Central American Atlantic moist forests

Cerro Chachahuate

Ecoregion territory (in purple)

Ecology
Realm| Neotropical
Biome| Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Borders|

List

* Belizean Coast mangroves
* Central American dry forests
* Central American montane forests
* Central American pine–oak forests
* Isthmian–Atlantic moist forests
* Miskito pine forests
* Mosquitia–Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast mangroves
* Motagua Valley thornscrub
* Northern Honduras mangroves
* Petén–Veracruz moist forests

Geography
Area| 89,979 km2 (34,741 sq mi)
Countries|

* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Belize

Coordinates| 13°45′N 84°45′W﻿ / ﻿13.75°N 84.75°W﻿ / 13.75; -84.75
Conservation
Protected| 30.2%[1]

The Central American Atlantic moist forests ecoregion (WWF ID: NT0111) covers the lowland coastal forests of Honduras, southeast Guatemala, and the eastern forests of Nicaragua (plus two small patches in Belize). Half of the ecoregion is closed-canopy tropical broadleaf evergreen forest, with tree heights reaching 50 meters.[2][3][1] This ecoregion has the largest single fragment of natural forest in Central America, with a size of 14,629 square kilometres (5,648 sq mi).[4] The total area is 89,979 square kilometres (34,741 sq mi).

## Location and description

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The ecoregion stretches for 700 km from the valley of Lake Izabal in southeastern Guatemala, across the northern coast of Honduras (in a 50 km wide strip), and down across most of the eastern half of Nicaragua (additionally alongside two minuscule patches in Belize). The mean elevation is 293 metres (961 ft), with a maximum of 2,270 metres (7,450 ft).

## Climate

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The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification (Am)). This climate is characterized by relatively even temperatures throughout the year (all months being greater than 18 °C (64 °F) average temperature), and a pronounced dry season. The driest month has less than 60 mm of precipitation, but more than (100-(average/25) mm. This climate is mid-way between a tropical rainforest and a tropical savanna.[5][6] Average precipitation in the ecoregion is 2,333 mm/year.[4]

## Flora and fauna

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Half of the ecoregion is closed-canopy broadleaf evergreen rain forest, but with 30% of the territory converted agriculture. The remainder is open canopy evergreen forest or herbaceous wetland.[1] From 1990 to 2000, the ecoregion was experiencing deforestation at a rate of just under 1% per year. The ecoregion contains a number of large undisturbed fragments, which is important for larger species of animals. (The largest mammals require an estimated 100 km2 fragment to sustain viable populations).[4]

## Protected areas

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30.2% of the ecoregion is officially protected.[1] These protected areas include:

* Agalta National Park
* Azul Meámbar National Park
* Blanca Jeannette Kawas National Park (Punta Sal)
* Bosawás Biosphere Reserve
* Capiro-Calentura National Park
* Cerro Azul National Park
* Cerro Saslaya National Park
* Chocón Machacas
* Cuevas de Silvino National Park
* Cusuco National Park
* Montaña de Botaderos Carlos Escaleras Mejía National Park
* Montaña de Yoro National Park
* Nombre de Dios National Park
* Omoa National Park
* Patuca National Park
* Pico Bonito National Park
* Pico Píjol National Park
* Punta Izopo National Park
* Port Royal National Park
* Río Dulce National Park
* Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
* Santa Bárbara National Park
* Tawahka Asagni Biosphere Reserve
* Temash-Sarstoon National Park

## References

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1. ^ a b c d "Central American Atlantic moist forests". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
2. ^ "Central American Atlantic moist forests". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
3. ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
4. ^ a b c "An overview of forest biomes and ecoregions of Central America" (pdf). Routledge. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
5. ^ Markus, Kottek; Grieser, Jürgen; Beck, Christoph; Rudolf, Bruno; Franz, Rubel (June 2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. pp. 259–263. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
6. ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.