Betic and Southwest Andalusia

Abstract

The Bética biogeographical province and the south-west part of Andalusia constitute the most diverse territory on the Iberian Peninsula in vegetation terms. Completely contained within the Mediterranean region, the presence of five thermotypes (from thermomediterranean to cryoromediterranean) and five ombrotypes (from semiarid to hyperhumid) give rise to nineteen different isobioclimates. The marked difference in altitude ranging from sea level to 3479 m at the summit of the highest mountain (Mulhacén), and the presence of a varied lithology, − the most peculiar elements of which are the extensive outcrops of peridotites and dolomites- have resulted in 48 series of distinguishable vegetation (sigmeta), 21 minoriseries (minorisigmeta), 6 geosigmeta and 6 geopermasigmeta. Its entire geology derives from the alpine orogeny and is part of the Betic mountain range. However, from the biogeographical point of view, the territory we call southwest Andalusia is included in the Coastal Lusitanian and West Andalusian Province and includes both the Cádiz-and-Littoral-Huelva Sector and the Algeciras-and-Aljibe Sector. The vegetation is described starting with the mountainous areas; Subbética mountain range (Subbética Sector) and Penibética (Hoya of Guadix and Baza Sector, Nevada Sierran Sector, Alpujarras and Gador Sierran Sector, Granada and Almijara Sierran Sector, Ronda Sector), from the upper tree line vegetation to the forests, woodlands, scrub and riverside communities in the thermomediterranean vegetation belt. The Campiña of Guadalquivir and Cádiz and Huelva Littoral and Algeciras and Aljibe sectors are discussed jointly at the end of the chapter; these are low-altitude areas largely linked by the influence of the valley and mouth of the Guadalquivir.