Fraxinus - Sorbus aucuparia - Mercurialis perennis forests
Description (English)
Forests and woodland of Fraxinus excelsior, with some Ulmus glabra, Acer pseudoplatanus, Quercus petraea, Betula pubescens, Sorbus aucuparia and an understorey dominated by Corylus avellana, often accompanied by Crataegus monogyna or occasionally Crataegus laevigata, characteristic of submontane climates and moist soils on calcareous bedrocks of the northern and western British Isles, particularly in valley heads of the upland fringes, distributed in Ireland, Scotland, northern England, Wales and locally Devon. Ferns (Athyrium filix-femina, Dryopteris spp., Blechnum spicant), grasses (Brachypodium sylvaticum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Poa trivialis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum), Oxalis acetosella are abundant and characteristic in the field layer, often with Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Mercurialis perennis, tall herbs (Crepis paludosa, Crepis mollis, Filipendula ulmaria, Conopodium majus, Trollius europaeus) and an extensive and diverse bryophyte flora.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code G1.A21 |
|---|
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Ferns
Athyrium filix-femina
Ferns
Blechnum spicant
Flowering Plants
Acer pseudoplatanus
Flowering Plants
Agrostis capillaris
Flowering Plants
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Flowering Plants
Arrhenatherum elatius
Flowering Plants
Betula pubescens
Flowering Plants
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Flowering Plants
Conopodium majus
Flowering Plants
Corylus avellana
Flowering Plants
Crataegus laevigata
Flowering Plants
Crataegus monogyna
Flowering Plants
Crepis mollis
Flowering Plants
Crepis paludosa
Flowering Plants
Dactylis glomerata
Flowering Plants
Deschampsia cespitosa
Flowering Plants
Filipendula ulmaria
Flowering Plants
Fraxinus excelsior
Flowering Plants
Holcus mollis
Flowering Plants
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Flowering Plants
Mercurialis perennis
Flowering Plants
Oxalis acetosella
Flowering Plants
Quercus petraea
Flowering Plants
Sorbus aucuparia
Flowering Plants
Trollius europaeus
Flowering Plants
Ulmus glabra
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Athyrium filix-femina | Ferns | |
| Blechnum spicant | Ferns | |
| Acer pseudoplatanus | Flowering Plants | |
| Agrostis capillaris | Flowering Plants | |
| Anthoxanthum odoratum | Flowering Plants | |
| Arrhenatherum elatius | Flowering Plants | |
| Betula pubescens | Flowering Plants | |
| Brachypodium sylvaticum | Flowering Plants | |
| Conopodium majus | Flowering Plants | |
| Corylus avellana | Flowering Plants | |
| Crataegus laevigata | Flowering Plants | |
| Crataegus monogyna | Flowering Plants | |
| Crepis mollis | Flowering Plants | |
| Crepis paludosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Dactylis glomerata | Flowering Plants | |
| Deschampsia cespitosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Filipendula ulmaria | Flowering Plants | |
| Fraxinus excelsior | Flowering Plants | |
| Holcus mollis | Flowering Plants | |
| Hyacinthoides non-scripta | Flowering Plants | |
| Mercurialis perennis | Flowering Plants | |
| Oxalis acetosella | Flowering Plants | |
| Quercus petraea | Flowering Plants | |
| Sorbus aucuparia | Flowering Plants | |
| Trollius europaeus | Flowering Plants | |
| Ulmus glabra | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112 | 41.31 | Ash-rowan-mercury forests | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 3.1.1. | Broad-leaved forest | n/a |
| BEAR Forest Types for Biodiversity Assessment | 10 | Ashwood | wider |
| National Vegetation Classification (UK) | W9 | Fraxinus excelsior-Sorbus aucuparia-Mercurialis perennis woodland | narrower |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | G1.A21 | Fraxinus - Sorbus aucuparia - Mercurialis perennis forests | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | G1.A21 | Fraxinus - Sorbus aucuparia - Mercurialis perennis forests | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | G1.A21 | Fraxinus - Sorbus aucuparia - Mercurialis perennis forests | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | G1.A21 | Fraxinus - Sorbus aucuparia - Mercurialis perennis forests | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | G1.B21 | Fraxinus-Sorbus aucuparia-Mercurialis perennis forests | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | G1.A1 | Ash-rowan-dog's mercury forests | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 41.31 | Ash-rowan-mercury forests | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 41.31 | Ash-rowan-mercury forests | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 41.31 | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 41.31 | same | |
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 41.31 | same |
