Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Biogeographia vol. XXIV - 2003 (Printed October, 31st 2003) Marine biogeography of the Mediterranean Sea: patterns and dynamics of biodiversity Global sea warming and “tropicalization” of the Mediterranean Sea: biogeographic and ecological aspects. CARLO NIKE BIANCI-11*, CARLA MORRI** Dip T€R/'5, Dipzzrri772eI2to Territorio 2 Rzsorre, U72z'I/m'z'ty 0fGmozz, Com) Ezzmp/z 26, ]—16132 Genoa (Italy) €—m (Zi/. ‘ * 725121726/71' @c/z]gm*1'5. zmzge. it, H’ 77707“/*1'c@dz;Dreri5. zmige. it Key words: Marine biogeograpliy, climate change, species distribution, range extension, corals, l\/i€Clil'Cl'l‘LlnCan Sea. SUMMARY The so-called “tropicalizationq ofthe Mediterranean is the result of Four different phenomena: Atlantic influence, lessepsian migration, species introduction by humans, and sea—water warming; all these Factors concur favouring the occurrence and spreading of thermophilic species through the Mediterranean Sea. INTRODUCTION There is now substantial evidences that the climate of our planet is in a phase of change and that, for instance, the average surface temperature of the sea is increasing (Bianchi, 1997). While the long-term effects of this warming are still debated, the responses of the marine biota are already visible: the increased temperature caused, for instance, the recent bleaching and consequent massive mortality of corals in all the oceans (/ilkinson, 2000). This and other similar events in the tropics attracted the attention not only of scientists, but also of public opinion, mass media, and managers, because of the strong impact on the tourism, fishery and other economic activities linked to coral reefs. The Mediterranean Sea, the widest marine warm—temperate region in the world, has a role of climatic and biogeographic hinge between tropical and temperate seas (Bianchi and Morri, 1999). Which consequences will the warming trend have on the Mediterranean Sea? It is often said that the Mediterranean is going towards a generalised phenomenon of “tropicalization”, i. e. , the increased occurrence of warm—water biota. The tropicalization of the Mediterranean
Carlo et al. (Wed,) studied this question.