Detecting plant spatial patterns, using multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis, in rural landscapes in Central Iberian Peninsula

Two main areas have been differentiated by clear environmental behaviour: mesophytic area versus thermic area. The differentiation of these two areas is caused by a strong topographical control that yields the former area with a shady aspect and the latter with a sunny character. Performing a more detailed analysis of clustering levels, other environmental areas have been discerned, all with subtle differences: it has been identified thermo-mesophytic, transitional mesophytic, upper-mesophytic and riparian variant areas. In addition, there are several outstanding outlier cells which reveal special circumstances in the factors' co-occurrence. The MDS and clustering, collated with simultaneous geographical observations through mapping, showed a strong floristic imbrication, as expected, over the small area studied (40 km2). The main valley direction and anthropic effects explain most of the floristic variation.