Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests is an ecoregion, in the temperate coniferous forest biome, which occupies the high mountain ranges of North Africa. The term is also a botanically recognized plant association in the African and Mediterranean literature.

Geography

The Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests ecoregion consists of a series of enclaves in the coastal Rif Mountains and interior Middle Atlas and High Atlas of Morocco, the eastern Tell Atlas and eastern Saharan Atlas of Algeria, and the Kroumerie and Mogod ranges of Tunisia. The Mediterranean woodlands and forests ecoregion surrounds the Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests at lower elevations. In the High Atlas, the Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests yield to the Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe at the highest elevations.

Flora

Fauna

Endangered mammals in the ecoregion include the Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) at locations such as the Djebel Babor Mountains, Atlas deer (Cervus elaphus barbarus), and African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus). Other mammals include the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), European otter (Lutra lutra), Cuvier's gazelle (Gazella cuvieri), and Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia). The Barbary lion (Panthera leo leo) and Atlas bear (Ursus arctos crowtheri) formerly lived here.

Conservation and threats

Deforestation due to overuse by the local population is a major threat as are the effects of climate change.