Spain's Diverse Vegetation: Climates, Regions, and Landscapes

Natural Vegetation in Spain: Diversity and Landscapes

Factors Influencing Spain's Vegetation Diversity

The rich diversity of natural vegetation in Spain is shaped by a combination of physical and human factors.

Physical Factors

These include the varied climate, diverse relief, and different soil types across the peninsula. Spain's unique geographical location, acting as a bridge between continents, also plays a significant role in its ecological complexity.

Human Factors

Human activities, such as the introduction of species for their economic value or the degradation of existing ecosystems, also contribute to the current state of Spain's vegetation.

Biogeographical Regions of Vegetation

The Iberian Peninsula is part of the Holarctic Kingdom, which comprises continental land and includes three distinct biogeographical regions:

• Alpine and Boreal Region
• Euro-Siberian Region
• Mediterranean Region

Vegetation Landscapes by Climate

1. Oceanic Climate Region (Eurosiberian)

This region corresponds to the Euro-Siberian biogeographical area, characterized by high humidity and moderate temperatures.

A. Deciduous Forest

These forests are primarily constituted by tall trees with smooth, straight trunks and large leaves that fall in autumn. Examples include oak and beech.

• Beech (Fagus sylvatica): Tolerates cold very well but is sensitive to heat, requiring high humidity. Its hard wood is used to make furniture and tools.
• Oak (Quercus robur): Does not tolerate hot summers, has a lower tolerance to cold, and requires less moisture than beech.

B. Heaths and Meadows

• Heathland: A dense shrub vegetation, which can reach up to 4 meters in height. Its most abundant species are gorse and broom.
• Grasslands: Occupy large land extensions and feature abundant herbaceous vegetation, providing rich pasturage.

2. Mediterranean Climate Region

The flora of this region corresponds to the Mediterranean biogeographical area, adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Its characteristic formations are:

A. Evergreen Forest

Consisting of medium-height trees with short, straight, rough trunks. The most characteristic species are the cork oak and the holm oak.

• Holm Oak (Quercus ilex): Resistant to drought and adapts to all types of soils. Its very hard and resistant wood is used in the manufacture of implements.
• Cork Oak (Quercus suber): Needs some moisture and siliceous soils. Its wood is used for casks and boats, and its bark for corks.
• Pine Forests: A secondary plant formation that adapts well to extreme cold conditions. They have spread over wide areas due to their rapid growth and economic exploitation.

B. Scrubland

This vegetation presents three main types:

• Maquis: Dense shrubland, often over two meters in height.
• Garrigue: Formed by low shrubs and bushes.
• Steppe: Located in the southeast of the peninsula and the Ebro Valley, characterized by sparse, herbaceous vegetation.