Central American Atlantic moist forests

Central American Atlantic moist forests
Cerro Chachahuate
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
Realm	Neotropical
Biome	Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Borders	List Belizean Coast mangroves Central American dry forests Central American montane forests Central American pine–oak forests Isthmian–Atlantic moist forests Miskito pine forests Mosquitia–Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast mangroves Motagua Valley thornscrub Northern Honduras mangroves Petén–Veracruz moist forests
Geography
Area	89,979 km2 (34,741 sq mi)
Countries	Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Belize
Coordinates	13°45′N 84°45′W / 13.75°N 84.75°W / 13.75; -84.75
Conservation
Protected	30.2%[1]

The Central American Atlantic moist forests ecoregion (WWF ID: NT0111) covers the lowland coastal forests of Honduras, southeast Guatemala, and the eastern forests of Nicaragua (plus two small patches in Belize). Half of the ecoregion is closed-canopy tropical broadleaf evergreen forest, with tree heights reaching 50 meters.^[2][3][1] This ecoregion has the largest single fragment of natural forest in Central America, with a size of 14,629 square kilometres (5,648 sq mi).^[4] The total area is 89,979 square kilometres (34,741 sq mi).

The ecoregion stretches for 700 km from the valley of Lake Izabal in southeastern Guatemala, across the northern coast of Honduras (in a 50 km wide strip), and down across most of the eastern half of Nicaragua (additionally alongside two minuscule patches in Belize). The mean elevation is 293 metres (961 ft), with a maximum of 2,270 metres (7,450 ft).

The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification (Am)). This climate is characterized by relatively even temperatures throughout the year (all months being greater than 18 °C (64 °F) average temperature), and a pronounced dry season. The driest month has less than 60 mm of precipitation, but more than (100-(average/25) mm. This climate is mid-way between a tropical rainforest and a tropical savanna.^[5][6] Average precipitation in the ecoregion is 2,333 mm/year.^[4]

Half of the ecoregion is closed-canopy broadleaf evergreen rain forest, but with 30% of the territory converted agriculture. The remainder is open canopy evergreen forest or herbaceous wetland.^[1] From 1990 to 2000, the ecoregion was experiencing deforestation at a rate of just under 1% per year. The ecoregion contains a number of large undisturbed fragments, which is important for larger species of animals. (The largest mammals require an estimated 100 km2 fragment to sustain viable populations).^[4]

30.2% of the ecoregion is officially protected.^[1] These protected areas include:

• Agalta National Park
• Azul Meámbar National Park
• Blanca Jeannette Kawas National Park (Punta Sal)
• Bosawás Biosphere Reserve
• Capiro-Calentura National Park
• Cerro Azul National Park
• Cerro Saslaya National Park
• Chocón Machacas
• Cuevas de Silvino National Park
• Cusuco National Park
• Montaña de Botaderos Carlos Escaleras Mejía National Park
• Montaña de Yoro National Park
• Nombre de Dios National Park
• Omoa National Park
• Patuca National Park
• Pico Bonito National Park
• Pico Píjol National Park
• Punta Izopo National Park
• Port Royal National Park
• Río Dulce National Park
• Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
• Santa Bárbara National Park
• Tawahka Asagni Biosphere Reserve
• Temash-Sarstoon National Park