Carlos Vila-Viçosa

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

Abstract 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. Its 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.

Temporihygrophilous Quercus broteroi forests in southern Portugal: Analysis and conservation

Abstract This article deals with a phytosociological survey of marcescent Portuguese oak (Quercus broteroi) forests in southern Portugal, and presents the results of an analysis of 56 relevés, combining Braun–Blanquets methodology with hierarchical cluster analysis (Wards Hierarchical Clustering, based on Bray–Curtis distance). From these results, a new temporihygrophilous Portuguese oak forest association is described. Largely thermomediterranean, upper dry to subhumid, Ulici welwitschiani–Quercetum broteroi occurs on limestone soils within the Coastal Lusitan-Andalusian Province. Its high conservation value – mainly due to its rarity and floristic structure – supports this forests integration in Habitat 9240 (Annex B-I from Council Directive 92/43/EEC) in order to ensure its preservation. Based on the results, new biogeographic borders for the Ribatagan-Sadensean Sector are proposed.

The Algarve climatophilous vegetation series – Portugal: a base document to the planning, management and nature conservation Les séries de végètation climatophiles de l’Algarve - Portugal: un document de base pour la planification, gestion et conservation de la nature

Abstract This work was developed as part of PhD research devoted to the flora and vegetation of the Caldeirão and Monchique mountains that aims to identify the vegetation climatophilous series and use them as an environmental diagnosis of Algarve administrative province phyto-ecological subregions. Biogeographic and bioclimatic considerations are presented, as well as the study area pedological and lithological characterization. For each of the seven climatophilous series the dynamic and catenal behaviours, as well as the main characteristic plants that constitute the successional stages, are given. The corresponding patrimonial value is studied.

Analysis of the Cytisetea scopario-striati scrubs in the south-west-centre of the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract The statistical and phytosociological study of 255 relevés taken in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula and made up of our own samples and previous publications reveals how close these relevés, previously ascribed to different syntaxa, really are. Our re-arrangement of the data leads us to propose for the territory the 15 associations already published and three new ones, namely: Genisto floridae-Adenocarpetum argyrophylli ass. nova hoc loco, Cytisetum bourgaei-eriocarpi nova, Lavandulo viridis-Cytisetum striati ass. nova hoc. loco. We also suggest a name correction, Adenocarpo anisochili-Cytisetum scoparii J.C. Costa et al. 2000 corr., and a status change, namely, Ulici latebracteati-Cytisetum striati (Costa et al. 2000) status novo.

A new Erica lusitanica Rudolphi heathland association to the Iberian south-west

Abstract As result of several field trips following doctoral research in Marianic-Monchiquensean Sector, we describe a new heathland named Lavandulo viridis-Ericetum lusitanici ass nova hoc loco (Genistion micrantho-anglicae, Rivas-Martínez 1979) as a thermomediterranean to lower mesomediterranean, upper dry to humid, schistose association. The analysis of 11 relevés, following Braun-Blanquet methodology shows the floristic identity of this new association as well as the chorological segregation of its area of occurrence. Finally, despite these communities already being relatively well known and although they are poor in species number, such heathlands show floristic singularity and own sinecology, with a large and distinct geographical area of distribution, so we emphasized its integration within Atlantic wet heaths priority habitat (∗4020 – Annex B-I from Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992).

Conservation status of vegetation in the North and Central area of Pardiela river basin (Évora, Portugal)

Abstract Pardiela’s stream watershed was selected for a preliminary test of an ecological assessment through the application of the Potentiality Distance Index (PDI) methodology, based on current and potential vegetation maps. This analysis reveals the distance of a given vegetation community from its optimal potential state (climax) and the final PDI values portray the conservation status of the territory and allow the sketching of its needs for recovery or protection. Hence, territory management policies can subsequently be adjusted for better land use and biodiversity conservation. For this reason, this methodology can be an important step for landscape planning because it allows the adjustment of development proposals and activity monitoring. The final PDI value for the study area is 0.2509, indicating that Pardiela’s basin conservation status is moderate.

Contribution to Local Landscape Units definition in OTALEX II

Abstract OTALEX II is the Territorial and Environmental Observatory of Alentejo (Portugal) and Extremadura (Spain), co-financed by POCTEP, developed with the cross-border collaboration of several Portuguese and Spanish bodies. It is composed of a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) created in 2007, SDI-OTALEX (www.ideotalex.eu), which is an exchange platform for geographic information and Webmapping services among project partners. The integration of environmental indicators such as landscape indicators, for the characterization and monitoring of the Alentejo Extremadura area is one of the most relevant components of the project. This paper reports the achievements in defining Local Landscape Units (LLU) for a pilot area of Central Alentejo – the Pardiela river basin. The methodological approach applied Geographic Information System tools to integrate soils, geomorphology and land cover. The land cover map applies the CORINE Land Cover Legend Level 5 to Central Alentejo at a scale of 1 : 10,000. This map contains variables related to vegetation, hydrology (streams and water bodies) and human settlements (buildings, equipment, roads). The validation of the results obtained for LLU with previously defined Landscape Units and potential vegetation mapping confirm the reliability and replicability of the present methodology for similar territories.

The management and preservation of communitarian interest habitats in the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela (Portugal).

Abstract In this paper we present the management and preservation strategy of communitarian interest habitats which can be found in the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela (PNSE), Portugal. After presenting a general characterization of PNSE, where the main biophysical aspects of the territory are signalled, the description of the main work carried out in this Protected Area, in terms of characterization, improvement, diffusion and management of habitats of communitarian interest to be found here, will follow.