The Climate of the Mediterranean Region

The Mediterranean region contains a diverse and interesting climate ranging from areas with permanent glaciers to areas of subtropical, semiarid regions. The region is potentially sensitive to climate change and its progress has environmental, social, and economic implications within and beyond the region. Produced by the Mediterranean Climate Variability and Predictability Research Networking Project, this book reviews the evolution of the Mediterranean climate over the past two millennia with projections further into the twenty-first century as well as examining in detail various aspects of the Mediterranean region’s climate including evolution, atmospheric variables, and oceanic and land elements. Integrated with this, the book also considers the social and economic problems or vulnerabilities associated with the region. Written and reviewed by multiple researchers to ensure a high level of information presented clearly, Mediterranean Climate Variables will be an invaluable source of information for geologists, oceanographers, and anyone interested in learning more about the Mediterranean climate.

• Written by leading experts in the field
• Presents clear, compelling, and concise evidence
• Includes the latest thinking in Mediterranean climate research

Geologists, Earth and Environmental Scientists

Preface

Foreword

List of Contributors

Introduction: Mediterranean Climate—Background Information

1. Paleoclimate Variability in the Mediterranean Region

1.1 Introduction to Paleoclimatic Reconstruction Methods

1.2 The Geological History of the Mediterranean Through the Meso-Cenozoic: From a Global Latitudinal Ocean to an Enclosed Sea

1.3 Sensitivity and Variability at Different Climate States

1.4 Outlook

Acknowledgments

REFERENCES

2. A Review of 2000 Years of Paleoclimatic Evidence in the Mediterranean

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Long Instrumental Data Series from the Mediterranean

2.3 Ships’ Logbooks from the Mediterranean as Quasi-Instrumental Climate Information

2.4 Tree-Ring Information from the Mediterranean

2.5 Speleothem Information from the Mediterranean

2.6 Paleoflood and Storm Records from the Mediterranean

2.7 Lake Sediments from the Mediterranean

2.8 Corals and Lower-Resolution Marine Proxies from the Mediterranean

2.9 Borehole Information from the Mediterranean

2.10 Vegetation, Land Use, and Fire History in Mediterranean Ecosystems

2.11 Pollen Data: Their Distribution and Possibilities/Challenges for Climate Reconstructions over the Mediterranean

2.12 Sea-Level Variations over the Last 2000 Years in the Mediterranean

2.13 Paleoclimate Modeling and Data Assimilation for Paleoclimatological Analysis in the Mediterranean

2.14 Data Assimilation with Paleo Data

2.15 Conclusions and Outlook

Acknowledgments

REFERENCES

WEB REFERENCES

3. Circulation of the Mediterranean Sea and its Variability

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Changes in the Thermohaline Circulation of the Mediterranean Sea

3.3 The Forcings of the Mediterranean Sea

3.4 Variability in the Heat and Freshwater Characteristics at Interannual to Multidecadal Timescales

3.5 Outlook and Future Research Priorities

Acknowledgments

REFERENCES

4. Mediterranean Sea-Level Variability and Trends

4.1 Introduction

4.2 How Do We Observe Sea Levels in the Mediterranean Sea?

4.3 Interannual to Interdecadal Mean Sea-Level Changes and Trends

4.4 Interannual to Interdecadal Changes in the Seasonal Cycle

4.5 Changes in Extreme Sea-Level Events

4.6 Open Issues in the Study of Long-Term Sea-Level Variability

4.7 Conclusions

Acknowledgments

REFERENCES

5. Climate of the Mediterranean

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Teleconnection Patterns Influencing the MR

5.3 Cyclones in the MR and Links to Large-Scale Patterns

5.4 Temperature and Temperature Extremes

5.5 Precipitation Extremes

5.6 Wind and Wind Extremes: Wind Storms, Dust Storms, and Storm Surges

5.7 Conclusion

Acknowledgments

REFERENCES

6. Large-Scale Atmospheric Circulation Driving Extreme Climate Events in the Mediterranean and its Related Impacts

6.1 Introduction

6.2 HW Mechanisms and Impacts

6.3 Mediterranean Droughts and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation

6.4 Mediterranean Water Cycle

6.5 The NAO Impact on Renewable Energy and Vegetation Dynamics

6.6 Extreme Weather Associated with Exceptional Large-Scale Circulation

6.7 Conclusions

Acknowledgments

REFERENCES

7. Modeling of the Mediterranean Climate System

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Mediterranean Climate Modeling from Global- to Regional Scale

7.3 Mediterranean Sea General Circulation

7.4 Conclusions and Perspectives

Acknowledgments

REFERENCES

8. The Climate of the Mediterranean Region in Future Climate Projections

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Investigating Methods

8.3 Projections of Future Climate

8.4 Future Projections for the Mediterranean Sea

8.5 The Uncertainties of the Projections

8.6 Conclusion

Acknowledgments

REFERENCES