Patterns of endemic plants and biogeography of the Baetic high mountains (south Spain)

Abstract

The largest number of Iberian endemic plant species and indeed one of the largest in Europe is found in the Baetic Mountains in the south of Europe (Spain), with mountain peaks up to 1,800 m. Our aim is to analyze the endemic plants and biogeographic patterns as a base for establishing priority areas for conservation and management. We present the complete floristic list of the 237 narrow endemics that inhabit these mountain regions. Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Poaceae and Papilionaceae are families with the largest number of endemic species. The comparative analysis shows that the Baetic mountains are an important centre of endemism in the Mediterranean basin with a present degree of endemism of 28, 18o/o. Biogeographic patterns are first identified according to the development of the endemic plants on calcareous soils or siliceous soils, and next the phytogeographic subunits identified by different levels of endemism diversity. The abundance of endemic species in the Baetic mountains is explained by the geographical isolation together with its natural history.Resume.-Le plus grand nombre de vegetaux endemiques iberiques, et aussi l'un des plus importants d' Europe, se trouve dans les montagnes betiques, dans le sud de I'Europe (Espagne), avec des sommets atteignant 1 800 m. Notre objectif est d'analyser les caracteristiques de ces plantas endemiques et leur biogeographie en tant que base d"etablissement de zones prioritaires pour leur conservation et leur gestion. Nous presentons Ia lisle complete des 237 vegetaux endemiques qui habitant ces hautes terres. Les families des Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Poaceae et Papilionaceae rassemblent le plus grand nombre d'espl!ces endemiques. L'analyse comparative montre que les montagnes betiques representant un lieu important d'endemisme dans le bassin mediterranean, avec un degre d'endemisme de 28,18%. Les structures biogeographiques ont ete d'abord identifiees en fonction de leur presence sur des sols calcaires ou siliceux, puis selon les unites phytogeographiques en fonction de differents niveaux d"endemisme. L'abondance des especes endemiques dans ces montagnes peut s"expliquer par l'isolement geographique et l'histoire naturelle.

Selection of an endemic flora reserve network and its biogeographical significance in the Baetic ranges (Southern Spain)

“…Occurrence (1) or absence (0) are recorded in the respective cells. Although the matrix is based on previously available data (Mota et al, 2002;Peñas et al, 2005), the information has also been extended with bibliographical data and field research following the methods of the already mentioned works.…”

“…With respect to our previous survey (Peñas et al, 2005), this time we have included the localities of Alcaraz, Orce, Lúcar and La Grillimona, since they present areas with orophilous vegetation according to the above mentioned maps. In addition, the complex of Cazorla-Segura and Castril has been itemized in three localities (Cazorla-Pozo, SeguraBanderillas and Empanadas-Cabrilla-Castril) in accordance with the already mentioned vegetation maps, a fact which will allow a more detailed analysis.…”

Self-incompatibility, floral parameters, and pollen characterization in the narrow endemic and threatened species <i>Artemisia granatensis</i> (Asteraceae)

“…All these features have contributed to make the Sierra Nevada a refuge for many plant species during glacial ages (Blanca & al., 1998), thus harbouring isolated populations that have evolved under particular conditions (e.g. soil type or isolated summit areas), and which have encouraged speciation and a high level of endemicity (Blondel & Aronson, 1999;Peñas & al., 2005;Thompson, 2005). In fact, the area above 2,000 m contains about 100 endemic or rare taxa.…”

“…The southern area of the Iberian Peninsula has long been recognized as a centre of plant diversity and endemicity (Molero, 1994;Domínguez & al., 1996;Peñas & al., 2005), and a "phytogeographical hotspot"; that is, significant reservoirs of unique genetic diversity favourable to the evolutionary processes of Mediterranean plant species (Médail & Diadema, 2009). The largest number of endemic plant species, and indeed one of the largest in Europe, is found in Sierra Nevada (Blanca & al., 1998).…”

Phytogeographic survey on the endemic vascular flora of the Hyblaean territory (SE Sicily, Italy)

“…During the last decade, numerous authors have examined the endemic vascular flora of different Mediterranean countries, in relation to their conservation and threats (Blanca et al, 1998;Melendo et al, 2003;Gimenez et al, 2004;Penas et al, 2005;Bacchetta & Pontecorvo, 2005;Bacchetta et al, 2005;Lorite et al, 2007;Stancic et al, 2008;Randelović et al, 2008;Yildiztugay et al, 2009;Fenu et al, 2010). This work provides a further contribution focused to increase the knowledge on this important but still little known Sicilian area.…”