Gauquelin T. auteur aut IRD Michon Geneviève auteur aut IRD Joffre R. auteur aut IRD Duponnois Robin auteur aut IRD Génin Didier auteur aut IRD Fady B. auteur aut IRD Dagher-Kharrat M. B. auteur aut IRD Derridj A. auteur aut IRD Slimani S. auteur aut IRD Badri W. auteur aut IRD Alifriqui M. auteur aut IRD Auclair Laurent auteur aut IRD Simenel Romain auteur aut IRD Aderghal M. auteur aut IRD Baudoin Ezékiel auteur aut IRD Galiana A. auteur aut IRD Prin Y. auteur aut IRD Sanguin H. auteur aut IRD Fernandez C. auteur aut IRD Baldy V. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Mediterranean forests are found in the Mediterranean basin, California, the South African Cape Province, South and southwestern Australia and parts of Central Chile. They represent 1.8 % of the world forest areas of which the vast majority is found in the Mediterranean basin, where historical and paleogeographic episodes, long-term human influence and geographical and climatic contrasts have created ecosystemic diversity and heterogeneity. Even if evergreen is dominant, deciduous trees are also represented, with different forest types including dense stands with a closed canopy (forests sensu stricto) and pre-forestal or pre-steppic structures with lower trees density and height. The Mediterranean basin is also a hot spot of forest species and genetic diversity, with 290 woody species versus only 135 for non-Mediterranean Europe. However, the characteristics of the Mediterranean area (long-standing anthropogenic pressure, significant current human activity and broad biodiversity) make it one of the world's regions most threatened by current changes. Four examples of Mediterranean forest types, present in south and north of the Mediterranean basin and more or less threatened, are developed in order to show that linking "hard sciences" and humanities and social sciences is necessary to understand these complex ecosystems. We show also that these forests, in spite of specific climatic constraints, can also be healthy and productive and play a major ecological and social role. Furthermore, even if the current human activity and global change constitute a risk for these exceptional ecosystems, Mediterranean forests represent a great asset and opportunities for the future of the Mediterranean basin. specialized Mediterranean basin Forest Quercus Pinus Juniperus Biodiversity Functioning Sustainability Socio-ecological systems 082 098 021 Voltz M. ed. edt IRD Ludwig W. ed. edt IRD Leduc Christian ed. edt IRD Bouarfa S. ed. edt IRD 18 3 623-636 2018 1436-3798 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010072697 10.1007/s10113-016-0994-3 1436-3798 [F B010072697] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010072697 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2018/04/010072697.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2018-05-04 2025-11-04 fdi:010072697 fre