Azores temperate mixed forests

The Azores temperate mixed forests is a temperate broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion of southwestern Europe. It encompasses the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. These volcanic islands are an autonomous region of Portugal, and lie 1500 km west of the Portuguese mainland.

Azores temperate mixed forests
Ribeira Grande falls, on Flores Island
Map of the Azores
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
Biometemperate broadleaf and mixed forests
Geography
Area2,431 km2 (939 sq mi)
CountryPortugal
Autonomous region of PortugalAzores
Conservation
Conservation statuscritical/endangered
Protected620 km² (26%)[1]

The islands have a temperate maritime climate, moderated by the Gulf Stream. Frosts don't occur below 500 meters elevation.

Flora

Little natural vegetation remains in the lowlands. There are enclaves of evergreen shrub forest, characterized by the trees Laurus azorica, Juniperus brevifolia, and Erica azorica. Diverse highland peat bogs are found on the islands of Flores and Terceira.

Fauna

Endemic animals include the Azores bullfinch or Priolo (Pyrrhula murina) and Azores noctule bat (Nyctalus azoreum). The islands have no native land mammals.[2]

Protected areas

620 km² (26%) of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Another 20% is forested and outside protected areas.[3]

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  • "Azores temperate mixed forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.

References
  1. Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, et al. (2017). An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm, BioScience, Volume 67, Issue 6, June 2017, Pages 534–545; Supplemental material 2 table S1b.
  2. "Azores temperate mixed forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
  3. Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, et al. (2017). An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm, BioScience, Volume 67, Issue 6, June 2017, Pages 534–545; Supplemental material 2 table S1b.
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