Mediterranean Vegetation and Evergreen Forest Ecosystems

Mediterranean Evergreen Forests and Scrubland

The Mediterranean landscape vegetation is defined by its unique climatic characteristics. The primary formations are the evergreen forest and scrubland. These plants are highly adapted to survive drought by developing widespread root systems or through sclerophyllous (hard and leathery) evergreen leaves.

Characteristics of the Evergreen Forest

The evergreen forest consists of medium-height trees with rugged, thick trunks. Their branches form large, globular crowns that cast deep shadows, fostering an understory of species such as broom and retama.

• The Holm Oak: This tree is exceptionally drought-tolerant and adapts to all soil types. Its hard, durable wood is traditionally used for carpentry and tools, while its fruit, the acorn, is used to feed cattle.
• The Cork Oak: This species requires mild winters, moderate moisture, and siliceous soils. Its wood is used for crafting boats and barrels, while its bark provides cork.

Coniferous Pine Formations

The pine is a secondary plant formation that adapts to extreme cold, heat, humidity, and aridity. Pines are fast-growing conifers used extensively for construction, paper pulp, and chipboard. Key types include:

• Pine Fir: Found in the Pyrenees.
• Black Pine: Located in the Pyrenees and the Sistema Ibérico.
• Scots Pine: Common in Northern Spain.
• Aleppo Pine: Found in the Levante and Southern Mediterranean regions.
• Spanish Fir (Pinsapo): Located in Grazalema and Sierra de Ronda.
• Canary Island Pine: Native to the Canary Islands.

The Pasture System and Conservation

The total area of evergreen forests has been reduced due to economic exploitation and replacement by other species. Current conservation efforts utilize the pasture system (dehesa), which involves thinning oak and cork forests. This system balances the production of fruit, firewood, and timber with essential soil protection.

Mediterranean Scrubland Formations

The Mediterranean maquis and other scrublands are often the result of forest degradation caused by human activity. These formations include:

• Maquis: A very dense and almost impenetrable shrubbery including rock rose, heather, mastic, and broom.
• Garrigue: Composed of lower shrubs and bushes such as thyme, rosemary, and lavender (espliego).
• Steppe: Consists of low grass interspersed with thorny bushes. Main species include palmetto, thyme, and esparto.

Human Impact and Introduced Species

Human intervention has had a significant impact on the Mediterranean landscape. Many plants now considered typical were originally introduced by humans, including palm trees, olive trees, almond trees, citrus, and fig trees.