ABSTRACT
Grenon and Batisse (1989) state: ‘Of all the forest systems in the world, those round the Mediterranean … have been the most degraded by human action’ (p. 208). In this chapter, the history, context and implications of this statement are explored, initially by outlining the main types of vegetation and of soil, and the history of soil and forest use. We then focus on the threat of desertification in the basin from two sets of influences. First, ‘anthropogenic influences’ are discussed, including the threat to forests and soils from changing patterns of land-use. Second, the effects of global warming on forest and soil management will be considered under the heading ‘climatic influences’. Next, Mediterranean soil degradation and the mitigation of erosion will be discussed. The threat to Mediterranean soils and forests from fire risk is considered separately in the final section of the chapter.
