Variation in plant diversity in mediterranean‐climate ecosystems: the role of climatic and topographical stability

Aim Although all five of the major mediterranean‐climate ecosystems ( MCE s) of the world are recognized as loci of high plant species diversity and endemism, they show considerable variation in regional‐scale richness. Here, we assess the role of stable Pleistocene climate and Cenozoic topography in explaining variation in regional richness of the globe's MCE s. We hypothesize that older, more climatically stable MCE s would support more...