Heavy-metal grassland
Description (English)
Dry, short grasslands, often rich in lichens and mosses, colonizing western and central European soils with a high content in heavy metals such as zinc and lead, and comprising uniquely adapted species, ecotypes or populations mostly related to, or derived from, otherwise montane, boreomontane or steppic species; heavy metal grasslands of distinctly alpine affinities, though spanning an altitudinal range that extends from the montane level and lowland dealpine stations to the subalpine and alpine levels, are included. Vegetation of alliance Violetalia calaminariae.
Source:
EUNIS habitat classification
Interpretation Manual of the habitats targeted by Resolution No. 4
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code E1.B |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
| Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
Legal status
Mentioned in the following international legal instruments and agreements
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
| Legal text | Annex | Name in legal text | Code in legal text |
Habitat type relationship |
More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 | Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation | Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae | 6130 | Same | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
| Name | Definition | Other names | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ptilostemo casabonae-Euphorbion cupanii Angiolini et al. 2005 | Vegetation of ancient toxic mining dumps of Sardinia | Schaminee et al, 2012 | |
| Armerion halleri Ernst 1965 | Swards of heavy-metal tolerant vegetation on mining spoil heaps of north-central Europe | Schaminee et al, 2012 | |
| Thlaspion calaminarii Ernst 1965 | Swards of heavy-metal tolerant vegetation on mining spoil heaps of northwestern Europe | Schaminee et al, 2012 | |
| Aethionemion saxatilis Bergmeier et al. 2009 | Thermophilous communities of calcareous and metalliferous rock outcrops of northern Hellas | Schaminee et al, 2012 | |
| Thlaspion rotundifolii Jenny-Lips 1930 | Alpine and subalpine vegetation of calcareous scree communities of Alps | Galio anisophylli-Minuartion vernae Ernst 1965; Trisetion distichophylli Gams 1936; Thlaspion rotundifolii Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et Jenny 1926 | Schaminee et al, 2012 |
Species mentioned in habitat description
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112 | 34.2 | Heavy metal grasslands | same |
| CORINE Land Cover | 3.2.1. | Natural grassland | n/a |
| Biodiversity Broad Habitat Classification (UK) | 16 | Inland rock | wider |
| National Vegetation Classification (UK) | OV37 | Festuca ovina-Minuartia verna community | narrower |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | E1.B | Heavy-metal grassland | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | E1.B | Heavy-metal grassland | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | E1.B | Heavy-metal grassland | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | E1.B | Heavy-metal grassland | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | E1.B | Lowland heavy-metal grassland | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | E1.4 | Lowland heavy-metal grassland | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 34.2 | Heavy metal grasslands | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 34.2 | Heavy metal grasslands | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 34.2 | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 34.2 | same | |
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 34.2 | same | |
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 34.2 | same |
