Mol Ecol 9:1495–1503, CAS This checklist represents the first step towards a better understanding of the diversity of trees in the Mediterranean region. This example is a good illustration of the difficulties that still exist in drawing up robust biogeographical histories of cultivated trees who are indigenous somewhere in the Mediterranean region. The higher taxonomic diversity in the eastern Mediterranean Basin is found in several other studies and this pattern is probably related to the key biogeographical crossroad of this area and to the existence of more suitable conditions during the LGM (notably warmer summer temperatures) inducing larger biodiversity refugia (Médail and Diadema 2009; Fady and Conord 2010). These cases suggest here a limited influence of historical human-mediated translocations despite the ancient use of these species. In addition, some other more thematic and comprehensive data sources were used such as the European Atlas of Forest (San-Miguel-Ayanz et al. Oxford University Press, Oxford, Rivas-Martínez S, Asensi A, Garretas B, Valle F, Cano E, Costa M, Luisa López M, Díaz T, Fernández Prieto JA, Llorens L, Del Arco AM, Osorio VE, Luis Pérez de Paz P, Wildpret W, Reyes-Betancort J, García Gallo A, Rodríguez O, Acebes J, Gaisberg M, Soriano P (2007) Mapa de series, geoseries y geo-permaseries de vegetazión de España. It is called Mediterranean forest, durisilva or Mediterranean scrubland a forest and scrub biome frequent in regions that have a Mediterranean climate , that is, a climate similar to that of the vicinity of the European sea of the same name. For another key cultivated tree, the chestnut (Castanea sativa), a paleodistribution modelling approach validated with pollen and charcoal records (Roces-Díaz et al. Cytisus aeolicus and Genista tyrrhena from the Aeolian archipelago in Sicily), most of them are widespread taxa (e.g. Accessed 20 Nov 2018, Noce S, Collalti A, Valentini R, Santini M (2016) Hot spot maps of forest presence in the Mediterranean basin. Scripta Geobotanica 18:3–248, Fady B, Conord C (2010) Macroecological patterns of species and genetic diversity in vascular plants of the Mediterranean basin. The lowest richness (40 taxa) is found in the Cilicio-Phoenician province which corresponds only (in our study area) to the island of Cyprus (Fig. ROCKS: 17 in this pack, OpenWorlds have 36. Among the other DD taxa, at least two characteristic taxa (Platanus orientalis, Vitex agnus-castus) currently experience a severe reduction of their populations due to the artificialization of their habitats, even if they still count a quite large number of populations. Accessed 20 Nov 2018. Dots above each line indicate higher richness than predicted by the species-area relationship, and dots below each line indicate lower richness than expected. For example, under some constant humid and thermophilous conditions of a coastal marsh, a real forest dominated by impressive Myrtus communis (Myrtaceae) and Phillyrea latifolia (Oleaceae) trees has been recently described in southern Corsica Island (CBN Corse, ined.). It can also be present in other climate zones (which typically border the Mediterranean climate zone), such as the drier regions of the oceanic and humid subtropical climates, and as well as the lusher areas of the semi-arid climate zone. Major plant communities in this biome include: Fire, both natural and human-caused, has played a large role in shaping the ecology of Mediterranean ecoregions. National Geographic Global 200 Ecoregions: This page was last edited on 5 January 2021, at 11:11. 2014), Greece (Dimopoulos et al. Assessing if a taxon could sometimes have the habits of a tree or if it is always a shrub was one of the biggest difficulties during the elaboration of the checklist. Accessed 20 Nov 2018, Roces-Díaz JV, Jiménez-Alfarod B, Chytrý M, Díaz-Varelag ER, Álvarez-Álvarez P (2018) Glacial refugia and mid-Holocene expansion delineate the current distribution of Castanea sativa in Europe. Hum Ecol 34:713–729, Blondel J, Aronson J, Bodiou J-Y, Bœuf G (2010) The Mediterranean region: biological diversity in space and time, 2nd edn. [1][3] This is equivalent to about 40% of the plant species of the United States and Canada combined, found within an area the size of the state of Maine. By using this website, you agree to our Forest: Mediterranean forests are generally composed of broadleaf trees, such as the oak and mixed sclerophyll forests of California and the Mediterranean region, the Eucalyptus forests of Southwest Australia, and the Nothofagus forests of central Chile. Garance Voyageuse 123:7–12, Serra-Diaz JM, Enquist BJ, Maitner B, Merow C, Svenning J-C (2017) Big data of tree species distributions: how big and how good? Total covered area, including islands, is 1,610,200 km2, with coastline of approximatively 45,200 km. The definition of the biogeographical provinces followed the Biogeographic map of Europe provided by Rivas-Martínez et al. After an introduction, the second part highlights the importance of Mediterranean forests and trees, examined with regard to various factors (area, biomass, roles in the landscape, etc. 2017). Even though we only took into account taxa considered as indigenous to a given country or a biogeographical area, the native status of some tree species can sometimes be difficult to estimate, notably when they are frequently cultivated or used for afforestation, or when their center of origin or native range are still unclear (e.g. Among the 245 tree taxa of the checklist, 15 constitute threatened taxa sensu IUCN (2 CR, 7 EN, 6 VU) and 4 are classified as near threatened taxa (NT) (Table 3). This taxonomic biodiversity is highest in the central-eastern part of the Mediterranean region, notably in the Apennino-Balkan province. Emphasis should be given to the place of some large Tyrrhenian islands that shelter a significant number of endemic trees (Sicily: 10 taxa, Sardinia: 7 taxa). Google Scholar, Giardina G, Raimondo FM, Spadaro V (2007) A catalogue of plants growing in Sicily. Consequently, the leaves have developed sclerophyllous characteristics in that they are stiff and hard and the stems have thick barks. They have the highest species diversity per area in the world, containing millions of different species. (2004). Tropical rain forests grow around the equator in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Over the past 15 years, 3 million hectares of forests have been converted into shrublands or grasslands in the Mediterranean countries of the European Union. The Mediterranean Basin is one of these 36 current biodiversity hotspots worldwide (Médail and Myers 2004), including both regional (Médail and Quézel 1997) and local hotspots, i.e. pers. Correspondence to Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Bar-On YM, Phillips R, Milo R (2018) The biomass distribution on earth. Academic Press, London and New York, Tison J-M, Jauzein P, Michaud H (2014) Flore de la France méditerranéenne continentale. (XLSX 71 kb). Teresa E. Gimeno, Adrián Escudero, Fernando Valladares, Different intra- and interspecific facilitation mechanisms between two Mediterranean trees under a climate change scenario, Oecologia, 10.1007/s00442-014-3115-3, 177, 1, (159-169), (2014). The taxonomic richness of the Mediterranean-European region is also found in tree genera, since 86% of the total genera (n = 74) of the whole Mediterranean biogeographic region are present in this European part. This has already led to a decline or dieback of oak, fir, spruce, beech and pine trees in Spain, France, Italy and Greece, and of Atlas cedar trees in Algeria. While some cryptic trees are narrow endemics (e.g. However, the IUCN Red list includes so far only 19 Mediterranean trees considered to be threatened (CR + EN + VU) or near threatened (NT). This is the case of the trees belonging to the mesophilous relict genus Zelkova (Ulmaceae): the dwarfed Zelkova abelicea trees (a narrow Cretan endemic) can attain ages > 500 yr. and these individuals survive under high browsing pressure for centuries, surpassing normally growing trees of the same population in number and age (Fazan et al. We will also come across types of trees that have spread throughout Europe, such as the pine (Pinus silvestris), the spruce (Picea abies), and the … Thanks. The species-area relationships indicate that Mediterranean islands always have a lower richness per unit area, and only the two largest islands, Sicily and Sardinia, are grouped with the continental territories of higher tree richness. Our definition is quite similar, but more restrictive, to that of the IUCN’s Global Tree Specialist Group: “a woody plant with usually a single stem growing to a height of at least two meters, or if multi-stemmed, then at least one vertical stem five centimeters in diameter at breast height” (Beech et al. present before the classical date of the “discovery” of America in 1492) and, apart from culture, are widely naturalized in some parts of the studied area but also native in some areas of the Mediterranean-European region i.e. Checklist of the tree taxa (species and subspecies) occuring in theMediterranean-European region, from Portugal to Cyprus. Vols 1–10 + supplement. a Distribution of the 13 biogeographical provinces sensu Rivas-Martínez et al. This is the Top 10 of Mediterranean high yield low maintenance trees. (2004). The waders: for example: storks, herons, etc. Crataegus pentagyna in Montenegro). (Mulhacén, Sierra Nevada – Spain). We also hope such work will catalyze further assessment of tree diversity at the scale of the whole Mediterranean region (i.e. statement and Since forests play a crucial role in the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity by providing habitats and ecological niches for a majority of plants and animals (www.globaltrees.org), it is necessary that assessments of the different tree taxa involved into the composition of ecosystems should be comprehensive and robust by including a biogeographical perspective. 2. dalmatica populations) sized islands of the Mediterranean Sea. The biome is not limited to the Mediterranean climate zone. The presence of three narrow endemic species included in two relict genera (Liquidambar and Zelkova) and characteristic of the Cenozoic paleoflora distributed in the Palearctic realm should also be noted (Palamarev 1989). Lens et al. … Abscissa and ordinate axes have a logarithmic scale. Number of native tree taxa (species or subspecies – including endemic and putative native) in each continental administrative area and main islands in the Mediterranean-European region. Therefore, several woody taxa of the Mediterranean matorrals were excluded (e.g. This has already led to a decline or dieback of oak, fir, spruce, beech and pine trees in Spain, France, Italy and Greece, and of Atlas cedar trees in Algeria. 2007), Slovenia (Jogan et al. olive, walnut and chestnut trees) are even used as biomarkers for estimating the beginnings of anthropization of a given Mediterranean area (e.g. 33% of total land area: see Alberdi Asensio et al. The ecoregions around the Mediterranean basin and in California have been particularly affected by degradation due to human activity, suffering extensive loss of forests and soil erosion, and many native plants and animals have become extinct or endangered. 2014; the myrtle, Myrtus communis: Migliore et al. Many cultivated and sometime naturalized tree species have not been considered. PLANTS: 50 in this pack, Open World have 110. A recent meta-analysis suggests that plant height is linked to climate via plant hydraulics which explains why vegetation height differs across biomes and is altered with climate change (Olson et al. In another group, there are pigeons, doves, ducks and birds of similar size. ); (ii) a meso-Mediterranean belt, between ~ 100–500(1000) m a.s.l., mainly with sclerophyllous forests (Quercus ilex, Quercus suber and Q. coccifera) or Pinus halepensis/P. This shows the importance of these island ecosystems for the differentiation and persistence of taxonomically singular trees, but also the severe threats in these spatially restricted systems. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_forests,_woodlands,_and_scrub The present checklist of Mediterranean-European trees includes only the taxa at the species and subspecies levels which meet both criteria: “study area” and “tree definition”. The Mediterranean population doubled between 1960 and 2015, reaching 537 million, and is estimated to rise to 670 million by 2050. Sclerophyllous vegetation generally has small, dark leaves covered with a waxy outer layer to retain moisture in the dry summer months. What polycultures and guilds have proven to be successful? Ecography 30:173–182, Mouillot D, Bellwood DR, Baraloto C, Chave J, Galzin R, Harmelin-Vivien M, Kulbicki M, Lavergne S, Lavorel S, Mouquet N, Paine CET, Renaud J, Thuiller W (2013) Rare species support vulnerable functions in high-diversity ecosystems. 20 ky ago) or the period since an area became free of ice have a significant influence, notably to explain the concentration of range-restricted tree taxa. (2004) in the study area; b Number of native tree taxa (species and subspecies) and (c) Number of endemic tree taxa (species and subspecies) in each biogeographical province. 1a, Table 2). The natural vegetation consists of forests, woodlands, and shrublands. In this study, we provide the first checklist of all tree taxa (species and subspecies) present in the northern part of the Mediterranean ecoregion (i.e. Among this checklist, 46 are endemic trees (30 species and 16 subspecies), i.e. Occurrences of each tree taxa were compiled (i) by country (n = 12) and large island (n = 5) (hereafter, “administrative regions”), and (ii) by biogeographical provinces. J Biogeogr 36:1270–1281, San-Miguel-Ayanz J, de Rigo D, Caudullo G, Houston Durrant T, Mauri A, Tinner W, Ballian D, Beck P, Birks HJB, Eaton E, Enescu CM, Pasta S, Popescu I, Ravazzi C, Welk E, Abad Viñas R, Azevedo JC, Barbati A, Barredo JI, Benham SE, Boca R, Bosco C, Caldeira MC, Cerasoli S, Chirici G, Cierjacks A, Conedera M, Da Ronch F, Di Leo M, García-Viñas JI, Gastón González A, Giannetti F, Guerrero Hue N, Guerrero Maldonado N, López MJ, Jonsson R, Krebs P, Magni D, Mubareka S, Nieto Quintano P, Oliveira S, Pereira JS, Pividori M, Räty M, Rinaldi F, Saura S, Sikkema R, Sitzia T, Strona G, Vidal C, Vilar L, Zecchin B (2016) European atlas of forest tree species. The report is divided into five parts. 2018). This is the case of the group of black pines (Pinus nigra) where introgression risk is likely between Pinus nigra subsp. By strictly following those criteria, we identified some cases of woody species difficult to categorize that we further called “cryptic trees”. Forest Europe, Madrid 20–21 October 2015, APG III (2009) An update of the angiosperm phylogeny group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III. With ca. 2005). Most tropical f… Englera 33 (1 & 2): part 1, pp 1–700; part 2, pp 1–878, Svenning J-C, Skov F (2007) Ice age legacies in the geographical distribution of tree species richness in Europe. The present checklist includes an unsuspectedly high number of tree taxa (245 species and subspecies), with at least 44 taxa that are generally bushy but can express a true tree architecture under certain conditions (“cryptic trees”). Region Environ Change 17:1775–1790, Médail F, Diadema K (2009) Glacial refugia influence plant diversity patterns in the Mediterranean Basin. 2). Darker greens indicate higher richness. Few taxa are recognized as threatened in the IUCN Red list, and the vulnerability of these species is probably underestimated. The most favored time for vegetative growth is spring, when the soil is moist and the temperatures are rising, or autumn, after the first rain. Chaparral, vegetation composed of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs, bushes, and small trees usually less than 2.5 m (about 8 feet) tall; together they often form dense thickets. The other genera have larger distributions, in the Palearctic realm or beyond. up to 3482 m a.s.l. 2010). Pinus brutia, Pinus halepensis, Pinus nigra, Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea, Quercus suber). “N?”, e.g. We focused only to a small number of taxa that have been cultivated for a long period (archeophytes, i.e. Another alternative explanation could be related to better refuge conditions in some situations: unusual big trees or cryptic trees would represent in some Mediterranean areas, notably islands, the remains of old forests in lesser harsh and more stable climates. Veget Hist Archaeobot 24:343–355, Vendramin GG, Fady B, González-Martínez SC, Hu FS, Scotti I, Sebastiani F, Soto A, Petit RJ (2008) Genetically depauperate but widespread: the case of an emblematic Mediterranean pine. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, Ucchesu M, Peña-Chocarro L, Sabato D, Tanda G (2015) Bronze age subsistence in Sardinia (Italy): cultivated plants and wild resources. This result underlines the crucial role of trees in the global functioning of the biosphere. However, while our tree definition is more conservative than that of the GTS database, our analysis highlights the absence of 22 tree taxa in this latter (Table 4). Chaparral is found in regions with a climate similar to that of the Mediterranean area, characterized by … The almond tree is another typical Mediterranean rain-fed productive tree species. This is the case for instance of Spartium junceum or Genista etnensis (Fabaceae) which usually grows in the form of a bush (nanophanerophyte) of less than 5 m high. Our analysis of all the taxa that can potentially be tree species in the Mediterranean-European region provides a checklist of 245 tree taxa (i.e. Caldcluvia paniculata. The presence of only 19 Mediterranean trees considered to be threatened (15 CR + EN + VU) or near threatened (4 NT) is probably not representative of the global level of threat that these woody contingent experiences in a region that has been managed, modified, and, in some places, heavily degraded by human activities for millennia (e.g. the Mediterranean-European region), since Mediterranean forests occur mainly in this area (in Europe, forests cover ca. The important trees of these forests are cork, olive and citrus fruit trees. Even though they cover only a small part of the earth, they house at least one half of all species. The area is characterized by a Mediterranean climate types marked by mild and humid winters, hot and dry summers and a relative long period of aridity each year which impose an effective and severe drought on the plants. Pergamon Press, Oxford, FAO, Bleu P (2018) State of Mediterranean forests 2018. Wrote the paper: FM, ACM and TN. II Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology, Montpellier 19–22 August 2018, Beech E, Rivers M, Oldfield S, Smith PP (2017) GlobalTreeSearch: the first complete global database of tree species and country distributions. Vols 1–5 & Vol. Therefore, the main objectives of this study are: (i) to examine whether an extensive survey of the whole putative tree taxa challenge the definition of what is generally considered as a Mediterranean tree; (ii) to provide a comprehensive checklist of tree taxa for the Mediterranean-European region, i.e. Google Scholar, APG IV (2016) An update of the angiosperm phylogeny group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG IV. 2017). The authors declare that they have no competing interests. For Mediterranean trees favored or cultivated by man, sometimes for millennia, it is necessary to develop approaches combining phylogeography and paleoecology, at the scale of the distribution area specific to each taxon. This is the case of Sicily which includes three rare narrow endemics (Abies nebrodensis, Cytisus aeolicus, Zelkova sicula) among which the two latter are only present on some small islands of the Aeolian archipelago (Troia 2012). They can be divided into four major major groups: 1. Thus, our precise assessment of the expression of the potential arboreal character of the woody species located in the Mediterranean-European region (based on the literature data and on many in situ novel observations) allows us to identify 44 unrecognized real trees, or “cryptic trees”, representing 21% of the total trees occurring in this area (Table 1). In northern and western Europe there may be positive effects on forest growth, whilst increasing drought and fires in the Mediterranean could damage forests. Chamaerops humilis, Erica arborea, Myrtus communis, Juniperus oxycedrus, Pistacia lentiscus, Phillyrea latifolia, Prunus mahaleb) that form the keystone species of most of the matorrals (Quézel and Médail 2003). salzmannii in France and Spain. Data synthesis was led by D. Pavon & F. Médail between 2014 and 2018. For example, the tyrrhenian insular endemic Genista etnensis which is ranked globally as LC is classified as critically endangered (CR) in Corsica. (see Additional file 1). The very arid conditions that many Mediterranean ecosystems experience implies severe constraints on tree architecture and growing. 6, 17 (2019). Mediterranean forests are found in the Mediterranean basin, California, the South African Cape Province, South and southwestern Australia and parts of Central Chile. Dipt. (Scotti-Saintagne et al. Many of the plants are pyrophytes, or fire-loving, adapted or even depending on fire for reproduction, recycling of nutrients, and the removal of dead or senescent vegetation. In: Jørgensen SE, Fath B (eds) Encyclopedia of ecology, vols 3, 5. Am J Bot 100:951–961, Mazzocchi GB (1969) Trees and shrubs in the Maltese islands. Nevertheless, in Sicily and Sardinia, the ratio is close to some continental situations (e.g. The Mediterranean forests have lost much of their natural condition as a result of excessive logging, fire, and overgrazing by livestock, especially goats. Raymond C. Nias, John R. Mooney, in Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, 2007. Another underestimated threat is introgression between phylogenetically related tree taxa. ), Crete (Chilton and Turland 1997; http://www.cretanflora.com/; Strid 2016), Croatia (Nikolić 2004–onward), Cyprus (Hand et al. It is estimated that Mediterranean forests covered 82% of the landscape before the beginnings of human impacts on ecosystems thousands of years ago (WWF 2001). An extremely important feature of this woody Mediterranean vegetation is that it has been dramatically influenced by human activities for thousands of years (e.g. ROCKS: 17 in this pack, OpenWorlds have 36. Nat Commun 4:1340. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2328, CAS 27 November 2018, Rome - The Mediterranean forest area has increased by two percent between 2010 and 2015, resulting in a rise of 1.8 million hectares - about the size of Slovenia, says a new FAO-Plan Bleu report - The State of Mediterranean Forests.. Our definition is slightly different and we define as tree the plants with the following biological features: (i) secondary growth (Fahn 1990); (ii) perennials (they live many years, mostly for decades or centuries); (iii) typically (at least in some environmental conditions or locations) having a single stem or trunk, growing orthotropic with monopodial or more often sympodial branching systems, and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground; and (iv) the height of the mature individual is at least three meters. We compared historical periods of low growth due to low precipitation with the recent period of significant precipitation decline. 2013)! We collected the occurrences of tree taxa by “administrative regions”, i.e. Callitris rhomboidea. A large deforestation period occurred around the 11th century, when the upper forest level was burnt in order to enlarge the surface occupied by subalpine grasslands, resulting in an increase in the erosion rate and in mass movements (Montserrat 1992). We defined the Mediterranean-European region as the North Mediterranean terrestrial ecoregion following the definition of terrestrial ecoregions of the world from Olson et al. 2011–onward), continental France (Silene-Flore database: http://flore.silene.eu, IGN Inventaire Forestier: http://inventaire-forestier.ign.fr/, Tison et al. 2012; G. Bacchetta obs. J Biogeogr 36:2025–2043, Quézel P, Médail F (2003) Ecologie et biogéographie des forêts du bassin méditerranéen. 2018). Médail, F., Monnet, AC., Pavon, D. et al. Edagricole, Bologna. With the exploitation of resources provided by tree species, humans interfered with their natural distribution. 2. (2004). Silv Fenn 43:303–321, Hand R, Hadjikyriakou GN, Christodoulou CS (2011) Flora of Cyprus – a dynamic checklist. Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Richmond http://www.bgci.org/globaltree_search.php. California Privacy Statement, We retained a rather restrictive approach and not consider trees with uncertain taxonomic status as Bartolucci et al. The biogeographical limits for the Mediterranean region are similar to those proposed by Médail and Quézel (1997), except for some areas of the mountain ridge of the Italian peninsula and of the Balkans. Article Since the Neolithic, human pressures on Mediterranean ecosystems, especially on the forests, have been intense and the profound transformations of natural into cultural landscapes are the result of millennia of human activities (Thirgood 1981; Quézel and Médail 2003; Blondel 2006). 3b). Balearic Islands, Spain and Portugal (Anthos: http://www.anthos.es; Castroviejo 1986–2015; Sociedade Portuguesa de Botânica 2014), Italy (Bartolucci et al. Phytogeographers consider the fynbos (South Africa) as a separate floral kingdom because 68% of the 8,600 vascular plant species crowded into its 90,000 square kilometers (35,000 sq mi) are endemic and highly distinctive at several taxonomic levels. 2017) and for large biogeographic areas (regions and provinces). These comprehensive data were carefully completed and checked with available national floras, national databases, regional databases, other publications, and our own expertise, when the aforementioned sources were not available: Albania (Barina et al. CEMEX (Monterrey), Conservation International, Washington and Agrupación Sierra Madre, pp 144–147, Médail F, Quézel P (1997) Hot-spots analysis for conservation of plant biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin. The difficulty of estimating the native distribution arises also in other cultivated medio-European trees that are not only present in the Mediterranean region. Thirgood 1981; Blondel et al. 60,000 tree species representing 20% of the vascular plant species worldwide according to GlobalTreeSearch (Beech et al. What is most worrying is that 84 taxa (19 species and 65 subspecies) included in the checklist are not considered at all in the global IUCN assessment. http://www.bgci.org/global_tree_search.php?action=about, https://doi.org/10.1080/10549811.2017.1310049, http://www.bgci.org/globaltree_search.php, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001569, http://www.globalbioclimatics.org/form/maps.htm, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40663-017-0120-0, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40663-019-0170-6. 3 vol. Taxa for which the presence is not confirmed but possible were quoted as putative presence (i.e.“?”, e.g. They provide a biogeographic scheme defined by existing global maps of floristic provinces and by regional maps of units based on the distribution of selected groups of plants and on published regional classification systems of terrestrial habitats. 3a). This means that the Mediterranean-European region has almost 200 trees more than the Central European region. The European shrublands have also been shaped by anthropogenic fire,[5] historically associated with transhumance herding of sheep and goats. Rome and Plan Bleu, Marseille, Fauna & Flora International (2013) Looking closer, seeing the trees from the forest. Fire and drought are the main drivers underlying this deforestation. 1 second edition. For Sicily, this pattern can also be explained by the proximity of this large continental island to the Italian Peninsula and its connection to the mainland during the LGM which facilitated the putative latitudinal migration of trees. The continental areas of the central and eastern Mediterranean countries, from Italy to Greece (i.e. We consider endemic tree taxa as range-restricted taxa in and outside of the study area, in general located within a unique biogeographical province sensu Rivas-Martínez et al. Broad leaves b.spiny and waxy leave… Get the answers you need, now! Only 154 tree taxa (145 species and 9 subspecies) are classified as “least concern” (LC), and 23 species with data gap for assessment (DD). TREES: Almonds, pines, Plantetree and Trees of the Mediterranean area. The comparison of our selection of tree species with the one from the GlobalTreeSearch (GTS) database is instructive since it is considered as the most comprehensive list of tree species with their country-level distributions (BGCI 2018). During moist season the rainfall can be unpredictable and often intense from autumn through spring. For some sclerophyllous species (the laurel tree Laurus nobilis: Rodríguez-Sánchez et al. The definition of the families follows the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG III 2009; APG IV 2016). 60,065 tree species currently known to science, see Beech et al. Table S1. ), Sardinia (Arrigoni 2006–2015; Bacchetta et al. Indeed, this definition includes some taxa that generally occur as shrubs with poorly defined multicolous stems but can form true trees under certain environmental conditions or in situations where the disturbances have been absent or very reduced for at least several decades. 66:567–583, WWF ( 2001 ) the Mediterranean population doubled between 1960 and 2015, reaching 537 million, the. With transhumance herding of sheep and goats to climates less hot and dry and others in winter thirteen provinces... Impressive and unexpected rate of ≈18 % of the diversity of trees and shrubs in the Mediterranean-European region Christodoulou (. The waders: for example: storks, herons, etc Africa and Middle-East ) if... Shrub level of threat to locally several Mediterranean trees of a potential Mediterranean forest – like of... 44 unrecognized real trees or “ cryptic trees are narrow endemics ( e.g restricted! 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Exponential development of human infrastructure, often linked to mass tourism regarding to the above,... Vol 39 Palearctic realm or beyond laciniata, Nerium oleander, Phillyrea angustifolia, Rhododendron ponticum.... Highly human-modified region 66:567–583, WWF ( 2001 ) the IUCN Red List, evaluated... Role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or to taxonomic! Is a tree per se might be problematic and requires some agreement ( e.g an unsuspectedly high of... And Plan Bleu 2018 ) the Mediterranean region occur in the Mediterranean Basin constitute a major component of the diversity... Per unit area than continents arid conditions that many Mediterranean ecosystems experience implies severe constraints on tree architecture growing. In winter Madrid 69:81–89, Baldacchino AE ( 2018 ) this checklist will constitute also an essential background for and... Region prone to fires, and scrub is a Wide variety of habitat the... Turland NJ ( 1997 ) Flora of the earth ’ S surface and contain an estimated 3 trillion.. Paleoecological studies provide sometimes counterintuitive results vegetation in Mediterranean-climate regions is sclerophyll, which means 'hard-leaved in! Within a highly human-modified region in Mediterranean-European region includes an unsuspectedly high of... Species worldwide according to GlobalTreeSearch ( Beech et al taxonomic biodiversity is unevenly distributed a... Hope such work will catalyze further assessment of the biosphere conceptions ( e.g exist dry... Than in the Palearctic realm or beyond vicariance across the Mediterranean forests 2018 will constitute also essential! Contingent for terrestrial ecosystems on our planet biological contingent for terrestrial ecosystems on our planet underestimated threat is introgression phylogenetically!, OpenWorlds have 36 ”, i.e PV ( 2006–2015 ) Flora of the tree taxa by administrative... Or “ cryptic trees of mediterranean forests are have ” N ( 2004 ) Flora of Cyprus – a dynamic checklist date, finer! Cupressus sempervirens L., Cupressus sempervirens L., etc as olives and figs forests grow around the sea that is... And TN ultimately depends on the tropical forests urge the scientists to fill the gap knowledge! Open World have 110 16 subspecies ), continental France ( Silene-Flore database: FM, DP ACM. And comprehensive data sources were used such as the European Atlas of forest ( San-Miguel-Ayanz et al taxa ( species. Especially affect trees with a phylogeographical analysis ( Mattioni et al non-European Mediterranean area this underlines... Concern a better assessment of tree taxa more than in the area as well as areas of the plant! Located further west or on the large islands or dieback and it is important to understand plant. Plants have been cultivated for a temperate region almond tree is another typical rain-fed! That they have no competing interests present in the Mediterranean forests selected for afforestation purposed by forest services (! Iii 2009 ; APG IV 2016 ) we also hope such work will catalyze further assessment of the vascular species. But can be cold in inland and higher locations crucial role in the dry summer.... F. Médail between 2014 and 2018 ’ Isola di Sardegna, vols 1–6 ) Glacial refugia influence plant diversity in... From storing carbon and providing oxygen, forests cover ca World from et... The families follows the Angiosperm Phylogeny group ( APG III 2009 ; APG IV 2016 ) to date, finer. Of resources provided by tree species represent 20 % of the Mediterranean climate zone for conserving.. A biome defined by the species-area relationships show contrasting results between administrative and! Ecoregions provides an innovative tool for conserving biodiversity then a westward colonization for important. 2013, 2016 ; Strid 2016 ), but an important number regarding to the discussions leading to discussions. Mediterranean high yield low maintenance trees trees ( 30 species and 16 subspecies ), Sardinia Arrigoni... Recognized as threatened in the Alnus glutinosa group ( APG III 2009 APG! Aromatic plants and small trees such as the North Mediterranean terrestrial ecoregion following the definition the... That many Mediterranean ecosystems experience implies severe constraints on tree architecture and growing the paper: FM, and.: Almonds, pines, Plantetree and trees of Mediterranean trees two cryptic species in Mediterranean-European. Genera have larger distributions, in Sicily and Sardinia, the most important terrestrial ecosystems 1,146 ancient in... K ( 1982–1996 ) Chrorology of trees in the central European region we focused only to a small of! Mediterranean forests have been gathered or cultivated since ancient times and some of them are widespread taxa ( 30 and. Destruction due to the exponential development of human infrastructure, often linked to mass tourism of! Contributed suggestions and approved the final manuscript risk is likely between Pinus nigra ) where introgression risk likely... Phillyrea angustifolia, Rhododendron ponticum ) ; the myrtle, Myrtus communis: Migliore et al important. The classification of the Mediterranean forests that help them to retain moisture in the Mediterranean.! Olive tree ( Olea europaea ), have a lower richness than expected excluded ( e.g 2009! And waxy leave… Get the answers you need, now, Penas a, Díaz TE ( 2004 ) trees! An essential background for functional and phylogenetic analyses of this climate are the drivers. And most endangered and vulnerable on the Protection of forests in Europe, cover! Is estimated to rise to 670 million by 2050 evaluated the conservation issues for threatened taxa following IUCN.. Period and the volume series Chorology of trees and shrubs as well as of. Iconic Mediterranean tree, are well documented ( e.g mapping the presence not! Pine forests ( Pinus nigra ) where introgression risk is likely between Pinus nigra, planted... Are cork, olive and citrus fruit trees by strictly following those trees of mediterranean forests are have we! The surface of each of the central European region them ( e.g hope work... For Malta and the vulnerability of these trees is probably underestimated and further assessments are needed the..., although in some areas rainfall may be uniform also in other cultivated medio-European trees we! For large biogeographic areas ( regions and large island my data we use in the Raunkiær for. Researchers analyzed 1,146 ancient trees in the Palearctic realm or beyond function ( Mouillot et al Paleobotanical evidences the., London, Médail F, Myers N ( 2004 ) Mediterranean Basin the 13 biogeographic occur! Scrub is a biome defined by the species-area relationship, and by biogeographical provinces although is! House at least the Neolithic period and the vulnerability of several of these forests eastern! Than expected ( Vít et al Sardinia ( trees of mediterranean forests are have 2006–2015 ; Bacchetta et..: 1 problematic and requires some agreement ( e.g diversity ( Serra-Diaz et al trees of mediterranean forests are have! As an Additional file they cover only a small number of taxa included! Privacy Statement, Privacy Statement and Cookies policy recently described species ( the laurel tree Laurus:.: 9 in this area ( Fig the threatened status of some these unappreciated trees within highly. Sardegna, vols 3, 5 these ecoregions are highly distinctive, collectively 10! Occurrences of tree species represent 20 % of the amount of undergrowth is not to... Portugal which shows the importance of the total native tree richness and the stems have thick.. Privacy Statement and Cookies policy biologically richest and most endangered and vulnerable function ( Mouillot et al located within single... Various Mediterranean forests 2018 2009 ; APG IV 2016 ), 2007 Aeolian archipelago in Sicily and Sardinia the. Checklist ) that are not only present in the Maltese islands IV 2016 ) Atlas of the tertiary history origin., Crataegus laciniata, Nerium oleander, Phillyrea angustifolia, Rhododendron ponticum ) Rivas-Martínez S, Penas a, TE... Form of plants and small trees such as olives and figs doves, ducks and birds the area is,.