Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
present today in the mountains of the region are all evidence of these glaciations that
have shaped the landscape. Today the majority of the glaciers present are restricted
to the highest mountains such as the Pyrenees, the Maritime Alps and the mountains
of Turkey. However, several glaciers also exist in lower mountain areas, such as
central Italy and in Montenegro and Albania (see Chapter 3).
The presence of a ring of mountains around the Mediterranean Basin, with the ex-
ception of the southeastern part, is a result of the collision between the African and
the Eurasian plates. Some of the mountains, like the Sierra Nevada, are underlain by
Archaean structures while others, for example the Maritime Alps, by more recent
Miocene deposits. The Atlas, Rif, Baetic Cordillera, Cantabrian Mountains, Pyre-
nees, Alps, Apennines, Dinaric Alps, Hellenides, and Balkan and Taurus mountains
are all products of the alpine orogeny, while the mountains of Portugal and western
Spain, as well as Sardinia, are of Hercynian origin. Many of these such as the Sierra
Nevada, Etna, Taurus, High Atlas and Mount Lebanon reach over 3000 m while
there are several active volcanoes in the area.
Chapter 4
provides an overview of
tectonic setting and landscape development of the Mediterranean mountains, in-
cluding the range of geological substrates encountered. Mountains are high-energy
environments characterized by great instability and variability. This is well demon-
strated in the soils of Mediterranean mountains, where a variety of raw lithomorphic
soils, particularly in the high alpine zones, is present.
The altitudinal and continental position as well as latitude and topography of
mountains exert an influence on climate (Barry, 1992). Mountain areas worldwide
contain the sources of all major rivers, and those of the Mediterranean are no ex-
ception. Rivers like the Guadalquivir, Ebro, Rhone and Po have their source/origins
on some of the most important mountains in the area, contributing water to
dry lowlands. However, climate and hydrology in the Mediterranean mountains
receive little attention compared to other mountain massifs worldwide.
Chapter 5
provides a comprehensive overview of interaction of the major hydrological and
meteorological processes in Mediterranean mountain areas. This overview includes
snowmelt, run-off and floods, water fluxes and water balance, hydrometeorological
coupling and modelling. It reviews recent research in the field and illustrates key
interactions from a range of mountainous regions in the Mediterranean. Emphasis
is given to human impacts, assessment of mountain water resources, conservation
and water quality.
Due to their altitudinal range, mountains contain a wide range of environments
in a short distance and therefore support more habitats than equivalent lowland ar-
eas. Although in absolute terms the number of species is smaller compared to lower
areas, Mediterranean mountains support floras of special interest. They all contain
a high number of endemic species, with southern mountains having a higher per-
centage of endemism than those in the north. Some endemics are relictual, whereas
others are more recent as a result of specific and localized factors such as discrete
orogenies and rare substrates.
Chapter 6
discusses the mountains' biogeographi-
cal affinities and peculiarities in terms of biota and habitats. Emphasis is given to
the distinct altitudinal zonation and the main vegetation types encountered in the
