Crimean Submediterranean forest complex

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.

The ecoregion's climate and vegetation resemble that of the Mediterranean Basin, with a hot dry summer and a mild, rainy winter. Submediterranean forests occur at the transition between Mediterranean climate regions and temperate regions with colder winters.

At elevations below 400 meters, woodlands and maquis shrublands predominate with:

• oak,
• 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

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.

3,144 km², or 10%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Another 56% is forested but unprotected.[2]

• "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.