European-Mediterranean Montane Mixed Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Covers parts of more than two-dozen different nations
Snapshot: Ecoregion 77
Size:
460,000 sq. km (178,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Temperate Coniferous Forests
Geographic Location:
Southeastern Europe
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
Quiz Time!
Is it true that brown bears' feeding habits change with the seasons?
Answer:
Yes - In spring they feed on birds' eggs and dig out the burrows of lemmings and ground squirrels. In autumn, they feed on large quantities of fruits, berries and nuts which helps them put on enough fat to last them through the long, lean winter months.
About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Appenine deciduous montane forests; Carpathian montane conifer forests; Crimean Submediterranean forest complex; Dinaric Mountains mixed forests; Rodope montane mixed forests; Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests; Pyrenees conifer and mixed forests; Alps conifer and mixed forests.
These forests cover parts of more than two-dozen different nations, encompassing a wide-ranging collection of conifer and mixed forest blocks and home to a rich assortment of creatures.The major mountain areas of this ecoregion are the Alps, Pyrenees, Balkan, Rhodope Massifs, and Carpathian Mountains. The cool temperatures of these mountain regions make them better habitat for conifer species than hardwoods.
Local Species
Notable tree species include the Spanish juniper (Juniperus thruifera), Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Balkan pine (Pinus heldreichii), Mediterranean cyprus (Cupressus sempervirens var. sempervirens), and the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). Among the best-known mammals of this ecoregion are two species of chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica and R. rupricapra) - horned, goat-like creatures.
Alpine chamois climb nimbly over steep and rocky areas, while southern chamois favor grassy alpine meadows and low, forested slopes. Other mammals include two species of Ibex (Capra pyrenaica and C. ibex), Wolf (Canis lupis), Brown bear (Ursus arctos), European river otter (Lutra lutra), and the Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus).
This region is also home to many birds of prey, including the Black vulture (Aegypius monachus), Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), and a bold and ferocious falcon called the Saker (Falco cherrug).
Threats
Logging, overgrazing, air pollution, acid rain, poaching, predator control, and industrial development pose the greatest threats to this ecoregion. In addition, the expansion of towns and villages, trans-alpine communication systems, and tourism pose additional threats to the integrity of habitats.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
