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
The predominant canopy tree in the forests is Atlas cedar. Other conifer trees that grow in this area may include Aleppo pine , maritime pine, Spanish fir, the endemic Algerian fir, junipers such as Juniperus oxycedrus and Juniperus thurifera, and European yew.
Broadleaf trees that can be found in scattered areas throughout this ecoregion include cork oak and other oaks, and white willow. Quercus afares'', a deciduous oak, is endemic to the ecoregion.Fauna
Endangered mammals in the ecoregion include the Barbary macaque at locations such as the Djebel Babor Mountains; other species in the ecoregion include Atlas deer, and the African leopard.Conservation and threats
Deforestation due to overuse by the local population is a major threat as are the effects of climate change.
