Abstract

MORICI, Ernesto A; PRINA, Anibal; ALFONSO, Graciela L  and  MUINO, Walter. Flora and vegetation of the Upper Valley of the Atuel River (Mendoza-Argentina). Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. [online]. 2010, vol.45, n.1-2, pp.109-118. ISSN 1851-2372.

In this study we present a description of the flora and vegetation of the upper valley of Rio Atuel, Mendoza Province. In this area, characteristic taxa fron the Andina, Monte, Payunia and Patagonia Phytogeographical Provinces overlap their ranges. Considering that Atuel river high valley shows relevant altitudinal and topographical variations and a confluence of typical components from Andina, Monte, Patagonia and Payunia phytogeographic provinces, we plained to study, flora and vegetation. Floristic censuses were performed according to Braun-Blanquet (1979) and the matrix at coverage species was used to obtain cover data, weighted biological spectrum and floristic diversity. Furthermore, basal cover was estimated and vegetation, litter, bare soil, stones and stone pieces were recorded. This research was developed in an area restricted to the northern slope of Atuel river from its junction with National Route 40 (1800 m. a. s. l. ) to the surroundings of Planta de Azufre (2300 m. a. s. l. ) Asteraceae, Poaceae, Verbenaceae, Fabaceae and Solanaceae were the better representative plant families from a total of 89 species belonging to 36 families. 96 % of the species are native and 4 % are exotic. Fifteen communities were decribed: 12 shrubland, 1 grass, 1 herb community and 1 cushion steppe.

Keywords : Plant communities; Flora; Mountain range; Upper Atuel river valley.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )