Contents
1
1.1
1.2
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.3
1.2.3.1
1.2.3.2
1.2.4
1.2.4.1
1.2.5
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.5.1
2.5.2
2.5.2.1
2.5.2.2
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
Introduction ................................ .
The Mediterranean Climate ................... .
Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems ............... .
The Physical Environment .................... .
Vegetation .................................. .
Geographical Distribution ..................... .
Maquis Formations .......................... .
Phrygnic Formations ......................... .
The Resilience of Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems
Attributes of Resilience ....................... .
Litter Production and Decomposition ........... .
Water Balance in Mediterranean Arthropods ..... .
Water Relations ............................. .
Components of Water Balance ................. .
The Dynamics of Water Relations .............. .
Adaptation to Moisture Variations .............. .
Responses of Arthropods
to Environmental Extremes .................... .
Behavioural Responses ....................... .
Cryptobiosis ................................ .
Anhydrobiosis .............................. .
Ecomorphosis ............................... .
Respiratory Metabolism ...................... .
Respiration and Weight ....................... .
Respiratory Response to Varying Temperature .... .
Acclimation to Constant Temperature ........... .
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