Relations between the yield and root and soil characteristics of species from Mediterranean pasture ecosystems

Abstract

In this paper we examine the degree to which the most frequent species found within Mediterranean pasture communities are those wlth the greatest dlY malter yields. The aim of this study is to clari.fY the relationship between specles frequency, plant production and soil characterlstlcs, whlch has not been greatly examined in previous ecological studies. Knowledge of thls relationshlp IS very important in understanding the permanence of these communities, whlch constitute interesting agroecosystems because they are a fundamental part ofthe traditionallivestock systems in west-central Spain.