Mediterranean Biodiversity, 2nd Edition

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this topic is the promotion of biodiversity, both natural and agro-food, in the Mediterranean basin and the advancement of biodiversity knowledge based on research founded on scientific methods. Since the birth of agriculture (more than 12,000 years ago), we have witnessed a continuous erosion of biological diversity as natural ecosystems have shrunk in favor of cultivated areas. Agriculture has led to the emergence of the concept of agrobiodiversity and to the proliferation of many typical local varieties (and sometimes of species imported from other continents). Today, safeguarding the productivity, sustainability and biodiversity of the agroecosystem is helpful in preventing natural areas from being sacrificed for crop fields. However, in recent years, increasing greenhouse gasses and average temperatures due to the ongoing climate crisis have introduced additional variables to this challenge. The effects of climate change on biodiversity are already visible: species distribution, flowering periods and bird migrations are changing. Humans must therefore be able to assist ecosystems in maintaining an adequate level of health, because human prosperity and well-being rely on the ecosystem services provided by nature through biodiversity, the loss of which can have disastrous consequences for economic and social stability, health and well-being. The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, a key pillar of the European Green Deal, includes a nature restoration plan that can promote the proliferation of so-called "nature-based solutions", which are a viable socioeconomic option regarding agroforestry, water resources and the urban environment. Biodiversity, resilience and climate change are thus closely interrelated issues that can constitute future strategic challenges in the scenario of sustainable development. An innovative biodiversity preservation strategy is required, covering not only the primary terrestrial and aquatic environments formed over millions of years but also the secondary natural environments determined by human action over several centuries (particularly in recent decades), which have changed from "cultivated fields" to today's rural areas.

This topic is intended to include articles related to biodiversity in the broadest sense, including areas relating to the following non-exhaustive list:

• Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including plants, animals and microorganisms and their physiology and interaction;
• Biodiversity, land and landscapes including urban/peri-urban, coastal and marine systems;
• Biodiversity of agro-systems;
• Climate change and alien species;
• Biodiversity and culture;
• Biodiversity and human well-being;
• Ecosystem services and economic–social impact of biodiversity;
• European, national and regional policies.

Prof. Dr. Luigi De Bellis
Dr. Massimiliano Renna
Prof. Dr. Pietro Buzzini
Dr. Ignasi Torre
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agriculture agriculture	3.6	6.3	2011	18.8 Days	CHF 2600
Agronomy agronomy	3.4	6.7	2011	17 Days	CHF 2600
Diversity diversity	2.1	4.0	2009	16.6 Days	CHF 2100
Gastronomy gastronomy	-	-	2023	15.0 days *	CHF 1000
Grasses grasses	-	-	2022	26.5 Days	CHF 1200
Horticulturae horticulturae	3.0	5.1	2015	16.7 Days	CHF 2200
Hydrobiology hydrobiology	-	3.7	2022	22.5 Days	CHF 1200
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	17.9 Days	CHF 2400

* Median value for all MDPI journals in the second half of 2025.

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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All Agriculture Agronomy Gastronomy Grasses Sustainability Diversity Horticulturae Hydrobiology

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15 pages, 3095 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Underexplored: An Updated Checklist and New Records of Porifera from the Libyan Coast

by Abdulmaula Hamza, Sarah Ben Zeglam, Rehab Albarki, Atef Limam, Abdalla Elmgawshi, Abdalla Karmous, Bassam A. Elgamoudi, Antonella Schiavo and Caterina Longo

Hydrobiology 2026, 5(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology5010007 - 12 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1161

Abstract

This study presents the first comprehensive checklist of Porifera along the Libyan coast, integrating historical data from grey and published literature with new records obtained from recent field surveys. Despite the historical relevance of sponge fisheries in Libya, knowledge of sponge diversity in [...] Read more.

This study presents the first comprehensive checklist of Porifera along the Libyan coast, integrating historical data from grey and published literature with new records obtained from recent field surveys. Despite the historical relevance of sponge fisheries in Libya, knowledge of sponge diversity in the region remains remarkably fragmented. To address this gap, underwater surveys were conducted at the Gara and Bsis Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), where sponge specimens were collected and identified through morphological analyses. Previous studies documented 44 sponge species in Libya, with Demospongiae as the dominant class. The recent field surveys at the Gara and Bsis Island MPAs documented a total of nine species, including two new records for Libyan waters, Chalinula renieroides and Ircinia variabilis, both identified from the Gara MPA. These new records expand the known distribution of Mediterranean demosponges and contribute to a better understanding of their biogeographic patterns in an understudied region. Overall, the updated checklist comprises 46 species and represents an essential baseline for the Libyan coast. This study underscores the importance of future monitoring, emphasizing the expansion of systematic surveys, the investigation of diverse habitats, and the integration of molecular approaches to ensure a comprehensive understanding and effective conservation of Libya’s marine sponge heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity, 2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 699 KB  

Open AccessReview

Emerging Ornamental Species from South Africa and Australia for Mediterranean Basin

by Annalisa Meucci, Elige Salamé, Fabio Scotto di Covella, Anna Mensuali, Alice Trivellini and Antonio Ferrante

Horticulturae 2026, 12(2), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020147 - 28 Jan 2026

Viewed by 506

Abstract

The ornamental industry encompasses a wide range of species cultivated for their aesthetic value, including floriculture crops, ornamental and turf grasses, trees, and shrubs. In Italy, in particular, this sector represents a significant component of the agricultural economy, with an annual wholesale production [...] Read more.

The ornamental industry encompasses a wide range of species cultivated for their aesthetic value, including floriculture crops, ornamental and turf grasses, trees, and shrubs. In Italy, in particular, this sector represents a significant component of the agricultural economy, with an annual wholesale production value of approximately EUR 2.6 billion. Despite its economic importance, the industry has recently faced challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing international competition. Moreover, ornamental production is highly water-demanding, making water availability a critical concern under climate change scenarios. The future competitiveness of ornamental sector depends on its ability to adapt to environmental and market pressures through sustainable cultivation practices, diversification with value-added crops, and improved post-production management. This study investigates the potential introduction of non-endemic wild or underutilized species as innovative ornamental crops for EU markets. While economic evaluation will be essential prior to commercialization, the current focus is on identifying promising species and outlining strategies to optimize the production chain. These approaches aim to enhance the sector’s resilience, align with sustainability goals, and foster innovation within the Italian and Mediterranean ornamental industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity, 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 4104 KB  

Open AccessCommunication

Selective Predation and Chick Provisioning Rhythms in the European Scops Owl (Otus scops)

by Ignasi Torre, Joan Grajera and Josep Maria Olmo-Vidal

Diversity 2026, 18(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18010034 - 8 Jan 2026

Viewed by 658

Abstract

This study analyzes the provisioning strategy of the European Scops Owl (Otus scops) via continuous video monitoring of a breeding pair in a peri-urban Mediterranean forest in NE Spain (n = 724 deliveries). Invertebrates dominated numerically, with Orthoptera constituting 64.6%. [...] Read more.

This study analyzes the provisioning strategy of the European Scops Owl (Otus scops) via continuous video monitoring of a breeding pair in a peri-urban Mediterranean forest in NE Spain (n = 724 deliveries). Invertebrates dominated numerically, with Orthoptera constituting 64.6%. Although vertebrates were scarce (1.8%), they contributed disproportionately to total biomass (20.8%), with rodents alone accounting for 20.3% of delivered energy. Parental effort followed a bimodal nocturnal rhythm, peaking at darkness onset (22:00 h) and before dawn. Crucially, we found a significant predation bias towards female orthopterans (65.6% vs. 34.3%; p < 0.001). While driven by Meconema thalassinum, selection in larger species like Tettigonia viridissima evidences a strategy focused on biomass profitability. Since Ensifera biomass scales allometrically (W $~ L^{2.797}$), selecting females yields disproportionate energetic gains. We also report the systematic removal of ovipositors prior to delivery, a behavior that optimizes intake but renders high-value females undetectable in traditional pellet analyses. These results suggest O. scops exploits artificial light sources (“streetlight traps”) to maximize foraging efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity, 2nd Edition)

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24 pages, 7669 KB  

Open AccessArticle

New Records of Marine Mollusca from the Culuccia Peninsula (NW Sardinia, Italy)

by Paolo Mariottini, Carlo Smriglio, Marco Oliverio, Sabrina Rossi and Andrea Di Giulio

Diversity 2025, 17(12), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17120809 - 22 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1813

Abstract

The aim of this work is to update the checklist of the marine malacofauna of the Culuccia Peninsula (NW Sardinia, Italy), based on research carried out over two years by SCUBA and free diving in all the main marine habitats of the peninsula. [...] Read more.

The aim of this work is to update the checklist of the marine malacofauna of the Culuccia Peninsula (NW Sardinia, Italy), based on research carried out over two years by SCUBA and free diving in all the main marine habitats of the peninsula. We provide here new records, all accompanied by in situ images of living animals or photographs of shells. In some cases, ecological and systematic notes are provided. With the new records of 39 species (27 gastropods and 12 bivalves), a total of 295 taxa belonging to the classes Bivalvia (84), Gastropoda (199), Polyplacophora (11), and Scaphopoda (1) have been listed from this Sardinian high-biodiversity spot. Two alien species already reported, Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814) and Bursatella leachii Blainville, 1817, can now be considered to be well established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity, 2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 1809 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Urban Foraging and Plant Toxicological Risks for Rose-Ringed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) in Athens

by Mathis A. B. Christodoulopoulos, Efthimia Cotou, Nektarios Politakis, Nikolaos Tsekouras, Vasileios V. Paraskeuas, Yannis Kotzamanis, Georgios Christodoulopoulos and Athanasios C. Pappas

Diversity 2025, 17(11), 801; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17110801 - 18 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1044

Abstract

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is an invasive parrot increasingly established in European cities, including Athens, Greece, yet its diet and exposure to plant toxins in Mediterranean ecosystems remain poorly documented. We examined seasonal foraging patterns in Athens and assessed the [...] Read more.

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is an invasive parrot increasingly established in European cities, including Athens, Greece, yet its diet and exposure to plant toxins in Mediterranean ecosystems remain poorly documented. We examined seasonal foraging patterns in Athens and assessed the toxicity of key food items using a brine shrimp lethality assay. Field observations recorded 601 feeding events across 10 plant species. Four foods—cypress seeds (Cupressus sempervirens), chinaberries (Melia azedarach), Canary Island dates (Phoenix canariensis), and olives (Olea europaea)—accounted for 82.9% of feeding events. Dietary diversity was highest in winter and summer, while foraging density remained relatively stable, peaking in autumn. Toxicity assessment of aqueous plant extracts with Brine Shrimp (Artemia franciscana) Lethality Test (BSLT) identified chinaberries as the most toxic, indicating potential dietary risks. These findings indicate that P. krameri exhibits flexible, opportunistic foraging and can tolerate plant compounds that are harmful to other vertebrates, suggesting that toxicity does not seem to limit its diet. Seasonal dietary shifts and ecological plasticity likely support its urban invasion success, highlighting the importance of understanding diet composition and potential exposure to plant toxins in urban parakeet populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity, 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 1590 KB  

Open AccessReview

Crop Safeguarding Activities by the Mediterranean Germplasm Gene Bank Hosted by the CNR-IBBR in Bari (Italy)

by Gaetano Laghetti and Mariano Zonna

Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10296; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210296 - 18 Nov 2025

Viewed by 670

Abstract

The Mediterranean Germplasm Gene Bank (MGG) of the CNR-IBBR in Bari (Italy) is the oldest gene bank of the Mediterranean area. Thanks to Vavilov, this area is considered an important gene centre. The first safeguarding activities of the MGG began in 1969 and [...] Read more.

The Mediterranean Germplasm Gene Bank (MGG) of the CNR-IBBR in Bari (Italy) is the oldest gene bank of the Mediterranean area. Thanks to Vavilov, this area is considered an important gene centre. The first safeguarding activities of the MGG began in 1969 and continue today following traditional and innovative approaches. The strategy followed by the MGG for safeguarding plant genetic resources of Mediterranean origin and of agricultural interest is described in detail together with the activities and methods used. Some examples of rare agrobiodiversity discovered in the area are reported and described. The MGG seed collection (as ex situ conservation) contains about 59,000 accessions from 34 families, 208 genera and 872 species. Over 13,000 samples have been directly collected over time by exploration teams, while others have been acquired from 314 donor institutions through a seed exchange. MGG studies in the Mediterranean region show a severe genetic erosion of about 75%. The approach adopted by the CNR-IBBR research group to combat this phenomenon can be broken down into two main areas. Firstly, new collecting missions could secure still available valuable material as old landraces cultivated in the fields and gardens of less anthropized areas; the considerable experience and knowledge acquired over the span of five decades, accumulated through this endeavour, undoubtedly plays a pivotal role. Moreover, the integration of conservation methods, ex situ and on farm, for cultivated material, and predominantly in situ for wild species, is necessary for the sustainable development and use of Mediterranean plant genetics resources. In pursuit of this objective, the international standing of the MGG and its extensive network of collaborations represent a foundational element. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity, 2nd Edition)

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33 pages, 2945 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Sea Slugs (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) from the Medes Islands (Costa Brava, NE Spain): Biodiversity and Ecological Study over a Decade

by Miquel Pontes, Enric Madrenas, Arnau Garcia-Tort, Olga Espada and Manuel Ballesteros

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090606 - 28 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2314

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea faces escalating environmental pressures from the unsustainable exploitation of resources and insufficient management. Marine protected areas (MPAs), such as the Parc Natural del Montgrí, les Illes Medes i el Baix Ter (PNMMBT) on Spain’s Costa Brava, serve as critical refuges [...] Read more.

The Mediterranean Sea faces escalating environmental pressures from the unsustainable exploitation of resources and insufficient management. Marine protected areas (MPAs), such as the Parc Natural del Montgrí, les Illes Medes i el Baix Ter (PNMMBT) on Spain’s Costa Brava, serve as critical refuges for biodiversity conservation. Between 2010 and 2019, we conducted systematic visual surveys of sea slugs (Mollusca: Heterobranchia) within the PNMMBT, documenting 8289 individuals representing 98 species: 76 Nudibranchia, 10 Sacoglossa, 5 Aplysiida, 3 Pleurobranchida, 2 Umbraculida, 1 Runcinida, and 1 Cephalaspidea. Temporal, spatial, and bathymetric distribution analyses revealed a steady increase in species richness over time, suggesting the MPA’s ecosystems appear to remain in relatively good condition. To further refine our assessment, we incorporated citizen science records from the MINKA platform, expanding the documented diversity to 141 species including 99 Nudibranchia, 12 Sacoglossa, 5 Aplysiida, 6 Pleurobranchida, 2 Umbraculida, 4 Runcinida, 10 Cephalaspidea, 1 Acteonimorpha, 1 Pteropoda, and 1 Ringiculimorpha. This integrated approach highlights the value and complementarity of structured scientific surveys and community-contributed data in biodiversity monitoring. Citizen science fosters public engagement in research and provides scalable, cost-effective data that would otherwise be logistically unfeasible to obtain. By bridging these methodologies, we demonstrate how participatory science enhances the detection of species distributions, tracks ecological shifts, and bolsters conservation strategies in the current era of global biodiversity decline. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity, 2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 2466 KB  

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Morphological Profile and Seed Yield Ability of Polignano and Tiggiano Carrot Landraces: Steps Toward Registration as Conservation Varieties

by Rita Annunziata Accogli, Eugenio Cazzato, Dalila Bellomo, Pietro Santamaria and Massimiliano Renna

Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020199 - 13 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1703

Abstract

Several Apulian (Southern Italy) vegetable landraces are considered at risk of genetic erosion, constituting an issue for the loss of important genetic traits. ‘Tiggiano’ and ‘Polignano’ carrots are two Apulian landraces, noteworthy for their historical, cultural, and agricultural significance. In this research, both [...] Read more.

Several Apulian (Southern Italy) vegetable landraces are considered at risk of genetic erosion, constituting an issue for the loss of important genetic traits. ‘Tiggiano’ and ‘Polignano’ carrots are two Apulian landraces, noteworthy for their historical, cultural, and agricultural significance. In this research, both the morphological traits and seed yield ability of these landraces were evaluated, aiming to potentially register them for seed commercialization as a tool of valorization. The data of morphological traits according to the ‘International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants’ guideline evidenced a clear distinction between the two landraces. However, the great variability observed in certain characters represents an obstacle to their registration in the national variety register, except for the Conservation Varieties one. ‘Polignano’ and ‘Tiggiano’ carrots showed an average seed yield of about 63 and 106 g/plant, equating to about 1258 and 2116 kg/ha. Average seed germination rates were 79.7 and 85.8%, respectively, for ‘Polignano’ and ‘Tiggiano’ carrots. In conclusion, registering these local varieties as Conservation Varieties could enhance their appreciation, encourage sustainable cultivation, and help mitigate genetic erosion while boosting their economic and cultural value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity, 2nd Edition)

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