El patrimonio vegetal en los Arribes del Duero zamoranos: las formaciones de enebral Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. badia (H. Gay) Debeaux

Abstract

The vegetal heritage of the Zamoran Arribes del Duero, in particular, the different formations that compose the vegetal landscape, is analyzed. For this purpose, a methodology that combines the field work (vegetation inventories, surveys, location and delimitation by GPS and mapping), photointerpretation and implementation of a Geographic Information System is used. Of all the communities of the vegetal landscape highlight, by their singularity, the Juniper forests of Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. badia (H. Gay) Debeaux, since they form unusual masses very denses and of arboreal size. In fact, these are authentic forest patches located in Cozcurrita and Mamoles (in Fariza), which occupy an area of 42.9 ha accompanied by arborescent masses in clear colonizing expansion (252 ha) thanks to the xerothermic tendency of climate and the abandonment of traditional agrosilvopastoral activities. Strictly speaking, Zamoran Arribes del Duero has a rich vegetal heritage, which is made up of 4 forest habitats of Community interest, covering an area of 1,795 ha, which represents 30.1% of the territory. This categorization of the European Directive leaves out the Juniper forests of Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. badia (H. Gay) Debeaux included, however, in type 5210 of Arborescent matorral with Juniperus spp., despite being forests of high natural and cultural value.