settlement and habitat modifi cation have distinctly altered the characteristic 
vegetation (Quezel 1985 ; Zohary 1973 ) . In terms of habitat deterioration, population density is, among others, strongly 
related with forest fi res: a number of papers relate number of fi res to population 
density with more or less robust relationships (Cardille et al. 2001 ; Leone et al. 
2003 ; Syphard et al. 2007 ; Martinez et al. 2009 ) .A number of trees are 
important fl agships, including the cedars (such as the famous cedar of Lebanon, 
Cedrus libani , which has been exploited since the rise of civilization in the Fertile 
Crescent); the argan tree ( Argania spinosa ), a species in the Souss region of south-
west Morocco; oriental sweet gum ( Liquidambar orientalis ); and Cretan date palm 
( Phoenix theophrastii ) in Crete (Greece) and western Turkey.Frequent burning of maquis (mainly for grazing purposes) resulted in depau-
perate vegetation dominated by Kermes oak ( Quercus coccifera ), Cistus spp., 
Sarcopoterium spinosum or Genista fasselata , all of which regenerate rapidly after 
fi re by resprout ing or mass seed germination .Shrublands, including maquis and the 
aromatic, soft-leaved and seldom drought deciduous phrygana of Rosmarinus, Salvia , 
Thymus or Coridothymus persist in the semi-arid, lowland, and coastal regions.Today, the most widespread vegetation 
type is hard-leafed or sclerophyllous shrublands called maquis or matorral , which 
include representatives from the plant genera Juniperus, Myrtus, Olea, Phillyrea, 
Pistacia, and Quercus.Some important components of Mediterranean vegetation 
(species of the genera Arbutus, Calluna, Ceratonia, Chamaerops , and Laurus ) are 
tropical relicts from the ancient forests that dominated the Basin two million years 
ago.Population trends in many biodiversity hotspots indicate a high risk of ongoing 
habitat degradation (Cincotta et al. 2000 ) .The Mediterranean Region harbours a high degree of tree richness and ende-
mism (290 indigenous tree species of which 201 endemics).Many of the hotspots occur in regions with high levels of population density, a 
potential factor of threat for their conservation status and overall existence.The greatest impacts of human civilization in the Mediterranean have been 
deforestation, intensive grazing and fi res, and urbanization, especially along the 
coast.The Mediterranean region is now facing a turbulent 
transformation of its political, human and settlement patterns.Among other factors threatening 
biodiversity hotspots fi res represent one of the most detrimental.At present, Mediterranean forests cover about 9.4% of the region's total land 
area (Leone and Lovreglio 2004 ) .Dramatic changes in 
population density and distribution mark the area, which includes one of the most 
over-crowded coastlines in the world.