La Selva forest is situated in Province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy. It encompasses a rich mosaic of habitat types. The original forest is mainly deciduous, dominated by Turkey oak (Quercus cerris) and Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens) interspersed with plantations of Black Pine (Pinus nigra) and/or Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens/arizonica). Within the forest are patches of Holm oak (Quercus ilex), Sloe (Prunus spinosa) or Spanish broom (Spartium junceum). Other important habitat types are cultivated fields, pastures, hedgerows, ponds and seasonal streams.
The forest complex extends from 350 to 700 m a.s.l. The climate is mediterranean, with warm dry summers and cool wet winters. Mean monthly temperature is ca 24°C in summer and ca 4°C in winter, with average annual rainfall of about 750–1.600 mm per year (mainly oct-march). Ethoikos weather station
Several parts of the La Selva Forest complex are protected and are managed by the Italian National Forest Service. Wood extraction and hunting in the protected areas has been sporadic the last 40 years.
