Mediterranean holm oak woodland of the Iberian Peninsula

Environmental conditions

In the Mediterranean domain, these holm oak woodlands are associated with hot, dry summers and rainfall concentrated from autumn to spring; specific conditions vary among the regions from which they originate.

Distribution and scope

Holm oak is widespread across large areas of the Iberian Peninsula, and its regions of origin span diverse climatic conditions, from wetter northern areas to drier southern ones; this pattern is described qualitatively, without assigning local boundaries or a current area.

Structure

Holm oak woodland typically has an evergreen tree layer that can form continuous, shady cover, together with a dense, rich shrub layer and a poorly developed herbaceous layer.

Ecological processes

In the Mediterranean landscape, shrublands may occur as replacement stages of woodland formations, including holm oak woodlands, following fires, land clearance, abandoned cultivation or pasture, and other uses; this does not imply a single trajectory everywhere.