Der mediterrane Süden Frankreichs. Vegetationsdynamik und Kulturlandschaft im Languedoc- Roussillon

The western Mediterranean Iandscape is subject to considerable changes. Biomass accumulation, mostly due to processes of rural abandonment,
has increased the risk of forest fires, especially of uncontrollable large ones. On the other hand, especially in the coastal area the Iandscape is under the pressure of intensive agriculture and tourism development. The region Languedoc Roussillon in the Mediterranean South of France is a very prominent example of this active landscape dynamic.
Here both processes interfere intensively. The "californisation" (French: californisation de I' habitat rural) of the rural Iandscape in the Languedoc-Roussillon combined with increasing fuel loading (biomass accumulation) increases the hazard of potential wild fires. ln coastal areas tourism development of the last years has also considerably changed the natural environment. One of the most dramatic changes has been the
escapement and natural isation of escaped exotic ornamental plants from gardens and parcs in the seaside resorts on the Mediterranean cost. ln some cases (e.g. Acacia dealbata) fire seems tobe an important vector for the increasing population
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dynamics of these "Neophytes". The paper presents regional examples of these processes of complex Iandscape dynamics in the South Western part of the Languedoc - Roussillon in the surroundings of Perpignan close to the Spanish border - the lagoon and Lido area of the Etang the Leucate - and the Aspres - a foothillmassiv of the Mt. Canigou (Pyrenees). Using these regional examples of Iandscape dynamics - the paper shows - the close relationship between touristic pressure, population dynamics of neophytes, global warming and f ire cycles. These processes (with obvious regional differences) can also be observed in the other parts of Mediterranean France and of course in other parts of the western European Mediterranean basin (Portugal, Spain). The development of wild sugar cane in the Lido area of the Etang de Leucate is local
phenomena with global consequences. Actually this is the only known European locality (with exception of Stromboli) where this tropical gr.ass is wild spreading with an invasive tendency. This could be an evident signal (vegetation response) of global warming in the west ern part of the Mediterranean European basin.