Mediterranean Scrubland Food Web
Terrestrial
Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands & Scrub
Southern Europe — Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece
Description
Mediterranean maquis and garrigue shrublands are shaped by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with fire as a key ecological driver. Aromatic shrubs like rosemary and thyme produce volatile oils that increase flammability, and many species require fire for seed germination. This food web supports unique assemblages of raptors, reptiles, and small mammals.
Trophic Pyramid
Level 5
Decomposers
Mediterranean fungi
Woodlice
Soil bacteria
3 species
Level 4
Tertiary Consumers
Spanish imperial eagle
Iberian lynx
2 species
Level 3
Secondary Consumers
Bonelli's eagle
Montpellier snake
Beech marten
3 species
Level 2
Primary Consumers
European rabbit
Red-legged partridge
Hermann's tortoise
3 species
Level 1
Producers
Rosemary
Cork oak
Kermes oak
3 species
Apex Predators
Tertiary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Primary Consumers
Producers
Key Interactions
- Iberian lynx depends almost exclusively on European rabbits as prey
- Rabbit myxomatosis crashed lynx populations through bottom-up trophic effects
- Fire stimulates germination of fire-adapted species like Cistus
- Cork oaks survive fire due to thick insulating bark