Abstract
The Serra de São Mamede Natural Park is a biodiversity hotspot in the broad region of Alentejo, Portugal, where the influence of the Atlantic Ocean allows for the continuity of a Eurosiberian-like forest in the heart of a Mediterranean region. The park is therefore unique among the few protected areas in Portugal. We attempt to describe the macrofungal diversity of the park for the first time. Our results reveal a rich and diverse assembly of macrofungal species (239 taxa), and in particular, mycorrhizal species (145 taxa). Furthermore, 26 taxa are newly recorded from Portugal, while 81 taxa are newly recorded from Alto Alentejo Province. Also, the majority of these newly reported taxa were recorded in mixed stands of Quercus pyrenaica Willd.—a European protected habitat of limited extent—whose importance is enhanced now the rich and diverse associated macrofungal community, as shown in our study.
Highlights
Besides the predominant Mediterranean climatic influence in mainland Portugal, there are rare locations where the Atlantic influence supports the establishment and continuity of different plant communities
As for novelties, 26 recorded species were newly found in Portugal; 60% of them are mycorrhizal and 40% are saprotrophic
About 77% of the taxa newly recorded from Portugal and 68% of the taxa newly recorded from Alto Alentejo occurred in stands of Q. pyrenaica mixed with Q. suber or C. sativa
Summary
Besides the predominant Mediterranean climatic influence in mainland Portugal, there are rare locations where the Atlantic influence supports the establishment and continuity of different plant communities. This is the case of São Mamede mountain range (Serra de São Mamede in Portuguese), located in Alentejo region. It is a biodiversity hotspot where the Atlantic influence allows the perpetuity of a Eurosiberian-like forest in the heart of a Mediterranean region. Serra de São Mamede Natural Park represents the only natural reserve in northern Alentejo and is a unique and important ecosystem. SSMNP is one of the few protected areas in Portugal with a clear transition of ecosystems from north (Atlantic) to south (Mediterranean) (Marta-Pedroso et al 2018), and this is reflected in the outstandingly rich flora (≈900 species)
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