Origin and congruence of taxonomic, phylogenetic, functional and

paleoecological diversity patterns: the model of European-

Mediterranean woody plant biodiversity

Species richness is the most commonly used diversity

indicator

However, it does not permit us to get an insight

on communities’ composition

Particular role of species or functions : habitat quality /

ecosystem functioning / evolutionary potential.

Ecosystem functioning

Ecosystem stability, habitats resistance to

perturbations and resilience after

disturbances

Ecosystem functions in the future,

functionally similar species

Role in determining

biodiversity

and ecosystem functioning

Phylogeny and conservation

(Present and future)

Evolutionary history

Risk : Neglecting ancient

species in species-poor areas

Conservation complementarity

Species

Richness/

Diversity

IndicesFunctional

Diversity

Indices

Phylogenetic

Diversity

Indices

Functional and phylogenetic diversity

capture such diversity dimensions

Conservation complementarity

Species

Richness/

Diversity

IndicesFunctional

Diversity

Indices

Phylogenetic

Diversity

Indices

Diversity patterns over space in tree communities?

Spatial overlaps?

Designation of priority areas for conservation?

Key environmental variables and land-use

pressures in the Mediterranean region

Anthropogenic Natural

Current

Past

Key environmental variables and land-use

pressures in the Mediterranean region

Surrounding habitat types ?

Distance from refugia /

endemics hotspots ?

Key environmental variables and land-use

pressures in the Mediterranean region

Climate?

Fire frequency?

Various scientific centres and 16 specialists

(botany, genetics, ecology, modelling)

from 6 European Mediterranean countries

Agathe Leriche : Project coordinator

Thank you