An Integrated Landscape-Scale Ecological Condition Assessment Framework for Mediterranean Terrestrial Ecosystems: Evidence from Mountain Landscapes in Greece

Landscape-scale ecological assessment is fundamental for understanding ecosystem integrity, biodiversity resilience, and ecosystem service provision in heterogeneous Mediterranean environments. Mountain ecosystems, characterized by steep environmental gradients, structural complexity, and comparatively lower land-use intensity, provide critical regulating and supporting ecosystem services at regional scales. This study develops and applies an integrated spatial framework for ecological condition assessment focusing on representative mountain landscapes of the Pindus Mountains in Greece. Using simulated but ecologically realistic vegetation plot datasets distributed along altitudinal gradients (600–2,100 m a.s.l.), we combined EUNIS-based habitat classification, floristic diversity metrics (α- and β-diversity), landscape configuration indices derived from GIS analysis, and ecosystem service proxies including aboveground carbon storage, soil stabilization potential, and hydrological regulation capacity. These components were integrated into a composite Ecological Condition Index (ECI) calculated at landscape scale. Results indicate strong positive relationships between habitat structural heterogeneity and ecosystem multifunctionality. Subalpine forest mosaics and mixed deciduous–conifer stands exhibited the highest ecological condition scores, driven by high species turnover and landscape connectivity. Lower-elevation forest–pasture transition zones showed moderate fragmentation and reduced structural integrity associated with historical grazing and infrastructure expansion. The proposed framework provides a scalable methodological tool for habitat monitoring, restoration prioritization, and climate adaptation planning in Mediterranean mountain ecosystems and contributes to the integration of biodiversity structure, spatial configuration, and ecosystem services into unified landscape-scale indicators.