European dry heaths
Quick facts
EU Habitats Directive | Annex I habitat type (code 4030) |
---|---|
Habitat type | Not priority |
Natura 2000 sites | 2252 are designated for this habitat type |
Description (English)
Mesophile or xerophile heaths on siliceous, podsolic soils in moist Atlantic and sub-Atlantic climates of plains and low mountains of Western, Central and Northern Europe.
The following subtypes are included:
Pal. 31.21 Submontane Vaccinium-Calluna heaths. Calluno-Genistion pilosae p. (Vaccinion vitis-idaeae p.): Vaccinio myrtilli-Callunetum s.l. i.a.
Heaths rich in Vaccinium spp., usually with Calluna vulgaris, of the northern and western British Isles, the Hercynian ranges and the lower levels of the Alps, the Carpathians, the Pyrenees and the Cordillera Cantabrica.
Pal. 31.22 Sub-Atlantic Calluna-Genista heaths. Calluno-Genistion pilosae p.
Low Calluna heaths often rich in Genista, mostly of the Germano-Baltic lowlands. Similar formations occurring in British upland areas, montane zones of high mountains of the western Mediterranean basin and high rainfall Adriatic influenced areas are most conveniently listed here.
Pal. 31.23 Atlantic Erica-Ulex heaths. Ulicenion minoris; Daboecenion cantabricae p.; Ulicion maritimae p.
Heaths rich in gorse (Ulex) of the Atlantic margins.
Pal. 31.24 Ibero-Atlantic Erica-Ulex-Cistus heaths. Daboecenion cantabricae p.; Ericenion umbellatae p., Ericenion aragonensis; Ulicion maritimae p.; Genistion micrantho-anglicae p.
Aquitanian heaths with rock-roses. Iberian heaths with numerous species of heathers (notably Erica umbellata, Erica aragonensis) and brooms, rock-roses and often Daboecia. When the rock-roses and other Mediterranean shrubs become dominant they should be classified under sclerophyllous scrubs (Pal. 32).
Pal. 31.25 Boreo-Atlantic Erica cinerea heaths.
Source: Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats, version EUR 28 (2013)
Distribution
Conservation status
EU conservation status
Conservation status assesses every six years and for each biogeographical region the condition of habitats and species compared to the favourable status as described in the Habitats Directive. The map shows the 2013-2018 assessments as reported by EU Member State. Assessments are further detailed in the summary document available behind the link below.
Species mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
Cistus salvifolius | Flowering Plants | |
Empetrum nigrum | Flowering Plants | |
Erica cinerea | Flowering Plants | |
Erica mackaiana | Flowering Plants | |
Erica umbellata | Flowering Plants | |
Erica vagans | Flowering Plants | |
Genista anglica | Flowering Plants | |
Genista germanica | Flowering Plants | |
Genista pilosa | Flowering Plants | |
Ulex gallii | Flowering Plants |