Going hi-tech at Jonaskop : SANBI green research

The five Mediterranean-type climate zones of the world are among the most mega-diverse and threatened regions in the world. These regions occupy about 20% of all known vascular plant species but occupy less than 5% of the earth's surface and are dominated by high numbers of rare and endemic plant species. These climate zones are known to be highly vulnerable to biodiversity loss and contain many ecosystems that are degraded beyond recovery. The Mediterranean-type climate zones have been identified as being particularly threatened by global climate change. As they are poorly understood with respect to their functional and biodiversity responses to climate change, there is a particular need for research in this field.