Brezales: What are, types and importance

The Brezales are plant communities dominated by low and woody bushesmainly of the genus Erica (heather) and other ericáceas, which prosper in acidic, poor nutrient and well drained soils. Although these types of formations are found in several continents, its most characteristic and studied distribution is limited to the European continent, especially in Atlantic and mountainous regions.

They grow in very poor nutrients

Brezales grow in poor nutrient soils. These contain very low levels of essential compounds such as phosphates and nitrates, which deeply conditions the structure and dynamics of the ecosystem. Both plants and animals that inhabit these environments must present Specific adaptations to survive With limiting conditions. In plants, these adaptations include efficient mechanisms for the absorption and storage of scarce nutrients.

They have underground storage organs

Many species of Brezales develop specialized underground structures to store nutrients and carbohydrates. These include lignotubertles (woody organs in shrubs), tubers, cormos and thickened foliar bases, which act as they act as reserves against extreme conditions.

They have greater underground biomass than aerial

Compared to other plant formations, there are usually More living mass underground That about her. This investment in underground structures reflects the importance of conserving resources in an environment where nutrient replacement is sporadic and limited.

They are capable of recovering after disturbances such as fire

Many species present in the buzos are adapted to survive intense disturbances such as fire or rubbing (type of agricultural practice), thanks to the presence of yolks located in underground organs. This ability to regret gives them a great advantage over other plants that depend exclusively on seed germination. However, if the fires become too frequent, the system can degrade, since the earth is further impoverished and underground reserves are exhausted, putting the regeneration of the vegetation at risk.

The diversity of brezales in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in northern Spain, reflects the variety of ecological conditions, altitudes, soils and climates. Below are some of the main types of waves.

• Montanos Cantabrian Brezales with Otea (ULEX Gallii): They are developed in mountain areas of the northern Cantabrian mountain range. They are dense formations where Otea predominates (ULEX Gallii), accompanied by other species of heather and grasses. The coverage of the herbaceous stratum is very influenced by the cattle and the plants that compose it are the most common of the Cantabrian acidophilic meadows
• Cantabrian cantabrian bete with Otea (ULEX EUROPERAUS): They are high thickets, difficult to travel that are located in the Cantabrian valleys from Araitz to Baztan. The dominant species is the tojo (ULEX EUROPERAUS), which is usually accompanied by ULEX Gallii.
• Castellano-Cantábrico Brezales with Gayuba: Brezales and tojales characterized by the presence of Daboecia Cantabrica and gayuba (Arctostaphylos Uva -ursi) in which other species are frequent. They are distributed in the Sierra de Codés, Umbria of the Sierra del Lapoblation, Cabredo, Genevilla and an isolated town in Ordokorri (Romanzado).
• Brecine Pyrenean Berenics: Brezales dominated by the Brecina (Calluna vulgaris), Many times accompanied by blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) and sometimes for Erica Vagans. They are distributed in acidic soils of the mountains of the valleys of Salazar and Roncal, above 1,500 meters high.
• Mediterranean waves of Erica Scoparia: High beeErica Scoparia) that can be accompanied by another heather of great size, Erica Arborea and by the Madroño (Arbutus Unedo). They are typical of the Mediterranean region.
• Hygrophilic Cantabrian Brezales with Erica Tetralix: They are developed in areas with high edaphic humidity, such as bogs or watering soils. The Brecine Erica Tetralix It is characteristic of these humid environments.
• Cantabrian collos ber Erica Ciliaris: These waves are located in hills of the Peninsular Northern and are dominated by Erica Ciliaris and other hygrophilic species.
• Navarro-Alaves Brezales with Anglica genist: They develop in the northeastern region of the Peninsula, especially in Navarra and Álava. The presence of Anglica genista woody legume, gives them a distinctive structure.
• Pre -pyreneic bena with Anglica genist: Very similar to the previous ones, but located in the transition area between the Pyrenean mountain range and the plains of the Ebro Valley. They share species with the Navarro-Alaves Brezales, although they may have local floristic differences.
• Subcaontábrico brezales Erica Vagans: They are located in areas of the western subcantabric, where it dominates Erica Vagans. In these waves the characteristic species of the remaining types of Brezal are absent.

They act as biodiversity reservoirs

Brezales offer refuge to a great diversity of plant and animal species, many of which are adapted exclusively to the extreme conditions of this ecosystem. Among its characteristic vegetation inhabit invertebrates, birds, reptiles and small mammals that find food, refuge and reproductive opportunities.

Conform a habitat of species with specific adaptations

The fauna of the Brezales includes from birds such as the common Lira rooster and the European chotacabras to amphibians such as the Bermeja frog and reptiles such as the common viper. These species are intimately linked to the conditions of the Brezal, such as poor tree coverage, acid soils and recurring disturbances such as fire or grazing.

They are carbon sinks and climate regulators

In wet areas, the Brezales can accumulate organic matter in the form of peat, functioning as true long -term carbon stores. This contributes to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are released in the atmosphere.

They provide protection against erosion

Thanks to its dense and adapted vegetation coverage to fragile soils, the Brezales help set the substratereducing erosion caused by wind and water runoff. This function is key in areas where loose or sandy soils predominate.

They are a support for pollinators and trophic networks

The flowers of the dominant species in the Brezales are a fundamental source of nectar for wild pollinators such as bees, butterflies and moths, which helps support more complex food chains.

They are fire -modeled ecosystems

Fire is part of the natural dynamics of many of many. Far from being only destructive, the low -intensity periodic fire allows Ecosystem renewaleliminating dead biomass and favoring the regrowth of species. Without these disturbances, the Brezal can lose its identity, being replaced by forests or other formations.

Contribute to water regulation

The Brezales act as natural sponges: They absorb rainwater and slowly release itwhich helps prevent flooding and maintain the flow of rivers and streams in dry times. For this reason, they are usually key in the regulation of the hydrological cycle in the basins where they are.

They have great cultural value

These landscapes have been used for centuries for traditional activities such as grazing, firewood collection or hunting. In many regions, the ancestral management of the Brezales has contributed to maintaining their biodiversity and ecological structure, so its conservation also implies preserving the cultural heritage linked to the sustainable use of the earth.

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