Guatemala has several distinct biomes ranging from tropical lowland forests to high altitude mountain forests. The main biomes include tropical humid forests below 3000 feet characterized by broad-leafed trees and no dry season; very wet forests along the Caribbean coast with evergreen trees and extensive wetlands; cloud forests from 3600 to 9500 feet with diverse flora like ferns, epiphytes, and pines; cold mountain forests above 6500 feet with few plant species; dry forests and scrub in rain shadow areas between 300 to 3300 feet with cacti and deciduous trees; wet forests along the Pacific slope with diverse vegetation between 2600 to 3900 feet; and coastal plains along the Pacific with mangroves,

1. Biomes of Guatemala
Sources:
http://www.birdwatching.com.gt/birdwatching%20guatemala/biomas-de-guatemala.html
http://birding.visitguatemala.com/biomes

3.  It is characterized by its plain land, with poor soils but
exuberant jungles, and a very diverse fauna. In this
biome several type of vegetation are present, such as
high- and low-altitude forest, savanna, and wetlands
systems (from lakes and flooding). In general, a
Tropical Humid biome is defined by a very hot and
humid climate, an altitude below 2953 feet above sea
level, and no clear difference between the rainy
season and dry season. The dominant vegetation type
is broad-leafed trees, and there are also some pines
(Pinus caribbea).

5.  Somehow similar to a Tropical Humid Forest,
but with much higher levels of rainfall and
atmospheric humidity, this ecosystem ranges
from sea level to 1,300 m (4,290 ft) in altitude. It
is the wettest part of the country, and holds
several ecosystems, such as bogs, floodable
forests, wetlands, estuaries, Caribbean marine
coastlands, tall evergreen forests, savannahs
and associated grasslands.

7.  With a great complexity in its floristic composition, it is
located on mountain slopes, among 3600 to 9514 feet
above sea level. This habitat presents a wide
biodiversity and vegetation such as:
avocados, pine, oaks, mosses and tree ferns and also
you can observe a wide diversity of epiphytes* due to
the high humidity. The climate is temperate and humid
during the day, but the nights can be somewhat cold.
The high level of rain is characteristic of this biome.
*An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant (such as a tree), and derives its
moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and sometimes from debris accumulating around it
instead of the structure it is fastened to. It grows on another plant without being a parasite.

9.  The Mountain Forest has few species, with
only one stratum differentiated and a very
poor forest understory. However, several
endemic plants and fauna can be found in
this biome, which occupies all the central
highlands of Guatemala between altitudinal
ranges of 6560 to 13780 feet above sea level.
The climate is usually cold, and you can
observe seasons related with northern
latitudes.

11.  It has a discontinuous distribution through the central
eastern region of the country, in valleys surrounded by
mountains that generate the phenomenon known as
rain shadow, creating dry zones as a consequence.
The vegetation is typical from arid zones, with
abundant cacti and thorn plants, generally deciduous
(that means the loss of leaves during the dry season).
This biome is located among 328 to 3280 feet above
sea level, with a short but very well-marked rainy
season between the months of June to October.

13.  This biome, located in the Pacific region known
in Guatemala as “Boca Costa”, runs through
slopes of the volcanic chain. With an altitudinal
range from 2600 to 3900 feet above sea
level, there is diverse vegetation and a
moderate warm temperature, where the
volcanic chain serves as a wind barrier for the
humid winds that come from the south; this
biome is nevertheless an unusually rainy place.

15.  It is located along the Pacific Coast, with an
altitudinal range from sea level to nearly 2900
feet above sea level, with predominantly
warm weather; the original vegetation
(deciduous forest, evergreen
forest, savannas, and mangroves) has been
transformed and replaced by agricultural
landscapes, although in some areas you can
still observe remnants of the original
vegetation, and rivers going down the
volcanic chain towards the sea.