ASPECTOS ECOFISIOLOGICOS RELACIONADOS CON LA PRODUCCION DE LOS ENCINARES MEDITERRANEOS

The productivity of Quercus ilex forests is low in relation to other tree species. Waterand nutrients are often the most important limiting factors. Nevertheless the ecophysiological traits of this specie could help to explain the observed patterns of productivity. Leaf area index of european evergreen-oak forests is rather constant with values about 5. The energetic cost of formation and maintenance of the leaves of Quercus ilex accounts for more than 50 per cent of total carbon fixed by the trees. The resproutig ability of evergreen oaks could explain the high density and low mean diameter of these populations. The high proportion of living tissues in this type of structuni increases the respiration costs of the stems and branches. As a consequence, an important fraction of carhon fixed by leaves is used to maintain the structure of the community which contribute to explain the low observed net primary production of Quercus ilex forests