Corsican montane broadleaf and mixed forests
The Corsican montane broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion, in the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome, are on the island of Corsica. The ecoregion includes the high-altitude regions of Corsica's mountain ranges.Setting
The ecoregion covers an area of, approximately 40% of the area of the island. The montane forests are surrounded at lower elevations by the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests. The highest elevations in the ecoregion are Monte Cinto and Monte Rotondo.Flora
The ecoregion is home to several distinct forest communities, which vary with elevation and exposure.
Lower elevations are occupied by forests of evergreen sclerophyll oaks, including Holm oak ' and cork oak '.
Middle elevations are predominantly forests of maritime pine ' interspersed with forests of mixed broadleaf deciduous trees, including downy oak ', sessile oak ', European hop-hornbeam ', Italian alder ' and sweet chestnut '.
At the higher elevations, forests of Corsican pine ' predominate on the warmer south-facing slopes, while silver fir ' and European beech ' predominate on the cooler north-facing slopes. The highest elevations are subalpine shrublands, with green alder ' juniper ', sycamore maple ', and stands of silver birch .Protected areas
2829 km² of the ecoregion's area is protected, mostly in the Regional Natural Park of Corsica.
