Ecological and floristic characterization of the lauroid communities of the Western Cantabrian range (NW Iberia) | Caracterización ecológica y florística de las comunidades lauroides del occidente de la Cornisa Cantábrica (noroeste ibérico)

Spanish; Castilian. Mediante la comparación de los inventarios florísticos obtenidos en los territorios Galaico-Asturianos occidentales (Sector Galaico-Asturiano, Subprovincia Cántabro-Atlántica, Provincia Atlántica Europea) con los de las asociaciones vegetales previamente descritas en el ámbito cántabro-atlántico ibérico, se establece la presencia en el extremo occidental de la Cornisa Cantábrica de cuatro asociaciones vegetales dominadas por especies lauroides (Laurus nobilis, Arbutus unedo, Rhamnus alaternus): lauredales costeros (Calluno vulgaris-Lauretum nobilis), lauredales interiores calcícolas (Tamo communis-Lauretum nobilis), lauredales interiores silicícolas (Holco mollis-Lauretum nobilis), y madroñales (Frangulo alni-Arbutetum unedonis), así como fragmentos de otra comunidad silicícola dominada por Rhamnus alaternus. Finalmente se realizan diversos comentarios sobre el significado biogeográfico, valor paleoambiental e interés para la conservación de las comunidades vegetales aquí tratadas.

English. The floristic composition of plant communities dominated by lauroid species (Laurus nobilis, Arbutus unedo, Rhamnus alaternus) existing in western Galician-Asturian territories (Galician-Asturian Sector, Cantabrian-Atlantic Subprovince, Atlantic-European Province) is revised. After comparison with other previously described communities, we conclude the existence of four associations, three of them dominated by laurel tree: Laurus nobilis, i.e. Calluno vulgaris-Lauretum nobilis on shelte siliceous cliffs, Tamo communis-Lauretum nobilis growing on lime rocky spurs in inland territories, and Holco mollis-Lauretum nobilis in siliceous territories, and a fourth association dominated by the strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo: Frangulo alni-Arbutetum unedonis. In addition, some comments are made on another shrubby, insufficiently known community dominated by Rhamnus alaternus. Finally, some remarks on their biogeographical and paleoenvironmental significance as well as the interest for conservation of these communities are also mentioned.