Crimean Submediterranean forest complex

The Crimean Submediterranean forest complex ecoregion, in the temperate mixed forest biome of Ukraine and Russia.

Distribution

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 Kray, extending eastward along the northwest flank of the Caucasus.

Description

The ecoregion's climate and vegetation resemble that of the Mediterranean Basin, with a hot dry summer and a mild, rainy winter.

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

• oak,
• Christ's Thorn (Paliurus spina-christi),
• Mastic tree (Pistacia lenticulus),
• Pyracantha,
• sclerophyll shrubs

Between 400 and 800 meters are forests predominate with:

• Pitsundian Pine (Pinus brutia),
• Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens),
• Oriental Hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis),
• European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior).

From 800 to 1300 meters elevation forests predominate with:

• Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
• Oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis),
• juniper woodlands

Culture

The warm summers and mild winters of the region make it a popular resort destination. Cities and towns in the ecoregion include Yalta, Alupka, Alushta, Sevastopol, kaj Novorossiysk.

See also

• Flora of the Crimean Peninsula