he coastal vegetation of the portuguese divisory sector: dunes, cliffs and low scrub communities

Abstract

The Portuguese Divisory Sector is an original biogeographical unit within the Gaditano-Onubo-Algarvish Province of the Mediterranean chorological region. There are four superdistricts along its coastal area: "Olissiponense", "Sintrano", "Costeiro Português" (Portuguese Coastal) and "Berlenguense". The portuguese Coastal superdistric has not been sufficiently studied; it is the largest and its transitional biogeographical character lies between those of the Mediterranean and Eurosiberian regions due to its paleo-ecological history and joint position in relation to Atlantic and Mediterranean floristic migratory pathways. Due to these multiple influences a wealth of original taxa and syntaxa are found there which make large areas of the region suited for biodiversity conservation. In this work we characterise briefly 27 plant associations of dunes and sea-cliffs. Endemic or protected taxa and communities are cited. We also propose four new syntaxes.