South Apennine mixed montane forests

The climate of the ecoregion changes with elevation. The lower mountain slopes have a warm and sub-humid climate, with an average annual temperature of 14 to 17 °C. High elevations are cooler and more humid, with annual average temperatures of 9 to 13 °C and over 2000 mm of precipitation annually. The mountain summits in southern Calabria and northeastern Sicily are frequently covered in dense fog. Winters at high elevation are cold, with abundant snowfall. ==Flora==

The ecoregion's wide elevational range results in several forest zones. Medium elevations At medium elevations the mixed deciduous forests of Quercus cerris, Quercus pubescens, Quercus frainetto, sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), and Ostrya carpinifolia predominate. High elevations At high elevations there is a north–south slopes gradient of plant communities: • South-facing plant communities: On south-facing slopes with cold and dry climate European black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. larico) is the dominant species. Pinus nigra subsp. larico is also found on Mount Etna up to the timberline along with the Etna birch (Betula aetniensis). Pinus heldreichii leucodermis is found only Pollino Mountains. • North-facing plant communities: On north-facing slopes Silver fir (Abies alba) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) mix with Pinus nigra subsp. larico. Relict stands of the endemic Nebrodi fir (Abies nebrodensis) appear in the Madonie Mountains. The Etna summits is characterized by a shrub community of Astragalus siculus, Berberis aetnensis, Juniperus communis alpina and the Etna tree-broom (Genista aetnensis). ==Fauna==

Large mammals include roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), European wildcat (Felis silvestris), and crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata). The Italian wolf (Canis lupus italicus) lives in the peninsular portion of the ecoregion, and Sila and Pollino national parks are home to Italy's largest wolf population. Wolves are absent from Sicily. Sicily's forests are home to the Sicilian shrew (Crocidura sicula), which is endemic to Sicily and Malta. ==Protected areas==

A 2017 assessment found that 6,008 km2, or 46%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include Aspromonte National Park, Sila National Park, and Pollino National Park, Appennino Lucano - Val d'Agri - Lagonegrese National Park, and Monti Picentini Regional Park, Nebrodi Park, and Etna Park. ==External links==