European Vegetation Domains and Bioclimatic Zones

Eurosiberian Ocean Domain

Deciduous forests are those where plants predominantly have the capacity to lose their leaves annually. In temperate zones, leaf fall occurs during the autumn or winter. Common deciduous species include oaks and beeches.

Landa: A formation of predominantly shrubby perennials, such as heathers and the strawberry tree. It replaces the deciduous forest and usually occurs in oceanic climates with poor soils.

Pasture: An uncultivated space reserved for transit and livestock feed. It is used consistently and intensively.

Mediterranean Domain

Evergreen forests are those in which the predominant plants have the ability to remain green year-round; as leaves fall, others replace them. Example species include evergreen oaks (Quercus ilex), cork oaks, and pines.

Marcescent Forest: A forest in the transition between a mild, wet Atlantic climate and a dry Mediterranean climate. It consists of trees that hold their leaves well into the harshest times (cold or dry), such as the Turkey oak and gall oak.

Mediterranean scrub and herbaceous formations are regressive stages of the Mediterranean forest caused by human activity. We can distinguish three types: the maquis, the garrigue, and the steppe.

Maquis or Macchia

A dense, almost impenetrable shrubbery, sometimes reaching over two meters tall. It results from the degradation of forests on siliceous and impermeable soils. This dense undergrowth includes:

• Junipers and mastic
• Pine and isolated oak thickets
• Broom, strawberry tree, and high heather

Garrigue

Xerophytic evergreen shrubs and low-growing plants found on limestone soils in the drier areas of the Mediterranean climate. It consists of:

• Coscoja (kermes oak) and wild carob
• Mastic and wild olive
• Rosemary and thyme

Steppes

A vegetation formation consisting of small xerophytic plants characterized by a discontinuity of vegetative cover. It is proper to temperate latitudes. In Spain, it is located mainly in drier Mediterranean climate gradients and consists of:

• Thorny shrubs and palms
• Thyme and esparto

Riparian Vegetation and Bank Formations

On the banks of rivers, the presence of water favors the formation of riparian vegetation. This consists of hygrophilous plants (vegetation adapted to wet environments) rather than the typical vegetation of the surrounding area. The humidity levels are similar to those of a deciduous forest, and the vegetation is formed largely by deciduous trees:

• Willow and poplar
• Cottonwood and ash
• Elm

Bioclimatic Zones and Cliserie

Bioclimatic zones: These are successive vegetation types that are staggered in a mountain range based on altitude, sun exposure (sunny or shady sides), and humidity (windward or leeward sides). This reflects the influence of different climatic factors on vegetation.

Cliserie: A graph representing the distribution of vegetation in terms of height or altitude.