Gradients of soil salinity and moisture, and plant distribution, in a Mediterranean semiarid saline watershed : a model of soil–plant relationships for contributing to the management

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

GONZÁLEZ-ALCARAZ, M.N.

Dep. de Ciencia y Tecnología Agrararia, Área de Edafología y Química Agrícola, E.T.S. de Ingeniería Agronómica, Univ. Politécnica, Cartagena, Espagne

JIMÉNEZ-CÁRCELES, F.J.

BIOCYMA, Consultora en Medio Ambiente y Calidad, Murcia, Espagne

ÁLVAREZ, Y.

Dept. de Geografía, Fac. de Letras, Univ., Murcia, Espagne

ÁLVAREZ-ROGEL, J.

Dep. de Ciencia y Tecnología Agrararia, Área de Edafología y Química Agrícola, E.T.S. de Ingeniería Agronómica, Univ. Politécnica, Cartagena, Espagne

Description :
The main aim was to establish a conceptual model in order to use vegetation as bioindicator of soil conditions. With this model, environmental changes – based on the observation of vegetation – could be detectable, allowing the prevention of environmental impacts and the improvement of the environmental management of the Ajauque-Rambla Salada protected landscape, Murcia Region. Eight sampling stations with a total of 39 plots were established for the sampling of vegetation (floristic composition and species abundance) and soil (moisture, pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity and soluble ions). Multivariate analysis showed that vegetation was closely related to soil moisture and salinity. The soils colonised by steppe grasses and halophilus and halonitrophilus shrubs were the driest and least saline. The results support the role of vegetation as bioindicator of disturbances and the use of soil–plant relationships models to improve the environmental management of saline ecosystems.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2014, vol. 115, p. 150-158, nombre de pages : 9, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2014

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena

Langue :
Anglais