Almost 20 years after the first MEDPINE book "Ecology, biogeography and management of Pinus halepensis and P. brutia forest ecosystems in the Mediterranean basin "(Ne'eman and Trabaud, 2000) was published, this new book presents up to date and state of the art scientific knowledge and information. It covers a wide range of topics concerning Mediterranean pine trees growing in natural and planted forests, their ecosystems and management.

This book will be an essential source for learning, exploring, planning and managing Mediterranean pine and mixed pine-broadleaved forests. It includes mostly review chapters contributed by leading scientists, foresters and managers. It covers: genetics and adaptation, distribution and evolution, ecophysiology and drought resistance, function of pine and mixed forest ecosystems, forest dynamics, biodiversity and biotic interactions, fire ecology, afforestation and management, ecosystem services and policy - all under the effect of global climate change. While forests are studied mainly in temperate and tropical climate zones, looking at Mediterranean forests of sub-humid to semi-arid regions is important more than ever due to current global climate trends.

This collection can serve as a scientific textbook for students of biology, agriculture and forestry, researchers of ecology, forestry and related fields, forest managers, policy and decision makers.

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