Cenotes provide fresh water for wildlife. Here you can learn about what a cenote is and how it is formed.
• Rivers and streams: The Mayan jungle is crossed by numerous rivers and streams that play a vital role in the transport of water and nutrients, as well as in the provision of fresh water.

Flora of the Mayan jungle

Among the trees that dominate the landscape of the Mayan jungle are: La Ceiba (Ceiba Pentandra) that has a great height. Another emblematic tree is The Chicozapote (Manilkara Zapota), whose cortex is extracted latex that until recently was used to produce gum. In addition, the Ramón (Brosimum alicastrum) It is a native tree with important seeds for fauna and an ancestral food source and belongs to the group of 200 oxalogenic tree species, known for its storage capacity of atmospheric CO2 in the form of oxalate.

The diversity of plants in the Mayan jungle also includes an abundance of orchids, bromeliums, ferns and epiphytes that adorn the trunks of the trees. In areas near the bodies of water and cenotes, we find the Water poplar (Mexican Populus), a tree that thrives in humid environments and the Palma chit (Thrinax Radiata), adapted to alkaline floors. In the mangrove relices of the Mayan jungle predominates the Red mangrove (Rhizophora Mangle).

Mayan jungle fauna

The Mayan jungle is home to numerous mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Among the most emblematic predators is the majestic jaguar (Panthera onca), The greatest feline in America. Other notable predators include the puma (Puma concolor) and the ocelot (Leopardus Pardalis). Other prominent mammals are the tapir (Tapirus spp.), The howler monkey (Alouatta spp.), the spider monkey (ATELES spp.) and The Coatí (Nasua spp.).

The Mayan jungle is also the domain of a rich diversity of birds, such as macaws (ARA SPP.) with its striking pen, The Tucán (Ramphastos spp.) and numerous aquatic birds such as La Garza Tigre (Mexicanum tigrisoma). In the rivers and other bodies of water of the Mayan jungle, they are reptiles such as The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and The white turtle (MAWII Dermysys), An endangered species.

The Mayan jungle faces considerable threats as Deforestation, agricultural-livestock expansion, poaching and climate change. We recommend reading these other articles on what is deforestation, causes and consequences and causes and consequences of animal poaching.

However, conservation programs are underway to protect it. The efforts of local settlers stand out, who live together and relate harmoniously to nature. These communities have implemented agroecology as an alternative to Traditional agriculture, beekeeping, ecotourism And, in addition, they have actively participated in the creation and management of protected areas and reforestation projects. Here you can learn more about what reforestation and its importance are.

The joint work between conservation organizations, governments and local communities has made significant progress. Environmental education and sustainable development They are key strategies to encourage the active participation of settlers in the conservation of the Mayan jungle.

There are currently projects such as “Saving the Jaguar, an ambassador for the Americas” that seeks to support and complement conservation actions of the Jaguar and its prey in this landscape. Another important project is the “protection and sustainable use of the Mayan jungle” that focuses on the protection and sustainable use of humid tropical forests that extend in part of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico.

These are only two of several projects that exist in the Mayan jungle so we invite you to continue investigating the subject.

Now that you know the Mayan jungle better and its importance, we invite you to read about why the conservation of tropical forests, such as this jungle, is important.

If you want to read more articles similar to Mayan jungle: what is, characteristics, flora and faunawe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.