Action Center
Across the Mediterranean biome, only 4.3% of the areas designated for biodiversity protection have been protected - while 31% has been converted to urban and high-impact agriculture. Learn more about what is happening and who is helping in the five regions of the biome:
#1: Australia: Mediterranean regions in Western and South Australia
Threats
- Large-scale clearing of woodland, shrubland and mallee, a multi-stemmed eucalyptus.
- Only 2 to 3% of native vegetation remains.
- Wetlands, floodplains, riparian areas and valley floors threatened by salinization.
- Spread of pathogen has threatened 6,000 plants. Led to collapse of ecological communities in
forests and heathlands.
- Extensive water use and pressure on native vegetation in Swan Coastal Plain
- Four plant species estimated to be extinct and 57 threatened by invasive plants.
- Mining threatening areas with high levels of endemic plants.
(Sources: 1: Hobbs, 1998, Rijavec et al. 2002, Hopper et al. 1996; Saunders 1993; Garkaklis et al. 2003; 2: Hobbs, 1998; 3: Cramer and Hobbs 2002; 4: CALM 2004; Coates and Atkins 2001; 5: Hobbs 1998; 6: Leigh and Briggs 1992; 7: Coates and Atkins 2001.)
Who is helping?
#2: California and Baja, California: Only Mediterranean Climate in the United States and Mexico
Threats
- Many ecosystems reduced to fractions along coastal plains and interior rangelands.
- Endangered and threatened sea turtles and whale sharks at growing risk.
- Oak woodlands being damaged, and future regeneration may be hindered.
- Oak woodlands and rangelands increasingly converted from original state to vineyards.
- Growth of fires damaging shrubland and coastal scrub ecosystems.
- Invasive plant species dominating native perennial grasslands.
- Invasive plants also effecting scrub and shrublands.
- Sudden Oak Death striking coastal forests at epidemic levels.
- Air pollution altering leaf biochemistry and vegetation structure in coastal scrub systems.
- Climate change predicted to reduce snow levels, diminishing streams and agricultural water supplies.
(Sources: 1: RHJV 2004; 2: Shopland 1999; Rodriguez-Estrella 2005; 3: Bunn et al. 2005; 4: Wine Institute 2005, Merenlender 2000, Johnson & Chase 2004; 5: Klinger et al. 2006; 6: Barbour and Major 1988; Keeley and Swift 1994; Rundell 2000; 7: Keeley 2001, Brooks et al. 2004; 8: Rizzo and Garbelotto, 2003; Meentemeyer et al. 2004; 9: Westman 1990.)
Who is helping?
#3: Chile: Central Chile's Mediterranean Climate
Threats
- Dramatic population growth in coastal cities and Santiago.
- Fragile dunes, cliffs and marine terrace ecosystems in coastal regions being irreversibly damaged.
- Growth of plantations damaging coastal forests.
- Growth of vineyards is leading to loss of native woodlands espinal savanna.
- Growing pollution, reduced vegetation and highly eroded, metal rich soils in some areas of coastal Chile.
- Growth of fires caused by human activity.
- Invasive annual grasses and forbs dominating savannas of central Chile.
(Sources: 1: Pauchard et al 2006, Romero and Ordenes 2004; 2: Paskoff and Mantiquez 1999; 3: Aronson et al 1998; 4: Rundel 1998, Fuentes et al. 1989, Benavente 2004; 5: Ginocchio 2000; 6: Montenegro et al. 2004, Mooney 1977; 7: Arroyo et al. 2000, Holmgren 2000.)
Who is helping?
#4: Mediterranean Basin: Largest biome region, spanning three continents
Threats
- Natural habitats in coastal regions reduced to small refuges.
- Growing air and water pollution as a result of population increase in coastal areas.
- Valuable areas in Spain, Portugal and Morocco being destroyed by intensive agriculture and development.
- Increasing fires in coniferous forests and shrublands in Euro-Mediterranean region.
- Rural areas being abandoned in interior Euro-Mediterranean Basin countries.
- Morocco's forest ecosystem reduced to 30% of its potential area.
- Drastic conversions of native vegetation to grasslands in northern Africa.
- Reduction of water resources and silt in coastal areas.
(Sources: 1: Medail and Quezel 1997, Vogiatzakis et al. 2005; 2: Caffyn et al 2002; Smith 1997; 3: Blondel and Aronson 1999; 4: le Houerou 1981,Vogiatzakis et al 2005, Susmel 1973; 5: Blondel and Aronson 1999, Medail and Verlaque 1997, Ruiz de la Torre 1985; 6: Benabid 2000; le Hourerou 1992; 7: Blondel and Aronson 1999, Thiault 1955; 8: Vogiatzakis et al 2005.)
Who is helping?
#5: South Africa
Threats
- Invasive plants dominating many natural communities, reducing rainfall and causing significant economic damage.
- Significant areas of lowland vegetation has been converted to high-intensity agriculture
- Renosterveld communities being disproportionately converted to agriculture.
- Natural habitats have been heavily fragmented, which leads to fewer plant species.
- Fire regimes have been altered, which affects shrubland regeneration.
- Growth of informal settlements putting pressure on vegetation near urban areas.
- Climate change projected to cause loss of certain areas and reduction in the range of many Proteaceae species.
(Sources: 1: Burgers et al. 1995, The Nature Conservancy, Mediterranean Workshop Report; 2: Richardson et al 1996, Rouget et al. 2003; 3: Cowling 1990; Low and Rebelo 1996; 4: Bond et al 1988, Cowling and Bond 1991; 6: Richardson et al 2000; 7: Midgeley et al 2003)
Who is helping?
Events
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Isabel Granillo
Isabel Granillo currently works for The Nature Conservancy's Mexico Program as the Program Manager for Baja California; in her position she is dedicated mainly to the conservation of mediterranean type habitats in Baja California, including San Quint'n Bay, but also islands, forest and marine habitats.
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