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
RealmPalearctic
Biometemperate broadleaf and mixed forests
BordersCaucasus mixed forests and Pontic steppe
Geography
Area30,009 km2 (11,587 sq mi)
CountriesRussia and Ukraine (Crimea)
Conservation
Conservation statuscritical/endangered
Global 200European-Mediterranean montane mixed forest
Protected3,144 km² (10%)[1]

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.

Climate

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.

Flora

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

Between 400 and 800 meters are forests predominate with:

From 800 to 1300 meters elevation forests predominate with:

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.[2]

References

  1. Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, et al. (2017). An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm, BioScience, Volume 67, Issue 6, June 2017, Pages 534–545; Supplemental material 2 table S1b.
  2. Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, et al. (2017). An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm, BioScience, Volume 67, Issue 6, June 2017, Pages 534–545; Supplemental material 2 table S1b.
  • "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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