The pioneer amphibian communities of the Sado river basin (Marianic-Monchiquensean Sector, Lusitan-Extremadurean and Subprovince Ribatagan-Sadensean Sector, Sadensean-Divinding Portuguese Subprovince) were subject of the present study. The main plant communities were identified (Junco capitati-Isoetetum hystricis Braun-Blanquet 1936, Junco pygmaei-Isoetetum velati Rivas Goday 1956, Periballio laevis-Illecebretum verticillati Rivas Goday 1954, Loto subbiflori-Chaetopogonetum fasciculati Rivas-Martínez & Costa in Rivas-Martínez, Costa, Castroviejo & E. Valdés 1980, Hyperico elodis-Rhynchosporetum rugosae Neto, Capelo, J.C. Costa & Lousã in Neto 1997, Anagallido tenellae-Juncetum bulbosi Braun-Blanquet 1967, Utriculario exoletae-Sphagnetum auriculati Neto, Capelo, J.C. Costa & Lousã 1996 and Cirsio palustris-Juncetum rugosi Neto, Capelo, J.C. Costa & Lousã 1996) and its floristic composition presented, as well as other relevant data concerning to ecology, chorology and syntaxonomy of each community. We concluded that most vegetation communities are relict and have restricted distribution areas. The vegetation is under increasing stress due to antropic activities and climate change. This vegetation is dominated by Atlantic communities and species. However, since the Atlantic period (7800-6700 B.P.) the dominance of Mediterranean elements tends to increase.
community ecology; amphibian plants; sintaxonomy; corology
