Ecoregion approach
The Mediterranean – a sea surrounded by land
The Mediterranean Basin refers to the lands around, and surrounded by, the Mediterranean Sea.
Today, the Mediterranean Basin includes 24 countries and territories from Europe, Africa and the Middle East.This area is not only known for its natural beauty both at sea and on land, but being blessed with a mild and temperate climate, it is also one of the world’s most populated and developed areas.
Although the Mediterranean has a wealth of natural resources, it is one of the least protected regions in the world.
Every day, we are losing habitat, degrading rivers and streams,
over-exploiting marine life, polluting the seas and losing unique species that are only found in some Mediterranean countries.
The Mediterranean has also been identified by the IPCC as a climate impact hotspot.
Mediterranean ecoregions
What is an ecoregion ?
An ecoregion is defined as a large area of land or water that contains a geographically distinct assemblage of natural communities that(a) share a large majority of their species and ecological dynamics;
(b) share similar environmental conditions, and;
(c) interact ecologically in ways that are critical for their long-term persistence.
WWF has assessed these ecoregions and identified the Global 200 - the most biologically distinct terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecoregions of the planet. One of these globally important regions and one of the most endangered is the Mediterranean.
Within these priority ecoregions, WWF pursues ecoregion conservation, a unique, broad-scale approach to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy that conserves the species, habitats, and ecological processes of the ecoregion.
Environmental degradation and biodiversity loss trends are reversed; natural and cultural landscapes and their biodiversity are treasured as the source of a world- renowned Mediterranean quality of life; governments, people and business value ecosystems, biodiversity and ecological functions as essential foundations of human well being and security, and as critical assets for economic development.
WWF 30 Vision for the Mediterranean
Our Vision
To achieve our ambitious vision, WWF has chosen to work across Mediterranean Ecoregions.
These areas encompass some of the most outstanding and biodiverse areas anywhere on the planet.Three examples of areas we work in :
> Dinaric Arc
> Southwest Mediterranean
> Southern Anatolia
Hot facts and figures about the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean basin is one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots and in terms of plant diversity is second only to the Tropical Andes.The Mediterranean basin hosts 25,000 plant species, over 50% of which are endemic totalling over 8% of the world’s flora.
80% of all European plant species are Mediterranean
33.5% of reptile species are endemic
34.2% of Amphibian species are endemic
29.2% of freshwater fish species are endemic
11.6% of mammal species are endemic
In spite of the very high human density large carnivores including bears, wolves, lynx) are still present in parts of the region
Two of the most globally endangered mammals: the Monk seal and the Iberian lynx
15 whale, dolphin and porpoise species are regularly present in the region, including a large Fin whale breeding population
The Mediterranean is the only breeding ground of the Atlantic Blue fin tuna, the world most valuable fish species
It is one of the most important places in the world for marine turtles, especially loggerhead and green turtles.
Information on this ecoregional section and pages - awaiting review
