EUNIS habitat classification 2012 amended 2019 > E - Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens > E1 - Dry grasslands > E1.7 - Closed non-Mediterranean dry acid and neutral grassland > E1.71 - Nardus stricta swards

Nardus stricta swards

English name: Mat-grass swards

Description (English)

Mesophile and xerophile Nardus stricta-dominated or -rich grasslands of Atlantic or sub-Atlantic lowland, collinar and montane regions of northern Europe, middle Europe and western Iberia. Other important species: Festuca rubra, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis pyrenaica, Avenula versicolor, Campanula alpina and Avenella flexuosa.

Source:
EUNIS habitat classification
Interpretation Manual of the habitats targeted by Resolution No. 4

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code E1.71
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

Legal text	Annex	More information
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention)	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2014)	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]

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	Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe)	6230	Narrower	http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Flowering Plants Agrostis capillaris

Flowering Plants Avenella flexuosa

Flowering Plants Avenula versicolor

Flowering Plants Festuca rubra

Flowering Plants Nardus stricta

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Agrostis capillaris		Flowering Plants
Avenella flexuosa		Flowering Plants
Avenula versicolor		Flowering Plants
Festuca rubra		Flowering Plants
Nardus stricta		Flowering Plants

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112	35.11	Mat-grass swards	source
CORINE Land Cover	3.2.1.	Natural grassland	n/a
Nordic Vegetation Classification 1994	5.1.3.3	Mat grass heath type	n/a
National Vegetation Classification (UK)	U5	Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland	narrower
Milieux Naturels de Suisse 1998	5.4.1.1	Lande subatlantique sèche	wider
Biotopes of the Czech Republic 2001	T2.3	PODHORSKÉ A HORSKÉ SMILKOVÉ TRÁVNÍKY (Submontane and montane Nardus grasslands)	overlap
Biotopes of the Czech Republic 2001	T2.2	HORSKÉ SMILKOVÉ TRÁVNÍKY S ALPÍNSKÝMI DRUHY (Montane Nardus grasslands with alpine species)	not defined

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	E1.71	Nardus stricta swards	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	E1.71	Nardus stricta swards	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	E1.71	Nardus stricta swards	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	E1.71	Nardus stricta swards	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	E1.71	Nardus stricta swards	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	E1.211	Mat-grass swards	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	35.11	Mat-grass swards	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	35.11	Mat-grass swards	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	35.11		same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	35.11		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991	35.11		same

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