Atlantic Forest
The Atlantic Forest is one of the most diverse and biologically rich forests in the world, as well as one of the most threatened, with only about eight percent of its original cover remaining.
The Atlantic mixed forests are relics that are difficult to find in Spain, appearing in the lower areas of the mountain and interspersed with the mowing meadows. These forests in Galicia have a large number of trees and different species. We must bear in mind that there are practically no forests untouched by human activity, which is why we can see areas with predominant trees, such as chestnut trees (which were used to collect their fruit and obtain wood) or oaks (in the same way they gave fruit and wood). In some of our forests there is a dominant tree species but mixed forests are more frequent.
The typical Galician oak, Quercus robur, is perhaps the most characteristic tree in the Galician landscape, but it appears mixed with ash, hazel, holly, maple, chestnut and walnut trees. This generates a large amount of food for a wide variety of fauna.
Under the tree layer, in the shrub layer we have broom, blueberries, brambles, heather and wild pear trees, among many other possibilities, which provide shelter and more food for other fauna.
The large amount of organic matter that falls on the soil and other conditions such as humidity and pH, make decomposition work and generate nutrients that enrich the soil and provide the basis for more life.
In these forests animals find what they need, which is why we find points of high animal biodiversity. Among the mammals you can find: marten, genet, wild boar, roe deer, badger, or even the wolf.
Amphibians, reptiles and birds or a large number of invertebrates such as the flying deer find here their last places to survive.
Recommendations:
If you like oak woods, you are spoilt for choice:
Fraga da Marronda
Fervenza Forest
Bidueiral of Xares
Benedictine Forest of Santa Cristina