Quaternary paleoenvironments and paleoclimate in the Mediterranean area

The future of Mediterranean ecosystems and landscapes is clearly tied to water availability and global climate change. While modern
vegetation data from the region provide a baseline for understanding relationships between aridity and vegetation composition,
paleoecological records bring support for understanding vegetation responses at longer time scales. Paleoecological records show that
aridity, as a feature of the Mediterranean basin, appeared early, gradually increasing up to the present time. Italy represents one of the most
informative Mediterranean areas to: (i) reconstruct the response of vegetation to various climatic stresses; and (ii) assess the likely future
behavior of Mediterranean plants. Furthermore, the Italy's rich geological and stratigraphical record makes it (iii) a significant source of
information on the history of Mediterranean.