1: Introduction, M Merlo and L Croitoru Part I: Mediterranean forest values 2: The state of Mediterranean forests, M Merlo, and P Paiero, University of Padua, Italy 3: Concepts and methodology: a first attempt towards quantification, M Merlo and L Croitoru 4: Mediterranean forest values, L Croitoru and M Merlo Part II: Country situations 5: Morocco, M Ellatifi, Department of Water, Forests and Desertification Control, Morocco 6: Algeria, A Nedjahi and M Zamoum, National Institute of Forest Research, Algeria 7: Tunisia, H Daly-Hassen, National Institute of Research on Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry, Tunisia, and A Ben Mansoura, Arab Center for Studies of Arid Zones and Drylands, Syria 8: Egypt, L Croitoru 9: Palestine, R Ghattas, N Hrimat and J Isaac, Applied Research Institute Jerusalem, West Bank 10: Israel, A Gafni, Jewish National Fund, Israel 11: Lebanon, E Sattout, S Talhouk and N Kabbani, American University of Beirut, Lebanon 12: Syria, I Nahal and S Zahoueh, Aleppo University, Syria 13: Turkey, M F Tuerker, Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey, M Pak, Kahramanmaras Suetcueimam University, Turkey, and A OEztuerk, Kaftas University, Turkey 14: Cyprus, Department of Forests, Cyprus 15: Greece, V Kazana, Technological Education Institute of Kavala, Greece, and A Kazaklis, Centre for Integrated Environmental Management, Greece 16: Albania, K Dano, Directorate of Forests and Pastures, Albania 17: Croatia, R Sabadi, University of Zagreb, Croatia, and D Vuletic and J Gracan, Forest Research Institute, Croatia 18: Slovenia, R Mavsar, L Kutnar and M Kovac, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Slovenia 19: Italy, L Croitoru, P Gatto, University of Padua, Italy, M Merlo and P Paiero 20: France, C Montagne, J-L Peyron, A Niedzwiedz and O Colnard, Laboratoire d'Economie Forestiere, UMR ENGREF/INRA, France 21: Spain, P Campos Palacin, Institute of Economics and Geography, Madrid, Spain, E Sanjurjo, Instituto Nacional de Ecologia, Mexico, and A Caparros, Institute of Economics and Geography, Madrid, Spain 22: Portugal, A M S C Mendes, Portuguese Catholic University, Portugal Part III: Towards a Mediterranean forests multipurpose policy 23: Institutional and policy implications in the Mediterranean region, P Gatto and M Merlo 24: Decentralization and participation: key challenges for Mediterranean public forest policy, E Rojas Briales, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain 25: The need for an international agreement on Mediterranean forests, A M S C Mendes