Main aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of Spain

Before explaining them all one by one, we expose a list as a summary of The main terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of Spain:

Spanish terrestrial ecosystems

• High mountain
• Atlantic forest
• Mediterranean forest
• Desert
• Steppe
• Laurisilva

Spanish aquatic ecosystems

• Wetlands
• Rivers
• Lakes
• Marine areas

In terrestrial ecosystems it is where most living beings in Spain liveboth animals and vegetables, which are usually developed on the surface of the earth. In terrestrial ecosystems there are abundant factors that condition the life that inhabits them, so individuals have much more varied characteristics than in aquatic ecosystems. Among these factors are the availability of water, light, nutrients or solar radiation.

So, The main terrestrial ecosystems of Spain are:

High mountain

The high mountain ecosystems can be located in the Pyrenees, the Iberian system, the galaic massif, the central system and the Bético and Penibetic systems. In these areas, temperatures are very cold and humid and rainfall is high, especially in winter, and almost always in the form of snow.

The fauna of these areas is formed by animals that are completely adapted to the cold such as the montés goat, vipers, rabbits or different classes of birds such as the grown vulture or the breakthrough. As for vegetation, we find conifers (fir, pine, etc.) and thickets such as dwarf juniper.

Atlantic forest

This type of ecosystem is located mainly in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Its climate is usually soft and humid, with moderate temperatures (around 22ºC or 23ºC in summer) and frequent rainfall all year.

Among its fauna we find wild boars, owls, wolves, deer, squirrels, foxes, brown bears, owls or otters. Their trees are usually deciduous (beech, oaks, ash, chestnuts, bold, arce, olmos, etc.) and plants such as ferns, mosses, bromelias or lianas.

Mediterranean forest

It can be located throughout Spain, except in the north and the Canary Islands. Its climate is characterized by temperate winters and very hot summers, with autumn and scarce rains in summer.

In their fauna, hares, rabbits, rodents, deer, gamos, eagles or wild boars abound. The trees are usually perennial leaf (juniper, cork oaks, holm oaks, etc.) and plants such as jaras, lentisco, rosemary or thyme.

Desert

It can be located in Almería, eastern part of the Canary Islands, Murcia, areas of Aragon, Albacete or Ciudad Real. Its climate is very hot and with extreme temperatures. Its characteristic fauna are scorpions, lizards, snakes, lirs, crows or eagles. As for plants, thick blade are abound such as allines or pan, espartos, thistles or broom.

Steppe

It is located in Castilla León (Valladolid, Zamora or Palencia), Ebro Valley, Castillas La Mancha, Extremadura and Andalusia areas. It presents a continental climate and with very extreme temperatures between stations, low rainfall and semi -arid lands. In its fauna highlights, all -hares, hares or aguiluchos. Such as vegetation, scarcity of trees and presence of small plants such as herbaceous, scotch, cereals and aromatic such as rosemary or thyme.

Laurisilva

It is located in certain areas of the Canary Islands. Their temperatures have little variation, with high humidity and presence of subtropical forests. As fauna abound especially birds, reptiles and amphibians. As a flora, the most characteristics are laureáceas such as Laurel.

In this other article you can learn more about what is a terrestrial ecosystem and its characteristics.

Finally, these are The main aquatic ecosystems in Spainwhere there is also a great biodiversity:

Wetlands

Wetlands are areas with water saturated with water. They are located inside the Peninsula such as the Daimiel or Coast tables such as the Doñana Park. It is characterized by the presence of fresh water and salt water areas, few rains in summer and abundant rainfall in winter and autumn. There are aquatic and land animals, such as flamenco, cranes, herons, spatulas, défrías, stork, eel, frogs or tents.

Rivers

A river is a water course that flows continuously. Flow variations are usually established throughout the year. Zones are also established. In the high course the slope is more pronounced and the water flows faster. In these areas mosses and algae adhered to rocks, such as vegetation, and as fauna, mollusks such as snails and fish abound. In the middle and low courses, the current is softer and the water flows at a lower speed, with what there is greater biodiversity. Trees and bushes grow on the banks such as poplars, straightenings, sauces, reeds or cane, forming the riverside forests. Here, most of the animals are at the bottom of the river and tritones, toads or frogs stand out.

Lakes

They are deep and permanent aquatic ecosystems. They are usually formed due to the accumulation of water in land depressions, such as mountain areas. In our country, most are small lakes and many of glacier origin. The ecosystem is very conditioned by light and temperature.

To inform you more about the aquatic freshwater ecosystems with examples, read this other article.

Marine areas

They are transition zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and are found in constant evolution and change. In our country, we basically divide it into two zones:

• Cantabrian and Atlantic Litoral: They are abrupt areas, with numerous cliffs and rock funds, where algae, corals or molluscs inhabit.
• Mediterranean coast: They are areas with warmer and salinas waters, with beaches that are interrupted by deltas and albuferes. Their funds are usually sandy, where Posidonia’s slopes predominate.

Know more about these in this other ecology article about what are the salt water ecosystems.

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