The dry forests of Sierra are home to a diverse community of animals and plants, and the reserve's outstanding biodiversity is recognized by UNESCO.

[3] They generally run east–west, extending into the Balsas Basin and connecting to the main mass of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt on the northwest.

[2] According to the National Biodiversity Information System of Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO) in Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve there are over 2,465 plant and animal species from which 63 are in at risk category and 88 are exotics.

[3] Dominant tree genera include Conzattia, Lysiloma, Bursera, Ceiba, Acacia, and Mimosa.

[3][2] Native birds include a diverse mix of southern tropical dry forest and montane pine–oak forest species, including the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), common black hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus), ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum), Balsas screech owl (Megascops seductus), black-vented oriole (Icterus wagleri), hooded oriole (Icterus cucullatus), blue mockingbird (Melanotis caerulescens), military macaw (Ara militaris), rufous-backed thrush (Turdus rufopalliatus), pileated flycatcher (Xenotriccus mexicanus), banded quail (Philortyx fasciatus), grey-breasted woodpecker (Melanerpes hypopolius), black-chested sparrow (Peucaea humeralis), rusty-crowned ground sparrow (Melozone kieneri), happy wren (Pheugopedius felix), West Mexican chachalaca (Ortalis poliocephala), golden-cheeked woodpecker (Melanerpes chrysogenys), dusky hummingbird (Cynanthus sordidus), and Cabanis's seedeater (Amaurospiza concolor).

[3] The main economic activities of people living in and around the reserve are subsistence agriculture and livestock raising.