Which trees grow at higher elevations in the Atlas Mountains?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

In the Atlas Mountains, the vegetation varies significantly by altitude and moisture levels. At higher elevations, stands of cedar trees are the dominant feature.12

While cedar trees characterize the higher altitudes, the composition of the landscape changes as conditions become drier or reach the highest summits:

  • Higher Altitudes: Cedar forests predominate in these zones.12
  • Dry Summits: At the highest, driest points, particularly in the Saharan Atlas, the vegetation is often reduced to scattered stands of green oak and juniper trees.12
  • Lower and Mid-Elevations: In areas with more moisture, forests of cork oak, pine, and other trees such as walnuts are found, particularly on the northern sides and lower peaks.34

Much of the original forest cover in these ranges has been significantly depleted due to agricultural clearing and environmental factors.132