UNESCO has designated the Sierra de la Laguna a global biosphere reserve: This semi arid to temperate subhumid climate area represents highly important and contrasted ecosystems, including arid zones, matorrales, low deciduous forest type, evergreen oak: Quercus devia (encino) woods, pine-evergreen oak mix woods and oases with palms and guerivos situated throughout the gallery forest following the long river basins. The Biosphere reserve was established by a Mexican presidential decree of 6 June 1994, which designated a core area and buffer zones.