Bioclimatology and Climatophilous Vegetation of Gomera (Canary Islands)

The bioclimatic belts of Gomera are established and the potential distribution of its climatophilous vegetation series mapped accordingly. PCA and DCA analyses explain the significance of thermic factors related to altitude, and rainfall or humidity conditions (mist precipitation) in the distribution of bioclimatic belts and vegetation series. A map of potential natural vegetation is produced by considering several additional abiotic environmental factors, and the current distribution of potential vegetation remnants or their substitute communities. Three new climatophilous associations (Neochamaeleo pulverulentae—Euphorbietum balsamiferae, Violo rivinianae—Myricetum fayae, Cisto gomerae—Pinetum canariensis), one new climatophilous subassociation (Brachypodio arbusculae—Juniperetum canariensis subass. ericetosum arboreae), two potential edaphophilous new associations (Euphorbietum aphyllae, Euphorbio berthelotii-Retamatetum rhodorhizoidis), one new potential edaphophilous subassociation (Cisto gomerae—Pinetum canariensis subass. juniperetosum canariensis) and two serial new associations (Micromerio gomerensis—Cistetum monspeliensis, Adenocarpo foliolosi-Chamaecytisetum angustifolii) are described. Commentaries and phytosociological tables of the potential natural vegetation communities and the other communities described are given.