Chiapas montane forests
The Chiapas montane forests is a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion in southern Mexico and extending into western Guatemala. It includes the montane tropical forests on the northern and northeastern slopes of the Chiapas Highlands.
Geography
The Chiapas montane forests lie on the northern and northeastern slopes of the Chiapas highlands, between the lowland Petén–Veracruz moist forests to the north and east and the Central American pine–oak forests in the higher mountains to the south.
Climate
The climate of the ecoregion is tropical and humid. The forests have a cooler climate than the adjacent lowlands, and average annual temperatures decrease with elevation.
Flora
The predominant plant community is mountain cloud forest. Characteristic tree species include majagua, American sweetgum and alder. There are approximately 98,050 hectares of primary forest, and 272,991 hectares of second-growth forest.
Fauna
Native animals include coyote and white-tailed deer, mountain trogon, Steller's jay, Stuart's burrowing snake, and Godman's pit viper.
A 2017 assessment found 273 km², or 5%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include Nahá Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, and Lagunas de Montebello National Park.