Question

Describe the location and special features of Mediterranean forests.

Answer 1

The Mediterranean forests are usually located in the warm temperate regions on the western margins of the continents on both the sides of hemisphere. These forests are uniquely known for long, dry summers and rainfall in the winters. These forests are found mainly in the regions of Southern Europe (Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Yugoslavia, South France and Italy), West-Asian countries (Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Cyprus), North-Western Africa (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco), Central Chile in South America, California in North America, South Africa and in Southern Australia.

In these forests, the winters are cold and wet while the summers are hot and dry. Therefore, the trees sometimes have waxy leaves, thick barks and long roots to avoid the loss of moisture. The trees are of medium height, widely spaced, not very dense and have broad evergreen leaves. The main species found here are figs, firs, olive, cedar,cork oak, pine, cypress and myrtle. These forests are most suitable for citrus fruits like lime, lemon and orange. Grapevines are cultivated here commercially.

The wildlife in these regions is not very prominent since the forest land is usually cleared to give way to the agriculture of large-scale fruit orchards. However, domestic animals and cattle are found here in abundance.