Soft-water vegetation (Littorellion) in Spanish mountains

This paper presents a systematic review of Spanish high mountain soft water communities based on 46 phytosociological relevés. Using a numerical analysis with ordination (correspondence analysis—CA) and classification (Jaccard index and complete-linkage clustering) three groups corresponding to the phytosociological associationsIsoeto lacustris-Sparganietum borderei, Sparganio angustifolii-Isoetetum echinospori andSparganio angustifolii-Callitrichetum font-queri have been defined. SpanishLittorellion communities are characterized by boreal-alpine and endemic elements. The boreal-alpine elements probably spread via the Pyrenees-Iberian System through to the mountains of the western peninsula during a cold period, thus sharing the habitat with the Ibero-Atlantic flora which was able to adapt to the changing climatic conditions.