Satellite view of the montane forests (bottom left) in Veracruz, Mexico Photograph by USGS   Southern North America: Eastern Mexico Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   About 1,900 square miles (5,000 square kilometers) -- about the size of Delaware. Critical/Endangered

· Fog and Ferns
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Fog and Ferns

The Veracruz Montane Forests of eastern Mexico lie near the country's highest peak (Orizaba, 18,855 feet (5,747 m) above sea level). They are very wet, being cloaked in clouds, and receive nearly 60 inches (1,500 mm) of rain a year. The dominant trees, a species of sweet gumand escarpment live oak, grow well in the soil derived from volcanic rock and reach heights of 131 feet (40 m). In the canyons where soils are deep, Engelhardia mexicana is the primary species, joined by Clethra quercifolia, Senecio grandifolius, Hoffmania orizabensis and Cornus florida. Epiphytes such as orchids, ferns, mosses, and lichens cover much of the trees' surfaces under these wet conditions.

Special Features

The northernmost intact montane tropical forests in Mexico, these in Veracruz now exist as shrinking islands of habitat where species fight for survival. The last patches of the highly endangered fern, Cyathea mexicana, endure here, while the endemic Magnolia dealbata faces extinction. A diversity of butterflies from the swallowtail family appreciates the moist mountain air as do many amphibians and reptiles. Epiphytes thrive, too, in this climate, with about 190 species present, making it one of the richest communities in Mexico.

	Bromeliad tree frogs lay their eggs high up in the trees, in small pools of water that collect inside bromeliad plants. After the eggs hatch, the tadpoles live in the pools eating small insect larvae, until they're developed enough to hop out.

Wild Side

At least 29 species of amphibians, 47 reptiles, 114 birds, and 14 mammals live only here. The region is an important stopover point for migratory birds. Birds that reside in the cloud forests year-round include the spectacularly colored emerald toucanet, brown-capped vireo, Slate-throated redstart, and golden-crowned warbler. The endangered bearded wood partridge is largely restricted to these forests. Endemic amphibians and reptiles include the keeled earth snake, greater bromeliad treefrog, and the adorned robber frog.

Cause for Concern

Pasture and coffee plantations have taken over most of the Veracruz Montane Forests. Logging is another destructive practice, and trees mainly survive on the steepest, most inaccessible slopes. Agriculture, human settlements, and mining also have destroyed the habitat of this ecoregion. Remnants of cloud forests that remain are often on steep slopes and in deep canyons, but they are likely too small to support native species over the long-term.

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