Present plant formations of the Sierra del Aramo (Asturian Central Massif, Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain)

Abstract

ABSTRACT A map of plant formations of the Sierra del Aramo (Asturian Central Massif) is presented at a scale of 1:25,000. The interest of this map lies in the idiosyncrasies of the area studied: it straddles two contrasting biogeographic districts, has carbonated and siliceous substrates, and displays various types of hillside deposits. It also has a height difference of more than 1300 m in 3 linear km, varied topography and orientations, and a history of human colonization prior to the Bronze Age. All this in just 220 km2, in a rural area in the process of abandonment but only 20 km from one of the regional metropolitan areas. In short, the Sierra del Aramo is a territory of high natural and cultural heritage, in which the vegetation map is essential as a fundamental scientific tool for territorial management.