Sclerophyll

Sclerophyllous vegetation is the umbrella term for vegetation formation of the winter wet subtropics ( Mediterranean climate ). From the physiognomic aspect of the term describes the adaptation of the vegetation to the dominant vegetation there summer dry period. Sclerophyllous plants are distinguished by small, stiff, durable and evergreen leaves ( Sklerophyll ). The name Sklerophyll derives from the well-developed sclerenchyma of the plants, which is responsible for the hardness or stiffness of the leaves. Type form sklerophyller trees, the oak is (Quercus ilex L.).

The Mediterranean regions are among the most species-rich of the earth, but are usually long been under a lot of pressure for use by the population. This is especially true for the Mediterranean. Due to over-exploitation ( logging, grazing, agricultural use) the original vegetation has been mostly converted into of degradation ( garrigue ).

Dissemination

The area of ​​the Mediterranean sclerophyllous vegetation lies in the border region between the subtropical and the temperate zone, roughly between the 30th and 40th degree of latitude. Here, the occurrence is limited to the western sides of the continents. There are five regions of the sclerophyllous vegetation world: the Mediterranean Sea area, south-west Australia, California, Central Chile and the Cape.