The soil concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn, and the seasonal variation of these elements in the herbage from six plant communities in the Cantabrian Mountains of Spain, were determined. In each pasture, 10 vegetation samples were collected monthly during the grazing season, together with 20 samples of soil in June to assess the soilÈplant relationships. Total elemental concentrations were determined in acid digests by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results are discussed, comparing the values in soil and pasture samples and pointing out the implications for herbivores. The concentrations of Cu, K, Mg, N, Ni and Pb in soils were within the range considered typical or slightly higher (except in Nardus stricta grasslands, with a high Ni value) ; the values of Ca, Fe and Na were low and the concentrations of Mn and Zn surprisingly high. The mineral composition of the vegetation was not related to that of the soils. Seasonal di †erences with statistical signiÐcance were found in the composition of herbage samples, except for the grasslands under the closed cover of Genista Ñorida. Nardus stricta and Bromus erectus grasslands showed the best range of mineral concentrations for animal feeding during the summer.