Mediterranean mountains exhibit many similarities in theirbiotic ecological, physical and environmental characteristics.There are also many differences in terms of their humancolonization pattern, historic land uses and current anthopogenicpressures.This book provides an introduction to these environments ofmountainous areas in the Mediterranean and their changes in timeand space in relation to both natural and cultural factors.Mediterranean Mountain Environments places itsemphasis on physical geography while adopting an integratedapproach to the whole subject area. The book draws examples from awide range of environments, demonstrating the interaction betweenhuman and physical processes responsible for shaping mountainareas. Risks and conflicts, as well as methods and tools for theconservation and management of both the natural and culturalenvironment are covered in the light of future challenges for thesustainable development of the Mediterranean mountains.* Emphasis on both mainland and island mountain ranges* Combines natural and cultural approach in the topic* Integrated approach: facing future challenges based on thestudy and understanding of the historical processes that haveshaped the Mediterranean mountains* Key references at the end of each chapter

List of contributors xiPreface xiiiAcknowledgements xv1 Introduction to the Mediterranean mountain environments1Ioannis N. Vogiatzakis1.1 Introduction 11.2 Setting the scene 31.3 The character of the Mediterranean mountains 6References 92 Quaternary environmental history 11A.M. Mannion2.1 Introduction 112.2 The pre-Quaternary period 122.3 The Quaternary period 152.4 The Holocene 272.5 Conclusion 29References 303 Glacial history 35Philip D. Hughes3.1 Introduction 353.2 Pleistocene glaciations in the Mediterranean mountains373.3 Modern and recent glaciers in the Mediterranean mountains523.4 Conclusion 56References 564 Landforms and soils 65Maria Teresa Melis and Stefano Loddo4.1 Introduction 654.2 Geomorphological processes in the Mediterranean mountainregion 654.3 Geological setting 664.4 Soil characteristics of Mediterranean landscape units 674.5 Northern Mediterranean mountain landscapes: from thePyrenees to the Hellenids 704.6 Eastern Mediterranean mountains: the Lebanon Mountains724.7 Southern Mediterranean mountains: Atlas Mountains andIberian Baetic Cordillera 744.8 Characteristic mountain landscapes of the Mediterraneanislands 784.9 Conclusion 83References 835 Climate and hydrology 87Carmen de Jong, Ibrahim Gürer, Alon Rimmer, Amin Shabanand Mark Williams5.1 Introduction 875.2 Climate and physical characteristics 905.3 Vulnerability of water resources to climate change 1035.4 Adaptation strategies 1065.5 Conclusion 108References 1096 Biogeography 115Ioannis N. Vogiatzakis6.1 Introduction to mountain biogeography 1156.2 Vegetation 1186.3 Flora 1246.4 Fauna 1276.5 Conservation in Mediterranean mountains 1296.6 Conclusion 131References 1327 Cultural geographies 137Veronica della Dora and Theano S. Terkenli7.1 Introduction 1377.2 Mythical mountains 1397.3 Theophanic mountains 1427.4 'Traditional' mountains 1487.5 Commodified mountains 1517.6 Conclusion 154References 1558 Land use changes 159Vasilios P. Papanastasis8.1 Introduction 1598.2 Drivers of land use changes 1608.3 Major land uses and their historical evolution 1628.4 Recent land use changes 1678.5 Discussion 1738.6 Conclusion 1788.7 Acknowledgements 178References 1799 Climate change and its impact 185D. Nogués-Bravo, J.I. López-Moreno and S.M.Vicente-Serrano9.1 Introduction 1859.2 Climate change in Mediterranean mountains 1869.3 Cryosphere changes in the Mediterranean mountains 1909.4 Hydrosphere changes in the Mediterranean mountains 1919.5 Biosphere changes in the Mediterranean mountains 1929.6 Conclusion 197References 19810 Conclusions 201Ioannis N. Vogiatzakis10.1 Introduction 20110.2 Environmental challenges in Mediterranean mountains 20210.3 Adaptation and protection 20510.4 Conclusion 208References 208Index 211