Main aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of Spain

Before explaining them all one by one, we present a summary list of the main terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in Spain :

Spanish terrestrial ecosystems

• High mountain
• Atlantic Forest
• Mediterranean forest
• Desert
• Estepa
• Laurisilva

Spanish aquatic ecosystems

• Wetlands
• Rivers
• Lagos
• Marine areas

In terrestrial ecosystems is where most of the living beings in Spain live , both animals and plants, which usually develop on the surface of the Earth. In terrestrial ecosystems there are abundant factors that condition the life that inhabits them, that is why individuals present much more varied characteristics than in aquatic ecosystems. Among these factors are the availability of water, light, nutrients or solar radiation.

Thus, the main terrestrial ecosystems in Spain are:

High mountain

High mountain ecosystems can be found in the Pyrenees, the Iberian System, the Galaic Massif, the Central System and the Betic 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 made up of animals that are completely adapted to the cold such as the mountain goat, vipers, rabbits or different kinds of birds such as the Leonardo vulture or the lammergeier. As for the vegetation, we find conifers (fir, pine, etc.) and bushes such as dwarf juniper.

Atlantic Forest

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

Among its fauna we find wild boars, owls, wolves, deer, squirrels, foxes, brown bears, owls or otters. Its trees are usually deciduous (beech, oak, ash, chestnut, birch, maple, elm, etc.) and plants such as ferns, mosses, bromeliads or lianas.

Mediterranean forest

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

Hares, rabbits, rodents, deer, fallow deer, eagles or wild boars abound in its fauna. The trees are usually evergreen (junipers, cork oaks, holm oaks, etc.) and plants such as rockrose, mastic, rosemary or thyme.

Desert

It can be located in Almería, the 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, dormouses, crows or eagles. As for plants, there are many thick-leaved ones such as almajos or sartenillas, espartos, thistles or broom.

Estepa

It is located in Castilla León (Valladolid, Zamora or Palencia), Valle del Ebro, Castillas La Mancha, areas of Extremadura and Andalusia. It has a continental climate with very extreme temperatures between seasons, low rainfall and semi-arid terrain. In its fauna, bustards, larks, hares or harriers stand out. As vegetation, scarcity of trees and presence of small plants such as herbaceous, espartos, cereals and aromatics such as rosemary or thyme.

Laurisilva

It is located in certain areas of the Canary Islands. Its temperatures show little variation, with high humidity and the presence of subtropical forests. As fauna, birds, reptiles and amphibians abound above all. As flora, the most characteristic are lauraceae 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 Spain , where there is also great biodiversity:

Wetlands

Wetlands are areas with the soil saturated with water. They are located in the interior of the peninsula as Las Tablas de Daimiel or on the coast as Doñana Park. It is characterized by the presence of fresh and salt water areas, little rainfall in summer and abundant rainfall in winter and autumn. There are aquatic and terrestrial animals, such as flamingos, cranes, herons, spoonbills, lapwings, storks, eels, frogs or carps.

Rivers

A river is a stream of water that flows continuously. Flow variations are usually established throughout the year. Zones are also established. On the higher course the slope is steeper and the water flows faster. Mosses and algae attached to rocks are abundant in these areas, as vegetation, and as fauna, mollusks such as snails and fish. In the middle and lower courses, the current is smoother and the water flows at a slower speed, with which there is greater biodiversity. Trees and shrubs such as poplars, alders, willows, reeds or reed beds grow on the banks, forming riverside forests. Here, most of the animals are at the bottom of the river and include newts, toads or frogs.

Lagos

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

To learn more about Freshwater Aquatic Ecosystems with examples , read this other article.

Marine areas

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

• Cantabrian and Atlantic coastlines: these are rugged areas, with numerous cliffs and rocky bottoms, where algae, corals or mollusks inhabit.
• Mediterranean coastline: these are areas with warmer and saline waters, with beaches that are interrupted by deltas and lagoons. Its bottoms are usually sandy, where posidonia slopes predominate.

Learn more about these in this other AgroCorrn article on What are saltwater ecosystems .

If you want to read more articles similar to Main aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of Spain , we recommend that you enter our Ecosystems category .