ISSN:
1573-5052
Keywords:
Beech
;
Beechwoods
;
Bioclimatology
;
Fagus
;
Genetics
;
Mediterranean region
;
Vegetation structure
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The study area is at the southern limit of the beech area, between the rivers Rhône in France and Ebro in Spain. From an analysis of the occurrence of beechwoods in this region and the pluviometric climate, it appears that part of the beechwood is found in a dry climate, which is still mediterranean. This argument seems sufficient to justify the existence of a ‘mediterranean’ beechwood, at least on a climatic level. Beechwood when occurring in a dry climate has special characteristics: - The development of the wood differs with the climate. Young beeches need shadow in a dry climate; they can grow in full light in a moist climate. - The floristic composition is different. - The understorey of dry woods is less structured than that of moist woods. - The genetic structure as measured in the enzymatic system Px1 is polymorphic in the dry and monomorphic in the moist conditions studied. It would be interesting to verify if the characters noted in a dry mediterranean climate are also present in dry atlantic or continental beechwoods. Since the mediterranean climate is drier and more unfavorable to beech than other climates, the particular characters of ‘dry’ beechwoods will be more pronounced near the Mediterranean.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00120675
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