Sclerophyllous Versus Deciduous Forests in the Iberian Peninsula: A Standard Case of Mediterranean Climatic Vegetation Distribution

Abstract

Iberian Mediterranean forests are mainly dominated by Quercus species, which belong to different sections of the genus characterized by the condition of leaves, sclerophyllous vs. deciduous. There are also other Fagaceae-dominated forests such as beech forest, but they are considered relict and have a restricted distribution on mountains. Sclerophyllous oak forest covers the biggest part of the area, mainly in valleys or plateaus, while deciduous forests are distributed along mountain ranges where the higher amount of precipitation compensates for the typical dryness of Mediterranean climate. As examples we can mention Q. canariensis or Q. pyrenaica that have functional particularities, i.e. a marcescent leaves that only fall when the new ones appear, and have a quite restricted distribution so that they are considered endemic species. Although the widespread sclerophyllous forests of Quercus rotundifolia cover a large area, there are other types that are of ecological, chorological, and climatic interest. This is the case for cork oak forest (Q. suber) or olive woodlands (Olea sylvestris), that are also treated in this paper. We have also included some azonal vegetation types, mainly deciduous forests, present along riverbeds in extended areas of Mediterranean Iberia.