Volume 15 (2014 / 2015) Article 4

Peatlands in the Toledo Mountains (central Spain): characterisation and conservation status

by J.A. López-Sáez, R. García-Río, F. Alba-Sánchez, E. García-Gómez and S. Pérez-Díaz

Published online: 06.11.2014

Summary

We have limited knowledge about the biodiversity and vulnerability of peatlands in the lower-altitude mountains of the Iberian Peninsula, largely because peatlands have not been routinely differentiated from other habitat types in Spain. Understanding is now developing about the ecology of peatlands in central Spain, but they are already under severe threat of conversion and degradation. In this article we describe the results of a field survey and literature review study to characterise and describe the current condition of peatlands in the Toledo Mountains in terms of their typology, the representation of habitat types protected by European (EU) designations, threats, endangered plant species, and conservation status. Our results suggest that the principal threats are overgrazing by domestic animals and ungulates (red deer and wild boar), fire, expansion of cereal crops, drying-out and erosion. Disturbance is most severe in areas that are not protected by nature conservation designations, where peatlands are especially vulnerable to damage arising from human activities.

Citation

López-Sáez, J.A., García-Río, R., Alba-Sánchez, F., García-Gómez, E. & Pérez-Díaz, S. (2014): Peatlands in the Toledo Mountains (central Spain): characterisation and conservation status. Mires and Peat 15: Art. 4. (Online: http://www.mires-and-peat.net/pages/volumes/map15/map1504.php)

Reviewers

IMCG and IPS acknowledge the work of the reviewers.