This volume comprises invited contributions on important aspects of plant--animal interactions in Mediterranean-type ecosystems, which was the subject of the Sixth International Conference on Mediterranean Climate Ecosystems held in Crete, Greece, from September 23 to 27, 1991. The subject of plant--animal interactions is fundamental to the Mediterranean-type ecosystems and their rational managements. All five regions of the world with a Mediterranean climate are represented: the Mediterranean basin sensu lato, California, Chile, South Africa, Australia. The book is divided into six parts. These six sections on plant--animal interactions reflect the major trends in the direction of research of the members of the International Society of Mediterranean Ecology (ISOMED).