Places
Low rainfall and hot summers make the Mediterranean biome a hard place for animals and plants to thrive. Mediterranean plants are often adapted to conserve water and survive summer drought. Many African animals would probably suit the Med's hot, dry summers - porcupines and fruit bats have crossed over - but are less able to cope with the cooler, wet winters. The original Mediterranean Sea dried up in the Miocene Epoch and stayed that way until a little over 5 million years ago when water poured in from the Atlantic. It lacks nutrients and is saltier than the Atlantic, but it's still a biodiversity hotspot with many unique species.
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Rich pastures
Seagrass beds are a rich habitat for many creatures.
Seagrass beds are a rich habitat for many creatures.
Lakeside birds
Lake Ichkeul in Tunisia is a haven for waterbirds.
Lake Ichkeul in Tunisia is a haven for waterbirds.
A hidden world revealed
The invention of the scuba demand valve made it possible to see the wildlife of the seabed.
The invention of the scuba demand valve made it possible to see the wildlife of the seabed.
Out of Africa
Fruit bats and porcupines are African animals which can survive in Mediterranean Europe.
Fruit bats and porcupines are African animals which can survive in Mediterranean Europe.
Drought problems
Mediterranean plants have many strategies for surviving the hot sun.
Mediterranean plants have many strategies for surviving the hot sun.
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