Marginal/peripheral populations of forest tree species and their conservation status: report for Mediterranean region

Abstract

The Mediterranean region includes 13 countries among Europe, Near Orient, and Africa. This area is a huge “hot spot” of  cultures, religions, socio-economical situations, and of habitats and  biodiversity. The report illustrates the geographical and ecological features of the region. Forest ecosystems and vegetation traits, with particular focus on forest species growing at the edge of their distribution range, are here compiled. The accuracy of reports, shows the interest and attention that the Mediterranean countries have for the different and complex situations of marginality that characterizes the presence of many forest species in this region. In this area the occurrence of 166  marginal and peripheral (MaP) populations of different species has been detected. Most of populations are characterised by vulnerability and fragility. Many MaP survive in environmental refugia and /or in isolated stands. However, most of the MaP populations identified by FP1202 experts are located in protected areas and also sometimes registered as seed sources, although Mediterranean region appears heterogeneous with respect to protection measures.