Mediterranean Phenology

Abstract

This chapter describes the five Mediterranean zones around the world and discusses vegetation and environmental factors, including climate, that make the Mediterranean Climate zones unique. Several key reports on the role of climate and climate change on phenological development of Mediterranean ecosystems are presented and discussed. The chapter talks about the impact of current and projected temperature and precipitation on phenology and emphasizes the importance of precipitation patterns on response to higher temperature. One conclusion is that more studies are needed on drought impact on phenology since water stress can increase plant temperature and result in even faster phenological development. Drought can speed up phenological development, but it can also impede growth and lead to reduced productivity.