SANTUARIO DE MARIPOSA MONARCA
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt pine-oak forests (NT0310)

Location:

Nearctic/ Neotropics

Biome:

Tropical and Subtr. Coniferous Forests

Size:

Ecosystem: 91,800 square Km
Status:
Critical/ Endangered
General:
Central Mexico—states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Mexico, Morelos, Puebla, and Veracruz.
Special:
Within the complex of this particular forest ecosystem, 5 protected areas (Areas naturales protegidas) correspond to Monarch butterfly over wintering sites. Their colonies are found in Mexico's Oyamel fir (Abies religiosa) forest, which grows only at high altitudes, between 2,400 and 3,600 meters.
The distribution of the oyamel fir forest in Mexico is extremely limited.
Climate:
2 principal types of climate:
* temperate subhumid - mean annual temperature 12 -18°C. Coldest month -3 -18°C, hottest month less than 22°C.
*temperate semicold subhumid - mean annual temperature 5 -12°C. Coldest month -3 -18°C. Less than 4 months with t higher than 10°C.
Annual precipitation in both types: 200 -1800 mm.
Fauna:
Flora:
Oyamel fir (Abies religiosa), and genera: Quercus, Alnus, Salix, Senecio, Eupatorium, Stevia
Dangers:

Settlements, agricultural pressure, illegal tree felling.

Photos Map References
Santuario de Mariposa Monarca
Viva Natura Field Guide App