|
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
|
Exploring the Mediterranean Climate Region:
A Californian View of Eastern Tuscanyby Gerald O. Taylor Jr
photographs by Gerald O. Taylor Jr
For the full article see The Mediterranean Garden No 44, April 2006.
|
Gerald Taylor spent 7 weeks in the summer of 2003 studying the region of Tuscany around Castiglion Fiorentino with a group of landscape architecture students to answer the question of whether this was a true Mediterranea-climate area. He found that in comparison with Southern California precipitation was greater and winters were colder allowing for forests of broad-leafed trees which would not survive in his American home but not permitting the cultivation of citrus without protection. Clearly the definition of mediterranean climate is not an absolute and depends on the recognition of similarities rather the differences.
A view of the town of Castiglion Fiorentino in Eastern Tuscany near the border with Umbria.
|
The deciduous oaks and chestnut trees (Quercus cerris, Q pubescens and Castanea sativa) on the hills round Castiglion Fiorentino did not suggest the usual Mediterranean-climate flora, whereas the olive groves did.
|
"Part of our educational experience would be to explore the landscape and the vegetation native to this Mediterranean country" The students on a 'plant walk'.
|
Mediterranean-climate living - an ice
cream in a street cafe in Castiglion Fiorentino.
|
|
|
 |
|
