Diversidad geomorfométrica y edafológica de Madrid

Abstract

A geomorphometrical and pedological diversity analysis of Madrid county has been carried out on the basis of synthetic cartographic units (physiographic domains), which can be grouped into two morphostructural regions: Central System (Sierra) and Tagus Basin (Cuenca). The distribution of elevation, slope, hillside orientation and soil suborders in each domain was obtained with a geographical information system (GIS). From these data, the richness, diversity index (Shannon and Weaver), maximum diversity and evenness were calculated. The Sierra has greater geomorphometrical diversity than the Cuenca, while the Cuenca has greater soil diversity than the Sierra. In both regions, domains with coexistence of high geomorfometric and soil diversity are scarce (slopes of the Sierra, replacement countryside of limestone mesas and gypsum hills and countryside in the Cuenca). The geomorfometric richness and diversity is independent of the size of the domains, while the richness of soils is related to the domain extension. There is a negative correlation, with a low degree of significance, between geomorphometric and soil diversity in the domains. Sierra and Cuenca behave as separate sets, being more significant the correlations when made independently of each other.