Relaciones agua-suelo-vegetación.-Variabilidad de la disponibilidad hídrica superficial para la vegetación a lo largo de un gradiente pluviométrico

Abstract

ABSTRACT A climatic gradient was defined in South of Spain with a great decreased of rainfall from West to East (>1,000 mm), which produces changes in vegetation and hydric resources. This study was carried out in five hillslopes under different climatic conditions and their aims were to analyze: the variability of available water along the gradient since 2002 to 2006, the key factors of it and the influence on the vegetal cover. Results showed that clay content had a great influence in the surface available water for plants, which did not decrease in the drier field sites, where the amount of days with hydric deficit was lower. Relationships between vegetation and soil water were stronger in the more humid field sites, where existed a feedback between both properties.