SUMMARY

The Mediterranean region is a global diversity hotspot mainly because of its important plant diversity. It contains ten per cent of all known plants on Earth and over half of them are found nowhere else in the world. Plant resources support biodiversity and the livelihoods of many people, by providing them with essential ecosystem services and local population also play a valuable role in maintaining these green treasures. Nevertheless, the Mediterranean region flora is threatened and the region is recognized as one of the four most significantly altered biodiversity hotspots on the planet. Additionally, plant diversity is often overlooked in the conservation agenda.

For these reasons the Mediterranean Plant Conservation Network aims at promoting interactions between Mediterranean botanist, protected area managers and civil society organizations operating in the Mediterranean countries.