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Classification and distribution patterns of plant communities on S ocotra I sland, Y emen
Author(s) -
De Sanctis Michele,
Adeeb Achmed,
Farcomeni Alessio,
Patriarca Chiara,
Saed Achmed,
Attorre Fabio
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
applied vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.096
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1654-109X
pISSN - 1402-2001
DOI - 10.1111/j.1654-109x.2012.01212.x
Subject(s) - arid , vegetation (pathology) , grassland , ordination , shrubland , floristics , geology , plant community , ecology , herbaceous plant , alluvial plain , physical geography , geography , species richness , ecosystem , biology , paleontology , medicine , pathology
Question What are the main plant communities and vegetation zones on S ocotra I sland in relation to climatic, geological and topographic factors? Location S ocotra I sland ( Y emen). Methods A total of 318 relevés were sampled along an altitudinal gradient. Floristic and environmental (topographic, geological and climatic) data were collected and analysed using numerical classification and NDMS ordination; an analysis of the correlation between plant communities and environmental factors was also performed. Results Eight types of woody vegetation, seven of shrubs, six of herbaceous and seven of halophytic vegetation were identified. Ordination revealed the importance of altitudinal and climatic gradients, as well as of geological substrata. Conclusions Four vegetation zones were identified. The first three are located in the arid region with altitude ranging from 0 to 1000 m and the fourth in the semi‐arid region from 1000 to 1500 m a.s.l. Specifically they are: (1) an arid coastal plain mainly located on an alluvial substratum between 0 and 200 m, characterized by shrubland and grassland communities; (2) a transition zone from 200 to 400 m, between the alluvial substratum and the upper limestone area; (3) an arid limestone zone between 400 and 1000 m, interspersed with hills and plateaus; and (4) a semi‐arid upper zone of the H aghier M ountains from 1000 to 1500 m on a granitic substratum.