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.

Geography

The ecoregion consists of two coastal enclaves on northern coast of the Black Sea. The western one occupies the southern coast of Crimea, extending into the Crimean Mountains, the and the eastern one occupies the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Krai, extending inland and eastward along the northwest flank of the Caucasus. It is bounded on the north by the Pontic steppe ecoregion, on the south by the Black Sea, and on the southeast by the Caucasus mixed forests.

Flora

At elevations below 400 meters woodlands and maquis shrublands predominate, with oak, Stone pine (Pinus pinea), Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) Christ's thorn (Paliurus spina-christi), Mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), Pyracantha coccinea, and sclerophyll shrubs.

Between 400 and 800 meters forests predominate with Pitsundian pine (Pinus brutia), Downy oak (Quercus pubescens), Oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis), and European ash (Fraxinus excelsior).

From 800 to 1300 meters elevation forests predominate with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), and juniper woodlands.

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.

External links

• Template:WWF ecoregion
• Template:NatGeo ecoregion