Two Hot Spots...

The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt includes two biodiversity hotspots, the Pine-Oak Forests that are located in the valleys created by the mountain ranges and volcanoes, and the Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands. Both are located near the Sierra Madre Oriental and Occidental, but of course not in teh same place, with the Woodlands high up in the mountain terrain, and the Pine-Oaks in the valleys. Both are also in close proximity to the highest peak in Mexico. The Pine-Oak Forests known for its taxonomic diversity with 370 species. It is also said to be crucial for the evolutionary process the the Pine tree. Species that are included in these forests are the Monarch Butterfly, large number of endemic birds like the grey horned owl, and many other species. The Pine-Oak forests are so important because it has high levels of endemism, and large numbers of those species are migratory species that need the area to survive.

The Pine-Oak Woodlands is more know for the 110 species of pine trees and 135 species of oak trees. Furthermore, with 525 species of birds with more than 20 endemic, 330 mammals with 6 endemic, 380 reptile species with 15 endemic, 200 species of amphibians, with 50 endemic, 80 fish species with 20 endemic, and up to 200 butterfly species with more than 45 endemic.

Both area are different, but both are similar in the ways that they bring great amounts of diversity to the Volcanic Belt. Both also find similar ground in the fact that they are both endangered areas by human impacts.

Reference Links:
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Biological_diversity_in_the_Madrean_pine-oak_woodlands?topic=49597
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Trans-Mexican_Volcanic_Belt_pine-oak_forests