Eastern Mediterranean

The Mediterranean climate zone in the Mediterranean Basin region covers an area of some 2,300,000 km2 around the Mediterranean Sea. There are around 19,000 species in this region, 21% of them endemic.

The climate is characterised by very dry summers due to the influence of the powerful Azores anti-cyclone, and by damp winters due to the passing of cyclones. A markedly continental nature results in summer storms and intense cold in winter, with frequent freezing temperatures that may restrict plant development.

Generally speaking, the vegetation of the Mediterranean Basin has been subject to intense changes caused by human activity over thousands of years. Many Mediterranean forests have become smaller or have been replaced by shrub communities known variously as “maquia, “maleza” or “matorral”.

The vegetation of the Mediterranean Basin is extensively represented in the Botanical Garden, subdivided into three zones: the Eastern Mediterranean, the Western Mediterranean and North Africa.

· EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN FORESTS ·

Deciduous forest from Southern Eurasia Forests formed by deciduous species. Formations dominated by Quercus macrolepis are common on the Greek mainland and islands, as well as in Albania. Other trees found include flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus), linden (Tilia caucasica and T. tomentosa), beech (Fagus orientalis) and oak (Quercus cerris and Q. frainetto).

Fir forest  Under construction »  Conifer forests that inhabit fertile, fairly damp land. Commonly found trees include those of the Abies (A. cilindrica and A. nordmanniana), Cupressus (C. sempervirens, C. atlantica and C. dupreziana) and Picea (P. omorica and P. orientalis) genera. Particularly interesting is the endemic species Cedrus libani, which is restricted to an area of around 2,000 hectares in the Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. The most abundant shrubs in this community are those of the Rhododendron genus.

River forests Communities growing close to rivers. Many such communities in Greece and the southern Balkans are dominated by Platanus orientalis. They are rich in species, with willows (Salix alba, S. elaeagnos and S. purpurea), Judas trees (Cercis siliquastrum) and flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus). For their part, communities dominated by Liquidambar orientalis are found on the Island of Rhodes and feature poor undergrowth dominated by the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris.

Holm oak forest Sclerophyllous forests dominated by woody trees with persistent leaves. The predominant species are Quercus calliprinos, Q. cerris, Acer sempervirens and Zelcova abelicea. Associated to this community is one of only two autochthonous palm trees in Europe: Phoenix theophrastii, endemic to the Island of Crete.

SHRUB FORMATIONS IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Rock phitoepisode in the penumbra of Eurasia Very open community found in dry, high mountain Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions. This formation contains many “pin cushion” type plants of the Astragalus, Erinacea, Vella, Bupleurum, Genista and Anthyllis genera, as well as species from the compound and Lamiaceae species.

Comunidad rupícola  Under construction »  Rock community formed by mountain plants that do not tolerate the shady conditions of “maquia” shrublands or forests.

Phrygana scrub Low scrub, with rounded, thorny shrubs. Communities of this type are common in Greece and Italy, and feature many vicariant species, that is, species that are different yet closely related. Examples include species of the Cistus, Anthyllis, Genista and Lithodora genera.