Crimean Submediterranean Forest Complex
The Crimean Submediterranean forest complex is an ecoregion on the Black Sea coast of Russia and Ukraine.
It is in the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome.
| Crimean submediterranean forest complex | |
|---|---|
 View over Yalta | |
 Ecoregion territory (in purple) | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Palearctic |
| Biome | temperate broadleaf and mixed forests |
| Borders | |
| Geography | |
| Area | 30,009 km2 (11,587 sq mi) |
| Countries | |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | critical/endangered |
| Global 200 | European-Mediterranean montane mixed forest |
| Protected | 3,144 km2 (10%) |
Geography
The ecoregion consists of two coastal enclaves on northern coast of the Black Sea; one occupies the central coast of Crimea, extending into the Crimean Mountains, the other occupies the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Krai, extending inland and eastward along the northwest flank of the Caucasus.
Flora
At elevations below 400 meters, woodlands and maquis shrublands predominate with:
- oak,
- Stone pine (Pinus pinea),
- Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis)
- Christ's thorn (Paliurus spina-christi),
- Mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus),
- Pyracantha,
- sclerophyll shrubs
Between 400 and 800 meters are forests predominate with:
- Pitsundian pine (Pinus brutia),
- Downy oak (Quercus pubescens),
- Oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis),
- European ash (Fraxinus excelsior).
From 800 to 1300 meters elevation forests predominate with:
- Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
- Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis),
- juniper woodlands
Culture
The region's warm summers and mild winters make it a popular resort destination. Cities and towns in the ecoregion include Yalta, Alupka, Alushta, Sevastopol, and Novorossiysk. The region's mild winters support vineyards and fruit orchards.
Protected areas
3,144 km2, or 10%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Another 56% is forested but unprotected.
References
External links
- "Crimean Submediterranean forest complex". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- World Wildlife Fund, ed. (2001). "Crimean Submediterranean forest complex". WildWorld Ecoregion Profile. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 2010-03-08.
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