The reserve encompasses two separate flora and fauna protection areas, Metzabok and Nahá, and a buffer zone around them.

[1] The reserve has a rugged topography, composed of parallel folded ranges of hills extending from northwest to southeast.

Characteristic trees include Brosimum alicastrum, Guatteria spp., Hirtella americana, Licania hypoleuca, Spondias radlkoferi, Terminalia amazonia, Virola koshnii, and Guarea spp.

These include 48% of the Mexico's bird species, 33% of bats, 11% of reptiles, and 25% of the mammals in only 0.4% of the country's land area.

[3] The karstic sinkholes and lakes create distinctive wetland habitats, which is recognized by the reserve's Ramsar designation.

[1][2] The Nahá and Metzabok flora and fauna protection areas were designated a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance) in 2004.

[3] The biosphere reserve, encompassing the two flora and fauna protection areas and a buffer zone, was designated in 2009.

[4] Threats to the reserve include water pollution from pesticide runoff, habitat fragmentation from forest clearance for timber and agriculture, and increased fire risk.