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The uniqueness of the plant kingdom: which species make Mediterranean vegetation so diverse?
The Mediterranean region is famous for its unique climate and diverse vegetation landscape. The diversity of these vegetation comes not only from its unique geographical environment, but also from the diverse plant species. In today’s article, we take an in-depth look at the Mediterranean forest, woodland and scrubland ecosystem and reveal which plants make this ecosystem so unique.
Mediterranean forest, woodland and shrubland is defined by WWF as a biome typically characterized by dry summers and wet winters, although precipitation may be more even in some areas.
Distribution of Biomes
The Mediterranean forest, woodland and scrub biome occurs primarily in the Mediterranean climate zone, including the Mediterranean Basin, the Matorral in Chile, the scrubland of California, and the Western Cape of South Africa. This biome is not limited to Mediterranean climates but can also occur in other climate zones such as semi-arid marine and humid subtropical climate zones.
In addition, the vegetation in Egypt's Nile Valley, South Africa's Eastern Cape region, southern Kazakhstan and other places also shows Mediterranean characteristics, allowing us to have a deeper understanding of the widespread distribution of Mediterranean vegetation.
Rich vegetation types
The Mediterranean region has a variety of vegetation types, from forests to shrubs and even grasslands, forming a rich "mosaic habitat" landscape. The interweaving of different vegetation types due to variations in soils, topography, light and fire history creates a unique ecological diversity.
Most woody plants in Mediterranean climates are sclerophyllous, which are plants with small, dark leaves covered with a waxy substance to retain moisture during dry summers.
Main plant communities
The main plant communities in the Mediterranean region include:
- Forests: Mediterranean forests consist primarily of broad-leaved trees such as oak and mixed sclerophyllous forests of California and the Mediterranean.
- Woodlands: Oak forests are a hallmark of the Mediterranean basin and California.
- Shrubland: Mediterranean scrubland consists of evergreen sclerophyllous shrubs and small trees adapted to the windy and salt-spraying environment near the coast.
The role of fire
Fires, both natural and anthropogenic, have played an important role in the evolution of Mediterranean ecosystems. Hot, dry summers make the region prone to fire, and many plants are considered fire-loving and even dependent on fire for reproduction and nutrient recycling.
In Australia and California, Aboriginal peoples used fire extensively to clear brush and trees, making way for grasses and herbs to grow, which in turn supported game and useful plants.
Habitat degradation
Despite the presence of these rich ecosystems, the Mediterranean ecoregion is also one of the most vulnerable and threatened. They have suffered extensive habitat loss due to logging, overgrazing, urbanization and the introduction of invasive species.
For example, in the Mediterranean basin and California, many native plants and animals are threatened with extinction or endangerment due to human activities.
Conclusion
The diversity of Mediterranean vegetation is not only the result of the adaptation of various plants to specific environments, but also a reflection of the impact of human activities on the ecosystem. With climate change and further human development, can we protect this precious plant diversity in this unique ecological region?
