Abstract
The flora of the Mediterranean basin includes ca. 20,000 species of vascular plants and can consequently be regarded as one of the richest on the globe. The highest diversity is in general found in the Northern portion and on mountains, and appears concentrated in the belt with an optimal combination of warm temperatures and high rainfall. The topographical distribution of species is not uniform: climax vegetation has generally a feebly diversified flora; endemics mostly occur in extreme habitats (coasts, mountains), whereas the richest flora grows in environments influenced by man. The hypothesis of man-vegetation interactions in the garrigue is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Boissier, P.E. 1867–1884. Flora Orientalis. 5th vol., Basileae, Genevae, Lugduni.
Celesti, L. & Pignatti, S. 1988. Analysis of the chorological diversity in some South-European vegetational series. Annali di Bot. 46: 25–34.
Cresta, M. 1988. Ecologia umana. Ed. C.E.S.I., Roma.
De Lillis, M. & Testi, A. 1990. Post-fire dynamics in a disturbed Mediterranean community in Central Italy, pp. 53–62. In: Goldammer, J.G. & Jenkins, M.J. (eds), Fire in Ecosystem Dynamics. SPB Academic Publ., The Hague.
Feoli, E., Pignatti, E. & Pignatti, S. 1981. Successione indotta dal fuoco nel Genisto-Callunetum del Carso Triestino. Acta Biologica 58: 231–240.
Greuter, W., Burdet, H.M. & Long, G. 1984–89. Med-Checklist. Vol. 1, 3, 4. Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève ed.
Haeupler, H. & Schönfelder, P. 1988. Atlas der Farn- und Blütenpflanzen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Ulmer, Stuttgart.
von Hayek, A. & Markgraf, F. 1924–1933. Prodromus Florae Peninsulae balcanicae. Feddes Rep. Beih. 30. 3rd vol.
Maire, R. et al. 1952–1980. Flore de l’Afrique du Nord. Vol. 1–15. Lechevalier, Paris.
Naveh, Z. & Whittaker, R. 1979. Structural and floristical diversity of shrublands and woodlands in northern Israel and other Mediterranean areas. Vegetatio 41: 171–190.
Perring, F.H. & Walters, S.M. 1962. Atlas of the British Flora. London.
Pignatti, G. 1996. Analisi vegetazionale e prospettive gestionali per impianti di arboricoltura da legno. PhD Thesis Univ. of Potenza, Italy.
Pignatti, G. & Pignatti, S. 1995. Land use and human influences in the evergreen broad-leaved forest regions of East Asia, the Mediterranean and Australia, pp. 199–210. In: Box, E.O. (ed), Vegetation Science in Forestry. Kluwer Acad. Publ., Amsterdam.
Pignatti, S. 1978. Evolutionary trends in Mediterranean flora and vegetation. Vegetatio 37: 175–185.
Pignatti, S. 1979. Plant geographical and morphological evidences in the evolution of the Mediterranean flora (with particular reference to the Italian representatives). Webbia 34: 243–255.
Pignatti, S. 1983. Human impact in the vegetation of the Mediterranean Basin, pp. 151–161. In: Holzner, W., Werger, M.J.A. & Ikusima, I. (eds), Man’s Impact on Vegetation. Dr W. Junk Publ., The Hague.
Pignatti, S. 1984. The relationships between natural vegetation and social system in the Mediterranean basin. pp. 35–46. In: Miyawaki, A. (ed), Vegetation Ecology and Creation of New Environment.
Pignatti, S. 1986. The consequence of climate on the Mediterranean vegetation. Annali di Bot. 42: 123–130.
Pignatti, S. 1987. The relationships between natural vegetation and social system in the Mediterranean basin. pp. 35–45. In: Miyawaki A. et al. (eds), Vegetation Ecology and Creation of New Environments. Tokai Univ. Press, Tokyo.
Pignatti, S. 1991. Forest management and plant conservation in the Mediterranean area — Introduction. Botanika Chronika 10: 353–358.
Pignatti, S. 1995. Biodiversità della vegetazione mediterranea. Atti dei Convegni Lincei 115: 7–31.
Pignatti, S. in press. Diversity and uniformity of the Mediterranean flora. Ecologia Medit.
Poldini, L. 1991. Atlante corologico delle piante vascolari nel Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Amm. Reg. Udine.
Trabaud, L. & Lepart, J. 1980. Diversity and stability in garrigue ecosystems after fire. Vegetatio 43: 49–57.
Webb, D.A. 1978. Flora Europaea. Taxon 27: 3–14.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Pignatti, G., Pignatti, S. (1999). Biodiversity in Mediterranean Ecosystems. In: Kratochwil, A. (eds) Biodiversity in ecosystems: principles and case studies of different complexity levels. Tasks for vegetation science, vol 34. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4677-7_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4677-7_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-0280-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4677-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive