Biodiversity of woody species in oakwoodlands of southern Spain and northern Morocco
1999
Marañón, Teodoro | Ajbilou, Redouan | Ojeda Copete, Fernando | Arroyo Marín, Juan | Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica, DGICT (España) | Junta de Andalucía
10 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables. We thank J. Sánchez (Director of Los ALcornocales Natural Park) and M. Ater (University of Tetouan) for facilities to carry out the held work. Rafael López and the personnel of the Soil Laboratory in the IRNA made chemical analysis of soil samples. Moli, M. Ángeles, Charo, Begoña, Miriam and Eduardo helped with held sampling.
Show more [+] Less [-]Three biodiversity parameters – species richness, endemic species richness and taxonomic singularity – have been evaluated for the woody understorey of oakwoodlands on sandstone-derived substrates, on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. There is a similarity in floristic composition and ecological distribution of woody plant communities across the Strait. Nevertheless, we have detected significant differences. These include a general reduction in species richness, number of endemic species and taxonomic singularity (at the community level), and a greater abundance of widespread, generalist species, on the southern side (Moroccan) communities, as compared to the north (Spanish ones). We interpret these differences as partly caused by the contrasting management of woodlands, with higher slashing and browsing pressure in Morocco.
Show more [+] Less [-]The Spanish DGICYT (projects 91/894 and 95/551) and the regional government, the Junta de Andalucía (research group RNM-210), supported the study.
Show more [+] Less [-]Peer reviewed
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
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