Convergent Evolution for Differing Mediterranean Type Ecosystems Biomes: Research Brief
/Five different Mediterranean Type Ecosystems (MTEs) around the world have evolutionarily converged in function with analogous vegetation types. With gorgeous photographic samplers to illustrate each type, we learn why these fire-adapted systems host more biodiversity than every other terrestrial ecosystem outside of the wet tropics.
Rundel, P.W., M.T.K. Arroyo, R.M. Cowling, J.E. Keeley, B.B. Lamont, P. Vargas. 2016. Mediterranean biomes: evolution of their vegetation, floras, and climate. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 47:383-407. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-121415-032330