Pannonian and Pontic sandy steppe

Description (English)

Rather open steppe grassland dominated by perennial tussock grasses and herbs, with frequent spring annuals and cryptogams, typical of nutrient-poor, sandy soils on plains and dunes through the Pannonian, Pontic and southern Baltic regions. The climate is continental with cold winters, often with long frosts and shallow snow, and hot, droughty summers. Traditionally used for extensive grazing by stock, particularly sheep, but now widely abandoned.
Remark: This habitat also occurs at some sites in the southern Baltic area (north of the Carpathians); therefore, an addition of the Sarmatic region in the habitat name can be considered.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code R11
Relation to Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Indicator species

Diagnostic species
Constant species
Dominant species
Flowering Plants Koeleria glauca
Flowering Plants Festuca vaginata
Flowering Plants Bassia laniflora
Flowering Plants Jurinea cyanoides
Flowering Plants Helichrysum arenarium
Flowering Plants Silene borysthenica
Flowering Plants Gypsophila paniculata
Flowering Plants Astragalus varius
Flowering Plants Centaurea arenaria
Flowering Plants Secale sylvestre
Flowering Plants Artemisia campestris
Flowering Plants Stipa borysthenica

Diagnostic species occur concentrated in the habitat in question, but are absent or rare in other habitats. They are good positive indicators of the habitat, but they do not need to occur in every location of the habitat.

Species scientific name English common name Species group
Koeleria glauca Flowering Plants
Festuca vaginata Flowering Plants
Bassia laniflora Flowering Plants
Jurinea cyanoides Flowering Plants
Helichrysum arenarium Flowering Plants
Silene borysthenica Flowering Plants
Gypsophila paniculata Flowering Plants
Astragalus varius Flowering Plants
Centaurea arenaria Flowering Plants
Secale sylvestre Flowering Plants
Artemisia campestris Flowering Plants
Stipa borysthenica Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Artemisia campestris
Flowering Plants Helichrysum arenarium
Flowering Plants Koeleria glauca
Flowering Plants Poa bulbosa
Flowering Plants Bassia laniflora
Flowering Plants Gypsophila paniculata
Flowering Plants Secale sylvestre
Flowering Plants Rumex acetosella
Flowering Plants Festuca vaginata
Flowering Plants Eryngium campestre
Flowering Plants Astragalus varius
Mosses & Liverworts Syntrichia ruralis
Flowering Plants Centaurea arenaria
Flowering Plants Jurinea cyanoides
Flowering Plants Silene borysthenica

Constant species occur frequently in the habitat, but they may include generalist species that are also frequent in other habitats.

Species scientific name English common name Species group
Artemisia campestris Flowering Plants
Helichrysum arenarium Flowering Plants
Koeleria glauca Flowering Plants
Poa bulbosa Flowering Plants
Bassia laniflora Flowering Plants
Gypsophila paniculata Flowering Plants
Secale sylvestre Flowering Plants
Rumex acetosella Flowering Plants
Festuca vaginata Flowering Plants
Eryngium campestre Flowering Plants
Astragalus varius Flowering Plants
Syntrichia ruralis Mosses & Liverworts
Centaurea arenaria Flowering Plants
Jurinea cyanoides Flowering Plants
Silene borysthenica Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Festuca vaginata
Mosses & Liverworts Syntrichia ruralis
Flowering Plants Bassia laniflora

Dominant species are those that often reach high cover in the habitat, thus determining the habitat physiognomy.

Species scientific name English common name Species group
Festuca vaginata Flowering Plants
Syntrichia ruralis Mosses & Liverworts
Bassia laniflora Flowering Plants

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) E1.1 Inland sand and rock with open vegetation narrower
European Red List of Habitats E1.1a Pannonian and Pontic sandy steppe same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 E1.1 Inland sand and rock with open vegetation same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 E1.1 Open thermophile pioneer vegetation of sandy or detritic ground same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 E1.1 Open thermophile pioneer vegetation of sandy or detritic ground same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 E1.1 Open thermophile pioneer vegetation of sandy or detritic ground same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 E1.1 Open thermophile grasslands of sandy or detritic ground same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 E1.3 Open thermophile grasslands of sandy or detritic ground same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 34.1 Middle European pioneer swards same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 34.1 Middle European pioneer swards same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 34.1   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 34.1   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 34.1   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 34.1   same
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