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Vegetation of groundwater discharge sites in the Douro basin, central Spain
Author(s) -
Rey Benayas J. M.,
Bernáldez F. G.,
Levassor C.,
Peco B.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.2307/3235779
Subject(s) - aquifer , groundwater , hydrology (agriculture) , groundwater flow , vegetation (pathology) , structural basin , environmental science , lithology , ordination , geology , ecology , geomorphology , geochemistry , medicine , geotechnical engineering , pathology , biology
Abstract. The chemical composition of the groundwater and the distribution of phreatophytic vegetation in a relatively homogeneous aquifer in the Douro basin appear to depend primarily on groundwater flow patterns within the aquifer. The concentration of major ions in the water is correlated with flow path length, which indicates that the chemical composition of the groundwater changes with the ageing of the water. The distribution of phreatophytic plant species is closely related to both the chemical composition of groundwater discharging in seepage areas, and length of the groundwater flow path. Factors such as heterogeneity in lithology, human influences and local climate are of secondary importance.