Search results for " Mediterranean species"

Distribution and ecological role of selected shrubby species in the Mediterranean basin

2019

In many natural and semi-natural habitats trees and shrubs represent two major growth forms (1). In particular shrublands, which can be considered a mixture of several sclerophyllous shrubs and tree species, represent a Mediterranean type of vegetation rarely found in other ecosystems. The distribution of shrubs in an ecosystem is connected to complex ecological processes. Indeed, shrubs provide substrate, food and shelter for organisms, play an important role in the nutrient cycle providing organic matter input to soils and they protect watersheds from erosion. Moreover shrubs are very important for many associated species such as mammals, birds, invertebrates, other plants (that favour th…