Revisión sintaxonómica de los bosques esclerofilos de Chile Central: la alianza "Cryptocaryon albae"

Abstract

In the present paper our main aim has been the syntaxonomical updating of Mediterranean sclerophyllous woodlands with recent relevés compared with historical, previously published relevés. We have studied the region of Valparaíso, in Central Chile. These forests take place between the thermomediterranean and mesomediterranean bioclimatic belts. The ombroclimate is dry and semiarid but with oceanic influence. Relevés were made in 2010 and 2011 in areas with well-preserved forests. These relevés were incorporated to a synthetic table which included all the previously published relevés. The research was conducted following the sigmatist method. The proposed communities are supported by a comparative analysis of the columns in this table and an analysis of bioindicator plants. Four associations were recognized within the Cryptocaryon albae. Two of these associations (Boldo-Cryptocaryetum albae and Beilschmiedietum miersii) were already known fifty years ago and are now lectotypified. The other two (Aextoxico punctati-Cryptocaryetum albae relictic woodlands and Beilschmiedio miersii-Crinodendretum pataguae riverside woodlands) are new, though they are based on previous proposals which failed to publish valid names. Boldo-Cryptocaryetum is recognized as the most representative community of Chilean climacic thermo- and mesomediterranean woodlands; whereas the three others (whose inclusion in a new subalianza Beilschmiedienion miersii is proposed) are restricted to particular situations of edaphic or environmental moisture. Other communities previously proposed for the same Lithraeo-Cryptocaryetea are also commented. We emphasize our new proposal following the states of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature for typifying plant communities.