Sedge sphagnum birch woods
Description (English)
Sphagnum-rich Betula pubescens or Betula carpatica woods of the boreal and nemoral western Palaearctic in which Molinia caerulea is accompanied by a cortège of acid fen species, in particular, Carex rostrata, Carex nigra, Carex echinata, Juncus acutiflorus, Agrostis canina, Narthecium ossifragum, Calamagrostis canescens and by ericoid shrubs, in particular Vaccinium uliginosum. Depending on water level, regime of inundation, history of ligneous colonization and nature of the initial stage, the undergrowth may be dominated by Molinia caerulea, by sedges Carex spp., by rushes Juncus spp., by Scirpus cespitosus or by ericoid shrubs, resulting in a number of rather distinctive habitats. Conifers, mostly Picea abies, may participate in the canopy of boreal, northeastern nemoral, Hercynian sub-boreal and pre-Alpine communities; Pinus sylvestris has its westernmost relict stations in northwestern stands. Fennoscandian formations have a number of northern species, in particular Calamagrostis purpurea, Cornus suecica, Empetrum spp., Rubus chamaemorus.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code G1.512 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (G1.51) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Picea abies | Conifers | |
Pinus sylvestris | Conifers | |
Agrostis canina | Flowering Plants | |
Betula pubescens | Flowering Plants | |
Calamagrostis canescens | Flowering Plants | |
Carex nigra | Flowering Plants | |
Carex rostrata | Flowering Plants | |
Cornus suecica | Flowering Plants | |
Juncus acutiflorus | Flowering Plants | |
Molinia caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
Narthecium ossifragum | Flowering Plants | |
Rubus chamaemorus | Flowering Plants | |
Scirpus cespitosus | Flowering Plants | |
Vaccinium uliginosum | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112 | 44.A12 | Sedge sphagnum birch woods | source |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | G1.512 | Sedge sphagnum birch woods | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | G1.512 | Sedge sphagnum birch woods | same |