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Mammal Habitats in Europe: Geology, Vegetation, and Climate

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Handbook of the Mammals of Europe

Part of the book series: Handbook of the Mammals of Europe ((HDBME))

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Abstract

This chapter starts with the physiogeographical structure of Europe, its borders, areas, and locations. Some parts of Macaronesia (Madeira, Canary Islands, Azorean islands) are added. The geology, orography, and soils are described in the summary. A detailed physiogeographical organization describes ten areas of Northern Europe, Western and Central Europe, Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Macaronesia. They each are subdivided in different physiogeographical regions and provinces. Geographical location, landmass distribution, and topography determine the climatic patterns of Europe. Five main thermal zones can be distinguished from north to south: arctic, boreal, temperate, submeridional, and meridional. The climatic classification of Europe is the basis for the phytogeographical division of Europe. It includes floristic zones and regional subdivisions. At the end the Late-Glacial and Holocene vegetation history of Europe is summarized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Botany, University of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Karl-Georg Bernhardt

Authors
  1. Karl-Georg Bernhardt
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Correspondence to Karl-Georg Bernhardt .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Managment, University of Natural Resources and Life , Wien, Austria

    Klaus Hackländer

  2. Säugetiersammlung, Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Wien, Austria

    Frank E. Zachos

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria

    Klaus Hackländer

  2. Mammal Collection, Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Frank E. Zachos Priv.-Doz.

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Bernhardt, KG. (2019). Mammal Habitats in Europe: Geology, Vegetation, and Climate. In: Hackländer, K., Zachos, F. (eds) Handbook of the Mammals of Europe. Handbook of the Mammals of Europe. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65038-8_2-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65038-8_2-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-65038-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-65038-8

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