Diversity and conservation of the Gredos Regional Park peatlands (Iberian Central System, Spain): Geomorphological and geobotanical characterisation and incoming threats

High-mountain peatlands are essential ecosystems for habitats, biodiversity, water, and carbon cycling, butthere is little comprehensive information in central Iberia. We present results of research concerning the distribution,geormorphology, floristic, geobotany, habitat diversity Gredos Regional Park (Iberian Central System).We identified 72 covering 117 ha ranging size from 0.01 to 17.34 ha. Peatlands occur primarily theupper orosubmediterranean bioclimatic belt at 1775–2230 m asl. From a geomorphological point view, 9 differentpeatland typologies have been defined. Multivariate analyses (agglomerative cluster analysis principal componentanalysis) 103 relevés allowed us classify sampled peatland stands into 7 plant communities 4 Europeanhabitats that formed along complex hydrogeomorphic conditions, propose new subassociation other communitypreviously described (Caricetum echinato-nigrae lycopodielletosum inundatae). The main threat Gredenseanpeatlands pastoral pressure, which affects 15 them intensively, mainly between upper supramediterranean andthe lower belts (~1314–1700 asl). Seven bryophytes three vascular plantsdocumented included IUCN Red List. view ofconservation priority, most threatened correspond transition mires (Habitat 7140) growing inoligotrophic minerotrophic (Caricion nigrae vegetation). Particularly, Iberian System endemicSedo lagascae-Eriophoretum latifolii association one has achieved highest score five criteriaconsidered this regard because Meesia triquetra, species with category “critically endangered”, inhabits it.