Sierra de los Agustinos | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Coordinates | 20°13′56″N100°40′48″W / 20.23222°N 100.68000°W |
Geography | |
Country | Mexico |
State | Guanajuato |
Municipalities | Acambaro, Jerécuaro and Tarimoro |
Sierra de los Agustinos is a mountain range in Guanajuato state of central Mexico. The range is a protected natural area, and provides water, firewood, recreation for the surrounding region. [1]
The Sierra de los Agustinos are volcanic mountains which rise from the Bajío, a high plain. The Sierra is in the basin of the Lerma River, which runs south and west of the range. The main mass of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt lies to the south and southeast.
The volcanic rocks which make up the Sierra are porous and highly fractured, and the Agustinos Aquifer is important source of groundwater in the adjacent lowlands. The range has deposits of non-metallic minerals including as opal, perlite, kaolin, and silica sand. [1]
The natural vegetation includes tropical deciduous forest at lower elevation, and oak forest at higher elevation. Characteristic trees include palo dulce ( Eysenhardtia polystachya ) tepeguaje ( Lysiloma sp), oak (Quercus spp.), and pinqüica ( Arctostaphylos pungens ). 531 species of plants have been recorded within the protected natural area. [1]
The Sierra is an important habitat for wildlife. 29 mammal species, 145 bird species, 16 reptile species, and three species of amphibians have been recorded in the Sierra. Native mammals include the bobcat (Lynx rufus), ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), white-nosed coati (Nasua narica), raccoon (Procyon lotor), Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis), and Saussure's shrew (Sorex saussurei). Native birds include Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), Mexican falcon (Falco mexicanus), brown-backed solitaire (Myadestes occidentalis). Reptiles include the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) and black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus). The Sierra is part of the annual migration route of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) between eastern North America and the butterflies' wintering grounds in the mountains of Michoacán and Mexico states to the south. [1]
The Sierra de los Agustinos was designated a sustainable use area in 2002. It has an area of 191.65 km2. [2]
The Cumbres de Majalca National Park is a national park in the Mexican state of Chihuahua located 88 km northwest of the city of Chihuahua. The park showcases extraordinary rock formations that have been shaped by wind and water erosion. The park was created by presidential decree in 1939 encompassing 4,772 hectares to protect the endemic flora and fauna. The park is characterized by pine and oak forest. It is also one of the few areas in Mexico that are inhabited by black bear.
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