Ecosystem

New records of introduced species in the Mediterranean (February 2025)

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This Collective Article compiles information on nineteen (19) species recorded in seven (7) Mediterranean countries (Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Syria, and Türkiye) and across four major sub-basins (Adriatic, Western, Central, and Eastern Mediterranean). The documented taxa represent eight (8) phyla: Annelida (four species), Arthropoda (three), Bryozoa (one), Chordata (two), Cnidaria (two), Mollusca (five), Chlorophyta…

On the influence of plant morphology in the extensive green roof cover: A case study in Mediterranean area

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The success of green roofs in Mediterranean areas requires the selection of fast development plant species, able to grow in a shallow soilless substrate also under dry climatic conditions. In this context, the exploitation of native species from marginal sites characterized by limited availability of nutrients and water could be a strategy to select plants….

Large-scale loss of Mediterranean coastal marshes under rising sea levels by 2100

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Mediterranean coastal wetlands account for important biodiversity and ecosystem services. But climate-change induced sea-level rise poses a critical risk to their survival. Here, we assess these risks for Mediterranean coastal marshes, one key type of Mediterranean coastal wetlands, and identify main drivers for future coastal marsh change for the Mediterranean and comparable coastlines. We apply…

Potential risk of macro-plastic on the megafauna of two semi-enclosed European seas

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Plastic pollution, particularly macro-plastic, poses significant threats to marine ecosystems worldwide, with adverse effects on marine megafauna such as mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles. This study examines the areas of higher risk of megafauna encountering floating macro-plastics in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, semi-enclosed basins with high anthropogenic pressures and plastic densities. Using Lagrangean and…

“Internet of nature” helps researchers explore the web of life

“Internet of nature” helps researchers explore the web of life

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A novel paper led by Dr Ulrich Brose of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and the Friedrich Schiller University Jena is widening understanding of how species interact within ecosystems via the so-called “Internet of Nature.” Published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, the paper reveals that species not only exchange matter and energy…

Small-scale land use effects on plant communities in Mediterranean urban ecosystems

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The spatial configuration of urban landscapes, characterized by complex mosaics of fragmented patches subjected to different land uses, shapes biodiversity and, therefore, affects ecosystem stability and functioning. The present study focuses on evaluating the small scale variations of vegetation structural and functional biodiversity in Mediterranean urban ecosystems, in relation to land use and fragmentation. For…

Restoring grazing agroecosystems in Mediterranean less favoured areas for resilience and productivity: experts opinion

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Mediterranean agroecosystems are under increasing pressures by extreme weather events, which together with poor livestock grazing management bring the already degraded lands closer to desertification. To address these challenges, we develop a decision support manual for sustainable management of degraded lands based on local plant and animal resources. We present a conceptual approach to quantify…

Computing ecosystem risk hotspots: A Mediterranean case study.

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In ecosystem management, risk assessment quantifies the probability and impact of events and informs on intervention priorities. Analytical models for risk assessment quantify the impact of natural and anthropogenic stressors on ecosystems. Traditional approaches evaluate single stressors, whereas complex models assess cumulative impacts of frequently interacting stressors and offer better accuracy at the expense of…

Identification of climate change hotspots in the Mediterranean

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The Mediterranean region has long been identified as a climate change hotspot. However, within the Mediterranean, there are smaller sub-areas that exhibit a higher risk of climate change and extremes. Previous research has often focused on indices based on mean climate values, yet extremes are typically more impactful on humans and ecosystems. This study aims…

How rising temperatures could lead to population crashes

How rising temperatures could lead to population crashes

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Researchers at Rice University have uncovered a critical link between rising temperatures and declines in a species’ population, shedding new light on how global warming threatens natural ecosystems. The study, published in Ecology and led by Volker Rudolf, revealed that rising temperatures exacerbate competition within populations, ultimately leading to population crashes at higher temperatures. It…