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The relict communities of Prunus lusitanica are globally threatened, mainly by climatic and anthropic factors. Solid knowledge about floristic composition and serial dynamics provides a valuable basis for the implementation of management and conservation measures. This article focuses on peculiar communities that occur in hydric-compensated areas of the Iberian Peninsula and south of France, a submediterranean ecotonal area. A hierarchical cluster analysis allowed to identify two new syntaxa. For the first time an association of Prunus lusitanica, Lonicero periclymeni-Prunetum lusitanicae ass. nova, is reported for France, representing the mature stage of a minoriseries of vegetation, attributed to Lonicerion periclymeni. The discovery of populations of P. lusitanica in valleys embedded in the Municipality of Mação (Portugal), represent the new association Smilaco asperae-Prunetum lusitanicae ass. nova, enriched by thermophilous taxa. This relict association occurs in the South Beira District and corresponds to the southern limit of the natural distribution area in mainland Portugal, integrated in the suballiance Fraxino angustifoliae-Ulmenion minoris. Additional notes on the occurrence of P. lusitanica in other areas of the Iberian Peninsula are provided.

The holm oak woodlands as ecotonic phytocoenoses occur under different ecological conditions, and frequently representing the climax of edaphoxerophilous series of crests and siliceous rocky areas. In this paper we study the floristic, ecological, and biogeographical differences of the edaphoxerophilous holm oak woodlands of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, included in the Querco rotundifoliae-Oleenion sylvestris suballiance. Our phytosociological (Braun–Blanquet methodology) and numerical analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis) of three formerly described association and our own samples lead us to propose a new association: Ulici argentei-Quercetum rotundifoliae, growing mostly on semihyperoceanic Monchique Sierran Biogeographic District, on rocky slopes and outcrops derived from schists and greywackes. Moreover, we present an overview of ecological features and the diversity of plant communities occurring in the serial dynamic of the thermophile holm oak woodlands of the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula.

Global change is expected to impact on the distribution and abundance of forests. Spain represents the south-western limit of distribution for several types of deciduous forests and, as part of the Mediterranean Basin, it has all the characteristics to be affected by climate change. This study analyses the effects of climate change on habitat suitability and vulnerability in four categories of deciduous forests: Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Leibl., Quercus robur L. and Betula celtiberica Rothm. and Vasc. The approach combines an ensemble platform for species distribution models (SDMs) using three algorithms applied to four global circulation models (GCMs) driven by two representative concentration pathways (RCPs). Bioclimatic, biogeographic, soil and topographic variables were taken into consideration as predictors to build 320 single distribution models. Ensemble-forecasting models were then produced for each forest category and RCPs by computing a consensus of single-model projections. The adapted proposal of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was also applied to deal with the uncertainty and notify the likelihood of the outcomes. The results revealed generalized losses in habitat suitability compared to current conditions for all the forest categories, which were more drastic for the RCP 8.5 emission pathway. Exceptions worth noting are forests of Fagus sylvatica (likelihood 25%-50%) and Quercus robur (likelihood 75%-100%) in the Orocantabrian biogeo-graphic subprovince, and Quercus petraea formations in the Cantabrian Atlantic subprovince (likelihood 25%- 50%). Betula celtiberica would suffer the largest losses of habitat suitability under the climate change scenarios analysed. The vulnerability analysis confirmed that the deciduous formations least affected by climate change in future will be the Orocantabrian forests, while the Pyrenean and Oroiberian communities are the most vulnerable. The models developed in this study provi

Prunus lusitanica L. is a paleotropical relic species with an Ibero-Maghrebian distribution, which is presently considered as an endangered species, recognized by the Natura 2000 Network (92/43/EEC) as a priority habitat for conservation in Europe. The mountains in the Portuguese mainland central region offer the best location for this species to occur. The main objective of this study is to measure the current conservation status of the communities of P. lusitanica, through the collection of field data, such as the number of existing individuals of each population and their location, which will then be comparatively analyzed based on the previous literature, published at least 15 years ago. Soil characterization analysis was carried out and the main threats to conservation were identified. As a result, a decline of approximately 40% was observed in the number of individuals and in the quality of their habitat. The main threats to their conservation were found to be the seasonal occurrence of rural fires and the expansion of invasive species, such as Acacia dealbata Link and Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle. Finally, we present the main management methodologies that should be considered

The rocky habitats of southern Portugal are ecosystems with extreme xericity conditions, associated with special abiotic strains. In these unstable ecological conditions, a considerable diversity of plant communities occurs. The objective of this study, carried out in the Algarve and Monchique, and the Mariánica Range biogeographical sectors, is to compare chasmo-chomophytic communities of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, using a phytosociological approach (Braun–Blanquet methodology) and numerical analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis). From these results, two new communities were identified, Sanguisorbo rupicolae-Dianthetum crassipedis and Antirrhinetum onubensis, as a result of floristic and biogeographical differences from other associations already described within the alliances Rumici indurati-Dianthion lusitani and Calendulo lusitanicae-Antirrhinion linkiani, both included in the Phagnalo saxatilis-Rumicetea indurate class

[EN] This field guide was developed as part of the XIII International Seminar Management and Biodiversity Conservation – Vale do Lobo, Loulé (Algarve – Portugal), that aims to contribute for the scientific knowledge of the flora and vegetation of the Algarvian territories. The itinerary of the geobotanical excursion have been chosen to present the remarkable floristic richness and plant communities of three different landscape subunits: i) Faixa Litoral (dunes and saltmarshes of the Ancão Peninsula); ii) Barrocal (Nave do Barão); and, iii) Serra Algarvia (Caldeirão and Monchique mountains). For each sites the plant communities are briefly stated, as well as the vascular flora observed, including species with special conservation interest. Finally, we present the syntaxonomic scheme, and the floristic catalog of the field trip., [PO] No âmbito das atividades do XIII Seminário Internacional de Gestão e Conservação da Biodiversidade – Vale do Lobo, Loulé (Algarve – Portugal), desenvolveu-se o presente trabalho, com o objetivo de aprofundar o conhecimento da flora e vegetação dos locais a visitar no contexto do itinerário da excursão geobotânica aos territórios algarvios. Assim, a seleção dos locais de paragem procurou evidenciar a originalidade florística e fitocenótica de três sub-unidades paisagísticas de carácter e identidade distintas: i) Faixa Litoral (dunas e sapais da Península do Ancão); ii) Barrocal (Nave do Barão); e, iii) Serra Algarvia (Serra do Caldeirão e Serra de Monchique). Após uma breve descrição dos aspetos litológicos, das condições bioclimáticas e do enquadramento biogeográfico, evidenciam-se as associações vegetais e espécies presentes nas paragens realizadas, com identificação dos elementos florísticos com interesse para a conservação. Por último, tendo por base a descrição da vegetação, apresenta-se o esquema sintaxonómico, e um elenco florístico dos locais percorridos.

Fagus sylvatica forests are considered to be of Community interest according to Directive 92/43/EEC. Climate change predictions for Spain point to a warming scenario, coupled with decreasing rainfall, which may have an impact on their future distribution particularly at the extremes of its distribution area. Species distribution models incorporating bioclimatic, topographic and phytogeographic variables were used as predictors to assess their habitat suitability under current conditions and a climate change projection. Ten single models were generated and an ensemble-forecasting model was subsequently built by computing a consensus of single-model projections. The results revealed that ombrothermic indices are the main factors controlling the distribution of Spanish beech forests. They are highly vulnerable to climate change and could suffer a decline in their habitat suitability if climate trends observed are maintained in the future. The least favoured areas for them will be located close to the limit between the Temperate and Mediterranean climates, where they could suffer a loss of habitat suitability. Conversely, suitable new areas could be found mainly in western areas of the Cantabrian Range and in the Central Pyrenees.

Pardiela's stream watershed was selected for a preliminary test of an ecological assessment through the application of the Potentiality Distance Index (PDI) methodology, based on current and potential vegetation maps. This analysis reveals the distance of a given vegetation community from its optimal potential state (climax) and the final PDI values portray the conservation status of the territory and allow the sketching of its needs for recovery or protection. Hence, territory management policies can subsequently be adjusted for better land use and biodiversity conservation. For this reason, this methodology can be an important step for landscape planning because it allows the adjustment of development proposals and activity monitoring. The final PDI value for the study area is 0.2509, indicating that Pardiela's basin conservation status is moderate.

The spatial distribution of recent mean temperature trends over Spain during the period 1961-2006 at monthly, seasonal and annual time scale is carried out in this study by applying various statistical tools to data from 473 weather stations. The magnitude of trends was derived from the slopes of the linear trends using ordinary least-square fitting. The non-parametric Mann-Kendall test was used to determine the statistical significance of trends. Maps of surface temperature trends were generated by applying a geostatistical interpolation technique to visualize the detected tendencies. This study reveals that temperature has generally increased during all months and seasons of the year over the last four decades. More than 60% of whole Spain has evidenced significant positive trends in March, June, August, spring and summer. This percentage diminishes around 40% in April, May and December. Annual temperature has significantly risen in 100% of Spain of around 0.1-0.2 °C/decade according to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.