Spanish ICP-Forests Level II Plots Network (Plot code 05 Ps) - Spain

The Intensive Monitoring of Forest Ecosystems (ICP-Forests Level II network) consists currently in 14 monitoring plots representing important Spanish Forest Ecosystems distributed throughout the Spanish mainland showing the most common forest situations of each country and representing rare or endemic situations. The plot 05 Ps represents an Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forest located in Guadarrama mountain range in the center of the Iberian peninsula. It is a 80-100 years old monospecific regular high forest. Under a canopy of mature trees, there is an understory made of pines of about 6 meters high. There is low layer with shrubs and grasses under high cattle pressure. Climatic gradient is Oromediterranean. It is situated in a flat area, with soil temporary swamped in some points. Soil is made up of gneiss