Mediterranean Climate

For the first time results inferred by a number of experts from empirical data with various methods face each other and are collated to a large overview of the climate variability in the Mediterranean area at time scales from years to milleniums.

This is the first volume in the series "Regional Climate Studies". It presents the analysis of climatological data from 500 years b.c. to the present day. It discusses climate variablity and its interaction with the biosphere in the Mediterranean area. Different approaches are applied to describe and interpret climate variability and to denote trends. Specific emphasis is given to variable water cycle which makes the book a prerequisite for all those concerned with the problem of desertification as well as the validation of climate models. The book adresses the role of remote sensing data to detect synergies throughout the Mediterranean basin and refers to recent marine research results. The second volume of the series will probably be published in February 2003.

Contenu
From the contenst:

• Introduction
• Characteristics of the Mediterranean Environment
• Past Climates and Vegetation in the Mediterranean Basin
• The Complexity of the Mediterranean system
• Contribution to the global carbon budged and Atmospheric Contamination
• Water Resources and Vegetation
• Indicators and Information Requirements for Combatting Desertification
• Climate Changes in the Mediterranean Region - Physical Aspects and Effects on Agriculture
• Development of Priority Climate Indices for Africa
• Understanding the Relationship between Present and Future Climates.