Comparison of Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Basin and Western Australia

A comparison between fire-prone ecosystems in the Mediterranean basin and Western Australia shows convergent adaptations in structure, life forms and flora evolution. Both areas have in common summer drought and winter rainfall. Reproductive biology is mainly correlated with fire ecology; the differ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant ecology 2002-12, Vol.163 (2), p.177-186
Main Authors: Pignatti, Erika, Pignatti, Sandro, Ladd, Philip G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Drought
Ecosystems
Flora
Forest & brush fires
Leaves
Lentic systems
Mediterranean climates
Plant ecology
Plant reproduction
Plants
Pollination
Rain
Seed banks
Shrubs
Species
Terrestrial ecosystems
Vegetation
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Summary:A comparison between fire-prone ecosystems in the Mediterranean basin and Western Australia shows convergent adaptations in structure, life forms and flora evolution. Both areas have in common summer drought and winter rainfall. Reproductive biology is mainly correlated with fire ecology; the different length of human impact and history seem to be responsible for floristic divergency in both areas. The ecological significance of pollination by insects, birds and mammals and problems of the seed banks are discussed.
ISSN:1385-0237
1573-5052
DOI:10.1023/A:1020968010349