INTRODUCTION

A bioclimatic biome also called landscape or biotic area is a particular part of the
planet sharing climate, vegetation and fauna. A biome is the set of characteristic
ecosystems in an area biogeography is appointed from vegetation and animal
species that predominate in and are appropriate Guatemala has great natural
wealth due to its varied ecosystems, species and genetic material. In Guatemala
can be zoned seven land biomes.

































OBJECTIVES


General

Develop and identify the types of biomes that exist in the country of
Guatemala.



Specific
Determine the number of biomes that exist in Guatemala.
Describe each of the biomes found in the country.
Establish a biome that makes it different from another.

























BIOMAS OF GUATEMALA
The classification of biomes is unique to Guatemala, which were described by
Villar- Anleu (1998) as distinct biogeography categories in which you can find
various ecosystems, with structural and functional relationships, which are
especially related to characteristics of the flora present ( Villar- Anleu 1998 Dallies
2008). An important caveat makes Anleu Villar (1998 ) to describe the biomes is
the differentiation between Forest and Jungle , which differ in that the former has
few species , a single layer and understory poorly represented , while the Selva
has a high floristic diversity , differentiate various types of vegetation and
undergrowth is biodiverse . Accordingly this in Guatemala is seven biomes, which
are described below, all based on Anleu Villar (1998).

HUMID TROPICAL FOREST:

This biome, representative of the Petn region north of the country, is
characterized by flat topography, poor soils but with lush jungles and a high
diversity of associated fauna. There are several plant associations present in this
biome such as high forest, low forest, savanna, Lacustrine Wetlands and
Floodplains. Overall a biome very hot and humid climate with altitude below
900msnm, there is a marked difference between the rainy and dry season although
it is assumed that the dry season is between November and June. The dominant
vegetation are trees broadleaf although there are some pine (Pinus caribbea) .
Among the birds of this biome include: Ocellated Turkey, Yucatan Flycatcher,
White- browed Wren, Black- throated Shrike - Tanager, Rose- throated Tanager ,
among others.
Most of the department of Petn belongs to this biome, including the Maya
Biosphere with Tikal National Park, Bay, and Laguna del Tigre Yaxh . It is
characterized by an annual rainfall between 1000 and 2500 mm
Description: Relief map and karst landscape with lush jungle of high diversity. It is
the remnant of the country's largest rainforest.



RAINY RAINFOREST:

Although similar to the Rainforest Wet, rainfall and humidity is much higher, the
vegetation is more complex and a lot of similarity with the South American
vegetation is observed. With an elevation range from sea level to 1300msnm, the
climate is hot and humid and the dry season but summer is not very definite Expect
more rains between June and October. In this biome are several ecosystems,
including high evergreen forests, savannas and associated grasslands, mangroves
and estuaries among others. The dominant vegetation is broadleaf trees, although
some associations pine (Pinus caribaea and P. oocarpa) . Some of the birds in this
biome are: Orange- breasted Falcon, White -crowned Pigeon, White- collared
Manakin, Snowy Cotinga , Gray -headed Tanager , Olive -backed Euphonia ,
Golden -winged Warbler, Green -backed Sparrow. In this biome belong tape jungle
lowlands along the Atlantic ridge lands. It is characterized by a precipitation up to
4000 mm per year.

Description: High levels of rainfall and humidity. Contains wetlands, flooded
forests, wetlands, lakes, estuaries, coastal marine Caribbean jungles, palm
savannas and grasslands.

MOUNTAIN FOREST:
With a high complexity in their floristic composition, is located in mountainous
areas of steep slopes between 1100 and 2900msnm. It has a high diversity of
habitats and associated vegetation (avocados, pines, oaks, ferns etc.); understory
consists of variety of plants and mosses located in different layers which give a
high complexity, while high in the treetops a great diversity of epiphytes due to high
humidity is observed. This weather can range from warm to hot and humid during
the day, but nights can be quite cold; High rainfall is characteristic of this biome ,
being the rainy season between April and September. Among birds characteristic
of this biome include: Horned Guan, Highland Guan, Resplendent Quetzal, Belted
Flycatcher , Pink- headed Warbler .

Cloud forests of the Cordillera Atlantic, including the Sierra de las Minas, Chama,
and Cuchumantanes. Characterized by precipitation to 5000 mm per year.

Description: more complex, over rough terrain and where many habitats exist
floristic structure. There is much water is a very humid environment, lush mixed
forests, where mosses and ferns grow. High endemism.


CHAPARRAL OR THORNY THICKET:
This is one of the most fragile biomes and underrepresented in SIGAP, is
distributed discontinuously in the East and Midwest, in valleys surrounded by
mountains which generate the phenomenon called rain shadow, consequently
resulting in dry areas with very low rainfall. The vegetation is characteristic of arid
zones with abundant cacti and thorny plants, usually deciduous (ie lose their
leaves in the dry season) . It is located between 100 and 1000msnm, with a time of
short but well-defined rainy season (from June to October) . Some birds of this
biome are: Lesser Ground -cuckoo, Orange -fronted Parakeet, Russet -crowned
Motmot , Turquoise- browed Motmot , Cinnamon Hummingbird , White- lored
Gnatcatcher , Altamira Oriole .

The inland valleys of Guatemala house the more arid areas of Central America,
with less than 700 mm of annual rainfall. The vegetation is characterized by thorny
shrubs and succulents.

Description: They have cactales brambles and low and most species have thorns.
Cacti and other xerophytic species in the thicket legumes of the genera Acacia and
Mimosa abound.
MOUNTAIN FOREST:

It is a biome that recalls the influence of America on biodiversity, as previously
described. The mountain forest has few species , differs only one stratum and the
understory is poor, however, several endemic species of plants and wildlife can be
found in this biome , which occupies the highlands of Guatemala between 2000
and 4200 m OSL ; The climate is varied but tended to be cold and seasonality
related to northern latitudes is observed. Among the most common birds that can
be observed in this biome are: White- breasted Hawk, Golden- cheeked Warbler,
Goldsmans Warbler, Pine Siskin, and Guatemalan Junco. Coniferous and oak
forests of the central highlands of Guatemala.


Description: Representative of the Nearctic vegetation, coniferous abound. Marked
difference in T in cold and warm periods. Pine, oak , and escobillo pajn forest
and the highest parts of subalpine meadows where grasses abound.


SUBTROPICAL HUMID FOREST:

This biome located the portion of the Pacific region called Boca area, along the
Pacific slope of the volcanic chain, is approximately between 800 and 1200msnm.
With diverse vegetation, warm to temperate climate, the volcanic chain of barrier
makes moisture-laden winds from the south so it is normal high rainfall on its
slopes. Some birds characteristic of this biome is: Red- throated Parakeet, Blue-
tailed Hummingbird, Azure -rumped Tanager, Prevosts Ground Sparrow.
Forests on the Pacific slope of the volcanic range.
Description: Near broadleaf vegetation and abundant rainfall, has a dynamic
ecotone spice fauna and flora between Nearctic and Neotropical species.

TROPICAL HUMID SAVANNAH:

Located along the Pacific coast, from sea level to about 1000msnm with a mostly
warm climate. Currently its original vegetation (deciduous forests, evergreen
forests, savannas, mangroves) are highly transformed and replaced by agricultural
landscapes; however some remnants of forest and vegetation remain and
numerous rivers flowing from the volcanic chain towards the sea are observed.
Among the most striking species of birds which may be mentioned are: Common
Black- Hawk, White- bellied Chachalaca, Pacific Parakeet, Violet Sabrewing, Long
-tailed Manakin.















CONCLUSIONS



Guatemala has a location that allows seven different types of biomes,
so that has the conditions for the development of a diversity of
ecosystems, biomes and consequently develops.

The country has the conditions to hold , develop and retain many
species of flora and fauna and Large tracts of forest and jungle are
very important part of keeping fresh air and vital to every living water.

Guatemala biomes currently suffering from major threats such as the
loss of forest area and forest to be replaced by agricultural areas,
also the danger that many species by the loss of their habitat is.



































BIBLIOGRAPHY
www.wikipedia.org

www.avesdeguatemala.org/index.html?http://www.avesdeguatemala.org/inv
estigacion.html


www.avesdeguatemala.org