Arid and Semi-Arid Zones of Mexico: A Comprehensive Exploration of Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation

Mexico's arid and semi-arid zones, including the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, are revealed as ecologically distinctive and biologically rich landscapes through a multidisciplinary examination. This comprehensive study highlights the unique climatic, physical, and biological characteristics of these regions, focusing on emblematic plant and animal species, ecological processes, and human impacts. The research emphasizes conservation priorities, particularly in protected natural areas and germplasm resources, with cacti serving as umbrella taxa. Additionally, it documents the medicinal and biologically active products derived from arid-zone flora, underscoring their ecological and cultural significance. By integrating case studies across four major arid regions—Baja California Peninsula, Chihuahuan Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley—the study provides integrative analyses of biodiversity trends and conservation strategies.

Lujano, S. S., Avila Acevedo, J. G., & Quiroz, I. V. (Eds.). (2025). Arid and Semi-Arid Zones of Mexico: A Comprehensive Exploration of Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.2174/97898153224601250101