Main
Session.
Coordinator:
Carlo Blasi
Abstract:
The
Mediterranean Basin is an
important reservoir of biodiversity
at all levels: genetic,
species and ecosystem. The
great diversity of ecosystems
and the long history of
man-environment interactions
are key factors for the
occurrence of a high variety
of typical landscapes that
have been scientifically
investigated in the last
decades with natural (vegetation,
ecological) and cultural
approaches.
Different landscape classifications
have been proposed, aimed
at defining land units with
equal ecological potentials
(ecoregions, environmental
units) or with similar variety
and pattern of human-nature
relations (landscape units).
In this session, attention
will focus mainly on the
ecological characterization
of landscapes and on conservation
assessment, at different
spatial scales. The aim
is to gather and debate
research knowledge on ecological
land classification, vegetation
dynamics, landscape change
and conservation of natural
systems in different Mediterranean
environments.
The scientific collaboration
between vegetation scientists
and landscape ecologists
on the topics of landscape
classification and sustainable
management would greatly
contribute to the development
of an international List
of Mediterranean landscapes
with high ecological value
and/or vulnerability.
Key
words: Mediterranean
landscapes, ecological land
classification, vegetation
analysis, conservation assessment,
landscape dynamics.
