Life zones of the Mediterranean region

The climate and ecology of land immediately surrounding the Mediterranean Sea is influenced by several factors.

Overall, the land has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

An important factor in the local climate and ecology of the lands in the Mediterranean basin is the elevation: an increase of elevation by 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) causes the average air temperature to drop by 5 C/ 9 F and decreases the amount of water that can be held by the atmosphere by 30%.

This decrease in temperature and increase in rainfall result in altitudinal zonation, where the land can be divided into life zones of similar climate and ecology, depending on elevation.

Mediterranean vegetation shows a variety of ecological adaptations to hot and dry summer conditions.