In all the places that have a Mediterranean climate something very curious happens: in the hottest months, rainfall is a meteorological phenomenon that does not usually occur. In fact, at some points the drought can last for months, which makes the situation even worse.
Despite this, ecosystems are very rich in number of both animal and plant species, who find a place to live without having to get too cold as in the polar regions, or too hot as in hot deserts. But all of them are in danger due to rising temperatures and human action.
As he explains to Efe Francisco Lloret, president of the Spanish Association of Terrestrial Ecology (AEET) and professor of Ecology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Not only do numerous species of animals and plants live in the Mediterranean region, California, central Chile, southwestern Australia and southern South Africa, but also many people.
The impact that human beings have on the environment is enormous, especially in recent years when tourism is experiencing a considerable increase. Only in Mallorca (Balearic Islands), last year it increased by 12,7% more until July. Although we not only have to talk about tourism, but also about deforestation, the invasion of invasive species and forest fires.. In this sense, Lloret has warned that their number and intensity is such that it prevents burned vegetation from regenerating.
And all, while the global average temperature is increasing. So the species that live in the mountains, little by little are moving to higher altitudes. According to the AEET professor, we are already late to prevent climate change, now it is a question of "not arriving later yet".