Evergreen oak forests are widespread in the Mediterranean region and perfectly adapted to drought and poor soil. When  Mediterranean scrubland (“garrigue”) is neither grazed nor burnt, it gives way to Aleppo pine which thrives after forest fires, to which these habitats are particularly vulnerable.

Conservation objectives

Maintaining these forests in their current state of conservation calls for active management involving all key players (hikers, farmers, managers …)

Threats

Forest habitats are affected by fires, declining farming activity, visitor numbers and urban development. Nesting mainly in pine trees, the Short-toed Snake eagle is easily disturbed by forestry work and motor vehicles.