Abruzzo National Park, Italy Photograph by Pedro Regato/ WWF MedPO   Southern Europe: Central Italy stretching into France Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub   39,400 square miles (102,000 square kilometers) -- about the size of Virginia Critical/Endangered

· In the Oaks of Italy
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
More Photos

In the Oaks of Italy

Visit much of Italy and you'll encounter farms, orchards, and lively cities. But in less developed parts of the country you can still find stretches of oak forests filled with a surprising number of plant and animal species. In these places, green woodpeckers drill holes in trees, golden eagles soar, and small populations of brown bears wander in the most secluded spots.

Special Features

This ecoregion covers much of Italy, extending from the southeastern coast up to the northwestern sections of the country, even reaching into France. Wander through this ecoregion and you’ll see potholes and lakes left behind by the glaciers that carved this unique landscape. Along the coast, the forests consist primarily of wild olive-locust, European olive, and carob bean gum trees. Climb up into the sunny, dry interior and you'll find forests of European, turkey, and sessile oaks, along with flowering ash and oriental hornbeam. And at higher elevations, you'll find mostly dwarf mountain pine and juniper trees.

	Population estimates show that in the last 50 years, European brown bear populations have increased 100 percent after previously being greatly reduced by over-hunting.

Wild Side

Birdwatchers will find a number of intriguing birds in these Italian forests, including meadow pipets, kingfishers, blackcaps, and chiffchaffs. Eagle owls and long-eared owls emerge at night to hunt for food, as do long-fingered bats. Among the smaller mammals scurrying through these woodlands are red squirrels and Roman moles. Mid-sized mammals include otters, badgers, stone martens, red foxes, and wildcats. And the most secluded mountain areas are home to larger mammals such as brown bears, abruzzo chamois (which is goat-like with hollow horns), and wolves.

Cause for Concern

The main threats to this region are the destruction of habitat for agriculture and livestock grazing and the cutting of trees for fuelwood. In addition, tourism isn't always well controlled, and there are proposals underway for new ski facilities in mountain areas and for resort development along the coasts. Newly paved roads give people access to previously unexploited areas. And pollution, hunting, and logging threaten this ecoregion's freshwater resources, wildlife, and forests.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.