Phytosociological framework and conservation value of supratemperate riparian birch forest of the NW Iberian Peninsula.

  • Manuel Antonio Rodríguez Guitián Escola Politécnica Superior de Lugo, Campus Terra. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
  • Carlos Real Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional. Escola Politécnica Superior (USC). Campus Universitario, s/n. E-27002 Lugo (España)
  • Rosa Romero Franco Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Proyectos de Engeniería. Grupo de Investigación Territorio, terreo, biodiversidade (GI-1934)
  • Alejandro Álvarez-Hurtado Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Proyectos de Engeniería. Grupo de Investigación Territorio, terreo, biodiversidade (GI-1934)
Keywords: Betula pubescens, riparian forests, conservation value, Habitat Directive, NW Spain, N Portugal.

Abstract

We studied the downy birch forests that grow in the headwaters of rivers in the mountains in NW Iberian Peninsula and their differences from other previously described birch forests. To do this, an ordination analysis was done on a data base of 342 relevés (144 unpublished). As a result, four riparian forest associations were recognized in the territory, all of them belonging to the suballiance Saxifrago spathularis-Fraxinenion excelsioris (all. Hyperico androsaemi-Alnion glutinosae, ord. Alno-Fraxinetalia excelsioris, cl. Salici-Populetea). Two associations (Carici reuterianae-Betuletum celtibericae and Violo palustris-Betuletum pubescentis) have been previously described, but the other two (Chaerophyllo hirsuti-Betuletum pubescentis and Valeriano officinalis-Betuletum pubescentis) are described here for the first time. We characterized their floristic composition, ecological features and distribution, and evaluated their conservation value under the criteria of the 92/43/CEE Community Directive, and with regard to national and regional lists of protected species.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Manuel Antonio Rodríguez Guitián, Escola Politécnica Superior de Lugo, Campus Terra. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Proyectos de Engeniería. Grupo de Investigación Territorio, terreo, biodiversidade (GI-1934)
View citations

Article download

Crossmark

Metrics

Published
2017-11-16
How to Cite
Rodríguez Guitián M. A., Real C., Romero Franco R. y Álvarez-Hurtado A. (2017). Phytosociological framework and conservation value of supratemperate riparian birch forest of the NW Iberian Peninsula. Lazaroa, 38(2), 87-125. https://doi.org/10.5209/LAZA.56061
Section
Articles