## 3 Description of the Systematic Impact/Aptitude Land Planning Model
### Inventory of the Physical Environment of the Study Area
#### 4.1.2 Inventory of the Biotic Physical Environment of the Study Area  
The area is situated within the Mediterranean biogeographic region, specifically the Western Mediterranean subregion (Ba), the Mediterranean-Ibero Levantine subprovince (Ba1), and the Murciano-Almeriense province (VIII) within the Alicante sector [32; 33; 34]. The area exhibits two distinct bioclimatic zones; the majority of the area belongs to a semi-arid meso-Mediterranean zone, while a small portion is situated at the eastern edge of the thermo-Mediterranean zone. The meso-Mediterranean zone represents the mature stage of dense Quercus groves, characterized by the presence of various thorns, junipers, pipes, and other Mediterranean shrubs. The thermo-Mediterranean floor corresponds to its climax stage as a dense scrub, formed by _Rhamnus lycioides_, _Chamaerops humilis_, _Pistacia lentiscus_, and _Asparagus albus_. The current vegetation observed in an altered territory is the result of anthropogenic modifications. In this instance, the relatively flat terrain (terrace) is primarily utilizedfor rainfed crops, which yield a low quantity (rainfed crops such as almond and olive trees, as well as unproductive areas). In contrast, the slopes of the hills have been maintained with sparse shrub vegetation, with dominant species including _Stipa tenacissima_ and _Lygeum spartum_, accompanied by other species such as _Rosmarinus officinalis, leucrium pseudochamaeptiys_, and _Helichrysum serotinum_. In the depressed areas, which have a greater soil depth due to the accumulation of sediments, there are small groups of _Pinus halepensis_ in conjunction with _Juniperus oxycdrus_ and, to a lesser extent, _Pistacia lentiiscus_. However, sparse vegetation and the endemic shrub _Vella lucentina_ (Figure 4) are often observed in stony soils, often alternating between cultivation plots. The endemism _Vella lucentina_ has experienced a significant decline over the past decade, resulting in a precipitous reduction in its population in a relatively short period [35]. This decline can be attributed to the expansion of greenhouse agriculture and the concomitant urbanization process, which have encroached upon and occupied the aforementioned soils. It was first cataloged by [PERSON] in 1992. This plant exhibits physiological and morphological characteristics that are well-adapted to semi-arid conditions and soils with low organic matter. The plant reaches a height of between 30 and 50 cm, with thorny leaves, highly branched stems, yellow flowers with violet veins and four petals (flowering: March-April; fruiting: April-May), and a type of fruit in silique (with a sterile or another fertile tube). With regard to other shruby varieties, the type of fruit allows the dispersion of seeds to take advantage of the impact of rainwater drops exerted on it and with somewhat significant dehiscence capacity in a very advanced maturation state [35]. It is distributed among the terms of the municipalities of Alicante, Sant Vicent del Raspeig, Agost, Monforte del Cid, and Mutxamel. Previous studies have indicated that the two main populations of this species are found in the areas of Bec de l'Aguila (San Vicent del Raspeig) and Alcoraya (Alicante). The population in Bec de l'Aguila occupies approximately 2.6 km\({}^{2}\) and is found in habitats within open steppe scrublands and sunny areas or on loam or calcareous clay soils. The species is included in the Valencian Catalog of Threatened Flora Species, Annex II (Order 6/2013 of 25 March of the Department of Infrastructure, Territory and Environment of the Valencian Community), IUCN Category 2018 (EN, very seriously threatened), and the Red List of Vascular Flora as vulnerable (Decree 70/2009 of 22 May of the Valencian Community Council by which the Valencian Catalog of Species is created and regulated). The species is threatened by urban activity and is classified as vulnerable on the Red List of Vascular Flora (Decree 70/2009 of 22 May of the Valencian Community Council).