Current situation of the Gaudinio fragilis-Hordeion bulbosi alliance in the Iberian Peninsula

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