The mosquito yew wood: Survey and analysis of Mediterranean Taxus baccata L. woods (Habitat 9580)

Aim of study: To survey a yew tree grove and to evaluate its conservation status to ascertain whether its proposal to class it as Habitat 9580* is appropriate. Area of study: Eastern end of Central Mountain Range, Spain. Materials and methods: We conducted a field survey collecting data of UTM coordinates, altitude, orientation, companion woody spe-cies, height, stem perimeter, sex and browsing evidence. Individuals were classified in four age groups, considering height and stem perime-ter: 1) seedling, 2) juvenile, 3), adult and 4) old. Companion species were analysed to assess the presence of habitat 9580* according to the Habitats Directive. Population structural complexity, stability and compactness were analysed to assess the conservation status. Main results: We registered 8,304 yews along with seventeen distinctive accompanying species, thus confirming the presence of priority habitat of community interest 9580* "Mediterranean Taxus baccata woods". Population analysis leads us to appreciate a favourable conser-vation status for the whole habitat in the study area. Research highlights: We have described the largest T. baccata grove registered to date in the Central Mountain Range of the Iberian Peninsula. We confirm the presence of priority habitat of community interest 9580* "Mediterranean Taxus baccata woods", being the first description of this habitat in the Community of Madrid. As the study area is located within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), we pro-pose its inclusion on the SAC habitats list.