Abedulares de origen antrópico en Galiciacaracterización fitosociológica

Abstract

Birch-dominated degradation communities, resulting from human management of the oligotrophic oak woodlands which are the climax vegetation of this region, are described. Tables of floristic composition are presented. Birchwoods of this type, which in the past were named Holco mollis-Betuletum celtibericae (invalid name), extend troughout northeast Galicia and western Asturias and appear to comprise three subcommunities, each with ecological, chorological and bioclimatic properties: the typical climatophilous Coline belt birchwood; the markedly hygrophilous character (edaphohigrophilous) Coline belt birchwood; and the Montane belt birchwood. The appropriate syntaxonomic treatment within the class Querco-Fagetea is discussed in depth.