(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Mediterranean woodlands and forests: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia Jump to content

Mediterranean woodlands and forests: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
m Fixed typos (via WP:JWB)
(35 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Ecoregion in Northern Africa}}
⚫
The '''Mediterranean woodlands and forests''' is an [[ecoregion]], of the [[Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub]] [[biome]], in the coastal plains, hills, and mountains bordering the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and [[Atlantic Ocean]] in [[North Africa]].
{{Infobox ecoregion
|name = Mediterranean woodlands and forests
|image = Al Marj escarpment4.JPG
|image_size =
|image_alt =
|caption = Marj escarpment, [[Jebel Akhdar, Libya|Jebel Akhdar]] mountains, [[Cyrenaica]], [[Libya]].
|map = Ecoregion PA1214.svg
|map_size =
|map_alt =
|map_caption = Map of the Mediterranean woodlands and forests
|biogeographic_realm = [[Palearctic realm|Palearctic]]
⚫
|biome = [[Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub]]
|animals =
|bird_species =
|mammal_species =
|border1 = [[Mediterranean Acacia-Argania dry woodlands]]
|border2 = [[Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests]]
|border3 = [[Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe]]
|border4 = [[Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe]]
|border5 = [[North Saharan steppe and woodlands]]
|border6 = [[Saharan halophytics]]
|area = 356366
|country1 = [[Algeria]]
|country2 = [[Libya]]
|country3 = [[Morocco]]
|country4 = [[Tunisia]]
|country5 = [[Spain]] ([[plazas de soberanía]])
|state =
|region_type =
|elevation =
|coordinates =
|geology =
|seas =
|rivers =
|climate =
|soil =
|conservation = critical/endangered
|global200 =
|habitat_loss =
|habitat_loss_ref =
|protected = 28,451 km<sup>2</sup> (8
|protected_ref = )<ref name = dinerstein>Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, et al. (2017). An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm, BioScience, Volume 67, Issue 6, June 2017, Pages 534–545; Supplemental material 2 table S1b. [https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/bix014]</ref>
|embedded =
}}

⚫
The '''Mediterranean woodlands and forests''' is an [[ecoregion]] in the coastal plains, hills, and mountains bordering the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and [[Atlantic Ocean]] in [[North Africa]]. It has a [[Mediterranean climate]], and is in the [[Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub]] [[biome]].


==Geography==
==Geography==
[[File:Al Bakour4.JPG|thumb|250px|Al Bakour escarpment, Jebel Akhdar, [[Libya]].]]
The Mediterranean woodlands and forests occupy an area of {{convert|357,900|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} in [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]], the [[Spain|Spanish]] [[plazas de soberanía]] and [[Libya]]. The main portion of the ecoregion extends along the coastal plains and hills of the [[Maghreb]], from near [[Agadir]] on the Atlantic coast of Morocco in the west to [[Sfax]] on the [[Gulf of Gabes]] in Tunisia. The ecoregion extends inland to cover the lower slopes of the [[Middle Atlas]] and [[High Atlas]] ranges of Morocco, with isolated enclaves along the [[Saharan Atlas]] range of Algeria.<ref name = WWF>{{cite web | url = http://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa1214 | title = Northern Africa: Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia | accessdate = 2016-11-27 | publisher = World Wildlife Fund}}</ref>
The Mediterranean woodlands and forests occupy an area of {{convert|357,900|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} in [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]], the [[Spain|Spanish]] [[plazas de soberanía]], and [[Libya]]. The main portion of the ecoregion extends along the coastal plains and hills of the [[Maghreb]], from near [[Agadir]] on the Atlantic coast of Morocco in the west to [[Sfax]] on the [[Gulf of Gabes]] in Tunisia. The ecoregion extends inland to cover the lower slopes of the [[Middle Atlas]] and [[High Atlas]] ranges of Morocco, with isolated enclaves along the [[Saharan Atlas]] range of Algeria.<ref name = WWF>{{cite web | url = http://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa1214 | title = Northern Africa: Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia | accessdate = 2016-11-27 | publisher = World Wildlife Fund}}</ref>


Two coastal enclaves lie further east along the Mediterranean Sea: one along the southeastern Tunisian shore of the [[Gulf of Gabes]], including the island of [[Djerba]]; and the second in the [[Jebel Akhdar, Libya|Jebel Akhdar]] mountains along the shore of the [[Cyrenaica]] Peninsula in northeastern Libya.<ref name = WWF/>
Two coastal enclaves lie further east along the Mediterranean Sea: one along the southeastern Tunisian shore of the [[Gulf of Gabes]], including the island of [[Djerba]]; and the second in the [[Jebel Akhdar, Libya|Jebel Akhdar]] mountains along the shore of the [[Cyrenaica]] Peninsula in northeastern Libya.<ref name = WWF/>


===Ecoregion setting===
The Mediterranean woodlands and forests are bounded on the south by the drier [[Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe]], which occupies the plateaus and mountain ranges bordering the [[Sahara]]; and on the north by the [[Alboran Sea]] which is the westernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea.<ref>C.Michael Hogan. 2011. [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Alboran_Sea?topic=49523 ''Alboran Sea''. eds. P.Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013081403/http://www.eoearth.org/article/Alboran_Sea?topic=49523 |date=October 13, 2012 }}</ref> The [[Mediterranean acacia-argania dry woodlands and succulent thickets]], which occupy the coastal plain of southern Morocco, bounds the Mediterranean woodlands and forests on the southwest.<ref name = WWF/>
The Mediterranean woodlands and forests are bounded on the south by the drier [[Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe]], which occupies the plateaus and mountain ranges bordering the [[Sahara]]; and on the north by the [[Alboran Sea]] which is the westernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea.<ref>C.Michael Hogan. 2011. [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Alboran_Sea?topic=49523 ''Alboran Sea''. eds. P.Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013081403/http://www.eoearth.org/article/Alboran_Sea?topic=49523 |date=October 13, 2012 }}</ref> The [[Mediterranean acacia-argania dry woodlands and succulent thickets]], which occupy the coastal plain of southern Morocco, bounds the Mediterranean woodlands and forests on the southwest.<ref name = WWF/>


Line 12: Line 58:


==Flora==
==Flora==
[[Image:Pinus halepensis foliage.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Foliage and cone of the [[Aleppo pine|Aleppo pine—(''Pinus halepensis'')]].]]
[[Image:Pinus halepensis foliage.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Foliage and cone of the [[Aleppo pine]] (''Pinus halepensis'').]]
The natural vegetation consists of [[forest]]s, [[woodland]]s, and [[shrubland]]s. The five chief plant communities are:
The natural vegetation consists of [[forest]]s, [[woodland]]s, and [[shrubland]]s. The five chief plant communities are:
* '''Xeric pine forests and woodlands:''' The xeric pine forests are found mainly in the drier interior, near the transition to the [[Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe]], where rainfall averages 300 to 600&nbsp;mm per year. The predominant tree is [[Aleppo pine|Aleppo pine—(''Pinus halepensis'')]]. It is often found in mixed stands with evergreen [[holm oak|holm oak—(''Quercus ilex'' spp.)]] (''Quercus ilex'' subsp. ''ballota'') and xeric [[juniper]]s (''[[Juniperus phoenicea]]'' and ''[[Juniperus oxycedrus]]''). The forests and woodlands have an understory of shrubs, including ''[[Cistus]], [[Genista]]'', and [[rosemary]], which also form pockets of shrubland.<ref name = WWF/>
* '''Xeric pine forests and woodlands:''' The xeric pine forests are found mainly in the drier interior, near the transition to the [[Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe]], where rainfall averages 300 to 600&nbsp;mm per year. The predominant tree is [[Aleppo pine]] (''Pinus halepensis''). It is often found in mixed stands with evergreen [[Quercus rotundifolia|holm oak]] (''Quercus rotundifolia''), [[maritime pine]] (''Pinus pinaster'') and xeric [[juniper]]s (''[[Juniperus phoenicea]]'' and ''[[Juniperus oxycedrus]]''). The forests and woodlands have an understory of shrubs, including ''[[Cistus]], [[Genista]]'', and [[rosemary]], which also form pockets of shrubland.<ref name = WWF/>
* '''Berber Thuya forests and woodlands:''' These forests and woodlands are found in the milder lowlands of northern Morocco, western coastal Algeria, and pockets in the coastal mountains in northwestern [[Tunisia]], typically on soils derived from [[limestone]]. They are characterized by [[Berber Thuya|Berber Thuya—(Tetraclinis articulata)]], a [[conifer]] that can form [[coppice]] woodlands. The understory is chiefly of shrubs.<ref name = WWF/>
* '''Berber thuya forests and woodlands:''' These forests and woodlands are found in the milder lowlands of northern Morocco, western coastal Algeria, and pockets in the coastal mountains in northwestern [[Tunisia]], typically on soils derived from [[limestone]]. They are characterized by [[Tetraclinis|Berber thuya]] (''Tetraclinis articulata''), a [[conifer]] that can form [[coppice]] woodlands. The understory is chiefly of shrubs.<ref name = WWF/>
* '''Cork oak forests:''' are found in low and medium elevations with mild winters and relatively high rainfall (600 to 800&nbsp;mm), often on soils formed over [[siliceous rock]]s. [[Cork oak|Cork oak—(''Quercus suber'')]] forests are found on the coastal plains between [[Casablanca]] and the [[Rif Mountains]] in northern Morocco, and several areas further inland around the Rif and Middle Atlas ranges. They also found on along the [[Tell Atlas]] of northern Algeria, and in the [[Kroumerie]] and [[Mogod Mountains|Mogod]] mountain ranges of northwestern Tunisia.<br/>Cork oak (''Quercus suber'') is the predominant tree, accompanied by a rich mix of evergreen small trees and large shrubs, including [[Bay laurel|bay laurel - (''Laurus nobilis'')]], [[Arbutus unedo|strawberry tree - (''Arbutus unedo'')]], [[tree heath|tree heath—(''Erica arborea'')]], [[Ilex aquifolium|holly—(''Ilex aquifolium'')]], [[Phillyrea]] spp. (''Phillyrea angustifolia'' and ''Phillyrea latifolia''), [[Laurustinus|Laurustinus—(''Viburnum tinus'')]], [[broom (shrub)|hairy broom—(''Cytisus villosus'')]], and [[Myrtus communis|common myrtle—(''Myrtus communis'')]].<ref name = WWF/>
* '''Cork oak woodlands:''' are found in low and medium elevations with mild winters and relatively high rainfall (600 to 800&nbsp;mm), often on soils formed over [[siliceous rock]]s. [[Cork oak]] (''Quercus suber'') forests are found on the coastal plains between [[Casablanca]] and the [[Rif Mountains]] in northern Morocco, and several areas further inland around the Rif and Middle Atlas ranges. They also found on along the [[Tell Atlas]] of northern Algeria, and in the [[Kroumerie]] and [[Mogod Mountains|Mogod]] mountain ranges of northwestern Tunisia.<br/>Cork oak (''Quercus suber'') is the predominant tree, accompanied by a rich mix of evergreen small trees and large shrubs, including [[bay laurel]] (''Laurus nobilis''), [[Arbutus unedo|strawberry tree]] (''Arbutus unedo''), [[tree heath]] (''Erica arborea''), [[Erica scoparia|green heath]] (''Erica scoparia''), [[Ilex aquifolium|holly]] (''Ilex aquifolium''), ''[[Phillyrea angustifolia]]'', ''[[Phillyrea latifolia]]'', ''[[Chamaerops humilis]]'', [[laurustinus]] (''Viburnum tinus''), [[Cytisus|hairy broom]] (''Cytisus villosus''), and [[Myrtus communis|common myrtle]] (''Myrtus communis'').<ref name = WWF/>
[[Image:Quercus ilex0.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Holm oak|Holm oak—(''Quercus ilex'')]] trees occur in the Mediterranean woodlands and forests ecoregion]]
[[Image:Quercus ilex0.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Quercus ilex|Holm oak]] (''Quercus ilex'') trees occur in the Mediterranean woodlands and forests ecoregion]]
* '''Holm oak and kermes oak forests and woodlands:''' forests, woodlands, and shrublands of [[holm oak|holm oak—(''Quercus ilex'')]] and [[kermes oak|kermes oak—(''Quercus coccifera'')]] are the most widespread plant community, found from the coast to the mountains on a variety of climates and soils. Holm oak forests formerly found in lowland areas with deep and humid soils have mostly been displaced by agriculture.<ref name = WWF/>
* '''Holm oak and kermes oak forests and woodlands:''' forests, woodlands, and shrublands of [[Quercus rotundifolia|holm oak]] (''Quercus rotundifolia'') and [[kermes oak]] (''Quercus coccifera'') are the most widespread plant community, found from the coast to the mountains on a variety of climates and soils. Holm oak forests formerly found in lowland areas with deep and humid soils have mostly been displaced by agriculture.<ref name = WWF/>
* '''Wild olive and carob woodlands and maquis:''' open woodlands of wild [[olive|olive—(''Olea europaea'' spp.)]] (''Olea europaea europaea'' and ''Olea europaea maroccana''), and [[Carob|carob—(''Ceratonia siliqua'')]] once covered lowland areas with deep, drier soils, but these areas have mostly been converted to agriculture. The remaining wild olive and carob woodlands have been transformed by fire, grazing, and firewood collection into [[maquis shrublands|''maquis'' shrublands]]. Wild olives have also been displaced by cultivated varieties to produce [[olive oil]], and carob is harvested for fodder.<ref name = WWF/>
* '''Wild olive and carob woodlands and maquis:''' open woodlands of wild [[olive]] (''Olea europaea europaea'' and ''Olea europaea maroccana''), and [[carob]] (''Ceratonia siliqua'') once covered lowland areas with deep, drier soils, but these areas have mostly been converted to agriculture. The remaining wild olive and carob woodlands have been transformed by fire, grazing, and firewood collection into [[maquis shrublands|''maquis'' shrublands]]. Wild olives have also been displaced by cultivated varieties to produce [[olive oil]], and carob is harvested for fodder.<ref name = WWF/>

''[[Arbutus pavarii]]'' is endemic to the [[Jebel Akhdar (Libya)|Jebel Akhdar]] in [[Cyrenaica]].<ref> Blondel, Jacques, James Aronson, Jean-Yves Bodiou, Gilles Boeuf (2010) ''The Mediterranean Region: Biological Diversity in Space and Time''. OUP Oxford, Jan 28, 2010.</ref>


==Fauna==
==Fauna==
The Mediterranean woodlands and forests were once home to several large mammals. Most now have a limited range, and a few are extinct. The [[Barbary stag]] (''Cervus elaphus barbarus'') is limited to portions of its former range in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Native carnivores include the [[striped hyena]] (''Hyaena hyaena'') [[red fox]] (''Vulpes vulpes''), [[common jackal]] (''Canis aureus''), [[caracal]] (''Felis caracal''), [[common genet]] (''Genetta genetta''), and [[Egyptian mongoose]] (''Herpestes ichneumon''). Smaller mammals include the [[North African hedgehog]] (''Atelerix algirus''), [[North African elephant shrew]] (''Elephantulus rozeti''), [[Barbary ground squirrel]] (''Atlantoxerus getulus''), and [[North African gerbil]] (''Dipodillus campestris''). The [[Egyptian wolf]] ''(Canis anthus lupaster)'', [[African leopard|Barbary leopard]] ''(Panthera pardus pardus)'', and [[Barbary macaque]] ''(Macaca sylvanus)'' are endangered, and their range is now limited to small areas. The [[Atlas bear]] ''(Ursus arctos crowtheri)'' and [[Barbary lion]] ''(Panthera leo leo)'' are extinct.<ref name = WWF/>
The Mediterranean woodlands and forests were home to a large variety of large mammals. Unfortunately, many of those (especially the large predators) has disappeared as a result of human influences. Examples of large mammals that are either extinct or severely endangered in the Mediterranean woodlands and forests of North Africa are the [[Egyptian wolf]], the [[Atlas bear]], the [[Barbary lion]] and the [[Barbary leopard]]. Others can still be found, for example the [[Barbary stag]]. The fauna of the Mediterranean woodlands and forests contains both African as well as European influences and is in this respect unique in the world.<ref name = WWF/>


The ecoregion has 120 native bird species. They include the [[raptor (bird)|raptors]] [[golden eagle]] (''Aquila chrysaetos''), [[black-winged kite]] (''Elanus caeruleus''), [[short-toed snake eagle]] (''Circaetus gallicus''), [[booted eagle]] (''Hieratus pennatus''), and [[lesser kestrel]] (''Falco naumanni''). Subspecies of the [[great spotted woodpecker]] (''Dendrocopos major numidus'') and [[grey shrike]] (''Lanus meridionalis algeriensis'') are endemic to the ecoregion and the adjacent [[Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests]].<ref name = WWF/>
⚫
==History, conservation and current threats==
⚫
This ecoregion is densely settled, and much transformed by agriculture, grazing, fire, and timber cutting and firewood gathering. It is home to several large cities, including [[Casablanca]], [[Rabat]], [[Tangier]], and [[Fes, Morocco|Fez]] in Morocco, [[Algiers]] and [[Oran]] in Algeria, [[Tunis]] in Tunisia, and [[Derna, Libya|Derna]] in Libya and Spain.<ref name = WWF/>


⚫
==History, conservation, and current threats==
==See also==
⚫
This ecoregion is densely settled, and much transformed by agriculture, grazing, fire, and timber cutting and firewood gathering. It is home to several large cities, including [[Casablanca]], [[Rabat]], [[Tangier]], and [[Fes, Morocco|Fez]] in Morocco, [[Algiers]] and [[Oran]] in Algeria, [[Tunis]] in Tunisia, and [[Benghazi]] in Libya.<ref name = WWF/>
*[[Mediterranean climate]]

⚫
*[[Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub|Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome]]
==Protected areas==
A 2017 assessment found that 28,451 km<sup>2</sup>, or 8%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas.<ref name = dinerstein/> Protected areas include [[Al Hoceima National Park]] and [[Tazekka National Park]] in Morocco, [[Chrea National Park]], [[El Kala National Park]], [[Gouraya National Park]], and [[Tlemcen National Park]] in Algeria, and [[Bou-Hedma National Park]], [[Chambi National Park]], [[Jebel Chitana-Cap Négro National Park]], [[Jebel Mghilla National Park]], [[Jebel Serj National Park]], and [[Jebel Zaghdoud National Park]] in Tunisia.

==External links==
{{commons cat-inline|Mediterranean woodlands and forests}}
* {{WWF ecoregion|name=Mediterranean woodlands and forests|id=PA1214}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
[[Category:Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub]]
[[Category:Atlas Mountains]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Africa]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Africa]]
⚫
[[Category:Environment of the Mediterranean]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Algeria]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Algeria]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Libya]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Libya]]
Line 42: Line 94:
[[Category:Ecoregions of Spain]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Spain]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Tunisia]]
[[Category:Ecoregions of Tunisia]]
⚫
[[Category:Ecoregions of the Mediterranean Basin]]
[[Category:Flora of North Africa|*]]
[[Category:Flora of North Africa|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Algeria|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Algeria|*]]
Line 48: Line 101:
[[Category:Flora of Spain|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Spain|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Tunisia|*]]
[[Category:Flora of Tunisia|*]]
⚫
[[Category:Atlas Mountains]]
[[Category:Maghreb]]
[[Category:Maghreb]]
[[Category:Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub]]
[[Category:Palearctic ecoregions]]
[[Category:Palearctic ecoregions]]
⚫
[[Category:Sclerophyll forests]]

Revision as of 20:55, 12 April 2024

Mediterranean woodlands and forests
Marj escarpment, Jebel Akhdar mountains, Cyrenaica, Libya.
Map of the Mediterranean woodlands and forests
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
BiomeMediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub
Borders
List
Geography
Area356,366 km2 (137,594 sq mi)
Countries
List
Conservation
Conservation statuscritical/endangered
Protected28,451 km2 (8%)[1]

The Mediterranean woodlands and forests is an ecoregion in the coastal plains, hills, and mountains bordering the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean in North Africa. It has a Mediterranean climate, and is in the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome.

Geography

Al Bakour escarpment, Jebel Akhdar, Libya.

The Mediterranean woodlands and forests occupy an area of 357,900 square kilometers (138,200 sq mi) in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, the Spanish plazas de soberanía, and Libya. The main portion of the ecoregion extends along the coastal plains and hills of the Maghreb, from near Agadir on the Atlantic coast of Morocco in the west to Sfax on the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia. The ecoregion extends inland to cover the lower slopes of the Middle Atlas and High Atlas ranges of Morocco, with isolated enclaves along the Saharan Atlas range of Algeria.[2]

Two coastal enclaves lie further east along the Mediterranean Sea: one along the southeastern Tunisian shore of the Gulf of Gabes, including the island of Djerba; and the second in the Jebel Akhdar mountains along the shore of the Cyrenaica Peninsula in northeastern Libya.[2]

The Mediterranean woodlands and forests are bounded on the south by the drier Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe, which occupies the plateaus and mountain ranges bordering the Sahara; and on the north by the Alboran Sea which is the westernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea.[3] The Mediterranean acacia-argania dry woodlands and succulent thickets, which occupy the coastal plain of southern Morocco, bounds the Mediterranean woodlands and forests on the southwest.[2]

The Mediterranean forests and woodlands surrounds the Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests ecoregion, which exists as a series of enclaves in the coastal Rif Mountains and interior Middle Atlas and High Atlas Morocco, the coastal Tell Atlas and eastern Saharan Atlas of Algeria, and the Kroumerie and Mogod ranges of Tunisia. The Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe ecoregion occupies the highest elevations of the High Atlas.[2]

Flora

Foliage and cone of the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis).

The natural vegetation consists of forests, woodlands, and shrublands. The five chief plant communities are:

Holm oak (Quercus ilex) trees occur in the Mediterranean woodlands and forests ecoregion
  • Holm oak and kermes oak forests and woodlands: forests, woodlands, and shrublands of holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia) and kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) are the most widespread plant community, found from the coast to the mountains on a variety of climates and soils. Holm oak forests formerly found in lowland areas with deep and humid soils have mostly been displaced by agriculture.[2]
  • Wild olive and carob woodlands and maquis: open woodlands of wild olive (Olea europaea europaea and Olea europaea maroccana), and carob (Ceratonia siliqua) once covered lowland areas with deep, drier soils, but these areas have mostly been converted to agriculture. The remaining wild olive and carob woodlands have been transformed by fire, grazing, and firewood collection into maquis shrublands. Wild olives have also been displaced by cultivated varieties to produce olive oil, and carob is harvested for fodder.[2]

Arbutus pavarii is endemic to the Jebel Akhdar in Cyrenaica.[4]

Fauna

The Mediterranean woodlands and forests were once home to several large mammals. Most now have a limited range, and a few are extinct. The Barbary stag (Cervus elaphus barbarus) is limited to portions of its former range in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Native carnivores include the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) red fox (Vulpes vulpes), common jackal (Canis aureus), caracal (Felis caracal), common genet (Genetta genetta), and Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon). Smaller mammals include the North African hedgehog (Atelerix algirus), North African elephant shrew (Elephantulus rozeti), Barbary ground squirrel (Atlantoxerus getulus), and North African gerbil (Dipodillus campestris). The Egyptian wolf (Canis anthus lupaster), Barbary leopard (Panthera pardus pardus), and Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) are endangered, and their range is now limited to small areas. The Atlas bear (Ursus arctos crowtheri) and Barbary lion (Panthera leo leo) are extinct.[2]

The ecoregion has 120 native bird species. They include the raptors golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus), short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus), booted eagle (Hieratus pennatus), and lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni). Subspecies of the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major numidus) and grey shrike (Lanus meridionalis algeriensis) are endemic to the ecoregion and the adjacent Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests.[2]

History, conservation, and current threats

This ecoregion is densely settled, and much transformed by agriculture, grazing, fire, and timber cutting and firewood gathering. It is home to several large cities, including Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and Fez in Morocco, Algiers and Oran in Algeria, Tunis in Tunisia, and Benghazi in Libya.[2]

Protected areas

A 2017 assessment found that 28,451 km2, or 8%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas.[1] Protected areas include Al Hoceima National Park and Tazekka National Park in Morocco, Chrea National Park, El Kala National Park, Gouraya National Park, and Tlemcen National Park in Algeria, and Bou-Hedma National Park, Chambi National Park, Jebel Chitana-Cap Négro National Park, Jebel Mghilla National Park, Jebel Serj National Park, and Jebel Zaghdoud National Park in Tunisia.

External links

Media related to Mediterranean woodlands and forests at Wikimedia Commons

  • "Mediterranean woodlands and forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.

References

  1. ^ a b Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, et al. (2017). An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm, BioScience, Volume 67, Issue 6, June 2017, Pages 534–545; Supplemental material 2 table S1b. [1]
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Northern Africa: Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia". World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  3. ^ C.Michael Hogan. 2011. Alboran Sea. eds. P.Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC Archived October 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Blondel, Jacques, James Aronson, Jean-Yves Bodiou, Gilles Boeuf (2010) The Mediterranean Region: Biological Diversity in Space and Time. OUP Oxford, Jan 28, 2010.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mediterranean_woodlands_and_forests&oldid=1218628816"