biosphere reserve
A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, funga, or features of geologic ...
in the Mexican state of
Hidalgo
Hidalgo may refer to:
People
* Hidalgo (nobility), members of the Spanish nobility
* Hidalgo (surname)
Places
Mexico
:''Most, if not all, named for Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)''
* Hidalgo (state), in central Mexico
* Hidalgo, Coah ...
. It is protected for its dramatic scenery of steep cliffs and deep winding canyons, and its distinctive flora and fauna.
Geography
The reserve includes the deep and narrow barranca, or canyon, of the Metztitlán River, also known as the Venados River. The barranca is located on a semi-arid plateau which lies between the
Sierra Madre Oriental
The Sierra Madre Oriental () is a mountain range in northeastern Mexico. The Sierra Madre Oriental is part of the American Cordillera, a chain of mountain ranges (cordillera) that consists of an almost continuous sequence of mountain ranges that ...
to the east and the Sierra de Pachuca to the west. The Metztitlán River flows generally north–northwest. It is part of the
Panuco River Panuco may refer to:
;Places
*Pánuco (disambiguation) Pánuco may refer to the following places in Mexico:
*Pánuco (province)
*Pánuco, Veracruz
**Pánuco Municipality, Veracruz
*Pánuco, Zacatecas
*Pánuco de Coronado Municipality, Durango
*Pá ...
system, which drains into the
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico () is an oceanic basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States; on the southw ...
.
The reserve has an area of 960.43 km2.UNEP-WCMC (2021). Protected Area Profile for Barranca de Metztitlán from the World Database of Protected Areas, September 2021 /ref> It lies in the municipalities of Acatlán, Hidalgo, Acatlán, Atotonilco El Grande, Eloxochitlán,
Huasca de Ocampo
Huasca de Ocampo () is a town and municipality of the state of Hidalgo in central Mexico. It is located 34 km from Pachuca and 16 km from Real del Monte in the Pachuca Mountains. While the town itself is just within the mountain range, ...
San Agustín Metzquititlán
San Agustín Metzquititlán is a town and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 313.5 km².
As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 8,558.
See also
*Iglesia de l ...
,
Metepec
Metepec () is a municipality in the State of Mexico in Mexico and is located directly to the east of the state capital, Toluca, at an altitude of above sea level. The center of Mexico City lies some 50 km further to the east. The city of ...
,
Zacualtipán
Zacualtipán (formally: Zacualtipán de Ángeles, for Felipe Ángeles, born there in 1868) is a town and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 241.6 km2.
In 2020, the municipali ...
, and Cardonal.
The canyon floor is 1200 to 1300 meters elevation, while the Sierra Madre Oriental to the east and northeast reaches 1800 to 2600 meters elevation."Barranca de Metztilan Biosphere Reserve, Mexico". UNESCO, December 2018 /ref>
The Laguna de Metztitlán is a lake formed when a large landslide blocked the course of the Metztitlán River, creating a natural dam. The lake covers 700 ha and has an average depth of 9 to 10 meters. The area of the lake can increase to 5000 ha during periods of heavy rainfall.
Flora and fauna
The reserve has a variety of plant communities, including xerophilous scrub, submontane scrub, tropical dry deciduous forest, Sierra Madre Oriental pine–oak forests, pine–oak forest, pine forest, and juniper woodland. The reserve is rich in biodiversity, and many endemic plants and animals.''Programa de Manejo Reserva de la Biosfera Barranca de Metztitlán''. Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, 2003. Accessed 11 September 2021 /ref>
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
. Laguna de Metztitlán was declared a
Ramsar Site
A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention,8 ha (O)
*** Permanent 8 ha (P)
*** Seasonal Intermittent < 8 ha(Ts)
**