Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Introduction to the
Mediterranean
mountain environments
Ioannis N. Vogiatzakis
1.1 Introduction
Mountains are present in all continents, latitude zones and principal biome types,
accounting for more than 20% of the Earth's terrestrial surface (Beniston, 2000).
They come in all shapes and forms and are even present on islands, oceanic and
continental. The northern hemisphere hosts most of the world's mountain areas,
whereas the highest concentration of high mountains is in Central and southern
Asia. The harsh conditions of mountain environments, including high altitude steep
slopes, and extreme weather, result in them being regarded as hostile regions and
therefore less inhabited and productive areas. However, they are still home to 20%
(1.2 billion) of the world's human population and have special spiritual, cultural and
sacred significance for over one billion people worldwide (Price, 2004). Isolation
in geological and historic times has resulted in mountains acting as biological and
cultural laboratories.
Worldwide mountains encompass a great diversity of topographic, climatic, bi-
otic and cultural elements and therefore provide a range of ecosystem services
(MEA, 2005).
Mountains are an important source of water, energy and biological diversity. Fur-
thermore, they are a source of such key resources as minerals, forest products
and agricultural products and of recreation. As a major ecosystem representing
the complex and interrelated ecology of our planet, mountain environments are
essential to the survival of the global ecosystem.
Agenda 21, Chapter 13, 'Managing Fragile Ecosystems:
Sustainable Mountain Development'
