Equilibrium of vegetation and climate at the European rear edge. A reference for climate change planning in mountainous Mediterranean regions

摘要: Mediterranean mountains harbour some of Europe’s highest floristic richness. This is accounted for largely by the mesoclimatic variety in these areas, along with co-occurrence a small area Eurosiberian, Boreal and species, those Tertiary Subtropical origin. Throughout twenty-first century, we are likely to witness climate change-related modification biogeographic scenario mountains, there therefore need accurate regionalisations serve as reference abundance distribution species communities, particularly relictic nature. paper presents an objective mapping method focussing on regions mountain range. The procedure was tested Cordillera Central Mountains Iberian Peninsula, western Mediterranean, one ranges occupying largest Basin. regionalisation based upon multivariate analyses detailed cartography employing 27 climatic variables. We used spatial interpolation data geographic information. detected high diversity range studied. identified 13 regions, all which form varying mosaic throughout annual temperature rainfall cycle. heterogeneity results from two geographically opposed gradients. first Mediterranean-Euro-Siberian variation second gradient involves degree oceanicity, negatively related distance Atlantic Ocean. existing correlation between flora therein enables be situated within projected trends global warming, their ecological consequences analysed.