Factores que condicionan el espectro de distribución del matorral mediterráneo de la Sierra de Grazalema, sur de España

Abstract

The biogeographical pattern of woody plant communities after human disturbance cessation was studied at Grazalema Mountains. The sampling included 137 transects, with different communities of Mediterranean shrubland and a total of 74 species. Species richness and chorological composition –species number and relative cover of each chorological type– were analyzed at each transect considering the altitude range, soil pH –acid or basic– and human disturbance before the legal protection of the areas as natural reserve. Results show site differences on species richness and distribution spectra of communities in relation to altitude and pH. Beside these natural patterns, and superposed to them, human disturbance has played an important role in present biogeographical composition of Mediterranean shrubland communities in Grazalema mountains. To discuss human disturbance influence, we have considered the different regenerative strategies of species belonging to each chorological type.