Spanish Forest Ecosystems
Deciduous Forests and Heathlands
Deciduous Forest
Tall trees with smooth, straight trunks and large leaves that fall in autumn. These trees often form large masses. They tolerate heat and cold well, requiring high humidity. They thrive in limestone and siliceous soils, particularly in the Cantabrian Mountains and Pyrenees of Navarre. Their fast-growing, high-quality wood is used for furniture and utensils.
Tree Mountain
This species prefers limestone and siliceous soils and grows quickly. Its wood is used for furniture.
Oak
This species does not tolerate hot summers, has less cold tolerance, and requires less humidity. It grows slowly, and its hard wood is used for boats and furniture in Galicia and the Cantabrian region.
Heathland and Meadows
Heathland
Dense growth of scrub (up to 4 meters high). Abundant species include heather, gorse, and broom. Heathland appears as a degradation of the deciduous forest (between 1600 and 2000 meters). It is used for animal bedding and fertilizer.
Meadows
Abundant herbaceous vegetation and pastures.
Evergreen and Mediterranean Scrub Forests
Evergreen Forest
Trees of medium height with non-straight trunks, thick, rough bark, and large globular crowns that create shade. The trees are spaced apart. Typical species include:
Oak
The most characteristic and widespread tree in the Mediterranean climate. Drought-resistant and adaptable to all soil types. Its hard and resistant wood is used for wheels, carpentry, utensils, and charcoal. Acorns are used for livestock feed (Sierra Morena, Extremadura, Sierra de Guadarrama).
Elah
Needs mild winters, some moisture, and siliceous soils. Its very hard wood is used for boats, barrels, and cork (Southwest Peninsula, parts of southern Andalusia, Catalonia, and Castellon).
Pine
A secondary species adapted to extreme cold, heat, humidity, and aridity. It grows in different soils and has a fast growth rate. Its resin and wood are used in construction, furniture, pulp, and paper.
Mediterranean Scrub
A result of forest degradation by human action. Types include:
Maquis
Dense shrub formation over 2 meters high.
Garrigue
Formed by bushes and shrubs at low elevation, leaving uncovered areas where rock appears.
Steppe
Found in the semiarid region of the southeastern peninsula and the Ebro valley. Herbs mixed with low thorny bushes.
Riparian Forests
Located in strips parallel to rivers, these forests are in semi-contact with water. Species include alder, willow, poplar, ash, and elm. Shrubs include dogwood, privet, and honeysuckle.
Mountain Vegetation
Vegetation varies with altitude. In the Alpine or Pyrenees Mountains, above the oak forests, there are three levels: subalpine (wild pines), alpine (black pines and meadows), and a snowy level with bare rock and mosses/lichens. Other peninsular mountains have forests characteristic of their climate.
Canary Islands Landscape
The Canary Islands have extraordinary flora, with Mediterranean, African, and Atlantic influences. Several levels exist: basal (ariza, cardon, tabaiba), intermediate (palm, dragon tree, juniper), termocanario (faya-laurel forest, heather), and supracanario (Canary Island pine, Teide violet).