European Mediterranean Evergreen Sclerophyllous Forest

Environmental conditions

This forest belongs to the Mediterranean region, where in humid areas near the Mediterranean region the dry season occurs in summer; the evidence provides no specific climate values for this habitat.

Distribution and scope

In Europe, this forest type is associated with the Mediterranean region, but the available evidence does not define its full distribution or specify locations beyond the general examples cited.

Structure

The structure is dominated by evergreen broad-leaved trees, with persistent foliage in the canopy; leaves are renewed individually and do not all fall or sprout at the same time.

Ecological processes

Fire can play a role in the dynamics of these formations: the sources describe its role in Mediterranean sclerophyllous forests and indicate that fires can favor shrub replacement stages.

Seasonal changes

The associated climatic seasonality includes a summer dry season in humid Mediterranean areas; this describes the regional pattern and does not provide a specific measure for each forest.