Francisco Barreto Caldas

Ecology, diversity and conservation of relict laurel—leaved mesophytic scrublands in mainland Portugal

Abstract Phylogeographic studies have repeatedly identified the southern European peninsulas (Iberian, Italian and Balkanic) as major refuges for the flora during Pleistocene glacial events. Due to the succession of cold and warm periods, a large number of frost—sensitive species became extinct or confined to isolated positions in the southern peninsulas, where specific physical conditions working at a local scale enabled the persistence of those frost-sensitive, relict species. The global purpose of this paper is to address the ecology and diversity of relict laurel—leaved scrublands in mainland Portugal (Southwest Europe), where geographic segregation gave rise to a floristic diversification of community types. These biogeographically isolated scrublands configure seven distinct associations, which are recognisable from both classical and numerical phyto- sociological approaches. The conservation of relict laurel—leaved scrublands in the territory is also assessed in the framework of the EEC “Habitats” Directive.

A new association of perennial nitrophilous vegetation from North-Western Iberian Peninsula

Abstract A new phytosociological association of perennial nitrophilous vegetation is described from submediterranean mountain areas of North-Western Iberian Peninsula. Geranio lusitanici-Scrophularietum herminii ass. nova (class Artemisietea vulgaris) is physiognomically predominated by Scrophularia herminii and its individuality is based on the two nominal taxa (Scrophularia herminii and Geranium pyrenaicum subsp. lusitanicum), both endemic to the North-Western Iberian Peninsula. In this paper, the new association is fully characterised and distinguished from other perennial nitrophilous vegetation types in the territory in terms of its floristic composition, synecologic requirements, syntaxonomy, chorology and biogeography.

Sagino procumbentis-Sibthorpietum europaeae, a new association within Mondo fontanae-Cardaminetea amarae from Northwestern Portugal

A new association ( Sagino procumbentis-Sibthorpietum europaeae ) of spring vegetation ( Montio fontanae-Cardaminetea armarae ) is described from temperate submediterranean areas of Northwestern Portugal in order to include perennial herbaceous formations predominated by Sagina procumbens and Sibthorpia europaea . In this paper we present floristic, synecological and biogeographical evidence to support our proposal of this new syntaxon.