Understanding Oceanic Climate and Deciduous Forests

Landscape Plants in Oceanic Climate

The deciduous forest consists of tall trees with straight trunks, smooth bark, and large leaves that fall in autumn. Under the trees, ferns and mosses thrive.

Characteristic Trees

• Oak: Grows at lower elevations, does not tolerate extreme cold or heat. Its hard wood is used in construction and furniture manufacturing.
• Chestnut: A secondary vegetation formation that has gained ground at the expense of oak.
• Other Species: Ash, basswood, elm, and hazel.

Transition Areas

In the transition area, this climate features Turkey oak forests and Quejigo. Over time, extensive deforestation has occurred, leading to replanting with pines and eucalyptus.

Moor and Heath Vegetation

The moor and heath vegetation forms a dense thicket. Its most abundant species include:

• Heather
• Gorse
• Retama (meadows)

Herbaceous Vegetation

Herbaceous vegetation occupies large tracts of land in the oceanic landscape.

Riparian Vegetation

Along riverbanks, the soil is saturated with moisture, resulting in distinct vegetation arranged in strips parallel to the river. This includes:

• Alder and willow (require water)
• Poplar, cottonwood, and ash (require moisture)
• Elm (soft wood)

This forest area has diminished due to cultivation, urbanization, and pipelines.

Mountain Vegetation

Mountain plant floors exhibit various vegetation formations due to the relationship between precipitation and altitude (orographic rain), temperature variations with altitude (0.6 ºC per 100 meters), wind exposure, and sunlight conditions.

Vegetation Gradation

The gradation of plant sites along a mountain forms distinct floors:

• Basal Flat: Usually occupied by oaks.
• Mountain Flat: Occupied by beech, oak, fir, and pine.
• Subalpine Pine: Occupied by tall grasses and bushes.
• Flat-Alpine: Features very hardy plant species.
• Flat-Nival (above 3000 m): Absent or tundra vegetation (mosses and lichens).

Canary Islands Vegetation

The landscape plant vegetation of the Canary Islands boasts extraordinary richness, with numerous endemic species and relics from past geological epochs. It is divided into the following layers:

• Flat Baseline: Predominantly middle-flat Matarroles, dominated by palm trees and dragon-sabinas.
• Termocanario Floor: Features laurel forests and Fayal-Brezal.
• Canary-Dominated Forest Floor: Composed of conifers.
• Supracanario: Rich flora.