Phytosociology of halophilic species from the genus Tamarix L. (Tamaricaceae) on the island of Gran Canaria

Abstract

Forested Tamarix L. species found in the Canary Islands as in the Western Mediterranean Basin and the Saharo-Arabian area are included in the class Nerio-Tamaricetea within the order Tamaricetalia africanae order recognized by the Canaries that does not include Tamarix africana Poir., and the halophilic and halotolerant their communities are included in the alliance Tamaricion boveano-canariensis with the new partnership Atriplici ifniensis Tamaricetum canariensis endemic to the Canary Islands, which is also poor in the characteristic species of the class and to be defined almost exclusively for Tenerife requires a broader review. There are serious doubts about the location of the species Tamarix africana Poir. in the Canary Islands, although their presence has been noted by some authors (Web & Berthelot, Bannerman, Kunkel, Sventenius, Barry, etc.) defining taxonomically to certain areas of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. You would think that this species would be grouped in the phytosociological Tamaricetalia africanae community, which would be a new community to the Canary Islands with a respective new association that would in itself be different from the mentioned so far. Moreover Tamarix boveana Bunge species has recently been cited for the island of Fuerteventura where interesting corological and ecological data of the species are given. It is therefore proposed here provide ecological details phytocenosis, associated species and type of scrub accompanying to T. africana Poir., opening possibilities for comparative phytosociological and syntaxonomical review with the other species of Tamarix L. in the Canary Islands.