in the Mediterranean - GID

Introduction
Sandro Pignati
(Linceo, Italy)
The Mediterranean zone is characterized by a climate with mild
winter and dry summer. Such conditions are evident in 5 regions of
the world (Mediterranean type ecosystems). Under these climate
conditions the vegetation develops evergreen woodlands, with the
structure of forest or matorral.
Fire is a natural factor of the ecosystem, producing a cyclic succession
and the vegetation alternatively consists of woodland or low
shrubs (garrigue, phrygana). Woodland has a maximum of biomass,
stability and soil protection, but biodiversity is concentrated
in the post-fire vegetation.
49