Habitat types key navigation

You can use the 'key navigation' function to identify a specific habitat by answering a set of questions. Starting from first question to next questions you select one of the possible answers. Here are samples of possible answers:

• No ( 002 ) - Leading to question named '002'
• Yes [ G ] - Leading to another questions subset of level G
• No [ E6 ] - Links directly to factsheet for E6

Additionally the diagram may be used for reference.


Category : (F )Heathland, scrub and tundra
Diagram :

Question i :   Narrow belt of shrubs?

Hedgerows, comprising narrow linear belts of shrubs, which may or may not be managed, with or without occasional trees, are distinguished (path = Yes). Note that shrubby habitats of forest edges are classified under G.

Answers: Yes [ FA ] No ( ii )

Question ii :   Regularly tilled or planted?

Shrub plantations which are cultivated regularly, but not necessarily annually (vineyards, fruit orchards and tea plantations), are distinguished (path = Yes).

Answers: Yes [ FB ] No ( iii )

Question iii :   Permafrost?

Tundra habitats characterised by the presence of permafrost are separated (path = Yes).

Answers: Yes [ F1 ] No ( iv )

Question iv :   Either on waterlogged ground or fringing water?

Scrubs and thickets on waterlogged ground or fringing temporary or permanent rivers and streams are separated (path = Yes) from other shrub habitats in drier areas.

Answers: Yes [ F9 ] No ( v )

Question v :   Dominant vegetation stratum

Habitats are separated on the basis of the vegetation type: succulents and composites (members of the family Compositae); and spiny, cushion-forming shrubs; and other shrubs and low trees. Note that ‘low trees’ are defined as tree species when they are restricted in their growth form (and which may be prostrate).

Answers: succulents and composites [ F8 ] spiny, cushion-forming shrubs [ F7 ] other ( vi )

Question vi :   Climate

This criterion separates habitats characterised by their temperature regime, but this may operate at a variety of geographical and altitudinal scales: cold to cold-temperate climate in the arctic, alpine or subalpine zones; temperate or mediterraneo-montane climate in warmer areas in the arctic or alpine and subalpine zones or cooler areas of the mediterranean region (i.e. warm temperate areas of the mountains of the mediterranean region); and mediterranean or sub-desert climates in the Mediterranean zone.

Answers: cold to cold-temperate [ F2 ] temperate or mediterraneo-montane ( vii ) mediterranean or sub-desert ( viii )

Question vii :   Dominant vegetation type

Habitats with a temperate or mediterraneo-montane climate are separated according to their dominant vegetation type: ericoid shrubs; sclerophyllous shrubs; or other broadleaved deciduous or coniferous shrubs and low trees.

Answers: ericoid [ F4 ] other [ F3 ] sclerophyllous [ F6 ]

Question viii :   Structure

Garrigue is distinguished from maquis and matorral: garrigue always has an open vegetation and some bare ground, usually with many annuals and geophytes and dominated by vernal species, usually with some patches of shrubs (e.g. Cistus, Lavendula, Rosmarinus and Stoechas) and there may be some larger shrubs and scattered trees present; maquis and matorral comprise more closed vegetation, usually with 100% cover, mainly shrubs with few annuals and some geophytes, trees are nearly always present, some of which may be in shrub form.

Answers: closed [ F5 ] open [ F6 ]