Garrigue

Garrigue ( scrubland also, Garriga ) is an open Mediterranean scrubland formation on shallow soils, which can be understood as Degradationsstufe the maquis. It is above all in France (especially Corsica), Italy (especially Sardinia) spread and North Africa. It is up to two meters high and has a rich vegetable stock. The name is derived from the name of the southern part of the Cevennengebirges, the garrigue. Garrigue is caused by intensive grazing of the maquis. The reduction process is promoted by fires which survive the typical plants of the garrigue better. In the eastern Mediterranean appropriate plant communities as Phrygana (Greece and Turkey) or as Batha (Israel ) are called. There, advanced successional stages with höherwüchsigen shrubs such Calicotome villosa or Erica manipuliflora or a higher proportion of potential higher trees and shrubs such as Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera ) or mastic tree ( Pistacia lentiscus ) are often referred to as " garrigue "; but a thoroughgoing mode change or an adjustment to the species inventory Western Mediterranean Garigues does not occur. Western Mediterranean stocks with an enrichment of thorn bushes pads, as they occur in the western Mediterranean, especially in wind exposed locations are also sometimes referred to as Phrygana.

In the phytosociological system Garigue stocks are classified on base -poor soils in the class Cisto - Lavanduletea, those on calcareous soils of the class Rosmarinetea officinalis. Phrygana and Batha eastward from Italy are separated in the Cisto cretici - Micromerietea julianae class.

Characteristic plants of this vegetation type are dwarf shrubs such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Common Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and other lavender species, sage species ( Salvia spp.), Dwarf palm ( Chamaerops humilis ), Autumn daphne ( Daphne gnidium ), rock rose (Cistus spp.), fire herb ( Phlomis spp.) and geophytes such as star - Anemone (Anemone hortensis ), squill ( Drimia maritima ), star of Bethlehem ( Ornithogalum spp.), Noon - Iris ( Moraea sisyrinchium ) asphodel ( asphodel spp.), orchids ( orchids (Orchis ), Ragwurzen ( Ophrys ) and Zungenständel ( serapias ) ).

Almost all typical types have special devices to prevent grazing and fire. These are species with high levels of phytochemicals ( including many aromatic herbs ) or thorny and prickly species. In addition, a protection against extreme sunlight in midsummer is important. Many species migrate their aboveground organs in this time ( geophytes ) or die off and their descendants survive the dry season as seeds ( therophytes ). Others have small, hard leaves or these are densely covered with felt-like hairs.

Various garrigue vegetation stocks are particularly worthy of protection under the Habitats Directive of the EU and should be included in the pan-European system of protected areas "Natura 2000". What is relevant in the area especially the habitat type 5330 ( Thermo-Mediterranean shrub formations and Vorwüsten ); here include the locally significant habitat types in 1520 ( Iberian gypsum steppes ( Gypsophiletalia ) ), 5140 ( formations of Cistus palhinhae on maritime wet heaths ), 5410 (Western Mediterranean Phrygana ( Astragalo - Plantaginetum subulatae ) on rocky shores ) and 5430 ( 33.7-9 ) ( Endemic Phrygana the Euphorbio - Verbascion ), which includes thorn shrub cushion and endemitenreiche stocks of the Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia.