The Biology of Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen J. Esler ◽  
Anna L. Jacobsen ◽  
R. Brandon Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Mediterranean Type Ecosystems

The world’s mediterranean-type climate regions (including areas within the Mediterranean, South Africa, Australia, California, and Chile) have long been of interest to biologists by virtue of their extraordinary biodiversity and the appearance of evolutionary convergence between these disparate regions. Comparisons between mediterranean-type climate regions have provided important insights into questions at the cutting edge of ecological, ecophysiological and evolutionary research. These regions, dominated by evergreen shrubland communities, contain many rare and endemic species. Their mild climate makes them appealing places to live and visit and this has resulted in numerous threats to the species and communities that occupy them. Threats include a wide range of factors such as habitat loss due to development and agriculture, disturbance, invasive species, and climate change. As a result, they continue to attract far more attention than their limited geographic area might suggest. This book provides a concise but comprehensive introduction to mediterranean-type ecosystems. As with other books in the Biology of Habitats Series, the emphasis in this book is on the organisms that dominate these regions although their management, conservation, and restoration are also considered.

Impacts of model spatial resolution on intense and heavy precipitation events over the Mediterranean region.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Conte ◽  
Piero Lionello ◽  
Silvio Gualdi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Spatial Pattern ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Precipitation Events

<p>Dynamical downscaling through coupled regional climate model plays an important role to improve climate information at regional fine-scale, since it modulates information produced by GCM, combining planetary scale processes with regional scale processes.  This study describes the impact of climate change  on rainfall over the Mediterranean region, downscaling, at two different horizontal grid resolutions (0.44 and 0.11 degs), a Global Climate Model (GCM at 0.75 degs) by means of a coupled Regional Climate System Models (RCSM). We analyze the effect of adopting model version with different horizontal resolutions (0.11, 0.44 e 0.75 degs), considering  two climate representative concentration pathways (rcp4.5 and rcp8.5). The spatial pattern on different aspects of precipitation climatology are investigated such as increase/decrease in the intensity of precipitation events, extremes and annual amount of wet days. Moreover, since the grid models cover a wide and complex climate geographic area, the rainfall probability over six sub-regions are calculated: (1) Alps, (2) North-Western coast, (2) South Italy, (3) central part of the Mediterranean sea, (4) Greece Anatolia peninsula and Levantine basin. Although, the evaluation of RCSM downscaling is complex and depends on several factors such as: variables considered, geographic area, topography, model configuration and so on, the results show that it produces an significant improvement, adding information with regards to fine-scale spatial pattern, respect to that provided by GCM.</p><p><strong>ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:</strong> This contribution is based on work conducted by the authors within the SOCLIMPACT project, that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 776661. The fullname of the project is "DownScaling CLImate ImPACTs and decarbonisation pathways in EU islands, and enhancing socioeconomic and non-market evaluation of Climate Change for Europe, for 2050 and Beyond". The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and should not be considered as representative of the European Commission’s official position.</p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong>  widespread heavy rainfall, coupled numerical models, daily rainfall, climate scenarios, climatology of heavy rainfall.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Marine alien species as an aspect of global change

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Occhipinti-Ambrogi ◽  
Bella Galil
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Global Change ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Alien Invasive Species ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Daunting Task ◽  
The Mediterranean

The transport of organisms across oceans is an anthropogenic agent of global change that has profoundly affected the natural distribution of littoral biota and altered the makeup of biogeographic regions. The homogenization of marine biotas is a phenomenon especially affecting coastal regions and is spearheaded by a suite of opportunistic species at the expense of native species. Climate change may exacerbate the trend: sea surface temperatures, hydrodynamics, pH and carbonate cycles, already show marked fluctuations compared to the past. Alien invasive species are impacted by the change of marine climate in a variety of ways, which are we have just begun to notice, observe and interpret. A conceptual framework has yet to be conceived that links theories on biological introductions and invasions with the physical aspects of global change. Therefore predicting the scale of invasions or their impact on biodiversity is a daunting task. Integration of biological and environmental information systems, niche models, and climate projections would improve management of aquatic ecosystems under the dual threats of biotic invasions and climate change. The recorded spread of alien species and analysis of patterns of invasions may serve as the starting point for searching connections with climate change descriptors. The Mediterranean Sea is home to an exceptionally large number of alien species, resulting from its exceptional history and multiple vectors. For much of the twentieth century alien thermophilic species, which had entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, have been confined to the Levantine Basin. In recent years climate driven hydrographic changes have coincided with a pronounced expansion of alien thermophilic biota to the central and western basins of the Mediterranean. We discuss some changes in emergent functions and services in Mediterranean ecosystems under the combined effect of invasive species and climate changes.

scholarly journals Multivariate Sub-Regional Ocean Indicators in the Mediterranean Sea: From Event Detection to Climate Change Estimations

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Juza ◽  
Joaquín Tintoré
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Mesoscale Eddy ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Balearic Islands ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Mediterranean

The increasing science and society requests for ocean monitoring from global to regional and local scales, the need for integration and convergence into a globally consistent ocean observing system as well as the need for improvement of access to information are now internationally recognized goals to progress toward the sustainable management of a healthy ocean. To respond to these challenges at regional level, the Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB) is developing a comprehensive set of ocean indicators in the Mediterranean Sea and around the Balearic Islands, key environments that are strongly affected by climate change and human pressure. This new SOCIB value-added product addresses the sub-regional ocean variability from daily (events) to interannual/decadal (climate) scales. A user-friendly interface has been implemented to monitor, visualize and communicate ocean information that is relevant for a wide range of sectors, applications and regional end-users. These sub-regional indicators allowed us to detect specific events in real time. Remarkable events and features identified include marine heat waves, atmospheric storm, extreme river discharge, mesoscale eddy, deep convection among others, all of them being oceanic phenomena that directly impact the ocean circulation and marine ecosystems. The long-term variations, in response to climate change, are also addressed highlighting and quantifying trends in physical and biogeochemical components of the ocean as well as sub-regional differences. At both (sub-) regional, national and international levels, a society-aligned science will have stronger impact on policy decision-makings and will support society to implement specific actions to address worldwide environmental challenges.

Floodplain Infrastructure and the Toxic Tide

2015 ◽  
pp. 150-173
Author(s):  
Sanford R. Bender
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Flood Plain ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Global Issues ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive ◽  
Coastal Sand

The human species is drawn to water. They are attracted by its dynamic flow and the promise of renewal that can lift their spirits up from the mundane. However, there is a growing awareness of how prior and current building practices continue to jeopardize environmentally sensitive wetlands, estuaries, bays, rivers, and coastal sand barriers. Constructing infrastructure in the floodplain causes erosion, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and increased vulnerability to hurricanes and other flooding disasters. This chapter will focus primarily on how building infrastructure located in the flood plain can affect the environment under the duress of catastrophic storm events. Reference is made to more far reaching phenomena global issues such as climate change, sea level rise, shifting continental fault lines, and other meteorological and geological changes that appear to be hastening the appearance of major disastrous events.

Disproportional risk for habitat loss of high-altitude endemic species under climate change

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 990-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
THOMAS DIRNBÖCK ◽  
FRANZ ESSL ◽  
WOLFGANG RABITSCH
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Endemic Species

scholarly journals Recent advances in understanding grasslands

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carly J. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Ecosystem Stability ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Grassland Ecology ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Ecological Experiments ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Plant Soil Interactions

Grasslands are a vitally important ecosystem, supporting a wide range of ecosystem services and high levels of biodiversity. As a consequence, they have long been a focus for ecologists, playing host to some of the world’s longest-running ecological experiments and providing the inspiration for many long-standing theories and debates. Because the field of grassland ecology is broad, encompassing many areas of ecology, this article picks some areas of particular debate and development to look at recent advances. The areas include relationships between diversity and productivity, ecosystem stability and ecosystem service provision, global change threats from nutrient addition, invasive species, climate change, and plant soil interactions.

scholarly journals A proposed national strategic framework for the management of Cactaceae in South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haylee Kaplan ◽  
John R.U. Wilson ◽  
Hildegard Klein ◽  
Lesley Henderson ◽  
Helmuth G. Zimmermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Strategic Management ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Strategic Framework ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
History Of ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Management Approaches

Background: South Africa has a long history of managing biological invasions. The rapid increase in the scale and complexity of problems associated with invasions calls for new, more strategic management approaches. This paper explores strategic management approaches for cactus invasions in South Africa. Cacti (Cactaceae) have had a long history of socio-economic benefits, considerable negative environmental and socio-economic impacts, and a wide range of management interventions in South Africa. Objectives: To guide the future management of cactus invasions, a national strategic framework was developed by the South African Cactus Working Group. The overarching aim of this framework is to reduce the negative impacts of cacti to a point where their benefits significantly outweigh the losses. Method: Four strategic objectives were proposed: (1) all invasive and potentially invasive cactus species should be prevented from entering the country, (2) new incursions of cactus species must be rapidly detected and eradicated, (3) the impacts of invasive cacti must be reduced and contained and (4) socio-economically useful cacti (both invasive and non-invasive species) must be utilised sustainably to minimise the risk of further negative impacts. Results: There are currently 35 listed invasive cactus species in the country; 10 species are targeted for eradication and 12 are under partial or complete biological control. We discuss approaches for the management of cactus species, their introduction and spread pathways and spatial prioritisation of control efforts. Conclusion: A thorough understanding of context-specific invasion processes and stakeholder support is needed when implementing strategies for a group of invasive species.

scholarly journals Population genetics and migration pathways of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata inferred with coalescent methods

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Belen Arias ◽  
Samia Elfekih ◽  
Alfried P. Vogler
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Ceratitis Capitata ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Mediterranean Fruit Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Migration Pathways

Background Invasive species are a growing threat to food biosecurity and cause significant economic losses in agricultural systems. Despite their damaging effect, they are attractive models for the study of evolution and adaptation in newly colonised environments. The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, as a member of the family Tephritidae, is one of the most studied invasive species feeding on many fruit crops in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. This study aims to determine the global macrogeographic population structure of Ceratitis capitata and reconstruct its potential migration routes. Method A partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene from >400 individual medflies and 14 populations from four continents was sequenced and subjected to Bayesian demographic modelling. Results The Afrotropical populations (Kenya, South Africa and Ghana) harbour the majority of haplotypes detected, which also are highly divergent, in accordance with the presumed ancestral range of medflies in Sub-Saharan Africa. All other populations in the presumed non-native areas were dominated by a single haplotype also present in South Africa, in addition to a few, closely related haplotypes unique to a single local population or regional set, but missing from Africa. Bayesian coalescence methods revealed recent migration pathways from Africa to all continents, in addition to limited bidirectional migration among many local and intercontinental routes. Conclusion The detailed investigation of the recent migration history highlights the interconnectedness of affected crop production regions worldwide and pinpoints the routes and potential source areas requiring more specific quarantine measures.

Floodplain Infrastructure and the Toxic Tide

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Sanford R. Bender
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Flood Plain ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Global Issues ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive ◽  
Coastal Sand

The human species is drawn to water. They are attracted by its dynamic flow and the promise of renewal that can lift their spirits up from the mundane. However, there is a growing awareness of how prior and current building practices continue to jeopardize environmentally sensitive wetlands, estuaries, bays, rivers, and coastal sand barriers. Constructing infrastructure in the floodplain causes erosion, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and increased vulnerability to hurricanes and other flooding disasters. This chapter will focus primarily on how building infrastructure located in the flood plain can affect the environment under the duress of catastrophic storm events. Reference is made to more far reaching phenomena global issues such as climate change, sea level rise, shifting continental fault lines, and other meteorological and geological changes that appear to be hastening the appearance of major disastrous events.

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