The underlying rocks are porous limestone and coral, and the region has extensive underground drainage, including caverns and sinkholes, with few surface streams or rivers.

[2] In the drier central portion of the ecoregion, tsalam (Lysiloma bahamensis) and jabín (Piscidia piscipula) are the predominant trees, with Alvaradoa amorphoides, Bursera simaruba, Cedrela mexicana, Chlorophora tinctoria, Cordia gerascanthus, and Lonchocarpus rugosus.

These include the jaguar (Panthera onca), white-nosed coati (Nasua narica), black-handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), and southern opossum (Didelphis marsupialis).

Resident birds include white-fronted amazon (Amazona albifrons) and lesser yellow-headed vulture (Cathartes burrovianus).

Extensive areas of dry forest have been cleared for cattle ranching and for agriculture, including henequén plantations.