Mediterranean
Hot-dry summers, mild wet winters
Is this your bioregion?
Regions: California Central Valley, Provence (France), Tuscany & Southern Italy, Andalusia & Catalonia (Spain), Greek Islands & Mainland, and more...
Countries: Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Portugal, Southern France, California (USA), Chile, South Africa, Australia
Mediterranean bioregions face a fundamental challenge: abundance of rain in winter, scarcity in summer. Traditional cultures here developed sophisticated water harvesting, drought-tolerant perennials, and fire-adapted landscapes. Your survival depends on capturing winter water and building systems that thrive through the long dry season.
Survival Priorities
Water Harvesting
Capture every drop of winter rain. Swales, cisterns, and ponds are your lifeline through summer.
See Chapter 5 →Drought-Tolerant Food
Olives, figs, grapes, almonds, and Mediterranean herbs form the backbone of resilient food systems.
See Chapter 3 →Fire-Resilient Design
Design defensible space, choose fire-resistant species, and create fuel breaks.
See Chapter 7 →Cool Shelter
Thick-walled buildings, courtyards, and shade structures keep you cool without energy.
See Chapter 7 →Your 2-Year Action Plan
Track your progress. Your checklist saves automatically.
Quick Start Card
5 actions you can start TODAY. Print this and put it on your fridge.
Mediterranean Bioregion: Start Today
- 1.Map your water catchment area and existing storage
- 2.Identify 3 neighbours to form a mutual aid network
- 3.Plant drought-tolerant perennials this winter
- 4.Create a fire evacuation and defense plan
- 5.Start collecting seeds from locally-adapted varieties
weltaufgang.org/bioregions/mediterranean
Key Species
"The old farmers say: "Plant trees for your grandchildren." Mediterranean food forests take decades to mature, but once established, they produce abundantly with minimal water."
Find Local Projects
Connect with restoration and regeneration projects in your area. Learn from what others are doing, volunteer, or find collaborators.
Restor.eco
Global platform with 150,000+ restoration sites. Find projects near you, connect with practitioners, and access ecological data.
Can't find local projects? You might be the one to start. Use our Community Toolkit to organize your first neighbourhood meeting.
Deep Dive: Your Bioregion
Mediterranean / Marmara
Complete guidance for your bioregion including climate-adapted practices, local case studies, and a detailed transition plan.
Foundation Reading
These chapters provide essential skills that apply to your bioregion: