Pastizales y prados en Navarra: descripción, tipificación y ecología

Nuestro área de estudio, Navarra, es un territorio de 10.391 km2 situado en el centro-norte de la Península Ibérica.Con el fin de entender los diferentes tipos de pastizales y prados presentes en el territorio, nos centramos primero en su descripción física: geografía, geología, bioclimatología y biogeografía de Navarra. El bioclima es templado en la parte norte de la región, y mediterráneo en el sur, presentando una muy elevada variabilidad territorial, tanto en lo referido a las temperaturas como a las precipitaciones. Como consecuencia, se identifican seis termotipos (del meso- al supramediterráneo y del mesoal criorotemplado) y seis ombrotipos (del semiárido al ultrahiperhúmedo). El área de estudio se divide en 8 unidades biogeográficas: Subsectores Vascónico oriental y Navarro-Alavés (Sector Cántabro-Vascónico) y Sectores Pirenaico y Prepirenaico en la Región Eurosiberiana; Sectores Castellano-Cantábrico, Somontano, Riojano y Bardenero-Monegrino en la Región Mediterránea.El estudio de la vegetación se enfoca desde el punto de vista fitosociológico. El catálogo sintaxonómico comprende 69 asociaciones vegetales o comunidades, que se incluyen en 11 clases fitosociológicas: comunidades criorotempladas (alpinas) de Kobresia myosuroides (Carici-Kobresietea), vegetación quionófila orotemplada y supratemplada (en las montañas más altas) (Kobresio-Seslerietea), comunidades acidófilas y xerófilas orotempladas (Caricetea curvulae), pastizales mesófilos orotemplados y supratemplados (montanos) y supramediterráneos (Nardetea strictae), vegetación xerófila orotemplada, supratemplada y supramediterránea (Festuco-Ononidetea), comunidades crasicaules eurosiberianas y mediterráneas (Sedo-Scleranthetea), pastizales meso-xerófilos eurosiberianos y mediterráneos (Festuco-Brometea), prados y comunidades de humedales eurosiberianas y mediterráneas (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea), comunidades de Poa bulbosa (Poetea bulbosae), comunidades pioneras de terófitos eurosiberianas y mediterráneas (Tuberarietea guttatae) y pastizales mediterráneos secos y semiáridos (Lygeo-Stipetea).Como resultado del estudio florístico, presentamos un listado de plantas que incluye 1516 taxones, la mayoría ligados a pastizales y prados. Se incluyen tanto citas bibliográficas como material herborizado.; Our study area, Navarre, is a territory of 10.391 km2 located in the northerncentral part of the Iberian Peninsula.In order to understand the different kinds of grasslands and meadows occurring in the study area, we deal first with the physical description, i.e., the geography, geology, bioclimatology and biogeography of Navarre. The bioclimate is temperate in the northern part of the region, and mediterranean in the south. Six thermotypes (from meso- to supramediterranean and from meso- to cryorotemperate) and six ombrotypes (from semiarid to ultrahyperhumid) have been identified. This area is divided in eight biogeographycal units: Eastern Basque and Navarran-Alavensean Subsectors (Cantabrian-Basque Sector) and Central Pyrenean and Prepyrenean Sectors in the Eurosiberian Region; Castilian-Cantabrian, Somontan, Riojan and Bardenero-Monegrino Sectors in the Mediterranean Region.The vegetation is studied from a phytosociological point of view. The syntaxonomical catalogue comprises 69 plant associations or communities belonging to 11 phytosociological classes: cryorotemperate (alpine) communities of Kobresia myosuroides (Carici-Kobresietea), orotemperate (subalpine) and supratemperate (in the higher mountains) chionophilous vegetation (Kobresio- Seslerietea), orotemperate acidophilous and xerophilous communities (Caricetea curvulae), orotemperate and supratemperate (montane) mesophilous grasslands (Nardetea strictae), orotemperate, supratemperate and supramediterranean xerophilous vegetation (Festuco-Ononidetea), eurosiberian and mediterranean communities dominated by succulent chamaephytes (Sedo-Scleranthetea), eurosiberian and mediterranean meso-xerophilous grasslands (Festuco-Brometea), eurosiberian and mediterranean meadows and wetland communities (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea), Poa bulbosa communities (Poetea bulbosae), eurosiberian and mediterranean terophytes communities (Tuberarietea guttatae), and mediterranean dry and semiarid grasslands (Lygeo-Stipetea).As a result of the floristic study we present a plant-list with 1516 taxa, most of them linked to grasslands and meadows. Both collected plants and bibliographic citations are included; Ikertutako lurraldeak, Nafarroak, 10.391 km2 ditu eta Iberiar penintsulako iparerdigunean kokatzen da.Nafarroako lurraldean agertzen den larre eta belardien aniztasuna ulertzeko asmoz, eremuaren deskribapena egin dugu lehenik: geografia, geologia, bioklimatologia eta biogeografia. Bioklima epela da lurraldearen iparraldean, eta mediterraneoa hegoaldean, tenperatura eta prezipitazioen aldetik aldakortasun handia agertzen delarik. Horrela, sei termotipo (meso- eta supramediterraneoa alde batetik, eta meso-, supra-, oro- eta krioro-epela bestetik), eta sei onbrotipo (semi-idorretik, ultrahiper-hezera) bereizten dira. Zortzi unitate biogeografiko deskribatu dira lurraldean: Eskualde Eurosiberiarrean, Azpisektore "Ekialdeko Euskotarra" eta "Nafar-Arabarra" (Sektore Eusko-Kantauriarrean biak), eta Sektore "Erdi-Piriniarra" eta "Prepirinearra"; Eskualde Mediterraneoan, Sektore Gaztelar-Kantauriarra, Somontanoarra, Errioxarra eta Bardeetar-Monegrotarra.Landaredia metodo fitosoziologikoa erabiliz ikertu da. Zerrenda sintaxonomikoan 69 landare-asoziazio eta komunitate daude, 11 klase fitosoziologikotan sailkatuak: Kobresia myosuroides-ekiko komunitate krioroepelak (Carici-Kobresietea), oroepeleko eta supraepeleko landaredi kionofiloa ((Kobresio-Seslerietea), oroepeleko komunitate azidofilo eta xerofiloak (Caricetea curvulae), oroepeleko eta supraepeleko larre mesofiloak (Nardetea strictae), oroepeleko, supraepeleko eta supramediterraneoko landaredi xerofiloa (Festuco-Ononidetea), krasulazeo kamefitoz osatutako komunitate eurosiberiar eta mediterraneoak (Sedo-Scleranthetea), larre meso-xerofilo eurosiberiar eta mediterraneoak (Festuco-Brometea), sega-larreak eta hezegunetako belardi eurosiberiar eta mediterraneoak (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea), Poa bulbosa-k osatutako larreak (Poetea bulbosae), landare terofitoen komunitate eurosiberiar and mediterraneoak (Tuberarietea guttatae) eta larre lehor mediterraneoak (Lygeo-Stipetea).Ikerketa floristikoaren emaitza modura, 1516 taxoiek osatzen duten landare katalogoa landu dugu, gehienak larre eta belardietan agertu ohi direnak. Bildutako landareei buruzko informazioa eta zita bibliografikoak ere gehitu ditugu

New data of the spider fauna (Araneae) of Navarre, Spain : results from the 7th EDGG field workshop

Multi-taxon investigations are of a great importance in biodiversity research. We sampled spiders during the 7th EDGG Field Workshop aimed to study dry grassland diversity in Navarre, Spain. A total of 99 spider species of 15 families was recorded from 14 localities. Of these, 47 species were new to Navarre. To date, the list of spiders of Navarre accounts for 322 species. During this first dry grassland-specific study of spiders in Spain, 78 species were recorded for the first time in this type of habitats in Navarra, and for 69 species, it is a newly recorded habitat in the Iberian Peninsula. The grasslands growing in the submediterranean humid and supramediterranean upper dry territories, belonging to Festuco-Brometea and Festuco-Ononidetea phytosociological classes, were the richest in terms of inhabiting spiders (26 and 23 species, respectively) while the communities of mesomediterranean semi-arid area (Lygeo-Stipetea and Salicornietea fruticosae classes) were the poorest (four species each)

Assessment of determinants of high nature value (HNV) farmland at plot scale in Western Pyrenees

The concept of High Nature Value (HNV) farming hinges on the causality between agroecosystems with low intensity of management and the corresponding environmental outcomes, including high levels of biodiversity and the presence of semi-natural habitats. Although European strategies for rural development and biodiversity conservation have long recognized the importance of HNV farmlands, many of those areas are currently threatened by intensification and land abandonment. A variety of approaches have been developed for identifying HNV areas and measuring changes in their distribution and extent at landscape scales. In contrast, quantitative approaches for evaluating differences in HNV among the most basic units of management (farms and farm plots) are scarce and almost exclusively based on biodiversity indicators. This gap limits our ability to derive existing gradients of HNV at fine scale and the underlying cause conducive to HNV. Hence, we implemented an index to capture multiple facets of HNV based on expert knowledge criteria and field surveys performed at the finest scale of management (plot). First, we computed this index for hundreds of grasslands located across the Western Pyrenees. Then, we analysed the relationship between the nature value of plots and environmental, management and socio-economic variables. Our results evidence a gradient between low diversity and intensively used agricultural plots and HNV grasslands in the Western Pyrenees. Highest nature values were significantly related to the occurrence of plots in meadows located in steep areas within the Natura 2000 network, whereas lowest values were related to recently opened areas and the number of treatments per year. Importantly, this index, which could be adapted to other farming areas, provides quantitative information to support the implementation of result-based schemes, including eco-schemes and agri-environment-climate interventions of the new CAP (2023–2027).This work was funded by the CAP Planning Section – Department of Rural Development and Environment (Government of Navarre). I.P. was also supported by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) (ESPDOC18/43)

New data on the spider fauna (Araneae) of Navarre, Spain: results from the 7th EDGG Field Workshop

Multi-taxon investigations are of great importance in biodiversity research. We sampled spiders during the 7th EDGG Field Workshop aimed at studying dry grassland diversity in Navarre, Spain. A total of 99 spider species from 15 families were recorded from 14 localities. Of these, 47 species were new to Navarre. To date, the list of spiders of Navarre accounts for 322 species. During this first dry grassland-specific study of spiders in Spain, 78 species were recorded for the first time in this type of habitat in Navarre, and for 69 species it is a newly recorded habitat in the Iberian Peninsula. The grasslands growing in the submediterranean humid and supramediterranean upper dry territories, belonging to Festuco-Brometea and Festuco-Ononidetea phytosociological classes, were the richest in terms of inhabiting spiders (26 and 23 species respectively) while the communities of mesomediterranean semi-arid area (Lygeo-Stipetea and Salicornietea fruticosae classes) were the poorest (four species each)

Biodiversity of dry grasslands in Armenia : first results from the 13th EDGG Field Workshop in Armenia

The 13th EDGG Field Workshop was conducted from the 26 June to 6 July 2019 in Armenia. The Field Workshop had two main aims: (a) to analyse the biodiversity patterns of the Armenian grasslands across multiple taxonomic groups and grain sizes, and (b) to study the syntaxonomic position of these grasslands in a general European context. We conducted our sampling in 16 sites that ensured good geographical coverage across the country. In total, we sampled 29 EDGG Biodiversity Plots (nested-plot series of 0.0001 to 100 m²) and 53 additional 10-m2 plots. Data of orthopteroid insects (Orthoptera and Mantodea) were recorded in 42 100-m² plots. We found mean total species richness values of the vegetation of 7.5 species in 0.01 m², 31.9 species in 1 m² and 51.3 species in 10 m². The richest grasslands for vascular plants were meso-xeric grasslands with up to 35 species in 0.1 m² and 80 in 10 m². Maximum orthopteroid rich-ness in 100 m² was 14. Syntaxonomically, the majority of stands appear to belong to the class Festuco-Brometea, with the orders Brachy-podietalia pinnati (meso-xeric), Festucetalia valesiacae (xeric, non-rocky) and an unknown order of rocky dry grasslands. By contrast, the thorn-cushion communities (probably Onobrychidetea cornutae), the scree communities and the dry grasslands of lower elevations rich in annuals and chamaephytes (probably largely Astragalo-Brometea), do not fit to any vegetation class described in Europe. We found two species new to Armenia – the moss Syntrichia papillosissima and the lichen Aspicilia hispida. Our data demonstrate that Armenia is one of the Palaearctic hotspots of fine grain plant diversity. Both diversity patterns and syntaxonomy warrant in-depth studies, which are now possible with our comprehensive dataset

Biodiversity patterns of dry grasslands in the Central Apennines (Italy) along a precipitation gradient : experiences from the 10th EDGG Field Workshop

The 10th EDGG Field Workshop took place in a sector of the Central Apennine Mountains, Italy, in June 2017. Altogether, 22 researchers from nine European and Asian countries attended this Field Workshop. We sampled plant and insect biodiversity in submontane and lower-montane grasslands along a precipitation gradient, from the L’Aquila valley and the Fucino basin to the “Abruzzo, Lazio & Molise” National Park. The standardized EDGG sampling protocol, involving nested-plot series and additional 10-m2 relevés, was used. In the course of seven days of intensive fieldwork, we sampled 20 biodiversity plots along with 57 additional normal plots (yielding a total dataset of 97 10-m2 plots). Methodological additions tested in this workshop included the assessment of observer-related error (around 12% of the 10-m2 plots was resurveyed by a different team). In all plots, vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens were sampled. At each nested-plot series, also insects (Auchenorrhyncha) were sampled by local specialists, who developed an ad-hoc sampling procedure

Xeric grasslands of the inner-alpine dry valleys of Austria - new insights into syntaxonomy, diversity and ecology

Aims: We studied the syntaxonomic position, biodiversity, ecological features, nature conservation value and current status of dry grasslands investigated by Josias Braun-Blanquet more than 60 years ago. Study area: Inner-alpine valleys of Austria. Methods: We sampled 67 plots of 10 m2, following the standardized EDGG methodology. We subjected our plots to an unsupervised classification with the modified TWINSPAN algorithm and interpreted the branches of the dendrogram syntaxonomically. Biodiversity, structural and ecological characteristics of the resulting vegetation units at association and order level were compared by ANOVAs. Results: All the examined grasslands belong to the class Festuco-Brometea. From ten distinguished clusters, we could assign four clusters to validly published associations, while the remaining six clusters were named tentatively. We classified them into three orders: Stipo-Festucetalia pallentis (Armerio elongatae-Potentilletum arenariae, Phleo phleoidis-Pulsatilletum nigricantis, Medicago minima-Melica ciliata community, Koelerio pyramidatae-Teucrietum montani), Festucetalia valesiacae (Sempervivum tectorum-Festuca valesiaca community); Brachypodietalia pinnati (Astragalo onobrychidis-Brometum erecti, Agrostis capillaris-Avenula adsurgens community, Anthericum ramosum-Brachypodium pinnatum community, Ranunculus bulbosus-Festuca rubra community, Carduus defloratus-Brachypodium pinnatum community). Conclusions: The ten distinguished dry grassland communities of the Austrian inner-alpine valleys differ in their ecological affinities as well as their vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen diversity. We point out their high nature conservation importance, as each of them presents a unique habitat of high value

GrassPlot - a database of multi-scale plant diversity in Palaearctic grasslands

GrassPlot is a collaborative vegetation-plot database organised by the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) and listed in the Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases (GIVD ID EU-00-003). GrassPlot collects plot records (releves) from grasslands and other open habitats of the Palaearctic biogeographic realm. It focuses on precisely delimited plots of eight standard grain sizes (0.0001; 0.001;... 1,000 m(2)) and on nested-plot series with at least four different grain sizes. The usage of GrassPlot is regulated through Bylaws that intend to balance the interests of data contributors and data users. The current version (v. 1.00) contains data for approximately 170,000 plots of different sizes and 2,800 nested-plot series. The key components are richness data and metadata. However, most included datasets also encompass compositional data. About 14,000 plots have near-complete records of terricolous bryophytes and lichens in addition to vascular plants. At present, GrassPlot contains data from 36 countries throughout the Palaearctic, spread across elevational gradients and major grassland types. GrassPlot with its multi-scale and multi-taxon focus complements the larger international vegetationplot databases, such as the European Vegetation Archive (EVA) and the global database " sPlot". Its main aim is to facilitate studies on the scale-and taxon-dependency of biodiversity patterns and drivers along macroecological gradients. GrassPlot is a dynamic database and will expand through new data collection coordinated by the elected Governing Board. We invite researchers with suitable data to join GrassPlot. Researchers with project ideas addressable with GrassPlot data are welcome to submit proposals to the Governing Board