Major Terrestrial Landscapes and Their Vegetation

Major Terrestrial Landscapes and Climates

Euro-Siberian Floristic Region

This region is characterized by three main types:

1. Deciduous Forest

   Composed of evergreen tall trees such as beech (which tolerates cold well, requires moisture, grows slowly, and produces quality hardwood), oak (which poorly tolerates heat, is slow-growing, and produces hardwood), and chestnut. In the transition zone, a marcescent forest appears (deciduous trees that hold their leaves until the new growth emerges), featuring Turkey oak and gall oak. Currently, areas have been stocked with pine and eucalyptus, contributing to soil acidification and degradation.

2. Heath

   A dense thicket of plants like heather, gorse, and broom.

3. Meadows

   Herbaceous vegetation occupying large extensions.

Mediterranean Climate Landscape

This is the Mediterranean Floristic Region, adapted to summer drought. It consists of:

1. Evergreen Forest

   Composed of medium-height evergreen trees. Highlights include the holm oak (most importantly, it resists drought and adapts to all types of soils; its wood is hard and resistant), cork oak (requires mild winters, some soil moisture, and silicon; it has a hard wood), and pine (a secondary species, adapted to extreme conditions and different soils). For evergreen forest conservation, a system of pastures has been developed.

2. The Bush

   The result of forest degradation by human activity. It presents the maquis (dense shrubbery, e.g., rock rose, heather, mastic tree, and broom), garrigue (low-height vegetation: thyme, rosemary, and lavender), and steppe (low grasses, palmetto, thyme, and esparto grass).

Riverside Landscape

The constant presence of water makes life possible for certain species, arranged in semi-parallel bands in contact with water. It is formed by fast-growing species with white wood, such as alder, willow, poplar, and ash.

Mountain Landscape

In mountainous regions, vegetation is arranged in distinct altitudinal zones with different plant communities depending on height and orientation. Its typical zonation is: forest, scrub, grassland, and rocky vegetation.

There are two types of mountains:

1. Alpine Mountains

   In the Pyrenees, there are four vegetation zones:

   • Basal Plain: Up to 1200 meters, characterized by oaks.
   • Subalpine: 1200 to 2400 meters, characterized by conifers.
   • Alpine: 2400 to 3000 meters, characterized by grasslands.
   • Nival: Above 3000 meters, with almost no vegetation.

2. Peninsular Mountains

   These typically lack a distinct subalpine zone. They include:

   • Basal Plain: With forests typical of the local climate.
   • Supraforestal Zone: Small shrubs.
   • Apex: Grass or shrubland.