East of Machuala, Mexico Photograph by WWF/ Edward Anderson   Southern North America: Central Mexico Deserts and Xeric Shrublands   48,400 square miles (125,300 square kilometers) -- about twice the size of West Virginia Vulnerable

· Yucca and Yellow-faced Pocket Gophers
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Yucca and Yellow-faced Pocket Gophers

This plateau is located in north-central Mexico and is surrounded by the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains in the east, the Sierra Madre Occidentals in the west, and the Trans-volcanic Belt in the south. Desert plains dominate the landscape, with a few hills and mountains that rise up to 7,800 feet (2400 m) above sea level. The climate is dry and hot, with rainfall below 20 inches (50 cm) per year. The matorral scrub vegetation community grows in a soil of sedimentary and volcanic origin. Plant species vary with the soil type, temperature, and location. Dominant plant species throughout the ecoregion are several species of yucca and creosote bush. In Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí, agaves are also common. Hawks and falcons can be seen flying overhead and yellow-faced pocket gophers like to tunnel beneath the desert surface.

Special Features

Mountain ranges and elevation have helped the central plateau become biogeographically isolated from other similar habitats, resulting in a high degree of unique species. At least 16 groups of woody plants and cacti occur only in this ecoregion. But many of the plants of this ecoregion are not well studied. Several reptile species only occur here as well. The Mexican prairie dog is one of several endangered vertebrates that live here.

	The agave is so dependent on pollination by migrating bats, that the plant has synchronized its reproductive system with the bats' migration schedule.

Wild Side

Coyotes can be heard howling from the hilltops in this region and, at night, the calls of the spotted owl and great horned owl echo through the valleys. Endemic reptiles include the fringe-toed sand lizard and the San Luis Potosí kingsnake. Saussure's shrews are among the smaller creatures that scurry about. The greater roadrunner, scaled quail, rare Worthen's sparrow, and golden eagle also make their homes in the matorral.

Cause for Concern

The matorral has been partially eliminated by conversion to agriculture and animal grazing, though some areas in the northern portion are still relatively intact. Grazing of livestock is intense and degrades natural habitats considerably, and is particularly damaging to riparian vegetation around streams. Fires, used sometimes as a means to clear land for farming and grazing, has destroyed much native vegetation and, at times, become uncontrollable. The expansion of urban areas, mining, roads, and dams also reduces plant and animal habitats. Many plant species are becoming endangered due to illegal poaching. In San Luis Potosí, for example, 46 species of plants are endangered, over 70 percent of them are cacti. Protection of these arid lands is increasing-at least four parks have been established and four more are proposed. Much of the most intact habitats occur around and on higher peaks.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.