Evidence of riverside ash tree forests in southern Galicia (northwestern Spain) (original) (raw)

Indicator species of broad-leaved oak forests in the eastern Iberian Peninsula

Ecological Indicators, 2013

The degraded state, scattered distribution and substrate type of Quercus pyrenaica forests in eastern Spain make them a subject of particular interest, as well as a priority for conservation efforts. An extension of Dufrêne and Legendre's indicator value (IndVal) analysis was applied to one hundred relevés. This extension of the IndVal method allowed us, by considering the preference of species for combinations of relevé groups, to obtain those species that represent local, but also regional, characteristics (as a new practical use). Our objective was to identify the species that best indicate the main ecological features of these broad-leaved oak forests. The usefulness of our analysis was evidenced at two levels: local indicator species, showing the characteristic species of individual sites and including the presence of endemics in the area; and indicator species of combinations of two or more sites, reflecting the affinities or relationships between these scattered forests. Most singular forests showed a higher number of local indicator species. The indicator species of each site combination represent the main ecological traits shared by these groups-such as proximity to the coast, land uses or postglacial migration pathways-thereby defining their relationships. Indicator value analysis with site group combinations (Multipatt function) proved to be a useful tool for the identification of different species that could serve both to determine the local forest conservation status and aid in its preservation, as well as contributing to an understanding of the life history of larger territories.

Acer-Fraxinus dominated woods of the Italian peninsula: a floristic and phytogeographical analysis

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae, 2012

Forest communities dominated by noble broad-leaved trees (maple, lime and ash) in Europe are of elevated scientific and con­servation interest for the European Union. In this paper, we first present a synthesis of the maple and ash forests in peninsular Italy. By classifying these forests, we distinguish seven main groups for the territory, which only broadly match the syntaxa proposed in the literature. The variability of the Apennine data is then analysed floristically and phytogeographically (using chorological components) in a central-southern European context, using numerical classification, INSPAN, and direct ordination of several synoptic tables. These analyses allow us to identify six different groups of European…

Quercus rotundifolia Lam. Woodlands of the Southwestern Iberian Peninsula

Land, 2021

The holm oak woodlands as ecotonic phytocoenoses occur under different ecological conditions, and frequently representing the climax of edaphoxerophilous series of crests and siliceous rocky areas. In this paper we study the floristic, ecological, and biogeographical differences of the edaphoxerophilous holm oak woodlands of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, included in the Querco rotundifoliae-Oleenion sylvestris suballiance. Our phytosociological (Braun–Blanquet methodology) and numerical analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis) of three formerly described association and our own samples lead us to propose a new association: Ulici argentei-Quercetum rotundifoliae, growing mostly on semihyperoceanic Monchique Sierran Biogeographic District, on rocky slopes and outcrops derived from schists and greywackes. Moreover, we present an overview of ecological features and the diversity of plant communities occurring in the serial dynamic of the thermophile holm oak woodlands of the south...

A contribute to the knowledge of the climatophilous cork—oak woodlands from Iberian southwest

Acta Botanica Gallica, 2010

This work results as an in-depth study of climatophilous cork-oak woodlands from Iberian southwest, by the necessity to profound the knowledge of this West-Mediterrenean vegetal formations, particularly in the most atlantic territories. Accordingly, we describe a new cork-oak forest association subhumid to humid, thermomediterranean, siliceous, from « Marianico-Monchiquense » sector as a climatophilous serie, named Lavandulo viridis-Quercetum suberis new ass. Their floristic, ecologic and dynamic particularities are exposed. It's also presented a comparison with the rest of the cork-oak communities described to the Querco rotundifoliae-Oleion sylvestris Barbéro, Quézel & Rivas-Martínez in Rivas-Martínez, Costa & Izco 1986 alliance. Finally, some considerations are made about the conservation status of these sclerophyllous formations and highlighted the most important management policies that aim to protect, recover and increase the value of cork-oak forests.

Marcescent Forests of the Iberian Peninsula: Floristic and Climatic Characterization

Geobotany Studies, 2014

Forests dominated by marcescent oak species represent the transition between deciduous forests adapted to rainy summers and cold winters, on the one hand, and evergreen sclerophyllous Mediterranean forests. In the Iberian Peninsula marcescence is shown by some oak species, including Quercus pubescens, Q. pyrenaica, Q. faginea and Q. canariensis; it suggests an old evergreen habit forced to become deciduous by the cold winters. In this paper we analyse the floristic diversity of marcescent forests in the Iberian Peninsula and their proportion of evergreen broad-leaved and sub-Mediterranean species, and relate them to climatic conditions. This analysis uses 494 phytosociological relevés from the Information System of Iberian and Macaronesian Vegetation (SIVIM) and the BIOVEG data-bases. The data-set was submitted to an agglomerative clustering, which produced four clusters. An NMDS gradient analysis was also applied, in order to assess the relationship between the clusters and bioclimatic variables. The hierarchical and syntaxonomical classifications show a high correspondence, as reflected in the dominance of different Quercus species in each cluster. Quercus broteroi and Q. canariensis forests show a higher proportion of evergreen broad-leaved species, while Q. pubescens and Q. faginea forests are characterized by sub-Mediterranean species. As for climatic relationships, Q. broteroi and Q. canariensis forests present the highest values of thermicity (It) and the lowest values of the ombrothermic (Io 2 ) index. These values indicate their Mediterranean, thermophilous character, which in turn is related to their high proportions of evergreen broad-leaved species. As a conclusion, it can be stated that marcescence is not related to evergreeness, the latter being linked to mediterraneity. Therefore, the idea of considering marcescence as a residual feature of ancient evergreen laurophyll forests is not supported by our results. Those marcescent forests, particularly the basophilous ones, are related to the sub-Mediterranean floristic element.

Materials and some results from communities hierarchical classification of submediterranean oak deciduous forest and temperate deciduous forest in Italian Peninsula

Aims of this research group are the establishment and participation to a federated database of Italian vegetation. This is done in order to evaluate the “real existence” of plant communities dominated by Quercus sp.pl. and Fagus sylvatica, investigate about how these communities are distinguished on the base of macroecological factors and/or floristic composition. An attempt to parameterize these units in order to verify their biogeographical robustness and adaptation to current classifications in EU (EUNIS, Corine Biotopes classification) for the Mediterranean region is here proposed. From a wide database of published and certified phytosociological relevés of broadleaved deciduous submediterranean and temperate deciduous forests, about 3500 relevés have been selected. The vegetation plots corresponds to the communities at the level of association ranked into the class of Querco-Fagetea, specifically dominated by oaks and beech, recorded in the territories south of the watershed of...

Ecology and history of a wooded landscape in southern Spain

An extensive oak woodland, of about 1000 km2, dominated by evergreen cork oak (Quercus suber) and semideciduous Q. canariensis, is found in southern Spain, near the Strait of Gibraltar, and contrasts with the paradigm of deforested Mediterranean mountains. Several factors, ecological, geographical and historical, have contributed to the origin and maintenance of this forested landscape. The rough relief and the acidic, nutrient-poor soils (derived from Oligo-Miocene sandstone) made tbis area unsuitable for cultivation. The oceanic influence favours the growth of oak trees. In particular, the cork oak is well suited to acidic soils and the humid Mediterranean climate. Three historical milestones seem relevant to the preservation of this woodland. Its location at a frontier during medieval times (thirteenth to fifteenth centuries) discouraged villages and reduced human pressure on the woodland resources. The rise of the value of cork he1ped to preserve the cork oak woodland during early nineteenth century industrial times. Contemporary consciousness about the conservation of woodland landscapes (somewhat unusual in the Mediterranean region) led to their designation as Los Alcornocales (meaning 'The cork oak woodlands') Natural Park, devoted to the development of the region.

Cork Oak Vegetation Series of Southwestern Iberian Peninsula: Diversity and Ecosystem Services

2020

Currently, the occurrence of thermophile cork oak communities is becoming exceptionally rare, which can be attributed to the long-lasting impact of human agroforestry and grazing land-use practices. In this work we identified the thermophilous cork oak vegetation series of southwestern of the Iberian Peninsula and present an overview of ecologic factors and processes controlling the diversity of plant communities observed in their dynamic, as well as, the characteristic vascular flora, including species with special conservation interest, is here presented. This information allows the development of sustainable management, which may enhance both biodiversity and conservation. Moreover, the sustainable economic activities of the cork oak forests, regarding to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for ecosystem services is developed and presented.

The Forest Map od Spain 1:200.000: methology and analysis of general results

Investigación agraria. Sistemas y recursos forestales

First of all, the main descriptive elements of vegetation used in the Spanish Forest Map on scale 1:200,000 (MFE2C) are put forward. Secondly, this paper includes an explanation of how plant cover maps are a supplementary tool for forest inventories in order to evaluate the actual state of vegetation. As an example, there is a description of characteristics of the current Spanish vegetation regarding the 4 descriptive elements of MFE2C: large climatic domains, structure, evolution level and dominant plant communities