Spanish Vegetation: Diversity, Regions, and Ecosystems

The diverse vegetation in Spain is noteworthy, as its natural landscapes encompass the Holarctic kingdom, specifically the Boreal time. We can distinguish three main regions:

Eurosiberian Region

This region is linked to humid Iberia and is primarily located throughout the northern peninsula (Galician massif, Pyrenees). It also extends to some areas of the central and Iberian systems. Within this region, we can distinguish two provinces:

Atlantic Province

This province occurs in the high zones and mountain areas. The predominant species are deciduous trees. Up to 1000m, oaks (Pyrenees) are common; above 1000m, beeches are prevalent. Chestnuts, pines, and eucalyptus also exist, often due to reforestation efforts. In degraded areas, trees are replaced by shrubs and grasslands. These species adapt to both siliceous and calcareous soils.

Mediterranean Province

This province occurs on the southern slopes and low zones of the Pyrenees and the Iberian system. The vegetation system alternates between the Atlantic Forest (oak, pine) and the Mediterranean (Aleppo pine).

Mediterranean Region

This is the most extensive region, covering most of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, characterized by a Mediterranean climate. The vegetation is dominated by perinifolia trees (cork oak). In some areas, there are small areas of native pines (northern plateau) or well-established reforestation (southwest coast). This region is highly conditioned by summer drought and coincides with the major agricultural areas of the country, leading to the progressive destruction of native vegetation over the centuries. Shrubby forests vary among soil types. In Andalusia, the pinsapo, a conifer endemic to some areas, is notable and is located in the Sierra de Cadiz and the Sierra de las Nieves. It is directly linked to two factors: high rainfall and resistance to cold.

Canarian Region

This region is notable for its high degree of endemism (plants that occur in specific areas and have disappeared from others). It is also a mixture of Mediterranean and African vegetation, due to the stepped mountain vegetation. Up to 500m, the dry matorral dominates. From 500 to 1000m, shrubs and trees alternate (+ wet), with the laurisilva. From 1000 to 2000m (+ wet + cold), conifers (Canary pine) begin to appear. From 2000 to 3000m, scrub returns, and from 3000m (Teide) rocks and permanent snow are present. The western islands are more exposed to moisture from the ocean, having more vegetation, which is very influenced by western continental pressures, resulting in very sparse vegetation.