Community Ecology and Distributional Spectra of Mediterranean Shrublands and Heathlands in Southern Spain

Community structure and distributional spectra of seventeen shrubland and heathland communities in Southem Spain were studied. Ordination analysis of species cover arranged samples according to two main en- vironmental factors: soil acidity and topographical elevation. Distributional spectra of shrublands on basic soils were mainly composed of Circum- and West-Mediterranean species. However, towards higher elevations, the propor- tion of Iberian and Ibero-North African species increased. Heathlands on acid soils showed a higher proportion of Ibero-North African species. A negative relation was found between species richness and soil fertility. The infra-generic diversity increased to- wards higher altitudes. Relevance of 'seeder' versus 'sprouter' regeneration strategies is discussed for dominant species.