La Primavera Biosphere Reserve

It covers 30,500 hectares (305 km2 or approximately 118 square miles) and is located west of Guadalajara, Mexico. It is a protected area and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. There are numerous springs and 20 permanent streams. Some drain north or east into the Río Grande de Santiago, which lies to the north, and flow westwards to form the headwaters of the Ameca River. The climate is tropical, warm, and subhumid, with an annual mean temperature of 21º C. Mean annual rainfall is 980 mm. ==Flora and fauna==

The natural vegetation is pine–oak forest. More than 742 plant species have been recorded in the reserve, including 80% of the orchid species reported in Jalisco. Native birds include the lesser roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), berylline hummingbird (Saucerottia beryllina), russet-crowned motmot (Momotus mexicanus), black-throated magpie-jay (Calocitta colliei), spotted wren (Campylorhynchus gularis), brown-backed solitaire (Myadestes occidentalis), blue mockingbird (Melanotis caerulescens), collared towhee (Pipilo ocai), blue bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina), black-vented oriole (Icterus wagleri), and rusty-crowned ground sparrow (Melozone kieneri). 73 native mammal species have been recorded in the reserve, as have 49 species of reptiles and amphibians. ==Conservation==

La Primavera was designated a forest protection area and wildlife refuge in 1980 by presidential decree. It was redesignated a flora and fauna protection area by the Mexican government in 2000. In 2006 it was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Guadalajara is Mexico's third-largest metropolitan area, and it extends to the reserve. The reserve is one of residents' favorite recreational areas. There are 12 trails in the reserve, and 8 educational camps. 1560 ha of the reserve is dedicated to public use and recreational activities. The reserve's forests help moderate Guadalajara's climate, improve air quality, and absorb carbon dioxide and other airborne pollutants. The forests also improve water quality in the region's rivers, recharge groundwater basins, and reduce flooding risk in communities downstream. ==References==