Perspectives of forest ecophysiological research in the context of Mediterranean Basin

Abstract

The mediterranean-climate regions are linked to the presence of the unusual global conditions of cool rainy winters and warm dry summers. Thus, the common drought periods, frost nights, summer heat and fires and soil erosion disturb plants life. These regions have a global significance by their floristic richness. Nevertheless, these areas have been more heavily impacted by human activities than almost any other ecosystem. The foreseeable global change will most likely influence plant life, and the Mediterranean Basin will be specially affected (e.g. a decrease in spring and winter rainfalls, an increase in mean annual temperature), affecting the delicate equilibrium of these ecosystems. Ecophysiology is a powerful tool to examine the controlling mechanisms behind the functioning, distribution, abundance, and productivity of forest tree species and their response to a changing environment. This science discipline can help to the forest management by physiological approaches of the response of plant processes to the biotic and abiotic constraints imposed by the environment.