A forest is a very complex ecosystem formed by a group of living beings: herbaceous plants, lichens, mosses, microorganisms, as well as invertebrate and vertebrate animals shelter under the shelter of trees and shrubs. A mature forest reaches maximum biomass, structural complexity and high biodiversity.
The impenetrable structure of the holm oak forest is a refuge for fauna. The multitude of climbing and prickly plants is due to the high competition for light within this closed and complex forest.
The Cantabrian holm oak forests have been preserved in soils of little forestry or agricultural interest. They are forests adapted to poor and stunted soils. Their ecological function is very important because they conserve and improve soils, helping the absorption and conduction of rainwater that passes to subway aquifers. The Tellitu holm oak forest (40 ha) is the main representation of this habitat in Barakaldo.
The trees and shrubs of the Cantabrian holm oak forest are: holm oak, strawberry tree, laurel, laburnum, aladernum and mastic. This evergreen forest stands out for the high competition between species forming a tangled structure dominated by climbing plants such as: sarsaparilla, black walnut, ivy and wild blond.
El jabalí es uno de los animales representativos del encinar, dónde se alimenta de bellotas, castañas y bulbos. Otros mamíferos de costumbres nocturnas son la gineta y el tejón. La estructura cerrada del encinar hace que predominen las aves de pequeño tamaño como el reyezuelo listado, la curruca cabecinegra, el carbonero común, el arrendajo y el gavilán. En los bordes soleados y rocosos podemos observar el lagarto verde, la lagartija roquera y la culebra de esculapio. Y los restos de madera muerta sirven de alimento para el ciervo volante y ahí se desarrollan hongos, insectos y lombrices, entre otros descomponedores.
En los bosques mixtos de roble con encina como los existentes en la orilla sur del embalse Etxebarria, en su composición florística predominan las plantas del encinar. Esto es de gran importancia al aumentar significativamente la riqueza botánica de Barakaldo.
Idea and design: Equinoccio Natura, S.C.
Photos: Jon Maguregi
Cartoonist: Oscar Domínguez
