The Mediterranean region in its context
The geological setting
The Mediterranean climate and its evolution
Vegetation
The hydrological cycle of the basin and its watershed
Erosion processes
Fire
The Mediterranean Sea
Background to prehistoric and historic land use
Traditional land-use patterns 1 : agriculture
Traditional land-use patterns 2 : rural settlement
Traditional land-use patterns 3 : urban settlement
Traditional land-use patterns 4 : use of mineral resources
The present human landscape
Agricultural changes in the twentieth century
The impact of depopulation
Pollution
Water resources
The desertification problem
Potential climatic change and its effects
Key issues for mitigation.