Edaphic variability and floristic structure on Mediterranean grassland slopes

One of the most important characteristics of grassland communities is their strong dynamic nature. This is accentuated in the case of slopes and allows distinctions among well‐differentiated enclaves as regards structure and organization. In relation to slopes, this study first attempts to establish whether the edaphic variables governing the vegetation structure of uplands (exportation sectors) are the same as those governing the vegetation structure on lowlands (deposition sectors). A second aim is to determine whether the apparent similarity between the floristic structure of uplands on granites and on slates, and that of lowlands on granites and on slates, is real. Finally, the issue of which other factors, besides the edaphic variables, might affect the structure of the vegetation is addressed, taking into account the livestock‐raising regime that these communities support. With these objectives, 30 typical Mediterranean slope grasslands (province of Salamanca, Spain) were chosen. Half of these grass...