Which types of forests grow in Central America?

Central America features a variety of forest types shaped by the region's diverse topography, elevation, and climate:

• Tropical Rainforests: These occupy the eastern lowlands, where high rainfall and consistently warm temperatures support dense, complex vegetation.1
• Evergreen Forests: These are found along the lower slopes of the Pacific coast.1
• Pine and Oak Forests: These forests grow at higher elevations throughout the region.1
• Cloud Forests: Located in mountainous regions at altitudes typically between 1,000 and 2,500 meters, these ecosystems are characterized by persistent moisture and a canopy layer often shrouded in clouds. They are home to a wide range of epiphytes, such as orchids, as well as mosses and ferns.2

Much of the region's original forest cover has been significantly reduced due to human activities, including slash-and-burn agriculture and deforestation, which have made it increasingly difficult for forest soils to recover.13