LATEST NEWS: What we say
WEEK ONE (11 June)
Kew's Director, Professor Steve Hopper, gives an introduction to the Mediterranean region and the issues it faces...
The Mediterranean climate is one of mild, wet winters with summer drought and the vegetation that is associated with this is dominated by a vast array of evergreen shrubs and sclerophyllous (hard-leaved) trees. In some areas, annuals and herbs with bulbs or tubers dominate the landscape and spring brings with it a multitude of colours and smells. In addition to the area bordering the Mediterranean sea, Mediterranean vegetation occurs in California, Chile, northwest Mexico, South Africa and southwest Australia. Different suites of species occur in the different countries but due to convergent evolution, where plants evolve similar adaptations to similar environments, the structure of the plants and habitats make the vegetation easily recognisable as Mediterranean.
Diversity
The diversity within Mediterranean regions is quite spectacular and although they cover less than 5% of the earth's surface they support nearly 20% of known vascular plant species. They are therefore vitally important areas for conserving plant diversity.
Threats
Unfortunately, these important hotspots for plant diversity are facing a number of threats. The development of coastal areas causes destruction and fragmentation of the vegetation and global climate change threatens to increase the periods of drought and alter the regime of natural fires, the cycle of which is critical to the survival of these highly diverse communities. Increased drought presents the risk of desertification, creating arid wastelands where vegetation once grew, while global rises in sea level threaten the coastal habitats with flooding.
Conservation
The conservation of Mediterranean vegetation is a vital part of the conservation of global plant diversity and these threats must therefore be addressed. The Mediterranean Festival here at Kew aims to celebrate the diversity of these important plant communities and to raise awareness of the threats that they face, so that we can ensure they are there to be enjoyed by future generations. The Festival also aims to highlight use of Mediterranean plants in gardens, an increasingly possible approach to saving water as the climate dries.
Have your say
We'd be fascinated to hear your thoughts. Use the form below, and we'll publish the best of your comments on these pages.