Mexico is a country that has been considered within the list of 17 countries around the world cataloged as megadiverse, whose meaning is that it is one of the territories that harbors the greatest biodiversity in the world, and this is due to its geographical location that is essential for the life of many living beings.
According to the entities specialized in environmental research in the country, the existence of approximately 10 different types of ecosystems has been called, each one having its different species that inhabit them and special characteristics.
To understand the subject a little, it is necessary to know the concept and what an ecosystem implies, so it can be said that the definition of the term is a specific territory or portion of land inhabited by various living beings of different speciesAs well as non-living biological materials such as minerals, soil, climate, temperature, among other things, are also involved.
Ecosystems are considered to be of great relevance for the balance of nature, although for human beings it has been taken from a different point of view, since different resources of great value can be found in them, which is why they have been exploited. themselves until reaching extreme situations that endanger the existence of some species and the ecosystem in general.
The 10 ecosystems found in Mexico
The following will be shown 10 ecosystems that can be found in the territory of the wonderful Mexican country. It should be noted the great biodiversity that exists in them, and that for this reason it is considered a megadiverse country.
Dry forests
Also known as tropical forests, which are extremely resistant to times of droughts since in these areas the climate is usually more humid than normal. The way it looks is changeable since the rain tends to make the vegetation change noticeably. The tropical forests or dry forests are found in the north of Yucatan, in the Pacific coastal plain, and in the basins of Balsas.
Humid jungles
These just like the dry forests they are also known as tropical forests, although you can see a different vegetation to the one previously described. It is said that it is in this ecosystem that there is the largest number of mammals in Mexico in general, as well as the vegetation. These can be found in the southwest of the Latin American country, of which there is great concern on the part of experts since it is an area very rich in resources that are used in the industrial sector and therefore a large part of it has disappeared. , while 70% of what remains is in poor condition.
Coastal lagoons
These lagoons are considered of great importance for the Mexican ecosystem because experts assure that they serve as a buffer for natural phenomena that could threaten the integrity of the country. Coastal lagoons are closed bodies of seawater that can be very deep, some of which have even been seen up to 50 meters deep. According to the last census carried out, there are around 125 lagoons of this style throughout the territory.
Cloudy forests
Cloud forests are of great importance for the vitality of many endemic plant species in Mexico, and at present there is great concern because approximately half of this entire ecosystem has been lost due to the exploitation of natural resources. This ecosystem is also home to approximately 10% of all existing plants in Mexico and covers 1% of the entire country.
Temperate forests
These forests are considered to be the most beautiful ecosystems that can exist in the whole world, and in this particular one there are at least half of all the species of pines in the world with a total of 50 different ones in all their extension, as well as It is home to more than 7 thousand different types of plants, although it is not exempt from destruction, since it is estimated that at least 20% of it is destroyed. Temperate forests cover 16% of the total territory of Mexico.
Grasslands
In the grasslands, human labor can be observed in large quantities, because they are easily accessible areas for activities such as livestock and agriculture. The most common plant species in these areas are shrubs and small trees, and it is also home to a great diversity of animal species. This is located in the northwest of the country and covers approximately 6% of the entire territory.
Mangroves
Mangroves are ecosystems that can be observed in an incredible number of 125 countries around the world and they serve as protection on the coasts of those who have the privilege of owning them, they are also a visual spectacle that all people love to see, for which have a lot of tourist value. Mexico is located among the first 4 countries with the greatest abundance of these ecosystems, although that of that country is at risk from the exploitation of coastal resources.
Coral reefs
Coral reefs are ecosystems found in the ocean that are home to large numbers of aquatic animal species and that at the same time provide protection for many of them. In Mexico it is estimated that there are at least 10% of all reef species in the world and on its coasts specifically in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Caribbean Sea the presence of the Mesoamerican reef can be noted, which is the second largest structure of this style in the whole world, so it has an unmatched tourist value that to all visitors are curious to see. Unfortunately this ecosystem is not saved from the exploitation of resources or pollution, and according to several studies it has been shown that little by little these corals are being destroyed.
Scrubs
In Mexico there is a large population of cacti plants and this is due to the fact that the ecosystems known as thickets are the predominant ones in the territory, and in them you can see a large number of cactus species that even form a large part of the country's culture. , both historically and gastronomically because in Mexico they usually serve a large number of dishes that are accompanied by these plants or that use them as the main.
Giant kelp forests
Like coral reefs, these ecosystems are aquatic and can be found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. These are places where algae can grow and reach heights that are not very credible but that do exist, since algae can measure up to 30 meters in height and are home to a large number of marine species. These large algae serve as a protective barrier for many species and the marine territory and are of great importance for their existence.
All ecosystems of Mexico are really important for the life they harbor but unfortunately the human being has wanted to take advantage of the resources that are in them to be able to enrich themselves and make immense fortunes, but nowadays Institutions have been created that seek to protect these areas of the country so that they are not devastated because many have lost a large part of their territory due to pollution and overexploitation