Ecology of an endemic insular species:Cyclamen balearicumWillk. In the Balearic Islands

[摘要] We studiedCyclamen balearicumWillk. in the Balearic Islands with the following two objectives: 1) to describe and discuss its ecology, 2) to discuss the type of rarity it represents. The species grows on Ibiza, Cabrera, Menorca and Mallorca; it is much more frequent on the latter two islands, and is abundant in the moutainous northern part of Mallorca. It is absent from Formentera. The species was found along the entire elevation gradient, thus experiencing a large range of rainfall and temperature conditions. It was encountered not only on limestone but also, occasionally on sandstone and schist in Menorca. Its local habitat is sheltered and shady, with a northern exposure, under a high cover of evergreen woody plants, with a stony soil.Quercus ilexL. andPinus halepensisMill, trees andPistacia lentiscusL. shrubs are the more commonly observed dominant species whereC. balearicumoccuis. The usual entena applied in defining plant raríty are inadequate in this case, particularly where habitat specificity is concemed.

[学科分类] 植物学

[关键词] Primulaceae;Cyclamen balearicum. Baleario Islands;ecology;endemism;rarity