Climate And Habitat Diversity Affect Variety Of Animal Species In Spain

I found these two recent interesting articles about the environment of Spain that shows it is not all coastline spoilt by holiday homes, hotels, restaraunts, and bars for the two week tourist.

Climate And Habitat Diversity Affect Variety Of Animal Species In Spain
ScienceDaily (Mar. 20, 2009) — The Iberian Peninsula is one of the richest regions of Europe in terms of animal biodiversity. In this context, Spanish researchers have shown that the variation in terrestrial vertebrate diversity in Spain is influenced above all by climate. In addition to habitat diversity, the study concludes that, when all other factors are taken into consideration, this wealth is higher in the north (Pyrenees) and the south (Straits of Gibraltar), and is relatively less in the centre of the peninsula.......................................

Biodiversity Found In Unexpected Regions: More Than 200 Plant Species Found In Semi-arid Rivers In South Eastern Spain
ScienceDaily (Mar. 20, 2009) — The prevailing belief to date has been that the streams of south eastern Spain contained nothing of interest. However, a research project by the University of Murcia has shown that these ecosystems, which are unique in Europe, are home to great plant and animal biodiversity. This has enabled the research team to explode the myth that arid systems do not contain any organisms of interest, and to call for them to be protected because of their ecological value.....................................