Title
Baetic supra-Mediterranean Quercus pyrenaica-forests with Adenocarpus decorticans
Geographical distribution
Country/territory
Southern Spain: small-scaled, isolated presence in the Baetic province (Sierra Nevada)
area frequency
2 polygons.
Scientific names of main plant communities and their most common synonyms (with author citation)
Adenocarpo decorticantis-Quercetum pyrenaicae Martínez-Parras & Molero 1983.
Structural feature of the main community(ies) (layers, life-forms, etc.)
Relatively dense, three-layered Quercus pyrenaica forests with a well developed shrub layer and shade-tolerant herb species.
Dominant and most frequent species in different layers
Tree layer
Quercus pyrenaica, admixed Sorbus aria, Fraxinus angustifolia, Acer granatense
Shrub layer
Adenocarpus decorticans, Berberis vulgaris subsp. australis, Cytisus scoparius, Rosa pouzinii
Herb layer
Luzula forsteri, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Clinopodium vulgare, Alliaria petiolata, Helleborus foetidus, Paeonia coriacea, Festuca elegans, Aristolochia paucinervis
Moss layer (incl. lichens)
No details
Diagnostically important species
Quercus pyrenaica, Sorbus aria; Adenocarpus decorticans; Luzula forsteri
Ecological variants
a) quercetosum pyrenaicae on drier sites; b) aceretosum granatensis on shady, protected sites (with Acer granatense, Fraxinus angustifolia).
Geographical variants (geogr. differential species)
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Natural accompanying vegetation (most important units in complex with the name giving mapping unit, scientific names)
On rocks: Diantho lusitani-Antirrhinetum rupestris.
Adjoining climax and permanent vegetation (with numbers of mapping units)
oro-Mediterranean scrubs (C34), Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia-forests (J7, J10).
Land use, substitute communities
forestry (substitute communities, plantations of economic tree-species, scrub)
Forestry; scrub: Cytiso scoparii-Adenocarpetum decorticantis, Lonicero arboreae-Rhamnetum cathartici; Halimio viscosi-Cistetum laurifolii, Thymo-Cistetum laurifolii.
grassland (meadows, pastures, herb-rich communities)
Pastures: Trifolio cherleri-Plantaginetum bellardii (annual); Paeonio coriaceae-Festucetum elegantidis (perennial). Moist sites: Myrrhoidi nodosae-Alliarietum petiolatae; Alliario petiolatae-Laserpitietum longiradii; Aquilegio nevadensis-Ranunculetum granatensis.
arable land (characteristic weed communities)
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settlements (typical ruderal vegetation)
Ruderal communities: Artemisio barrelieri-Helichrysetum serotini.
Site conditions of the mapping unit
Landscape type, geomorphology
northern slopes and valley bottoms of ravines in high mountain regions
Altitudinal belt and/or altitudinal range
supra-Mediterranean; 1100-1900 m
Geology (bedrock)
siliceous rock (Palaeozoic)
soil type, also the depth of fine textured earth (soil), stone content; (international nomenclature)
(stony dystric cambisols)
soil moisture, water balance
fresh to moderately dry
soil reaction
strongly to moderately acidic
soil fertility
oligo-mesotrophic
Climate incl. local climate
climate type (following Walter & Lieth)
IV4, X
average annual temperature
8-12 °C
average annual precipitation
500-1000 mm
average temperature of the warmest month
20-21 °C
average temperature of the coldest month
3-5 °C
local climate or other climatic peculiarities
Moderately dry to subhumid.
Importance for nature protection
Present state and development trend of natural vegetation (degree of endangerment)
No details
endangered communities, species worthy of protection in natural vegetation
No details
causes of endangerment
Agriculture (livestock breeding).
required measures for protection and restitution
No details
Localities of representative stands (loci typici) with state of protection
of the natural vegetation
Spain: Reserva Naturale de Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Alfacar, Sierra de Cázulas and Sierra de Tejeda.
of characteristic substitute communities worthy of protection
No details
Most important references (author, year)
Martínez Parras & Molero Mesa 1982; Peinado Lorca & Rivas-Martínez (Ed.) 1987; Perez Raya, Lôpez Nieto, Molero Mesa & Valle Tendero 1990; Rivas-Martínez 1987
Compiled by
A. Penas Merino and L. Herrero Cembranos
