Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests
The Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests form a unique ecoregion located along the coastal areas of the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas, encompassing regions of mainland Italy and several islands such as Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. Characterized by evergreen, leathery-leaved shrubs, this biome thrives in a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, fostering a diverse array of plant and animal species, including many endemic forms. The ecoregion's rich biodiversity is attributed to its complex geological history and varied substrates, including Paleozoic granite and volcanic rock, which support specialized vegetation adaptations to conserve water.
Despite its ecological significance, the region faces numerous environmental threats, including urbanization, tourism development, and invasive species, along with the impacts of climate change, such as increased frequency of wildfires. Conservation efforts are underway, with several protected areas established to safeguard the unique flora and fauna, including national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Tyrrhenian-Adriatic forests not only provide essential ecosystem services, such as soil stabilization and habitat preservation, but also hold cultural and economic value for local communities through traditional land use practices. Understanding and preserving this ecoregion is crucial for maintaining its biodiversity and ecological integrity.
Subject Terms
Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests
Category: Forest Biomes.
Geographic Location: Europe.
Summary: These forests, which are extraordinarily adapted to hot, dry Mediterranean summers, are home to diverse flora and fauna, but much has been lost to agriculture and development.
The Tyrrhenian-Adriatic Sclerophyllous and Mixed Forests ecoregion has heterogeneous vegetation in which shrubby plants with evergreen, leathery (sclerophyllous) leaves are common. This ecoregion occurs in the lowlands along the coasts of the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas, which flank the east and west coasts of the Italian peninsula, respectively. This ecoregion’s geologic history and Mediterranean climate have given rise to a wealth of specially-adapted species. The ecoregion is a diversity hot spot, with many locally-adapted endemic (found nowhere else) species. The primary threats to this ecoregion are development for tourism, urbanization, agriculture, water shortages, forest fires, and unsustainable collection of rare plants.
The Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests grow in the coastal areas of mainland Italy and on the islands of Corsica, Dalmatia, Malta, Sardinia, and Sicily. Three major geologic systems are found in this ecoregion. Paleozoic substrates such as granite, schist, micaschist, diorite, and gneiss are found on Corsica and Sardinia. Volcanic rocks such as tufa are associated with the band of volcanoes that runs along the boundary between the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate, which includes active volcanoes such as Etna, Vesuvius, and Stromboli. Mesozoic substrates such as limestone and sandstone are found on the southern Italian peninsula, Sicily, Malta, and the Dalmatian Islands.
The biome is located at a meeting point between the Iberian and North African fauna and flora with the Asian Balkan front; this area marks a transition point between temperate and tropical-arid climates. The Mediterranean summers are hot, while winters are relatively temperate, typically ranging from 41 to 50 degrees F (5 to 10 degrees C). Frosts and snowfalls are rare and, when they do occur, ephemeral. Annual rainfall ranges from 16 to 47 inches (40 to 119 centimeters), most of which falls during the winter months. Summer months are characterized by long periods of drought.
Vegetation
Adaptations such as the sclerophyllous leaves, thick bark, deep roots, and other physiological traits to conserve water help the specialized vegetation of this region resist or tolerate the hot, dry summers. Xeric-adapted species of trees such as oak, pine, ash, and juniper are common, as are shrubs such as olive and heather. Because southern Italy was a refuge during the last ice age, this region served as the source from which many species then recolonized the rest of Europe. At present, this biome is the extreme southern limit of many species with a large European coverage, and it includes several relict species.
Tyrrhenian-Adriatic Sclerophyllous and Mixed Forests biome is noteworthy for its high number of endemic plants, which account for approximately 10 percent of the total flora. The ecoregion is also important for rare plants. Examples of such species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and national Red Lists of threatened plant species include Salvia fruticosa, S. brachypodon, Portenschlagiella ramosissima, Phyllitis sagitata, Ornithogalum visianicum, Orchis quadripunctata, Iris adriatica, Geranium dalmaticum, Euphorbia rigida, and Dianthus multinervis.
Fauna
Although there are fewer endemic animal species, faunal diversity is relatively high. Two rare and endemic herbivores, mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) and Corsican red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus), live in Sardinian forests. The forests of this ecoregion are also home to a wide range of birds, including endemic species such as Marmora’s warbler (Silvia sarda), and threatened raptors such as the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae), lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus), levant sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes), and Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus). Many unique species of amphibians and reptiles are found in this region. The Dalmatian Islands in particular are home to many rare butterfly species. Environmental challenges for the region include mitigating the effects of tourism and halting the illegal collection of bird eggs and nestlings. Another priority is reducing the impact of in-vasive species such as feral cats, mongoose, and rats.
Ecosystem services provided by the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests include soil stabilization and water retention, which help prevent erosion, habitat fragmentation, and desertification.
Human Activity
The coastal areas throughout the ecoregion are popular tourist destinations. Products such as pine nuts, cork, carob, culinary herbs, plant-based liquors, and ornamental plants come from this ecoregion. For millennia, much of this biome has been used by humans for pasture and cork production. The traditional management of this landscape was adapted to the adverse environmental conditions imposed by the low-quality soils and the harsh climate.
Environmental Threats
Human activity has escalated, and old management regimes are breaking down, having a significant effect on this ecoregion’s long-term viability. While forests here are adapted to withstand fire, many fires due to negligence and arson occur with a frequency and intensity that make recovery difficult.
The majority of forest cover has been lost to land-clearing for roads, railroads, urban settlements, industry, agriculture, and pasture. Invasive species such as the cochineal insect (Matsococcus feyitaudi) are having a significant effect on native flora. Potential climate change impacts on the area may push habitat zones to higher elevations, applying pressure to plant and animal species alike. Higher temperatures could exacerbate the already erratic fire regime.
Conservation Efforts
Portions of this ecoregion have been set aside as protected areas. Along the Adriatic coast, protected areas include the Gargano Peninsula national park and the Monte Conero regional park. Protected areas along the Tyrrhenian coast include national parks such as Archipelago Maddalena, Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni, Cinque Terre, Circeo, Gennargentu, and Vesuvio; the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site the Aeolian Islands; and the Maremma regional park.
Bibliography
Davis, George W. and David M. Richardson. “Mediterranean Type Ecosystems.” Ecological Studies 109 (1995).
Medail, F. and P. Quezel. “Hotspots Analysis for Conservation of Plant Biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin.” Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 84 (1997).
Pignatti, S. The Woods of Italy: Synecological and Biodiversity. Turin, Italy: University of Turin, 1998.
“Tyrrhenian-Adriatic Sclerophyllous and Mixed Forests.” One Earth, 2022, www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/tyrrhenian-adriatic-sclerophyllous-and-mixed-forests/. Accessed 29 Aug. 2022.