Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands

By Chris Berg

Geography

• Occur on all of the continents but Antarctica.• The largest areas of woodlands and shrublands are

found around the Mediterranean and on North America’s Pacific coast.

• Climate conditions between 30° and 40° latitude allow for the biome to grow.

Climate

• Climate is moist and cool during the fall, winter, and spring.

• During the summer, the biome is usually hot and dry.• Frequent fires occur during summer because of

dryness and dense vegetation.

Soils• Low to moderate fertility.• Soil erosion can be severe after fires.• With proper human management, soils can maintain

their fertility.

Biology

• Highly diverse populations of plants and animals, both having adaptations to drought.

• Thick-barked trees – fire resistant• Shrubs rich in oils• Birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects• Many endemic and endangered species in birds and reptiles

Human Impact

• Low-intensity cultivation with long-term sustainability.

• Open oak woodlands in Spain and Portugal – harvesting cork, acorns for livestock.

• Fires to clear forests for agriculture.

References

• www.worldwildlife.org• Ecology: Concepts and Applications Fifth Edition