Convergence and non-convergence of mediterranean type communities

Mediterranean plant communities of several areas, particularly the U.S. and Israel, are discussed and compared. There is little evidence supporting classic arguments for vegetation convergence at the community level on different continents. Instead, there are major differences in life form spectra, leaf traits, physiognomy, species richness, and fire adaptations among different regions of Mediterranean vegetation. Non-convergence is related to differences in past climate, history of disturbance, and random evolutionary canalizations among regions. Ó 1993 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.