Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park

Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park
Parque Nacional Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl
IUCN category II (national park)
Aerial view of Iztaccíhuatl (left) and Popocatépetl
Location	México, Puebla, and Morelos, Mexico
Nearest city	Mexico City
Coordinates	19°14′10″N 98°39′48″W
Area	39,819.08 ha (98,395.1 acres)
Established	November 8, 1935
Governing body	National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP)

Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park, also known as Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, is a national park in Mexico on the border of the states of México, Puebla, and Morelos. The park protects 39,819.08 hectares (98,395.1 acres), surrounding Mexico's second- and third-highest peaks, the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes (respectively 5,426 m (17,802 ft) and 5,220–5,230 m (17,130–17,160 ft)) as well as the area of the Hacienda de Zoquiapán, and its annexed areas (anexas) of Zoquiapan, Ixtlahuacán, and the Frío de Juárez River.

Flora and fauna

The predominant plant communities in the park are montane conifer forests and alpine grasslands.

Conifer forests extend from the lower limits of the park up to 4000 meters elevation. These include pine-fir forests and pine forests. Pine-fir forests are found from 3000 to 3700 meters elevation. Characteristic trees are oyamel fir (Abies religiosa) and the pines Pinus ayacahuite, Pinus montezumae, and Pinus hartwegii. Pine forests grow between 3400 and 4000 meters elevation. Pinus hartwegii is the predominant tree, with Ribes ciliatum, Lupinus montanus, Acaena elongata, and the grasses Festuca spp. and Calamagrostis spp. in the understory.

Alpine and sub-alpine grassland, known as Zacatonal, is found between 3500 and 4350 meters elevation. It consists of grasses and herbaceous plants with occasional woody junipers, growing no more than 50 cm high. Characteristic species include the grasses Festuca spp., Calamagrostis tolucensis, Muhlenbergia quadridentata, and Agrostis tolucensis, together with Juniperus monticola.

Areas above 4350 meters, which include the peaks of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, are mostly barren rock and permanent ice and snow.

48 species of wild mammals have been recorded in the park,including bobcats (Lynx rufus) coyotes (Canis latrans), foxes, American badgers (Taxidea taxus berlandieri), skunks, racoons, bats, rabbits, gophers, squirrels, mice, and shrews. The endangered volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi) lives in high-elevation grasslands on four central Mexican volcanic peaks, including Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl. Other limited-range species include the Orizaba long-tailed shrew (Sorex orizabae) and Phillips's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys phillipsii).

161 species of birds have been recorded in the park. 75% of the birds are resident, while the remaining 25% are migratory. Resident birds include the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis formosus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), long-tailed wood partridge (Dendrortyx macroura), white-naped swift (Streptoprocne semicollaris), Aztec thrush (Ridgwayia pinicola), and Sierra Madre sparrow (Xenospiza baileyi).

Native amphibians include the tree frog Dryophytes plicatus and four salamanders – Pseudoeurycea leprosa, Pseudoeurycea cephalica, common splayfoot salamander (Chiropterotriton chiropterus), and mountain stream salamander (Ambystoma altamirani).

History

Animation about the park created by the Pro Natura organization

The park was established on November 8, 1935, and today is administered by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP), a federal agency of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources.

The park was closed to the public from March 2020 to March 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.

See also

• Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl

Further reading

• Web site at CONANP (Spanish)