So, Holdridge life zones are like different neighborhoods for plants and animals. These neighborhoods are based on how much rain and how warm or cool it is in a certain area.
In Guatemala, there are six Holdridge life zones. These are called: tropical wet, subtropical moist, subtropical lower montane moist, subtropical montane moist, temperate mountain, and subalpine.
Let's take a trip to Guatemala and explore these neighborhoods!
First, we will visit the tropical wet neighborhood. This is where it's really hot and rainy all year round. Here we will find lots of rainforests and lots of animals like monkeys, sloths, and toucans.
Next, we will visit the subtropical moist neighborhood. This is still warm but not as wet as the tropical wet zone. Here we might find coffee and banana plantations.
In the subtropical lower montane moist zone, we will find a mix of rainforests and drier areas where there may be cattle farming.
In the subtropical montane moist zone, we will find cooler temperatures and lots of clouds. Here we will find pine and oak forests.
In the temperate mountain zone, it's getting even cooler and we might see some snow. Here we will find things like fir trees and mosses.
Finally, in the subalpine zone, it's really cold and we might even see some glaciers! Here we will find really tough plants like lichens and some small animals like pikas.
So that's a quick tour of the Holdridge life zones in Guatemala. Remember, just like how you live in a certain neighborhood with different weather and trees and animals, plants and animals also live in different neighborhoods with different weather and trees and animals too!