The potential productivity of forests is an important parameter in the evaluation of vegetation as a carbon sink. At the same time, potential productivity can be considered as an indicator of growth conditions and also as a measure of available fuel loads, which, in Mediterranean-type ecosystems, are a main factor of regional fire incidence. The present work deals with the relationship between an estimation of forest potential productivity and the fire incidence registered in peninsular Spain. Fire incidence was characterized by means of several fire regime variables. In order to contrast the patterns obtained, a similar analysis of the relationship between fire regime and human population density was also carried out. The results show that higher fire incidence was registered in more productive areas. Potential productivity was correlated to variables related to the number of fires and to the area burned, whereas the population density was also correlated to the number of fire variables and to the area burned, but with lower correlation coefficients. Although it is difficult to establish cause-and-effect relationships between complex phenomena that depend on a large number of factors, finding statistically significant relationships between fire incidence and the estimation of potential forest productivity used over a long time period is considered very relevant. These relationships make it necessary to take into account the fire regime when evaluating both forests and other terrestrial ecosystems as carbon sinks so as to meet the demands of the Kyoto Protocol.
A new approach to the definition of physiographic and climatic potential areas for forest species, based on the ecological field theory, is outlined in this paper. The proposed formulation is tested on the Spanish juniper (Juniperus thurifera L.), using data from 883 permanent and temporary plots throughout its distribution area in the Spanish autonomous region of Castilla y León. The suitability of the territory for the species is assessed by previously studying its habitat, which in turn is analyzed through physiographic and climatic parameters. This new method is rooted in an additive index that depends on the Mahalanobis distance in the parametric space that evaluates the ecological resemblance between the studied site and each of the points defining the parametric habitat. Thereby the ecological potential of any site within the territory can be established, integrated in a geographical information systems and accordingly charted. The results are compared with those obtained with the methodology traditionally used by Spanish foresters (factorial index), showing that the overall potential area is similar in size but quite different in its distribution.
IntroducciónEl presente trabajo se enmarca dentro de la línea de investigación relacionada con la realización de estudios autoecológicos paramétricos de especies forestales españolas, iniciada hace bastantes años, con vistas a tipif icar de forma cuantif icada la aptitud de un territorio para sustentar masas estables de una determinada especie forestal, a través de la elaboración y análisis de una serie de parámetros ecológicos de naturaleza fisiográfica, climática y edáfica. En relación con lo anterior, caben citarse los trabajos realizados sobre los pinares españoles de Nicolás y Gandullo (1967, 1969), Gandullo (1972), Gandullo et al. (1974), Blanco (1985, Elena et al. (1985), Blanco et al. (1989), Sánchez Palomares et al. (1990, Elena y Sán-chez Palomares (1991) y como síntesis de los pinares españoles los trabajos de Gandullo y Sánchez Palomares (1994.Sobre formaciones vegetales, pero con metodología paramétrica también existen distintos trabajos como los de Gandullo et al. ( , 1977Gandullo et al. ( , 1983Gandullo et al. ( , 1991 ResumenSe presenta en este trabajo la metodología para la elaboración y la cartografía de las áreas potenciales fisiográfi-co-climáticas para el haya (Fagus sylvatica) en España. A partir de los datos procedentes del muestreo de 235 sitios de hayedo y de 2.944 puntos procedentes del Inventario Forestal Nacional (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, 1998), correspondientes a estaciones de haya, se han elaborado un conjunto de parámetros ecológicos, de naturaleza fisiográ-fica y climática y se han establecido los valores que definen los hábitats óptimos y marginales, utilizando una metodología paramétrica, ya contrastada en estudios anteriores. Estos resultados han permitido la definición de un indicador de potencialidad para el haya (IPot).Mediante la integración de toda la información elaborada en un S.I.G. y utilizando un modelo digital del terreno, se han generado los modelos digitales de potencialidad, de naturaleza fisiográfica y climática, para el haya en España.Palabras clave: Fagus sylvatica, autoecología, hábitat, parámetros, áreas potenciales, índice de aptitud, indicador de potencialidad, modelos digitales, España. Abstract Definition and mapping of potential physiographic-climatic areas for beech in SpainOn this work it is presented the methodology used in mapping the potential physiographic-climatic areas for beech (Fagus sylvatica) in Spain. On the basis of sample data taken from 235 sites of beech, and from 2944 beech stands from National Forest Inventory, a range of ecological parameters, physiographical and climatic, has been established, together with values defining optimal and marginal habitats; a parametric methodology was used, previously contrasted in earlier studies. These results have made possible to define a potentiality indicator for beech (IPot).By integrating all information elaborated in a S.I.G., and using a digital model of the terrain, digital models of potentiality, physiographical and climatic, have been generated for beech in Spain. This work has allowe...
In this paper, we have established the physiographic, climatic and soil optimum and marginal habitat parameters of Castanea sativa stands in the regions of Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid (Spain). Chestnut stands are usually located between 620 m and 1100 m elevation showing a wide range of variation in their rainfall, in contrast to the narrow range of temperature variation. The soils of the chestnut stands studied are mainly Cambisols, Luvisols and Umbrisols, generally highly acid, loamy or sandy-loamy and having a low C/N ratio. We have also established the interpretation criteria for ranges of the marginal habitats in relation to the optimum ones, in order to evaluate the chances of risk if the introduction of this species was carried out in an area such as the one considered in our study. Thus, the greater risk/danger would be encountered on soils whose autumn rainfall parameters are lower than 220 mm, fine earth below 16,7 %, lime lower than 20.4 %, water holding capacity lower than 38 mm, top soil organic matter lower than 2.1 %, temperature oscillations over 18.5ºC and permeability higher than 4,7. The silvicultural parameter which best describes the forestry characteristics of the Castilian chestnut stands in relation to the biotope evaluation parameters is Hart's index per number of stools, which can be satisfactorily estimated by considering slope, winter rainfall, surpluses and soil permeability
Optimum and marginal parameter ranges have been established for defining landform, climatic and soil habitat diagrams of chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) woodstands in Catalonia. Such diagrams show that most of the Catalonian chestnut stands are located on soils developed from igneous rocks, with predominant sandyloamy textures. According to FAO criteria, soils are classified as Cambisols. Although soil water holding capacities are considerably low, it does not occur significant drought stress. Despite their relatively high acidity, soil humus form are forest mull. Moreover, several silvicultural parameters have been calculated. After their correlation with the ecological ones, it is concluded that the best chestnut forest sites are located around 750 m elevation, with 240 mm spring rainfall, 11.5 ºC mean annual temperature, and 20 ºC mean temperature at the hottest month.
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