Research in Global Change in the Mediterranean: A Regional Network

Abstract

From the Bulgarian point of view it is emphasized that regions around the Black Sea and beyond belong to the zone of Mediterranean climate. A regional Mediterranean research therefore should not be limited to the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. The network should concentrate upon the following tasks: (i) The collection of climatic information by stations along the Mediterranean basin, as well as in the area of a typical Mediterranean climate together with the border zones of a continental climate respectively an arid climate. Two types of climate data series seem to be useful: longest possible time series of data; data on a moderate climate (1970–2000). (ii) Mediterranean Sea circulation status and tendencies reflecting terrestrial ecosystems. (iii) To search for the answer to the question of land and marine response and biodiversity to global climate change. Assessment of vulnerable zones. (iv) Exploration of the potential for adaptation of ecosystems; (v) Study of causes and impacts of drought periods in modern climate as a model of future climatic changes. (vi) Anthropogenic effects on key ecosystems in the land -ocean -atmosphere system. (vii) Atmospheric dynamics - norm of synoptic processes in the Mediterranean basin, analogous periods in modern climate (1970–2000) and trends. (viii) Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols, chemistry of precipitation, chemistry of lysimetric waters and chemistry of river water in watersheds. (ix) Dendrochronological, paleoclimatic and geophysical records.