Presenter Information

I Alonso, Banchory Research Station

Publication Date

1997

Description

The range of life forms of four grassland communities in the Cantabrian mountains (N. Spain) was studied under grazing and when grazing was excluded in relation to soil characteristics. Hemicryptophytes were the most abundant life form in all communities and they increased their number when ungrazed. Diversity was bigger in the communities with shrubs, which presented a more heterogeneous structure. As a whole, grasslands on calcareous soils were more diverse than those on siliceous soils.

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Effect of Grazing and Soils on the Structure of Mountain Vegetation Communities

The range of life forms of four grassland communities in the Cantabrian mountains (N. Spain) was studied under grazing and when grazing was excluded in relation to soil characteristics. Hemicryptophytes were the most abundant life form in all communities and they increased their number when ungrazed. Diversity was bigger in the communities with shrubs, which presented a more heterogeneous structure. As a whole, grasslands on calcareous soils were more diverse than those on siliceous soils.