3. Its 22,500 endemic vascular plant species are
more than four times the number found in all
the rest of Europe; the hotspot also supports
many endemic reptile species
4. 500 bird species. 25 of them are endemic
220 mammal species. 25 of them are also endemic
225 reptile species. 80 of which are endemic
80 amphibian species. 30 are endemic
220 species of fish. 60 are endemic
5. Human settlements have existed in the area for well
over 8,000 years
It suffered massive deforestation, intensive grazing,
fires, and infrastructure development
300 million people live in the Mediterranean Basin.
Rapid population growth has a negative effect on
the biodiversity in this area
