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Mexico is a large country that is home to a wide variety of ecosystems distributed in its 32 states. One of them is Baja California, located to the north and on the border with the United States. You have probably heard of one of its most popular cities, Tijuana. If you are wondering what the flora of Baja California is, we invite you to read this EcologíaVerde article to also learn what animal represents Baja California. Don’t miss the flora and fauna of Baja California!
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Characteristics of the flora and fauna of Baja California
Baja California has, to the west, access to the Pacific Ocean and, to the east, forms the Gulf of California. Its terrestrial ecosystems are striking and varied because it has deserts, valleys and mountain ranges. Also, the prevailing climate is very dry, in 69% of the total area of the state, although there are also areas with a semi-dry and temperate sub-humid climate. It has endemic species, in danger of extinction and many protected by Mexican legislation.
Therefore, the characteristics of the flora and fauna of Baja California are the following:
- Contrasting
- desert
- protected
- endemic
- Varied
- cultivated
- of economic value
- Silvestre
- maritime
- Adapted to very dry climates
- Only
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Flora of Baja California
The 80% of the vegetation of this state they are scrubs. Then come the chaparral of the mountains that are made up of woody shrubs, with 7% of the area. In the coastal areas there are coastal dunes. Going to more temperate zones, oak forests and coniferous forests can be found, covering 4% of the flora.
Palm groves can also be found. There is an agricultural sector that makes up 7% of the vegetation of Baja California, although it is low due to the little rain that comes. Thus, we present some examples of the vegetation of Baja California:
At (Wine vine)
To the northwest there is a temperate and dry climate that allows the vine to be cultivated, most of which is destined for winemaking. In fact, 90% of Mexican wine comes from this state and produces 2 million cases of wine per yearwith a high economic value.
Brandegge Biznaga (Mammillaria brandegeei)
The next example of plants from Baja California are the Brandegge barrel cactus. The nipples they are desert cacti characterized by having a cylindrical shape covered by thorns, with a crown of flowers. In the case of this species, it produces yellow flowers and grows up to 10 centimeters tall.
Pine obispo (pine muricata)
This pine has very few branches with leaves and presents them only very high. It measures an average of 20 meters and grows in wooded areas associated with cypresses and oaks, always near the coastal mountains. It is endemic to Las Californias, which includes California in the United States, Baja California and Baja California Sur in Mexico. It is a tree widely used for ornamental purposes.
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Wildlife of Baja California
Two fish appear on the shield of Baja California, so we could say that the fish is the animal that represents Baja California. However, there are many other iconic species that live in this state, and there are many that are endemic. We have for example the vaquita de mar Phocoena bay that only exists in Baja California.
Below we present some of the most representative animals of this state.
White shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
It’s about a important top predator that regulates the population dynamics of the entire food chain in its area. The white shark arrives at the Guadalupe Island Biosphere Reserve, in the Pacific Ocean of Baja California between July and August and leaves in December. It is the only sanctuary in Mexico that receives these sharks and is one of the five most important points in the world to see them.
You may be interested in taking a look at the following EcologíaVerde article on the Types of sharks: how many there are and species.
Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)
The roadrunner is famous from cartoons, but it is a real bird. inhabits in deserts and chaparraland it lives up to its name because it can reach 30 kilometers per hour. Their abilities are more concentrated on the ground than in flight, although they can do small glides.
It measures approximately 25 centimeters high. It is characterized by having a brown color with which it blends into the desert soil and a fairly long tail.
Orca (Orcinus orca)
Killer whales are cetaceans and marine mammals of carnivorous habits. They are characterized by having a black dorsal area and a white ventral area. They are very social animals and they form matriarchiesorganizing themselves in groups of 1 to 30 individuals.
Between 1972 and 1997, a total of 843 killer whales were recorded in the Gulf of California. Are migratory animals and they are concentrated in areas such as Japan, Antarctica, Norway or Iceland.
Is the orca a whale? Discover the answer in the following EcologíaVerde post that we recommend.
northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
It is a migratory seal which is maintained in the area of the Gulf of California and Alaska. It is brown in color and lives on the sea coasts. They have a very long face, hence the name elephant. In males it is much larger than in females and also coincides with the weight.
It is an active predator, feeding on octopus, squid, fish, and sometimes even small sharks. They can dive up to 2 kilometers in search of their prey.
After having discovered the animals that live in Baja California, you may be interested in consulting which are the Animals in danger of extinction in Baja California.
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If you want to read more articles similar to Flora and fauna of Baja Californiawe recommend that you enter our Biodiversity category.
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Bibliography
- Guerrero-Ruiz, M., Gendron, D., & Urban, J. (1998). Distribution, movements and communities of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Gulf of California, Mexico.Report of the International Whaling Commission, 48, 537-543.
- CONANP. (2016). White shark sighting season begins in Baja California. Available at: https://www.gob.mx/conanp/prensa/inicia-temporada-de-avistamiento-de-tiburon-blanco-en-isla-guadalupe-baja-california
- National Institute of Geography and Statistics. (nd). Flora and fauna of Baja California. Available at: https://cuentame.inegi.org.mx/monografias/informacion/bc/territorio/recursos_naturales.aspx?tema=me&e=02
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