Beschreibung
Inhaltsangabe1 Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems: Opportunities and Constraints for Studying the Function of Biodiversity.- 1.1 Focus on Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems.- 1.2 Definitions.- 1.3 Why Study Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function?.- 1.4 Linking Diversity and Ecosystem Function.- 1.5 Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems: Similarities and Differences Between Regions.- 1.5.1 Climate.- 1.5.2 Soils.- 1.5.3 Vegetation.- 1.5.4 Human Transformation.- 1.6 History of Research on Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems.- 1.7 Opportunities for Studying Links Between Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function in MTEs.- References.- 2 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function in the Mediterranean Basin: Human and Non-Human Determinants.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Geography, Climate and Habitat Diversity.- 2.2.1 Geography.- 2.2.2 Climate.- 2.2.3 Habitat Diversity.- 2.3 Patterns of Mediterranean Diversities in Relation to Space and Time.- 2.3.1 Flora and Vegetation.- 2.3.2 Vertebrates.- 2.4 The Historical Load and Mediterranean Adaptations.- 2.4.1 Life History Traits of Mediterranean Plants: Historical Effects or Adaptations?.- 2.4.2 Intraspecific Variation.- 2.4.3 Tests of Convergence Between Bird Communities of Mediterranean Regions of France, Chile and California.- 2.5 Humans and the Mediterranean Biota.- 2.5.1 Fire.- 2.5.2 Deforestation.- 2.5.3 Land-Use Patterns.- 2.5.4 The Case of the Disappearing Black Truffles.- 2.5.5 Differences in Human Pressures, North and South.- 2.6 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function at the Community Level.- 2.6.1 Disturbances as Key Events in Community Dynamics: a Case Study of Post-Fire Succession.- 2.6.2 Regeneration Traits.- 2.6.3 Changing Tree Cover: Oaks, Pines and Soil Fertility.- 2.6.4 Aromatic Compounds and Insect Pollinators.- 2.6.5 Extinctions and Invasions.- 2.7 Functional Groups and Redundancy.- 2.7.1 Legumes, Grasses and Possible Interactions among Them.- 2.7.2 Avian Frugivores and Bird-Dispersed Plants in Mediterranean Shrublands.- 2.7.3 Species Equivalence and Density Compensation.- 2.7.4 Earthworms: Keystone Species at Risk.- 2.7.5 The Spatial Dynamics of Predatory Ants.- 2.8 Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences of Patchiness.- 2.9 The Future.- 2.9.1 Regional and Global Changes.- 2.9.2 Restoration, Rehabilitation and Reallocation.- 2.9.3 Positive Feedback Switches in Mediterranean Ecosystems.- References.- 3 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning in Mediterranean-Climate California.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Patterns and Determinants of Diversity.- 3.2.1 Historical Determinants of Floristic Diversity.- 3.2.2 Historical Determinants of Vertebrate Diversity.- 3.2.3 Present Patterns of Plant Diversity.- 3.2.4 Present Patterns of Insect Diversity.- 3.2.5 Present Patterns of Vertebrate Diversity.- 3.2.6 Diversity Patterns of Fungi.- 3.2.7 Patterns of Genetic Diversity.- 3.2.8 Effect of Wildfire Frequency on Landscape Diversity.- 3.2.9 Effect of Alien Species' Invasions on Native Flora and Fauna.- 3.2.10 Effect of Habitat Fragmentation on Patterns of Diversity.- 3.3 Biodiversity and Community Structure and Function.- 3.3.1 Plant Linkages with Other Trophic Levels: Oaks as a Case History.- 3.3.2 Vertebrate Communities.- 3.3.3 Invertebrate Communities.- 3.4 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function.- 3.4.1 The Annual Grassland Ecosystem.- 3.4.2 The Chaparral Ecosystem.- 3.5 Conclusions.- 3.6 Future Research Needs.- References.- 4 Functional Approaches to Biodiversity in the Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems of Central Chile.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Biodiversity in Chile.- 4.2.1 Vascular Plants.- 4.2.2 Mammals.- 4.2.3 Birds.- 4.2.4 Reptils and Amphibians.- 4.2.5 Invertebrates.- 4.3 Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems in Central Chile.- 4.4 The Role of Diversity in Ecosystem Function.- 4.5 Plant Species Diversity and Growth-Form Diversity.- 4.6 Environmental Resources as a Factor in Diversity.- 4.6.1 Soil Moisture Resources.- 4.6.2 Nutrient Availability.- 4.6.3 Fire Frequency and Biodiversity.- 4.7 Storage of Species Diversity.- 4.8 Biodiversity in Vertebrate Pr
