Spain's Biodiversity: Habitats and Threats

Biodiversity in Spain

Location: Southwest Europe. Spain has two large biogeographic regions: Atlantic and Mediterranean. The Canary Islands have a tropical climate. The Iberian Peninsula served as a refuge during glaciations. Many animal and plant species evolved, forming new species. The presence of mountain ranges allows species to reproduce at high altitudes, creating a gradation between northern and southern Europe.

Human Impact on Biodiversity

Biodiversity has been affected by human actions, which have transformed the natural landscape (forests replaced by arable fields, etc.). This has led to a loss of vegetation and an increase in urban and industrial sites.

Landscapes of Plants

Oceanic Plant Landscape

Found in the Galician and Biscay regions. Abundant rainfall and plenty of moisture. Typical species: oak and beech. Oaks are found on hillsides because they need moisture; their wood is hard and has many uses. Exploitation of oaks in the last century has led to their decrease. Beech can be combined with oak, but it has a lower heat tolerance and needs more moisture. Its wood is used for furniture.

Mediterranean Vegetation Landscape

Occupies most of the peninsula. Mediterranean forests are adapted to harsh conditions, such as summer heat and drought. The oak is an evergreen species. Cork oak is more demanding, requiring warmer temperatures and more rain. Human action has caused the decline of oaks and the great expansion of scrub (whose composition varies according to drought).

Plant Landscape of the Canary Islands

Vegetation is scarce and adapted to aridity.

• Up to 400m: Coastal scrub adapted to drought and salty land.
• 600-1200m: Green Mountain, with laurel and heather.
• Above 1500m: Area of Canary Island pine.
• Above 2000m: Scrub such as "bàlec" and broom.

Mountain Vegetation Landscape

Vegetation has an altitudinal distribution:

• Subalpine: Conifers like pine and spruce.
• Alpine: The only vegetation is meadow.
• Nival: Small plants such as lichens and rupicolous mosses.

Destruction of Plant Landscapes: Fires

Fires are one of the main causes of the destruction of plant landscapes. The causes are multiple:

• Dry Mediterranean summers (high temperatures) dry out vegetation, making it perfect fuel.
• Abandonment of farms and rural areas leads to less vigilance.
• Increase in second residences and cars increases fire risk.
• Deciduous forests were replaced by pine and eucalyptus, leading to fires in places where they shouldn't occur.
• 97% of fires are caused by humans.

Pollution

Environmental concerns include:

• Atmospheric contamination: Combustion from different activities. Hole in the ozone layer.
• Water contamination: Dumping of industrial waste, untreated water from population sanitation.
• Soil contamination: Application of pesticides, leaks, broken sewage pipes.

Types of pollution:

• Chemical: Introduction of substances hazardous to health and the environment.
• Radioactive: Dispersal of radioactive materials used in medical facilities, nuclear facilities, etc.
• Acoustic: Noise from factories, transportation, etc.
• Thermal: When a process causes an alteration in the temperature of the environment.
• Electromagnetic: Produced by X-rays generated by electronic equipment.
• Luminous: Glow of light that can change the behavior of nocturnal beings.
• Visual: Factors that deteriorate the aesthetics of a landscape.

Climate Change

Climate change is related to changes in climate over time. Our planet has always been changing (e.g., glaciations). In recent years, human actions have increased the number of changes, and significant transformations are induced from climatic conditions.

Greenhouse Effect.

Global warming and the oceans.

Scope of Change

Some minimize the causes. Currently, the major cause is human activity, which prevents the rapid pace of change and the adaptation of some species.

Ecological Footprint

A sustainability indicator that summarizes what resources are needed to produce the resources used and to assimilate the waste generated. We consume more resources and generate more waste than the planet can generate or accept.