El Cielo Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 1986, in Mexico. Located within the Neotropical biogeographical region, the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Sierra de Cucharas, a mountainous chain derived from the larger Sierra Madre. It is one of the most ecologically rich and diverse places in Mexico. The reserve comprises 14 vegetation types, dominated by tropical sclerophyllous forest. Conservation of El Cielo’s ecosystems is essential, as they host a number of threatened plant and animal species, including the oso negro (Ursus americanus), jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), tigrillo (Leopardus wiedii), jaguar (Panthera onca), ocelote (Leopardus pardalis) and cabeza de viejo (Eira barbara).