Abstract
This vegetation study describes the landscape of the San Felipe Desert (Baja California, México) based on the phytosociological analysis of its major plant associations, as determined by the Braun-Blanquet method and supported by cluster analysis. Four geomorphological or phytotopographical units were identified in the landscape of the San Felipe Desert (salt marshes, playas or sandy flats, bajadas or alluvial fans, and malpaíses or badlands), each characterized by its own plant communities. Two communities and eleven associations were identified, four of which are described and typified for the first time: Atriplici linearis-Frankenietum palmeri, Parkinsonio microphyllae-Olneyetum tesotae, Errazurizio megacarpae-Ephedretum trifurcae and Pachycereo schottii-Prosopidetum torreyanae. Ecological, phytogeographical, bioclimatic, syntaxonomical and floristic data are provided for each of these new associations.
Acknowledgements
The authors are extremely grateful for the Cooperation Agreement between the Universidad de Alcalá and the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California. This work was supported by grants from the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (Project A/1628/04). The authors thank Professor Jesús Izco, Universidad de Santiago, for his critical reading of the manuscript and useful suggestions. We also thank Luisa Ruiz-Sañudo for her linguistic assistance and Ana Burton for the final revision of the manuscript.