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 : (D )Mires, bogs and fens
Diagram :

Question i :   Source of water

The criterion separates habitats on the basis of the source of their water supply: completely or primarily ombrogenous ( rainwater only) from other sources which are combinations of ombrogenous, soligenous (run-off) and topogenous (groundwater) but where the ombrogenous water supply is of less importance.

Answers: rainwater only [ D1 ] other ( ii )

Question ii :   Frost or ice dependent?

Mires whose formation and maintenance is completely dependent on the action of frost or ice are separated (path = Yes).

Answers: Yes [ D3 ] No ( iii )

Question iii :   Peat formation at water surface?

Transition mires in which the water table is at or near the surface and peat forms a floating raft at the water surface are distinguished (path = Yes).

Answers: Yes [ D2 ] No ( iv )

Question iv :   Acid?

Mires in which the peat formation occurs in waterlogged ground are separated if they have a predominantly acid water supply (path = Yes).

Answers: Yes [ D2 ] No ( v )

Question v :   Saline or brackish?

Marshes and reedbeds with a saline or brackish water supply (> 0.5 parts per thousand salt) (path = Yes) are distinguished from freshwater habitats (path = No).

Answers: Yes [ D6 ] No ( vi )

Question vi :   Dominated by few species of tall helophytes?

Separates topogenous and soligenous habitats dominated by few species of tall helophytes (plants rooted below the water table but with emergent aerial shoots), typically species-poor extensive sedge and reed beds (path = Yes), from habitats dominated by low-growing vegetation on shallow organic or mineral substrates, which is typically species-rich vegetation of fens (path = No). Note: reed and sedge beds of the littoral zone (usually less than 5 m wide) rooted in open water with associated aquatic species are categorised under C3.

Answers: Yes [ D5 ] No [ D4 ]