Open AccessBiodiversity, climate change, and adaptation in the Mediterranean
Author(s) -
Aurelle Didier,
Thomas Séverine,
Albert Cécile,
Bally Marc,
Bondeau Alberte,
Boudouresque CharlesFrançois,
Cahill Abigail E.,
Carlotti François,
Chenuil Anne,
Cramer Wolfgang,
Davi Hendrik,
De Jode Aurélien,
Ereskovsky Alexander,
Farnet AnneMarie,
Fernandez Catherine,
Gauquelin Thierry,
Mirleau Pascal,
Monnet AnneChristine,
Prévosto Bernard,
Rossi Vincent,
Sartoretto Stéphane,
Van Wambeke France,
Fady Bruno
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
ecosphere
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.255
H-Index - 57
ISSN - 2150-8925
DOI - 10.1002/ecs2.3915
Subject(s) - biodiversity , mediterranean basin , climate change , mediterranean climate , biological dispersal , ecosystem , adaptability , adaptation (eye) , ecology , environmental change , psychological resilience , geography , environmental resource management , environmental science , biology , psychology , population , demography , neuroscience , sociology , psychotherapist
Potential for, and limits to, adaptation to environmental changes are critical for resilience and risk mitigation. The Mediterranean basin is a mosaic of biodiversity‐rich ecosystems long affected by human influence, whose resilience is now questioned by climate change. After reviewing the different components of biological adaptation, we present the main characteristics of marine and terrestrial biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin and of the pressures they face. Taking climatic trends into consideration, we discuss the adaptive potential of a range of ecosystems dominated by species without active dispersal. We argue that the high heterogeneity of Mediterranean landscapes and seascapes constitutes a laboratory for the study of adaptation when environmental conditions change rapidly and may provide opportunities for adaptation and adaptability of species and ecosystems. Adaptive management in the Mediterranean can and should harness the nature‐based solutions offered by both ecological and evolutionary processes for increasing the resilience of ecosystems to climate change.