Biodiversity of Hordeion leporini in Portugal: a phytosociological and edaphic analysis

Abstract

This study reveals the occurrence of Phalaris coerulescens communities both in Portugal and the south of Andalusia (Spain). These grasslands present a variable cover ratio and have an average dominant vegetation size of about 100 cm. They tend to occur in river beds and in places which are sometimes water-logged, with a certain amount of organic matter inducing the occurrence of nitrophilous companion species. The soils are always siliceous, very poor in carbonates, but with a high proportion of sand. Consequently, flooding never lasts for long. The grasslands of Portugal are located in the Marianic-Monchiquensean unit, within the series of Pyro bourgaeanae-Queceto rotundifoliae s. and Poterio agrimonioidis-Querceto suberis s. The new Senecio foliosi-Phalaridetum coerulescentis is characterized by Senecio jacobaea var foliosus, meanwhile, in the the south of Andalusia, the Hedysaro coronarii-Phalaridetum coerulescentis is described for the Aljibic and Gaditan-Onubensean Sectors, and, in the Rondean and Bermejensean areas, the Elymo repentis-Phalaridetum coerulescentis. These associations are included in the Gaudinio fragilis-Hordeion bulbosi alliance.