Where are sclerophyllous temperate forests most common?

Sclerophyllous temperate forests are most common in Australia and the Mediterranean region.1

These forests thrive in environments characterized by lower, more erratic rainfall. Because moisture is often limited, the trees have evolved to possess small, hard, and thick leaves—a sclerophyllous adaptation that helps reduce water loss through transpiration.12

In Australia, these forests are particularly widespread and are dominated by various species of the genus Eucalyptus, along with Acacia and Casuarina. In the Mediterranean region, the vegetation typically includes evergreen oaks, such as the cork oak (Quercus suber), and the pistachio relative Pistacia lentiscus. These areas are often subject to human alteration, and the forests are frequently adapted to fire-prone conditions.3