Climate classification of Abies pinsapo Boiss. forests in Southern Spain

A Fernandez-Cancio,P Gil Hernández,E Manrique Meneéndez,C Calzado Martínez,R M Navarrocerrillo,R Fernandez Fernandez

doi:10.5424/srf/2007163-01011

Abstract

Understanding the current distribution of vegetation and its interaction with climate regularity is important for predicting its future change. 35 weather stations with monthly resolutions have been reconstructed using GENPT software to study the pinsapo fir forest climate types. Ten climate variables have been used to describe the particular climate of A. pinsapo forests following the Climatic System of Allué (1990). A climate examination suggests that pinsapo fir forests might be established in a particular climate, which seems to be unique in the Iberian Peninsula, though the species also grows under other climates. A multivariable analysis has been done, providing five classes of pinsapo fir forests sharing some climate features: Atlantic, Mediterranean, warm, continental and cold. Results are biogeographically consistent and may help to explain plant biogeography in this region. Preservation efforts in pinsapo fir forests should be concentrated on the distribution areas with the highest risk of the climate change impact.

Highlights

Abies pinsapo Boiss is an endemic fir species native to southern Spain, where it is limited to altitudes of 1,100-2,000 m in the «Sierra de Grazalema»in the province of Cádiz and the «Sierra de las Nieves», and «Sierra Bermeja» in the province of Málaga
The aim of this research is to examine the vegetation distribution of Abies pinsapo Boiss forests based on the bioclimate classification of Allué (1990) and the geographical information system (GIS)
The study site is located at the south eastern tip of Andalusia (Fig. 1) spanning the natural distribution of pinsapo fir in the Iberian peninsula according to the Spanish Forest Map (Ruiz de la Torre, 1990)

Summary

Introduction

Abies pinsapo Boiss (pinsapo fir) is an endemic fir species native to southern Spain, where it is limited to altitudes of 1,100-2,000 m in the «Sierra de Grazalema»in the province of Cádiz and the «Sierra de las Nieves», and «Sierra Bermeja» in the province of Málaga. The leaves are 1.5-2 cm long, arranged radially all round the shoots, and are strongly glaucous pale blue-green, with broad bands of whitish wax on both sides. The Moroccan Fir Abies marocana Trabut, occurs immediately across the Straits of Gibraltar in the Rif mountains of northern Morocco, where it is confined to altitudes of 1,4002,100 m on «Jebel Tissouka» and «Jebel Tazaot». It is differentiated by the leaves being less strongly glaucous and the cones slightly longer, i.e. 11-20 cm long (Farjon & Rushforth, 1989). Several authors treat the African populations A. tazaotana and A. marocana as varieties or subspecies (Quezel & Barbero, 1990)

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