Disrupciones de la secuencia estructural en sistemas de ladera (pastos mediterráneos)

Abstract

Two grassland slopes clearly differentiable between each other in their degree of homogeneity were studied. In the classic sequence of exportation, transport and sedimentation sectors, diversity is seen to decrease in the sense indicated. Additionally, exportation sector is relatively homogeneous; transport sector is more heterogeneous, although in particular circumstances and at small distances; sedimentation sector proved to be heterogeneous only at greater distances. Despite this, the sedimentation sector can be subdivided in such as way that one relatively dry and another very humid subsector are distinguished. Between these two, there is a third subsector that forms a transition band, with a very marked diversity and a moderate to low heterogeneity. Since small changes in the availability of soil water are able to deterrnine the spatial movement or the disappearance of some of these subsectors, it is not surprising that the lower parts of the slopes may display very different structures.