Growing on the tallest mountain range in Mexico, the pine-oak forests of the Trans-volcanic Belt thrive at altitudes of over 6,500 feet (2,000 m). Their soils capture rain water and re-fill aquifers, providing a critical service to the people of nearby towns and cities. Monarch butterflies, which undertake the largest migratory route of all insects (2,500 miles or 4,000 km), spend winters hibernating in these cool and moist volcanic forests. Half of all Mexican rodents inhabit this ecoregion. Oak species include yellow oak in the west and honey and white oak at higher altitudes. There are more species of pine here than any other ecoregion in the world. Montezuma pine is a dominant species, except in more humid areas where ocote pine grows. At low elevations, the most common pines are the ocote chino and Michoacan pine. Above 9,800 feet (3000 m) the forests are limited to Hartweg's pine and sacred fir.
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