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sclerophyllous-leaved shrublands and woodlands in these climatic zones illustrate
a remarkable level of convergence. Coupling of seasonal drought with high
summer temperatures has created expansive landscapes dominated by sclerophylls
and some of the most fire-prone regions of the world. This topic uses these
ecosystems as a focal point for discussion of the integral role that fire plays in
the ecology and evolution of plant traits, community assembly and contemporary
management responses.
Appendix 1.1 Ecosystem Convergence and MEDECOS
It is curious that research scientists in other ecosystems, such as tropical rain-
forests, coniferous forests and summer monsoon grasslands, have not made equal
use of the comparative biology of their systems as is the case with the five
mediterranean-type climate ecosystems. Part of the reason may be that these five
MTC regions are major population centers with academic institutions and
both academic and government scientists intensely interested in the lessons to be
learned from comparison with other MTC ecosystems. This topic in part results
from collaborations developed through MEDECOS conferences.
Mediterranean Ecosystem (MEDECOS) conferences have been held every 3-5
yrs since 1971, rotating venues through all five MTC regions. The first meeting in
Valdivia in 1971 was at the beginning of the U.S. National Science Foundation
funded integrated research program comparing Chile and California within the
framework of the International Biological Program (IBP). This research took
advantage of these two widely separate regions, with very similar physical environ-
ments, to address the question of whether similar environments comprising phylo-
genetically different biotas will produce structurally and functionally similar
ecosystems.
MEDECOS conferences typically include scientists and resource managers
from 15 or more countries who assemble for several days of formal presentations
and informal discussions. The term “MEDECOS” was first used for the fourth
meeting when it became apparent that there was widespread support for continu-
ing these conferences at periodic intervals. Themes and immediate products from
MEDECOS conferences are as follows:
1971 [MEDECOS I]. Valdivia, Chile. Theme: Convergent Evolution
di Castri, F. & Mooney, H.A. (eds) (1973)
Mediterranean type ecosystems: origin and
structure
, 405 pp. Springer, New York.
1977 [MEDECOS II]. Stanford, California. Theme: Ecosystem Role of Fire
Mooney, H.A. & Conrad, C.E. (eds) (1977)
Proceedings of the symposium on the
environmental consequences of fire and fuel management in mediterranean ecosystems
,
GTR-WO-3, 498 pp. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC.
1980 [MEDECOS III]. Stellenbosch, South Africa. Theme: Convergence and
Role of Nutrients
