How do the sunlight and elevation levels in Mallorca affect where mastic shrubs are most abundant?

The distribution of mastic shrubs (Pistacia lentiscus) in Mallorca is significantly influenced by both sunlight exposure and elevation levels. These evergreen shrubs thrive in Mediterranean climates and show a preference for sunny, well-drained environments. In Mallorca, mastic shrubs are most abundant on the island’s southern and southwestern slopes, where they receive ample direct sunlight throughout the day. The consistent sun exposure in these areas promotes vigorous growth, as the plants rely on strong light to drive their photosynthetic processes and sustain their year-round green foliage.

Elevation also plays a crucial role in determining the abundance of mastic shrubs. Typically, these shrubs are found at low to moderate altitudes, predominantly below 600 meters. Above this height, cooler temperatures and increased moisture can limit their growth, favoring other types of vegetation more adapted to harsher conditions. In the lower elevations, where the climate remains mild and dry, musk plants find ideal conditions to establish extensive thickets. These environments offer the warmth and sunlight that the mastic shrubs need, coupled with soils that tend to be rocky and calcareous, ideal for their root systems.

As a result, the interplay between sunlight and elevation creates a natural zoning effect on Mallorca’s landscape. Mastic shrubs appear prominently on the sunny, sheltered slopes and foothills but become less common as one moves to shadier northern faces or higher mountain zones like the Serra de Tramuntana range. There, cooler temperatures, less direct sunlight, and different soil compositions encourage the growth of alternative Mediterranean flora. Ultimately, the vibrant green patches of mastic shrubs that dot Mallorca’s lower, sunlit slopes embody the island’s characteristic Mediterranean spirit and contribute to its unique, rugged beauty.