Cartographic overview of forests in Natural space of Sierra Nevada
*Miha Žemva
Abstract: This study is general representation of forests in Natural space of Sierra Nevada based on cartographic data. Tree species are present on more than 50% of the area, forest tree species on about 44% . Main species of natural forest is Quercus ilex subsp. ballota, with potential sites covering more than half of study area. Pine forests are most frequent between 1700 m and 2100 m a.s.l., while broadleaf tree species are most present at altitude from 1300 m to 1700 m.
Key words: Natural space of Sierra Nevada (espacio natural), Land Cover and Use Informational System of Spain (SIOSE), Phytosociological map (Mapa de series de vegetacion), tree species, canopy cover, composition of forests, altitudinal belts
Data providers: © National geographic institute of Spain © Consejería de Medio Ambiente. Junta de Andalucía
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Cartographic overview of forests in Natural space of Sierra Nevada
1. SIERRA NEVADA INTRODUCTION, STUDY AREA and DATA 1.1. SIERRA NEVADA INTRODUCTION The Sierra Nevada elongated dome is situated in south of Iberian peninsula and is a part of Betic cordillera. The mountains of the Betic and Rif in northern Morocco form an arc shaped orogenic belt that sourrounds Alboran sea. They form the western most part of Alpine orogen and mediterranean region.[Martinez J.M.,2004]. Main geostructures are central part Nevada-Filabride complex formed by metamorphic rocks (>250 Ma), intermediate Alpujarride complex with calcareous rocks(240-210 Ma) and External part: from Neogene (~20 Ma) to Quaternary sediment rocks with various composition.[Martín-Martín, 2008]. In Natural space of Sierra Nevada on east tail we find postorogenentic (Neogene) rocks with narrow belt of calcrete, continuing with the most spread metamorphic rocks covering all the surface to the extreme west shank where again we find calcrete rocks. The topography of the Sierra Nevada is characterized by rounded mountain tops and deep valleys. Analysis indicates that valley incision has resolted in a mean relief of 1640 +/- 600m in the western Sierra Nevada, while above 2000 m summit areas have low angles (mean=130 ) that are well below threshold for landsliding [Reinhardt L.J.,2007]. The climate is Mediterranean and mountain Mediterranean, with pronounced summer drought (July–August) and precipitation concentrated in late autumn and spring. Annual precipitation ranges from less than 250 mm in the lowest parts of the mountain range to more than 700 mm on the highest peaks. Winter precipitation is mainly in the form of snow above 2000 m of altitude. Mean annual temperatures vary from 120–160 C in the low mountain to 80–120 C at 2000–2500 m, and to
