Plant Responses to Drought Under Climate Change in Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems

Abstract

The vegetation of Mediterranean-type ecosystems has adapted to a marked seasonality characterized by a mildly cold and rainy winter and a hot dry summer. However, it is drought in the hot summer that has more dramatically influenced evolution and plant life. Because of the peculiar climatic conditions, Mediterranean-type ecosystems have a great diversity of plant life forms dominated by C3 drought avoiders, ranging from winter annuals to deep-rooted perennials or summer-deciduous shrubs. The lack of water in the warmer part of the year does not allow C4 plants to compete successfully under natural conditions, even though they may be highly productive in irrigated agriculture.