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:
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No (
002 ) - Leading to question named '002'
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Yes [ G ] - Leading to another questions subset of level G
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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?
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Hedgerows, comprising narrow linear belts of shrubs, which may or may not be managed, with or without occasional trees, are distinguished (path = <strong>Yes</strong>). Note that shrubby habitats of forest edges are classified under G.
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Answers:
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Question
ii
:
Regularly tilled or planted?
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Shrub plantations which are cultivated regularly, but not necessarily annually (vineyards, fruit orchards and tea plantations), are distinguished (path = <strong>Yes</strong>).
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Answers:
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Question
iii
:
Permafrost?
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Tundra habitats characterised by the presence of permafrost are separated (path = <strong>Yes</strong>).
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Answers:
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Question
iv
:
Either on waterlogged ground or fringing water?
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Scrubs and thickets on waterlogged ground or fringing temporary or permanent rivers and streams are separated (path = <strong>Yes</strong>) from other shrub habitats in drier areas.
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Answers:
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Question
v
:
Dominant vegetation stratum
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Habitats are separated on the basis of the vegetation type: <strong>succulents and composites</strong> (members of the family Compositae); and <strong>spiny, cushion-forming shrubs</strong>; and <strong>other</strong> 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).
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Answers:
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succulents and composites
[
F8
]
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spiny, cushion-forming shrubs
[
F7
]
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other
(
vi
)
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Question
vi
:
Climate
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This criterion separates habitats characterised by their temperature regime, but this may operate at a variety of geographical and altitudinal scales: <strong>cold to cold-temperate</strong> climate in the arctic, alpine or subalpine zones; <strong>temperate or mediterraneo-montane</strong> 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 <strong>mediterranean or sub-desert</strong> climates in the Mediterranean zone.
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Answers:
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cold to cold-temperate
[
F2
]
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temperate or mediterraneo-montane
(
vii
)
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mediterranean or sub-desert
(
viii
)
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Question
vii
:
Dominant vegetation type
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Habitats with a temperate or mediterraneo-montane climate are separated according to their dominant vegetation type: <strong>ericoid</strong> shrubs; <strong> sclerophyllous </strong> shrubs; or <strong>other</strong> broadleaved deciduous or coniferous shrubs and low trees.
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Answers:
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ericoid
[
F4
]
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other
[
F3
]
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sclerophyllous
[
F6
]
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Question
viii
:
Structure
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Garrigue is distinguished from maquis and matorral: garrigue always has an <strong>open</strong> vegetation and some bare ground, usually with many annuals and geophytes and dominated by vernal species, usually with some patches of shrubs (e.g. <strong>Cistus, Lavendula, Rosmarinus</strong> and <strong>Stoechas</strong>) and there may be some larger shrubs and scattered trees present; maquis and matorral comprise more <strong>closed</strong> 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.
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Answers:
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closed
[
F5
]
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open
[
F6
]
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