Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests
Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests is an ecoregion, in the temperate coniferous forest biome, which occupies the high mountain ranges of North Africa. The term is also a botanically recognized plant association in the African and Mediterranean literature.
Geography
The Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests ecoregion consists of a series of enclaves in the coastal Rif Mountains and interior Middle Atlas and High Atlas of Morocco, the eastern Tell Atlas and eastern Saharan Atlas of Algeria, and the Kroumerie and Mogod ranges of Tunisia.
The Mediterranean woodlands and forests ecoregion surrounds the Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests at lower elevations.
In the High Atlas, the Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests yield to the Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe at the highest elevations.
Flora
Atlas cedar forests occur in the Rif Mountains, the Middle Atlas and the Tellien Atlas at elevations from 1200 to 2500m. The predominant canopy tree in the forests is Atlas cedar. Other trees that grow in this area are conifers endemic Algerian fir, Spanish fir, black pine, maritime pine, junipers Juniperus oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea, Juniperus thurifera which can form small areas of forest and woodland, European yew and broadleaf trees portuguese oak ', algerian oak ', the endemic Quercus afares, Acer opalus, Acer monspessulanum, Acer campestre, Sorbus aria, Sorbus torminalis, Aspen, Betula pendula and white willow.Broadleaf forests are dominant on lower elevations and on humid slopes in the Rif, Tellien Atlas, and Kroumerie-Mogod mountain ranges. The mixed oak forests are dominated by algerian oak ', portuguese oak ', Pyrenean oak, Quercus lusitanica and the endemic Quercus afares. Cork oak ' dominated forests occur in warm and humid areas. Holm oak and kermes oak forests occur on a variety of soils and climates. The understory is dominated by a rich mix of evergreen small trees and large shrubs, including bay laurel, strawberry tree, tree heath, green heath, holly, Phillyrea angustifolia, Phillyrea latifolia, Chamaerops humilis, laurustinus, hairy broom, and common myrtle. Maritime pine often grows in these forests.Berber thuya forests and woodlands occur in the low elevations of the Rif and Tellien Atlas mountains near the coast on limestone soils. They are characterized by Berber thuya.Wild olive and carob woodlands and maquis: open woodlands and shrublands of wild olive, and carob cover lowland areas with deep, drier soils.Xeric pine forests and woodlands' are found mainly in the drier interior with low precipitation and at low elevations, near the transition to the Mediterranean woodlands and forests. The predominant trees of these forests are Aleppo pine and Maritime pine mixed with holm oak and xeric junipers Juniperus thurifera, Juniperus phoenicea and Juniperus oxycedrus. The forests and woodlands have an understory of shrubs, including Cistus, Genista'', and rosemary, which also form pockets of shrubland.
Fauna
Endangered mammals in the ecoregion include the Barbary macaque at locations such as the Djebel Babor Mountains, Atlas deer, and African leopard. Other mammals include the red fox, European otter, Cuvier's gazelle, and Barbary sheep. The Barbary lion and Atlas bear formerly lived here.
Conservation and threats
Deforestation due to overuse by the local population is a major threat as are the effects of climate change.