EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > R - Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens > R1 - Dry grasslands > R12 - Cryptogam- and annual-dominated vegetation on siliceous rock outcrops

Cryptogam- and annual-dominated vegetation on siliceous rock outcrops

Description (English)

Open pioneer grassland dominated by perennial succulents and annuals, with subordinate small tussock grasses, sometimes geophytes and often a prominent contingent of cryptogams. Typically forming small stands on very shallow and skeletal, impoverished, acid soils on siliceous rock outcrops, eroded slopes and disturbed or artificial habitats like soil heaps and wall tops, the habitat occurs throughout temperate and boreal Europe up to the subalpine belt, in situations where the permeable soils dry quickly in summer, but where spring rains can permit a quick flush of growth by the annuals.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code R12
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 Scleranthus perennis
Flowering Plants Gagea bohemica
Flowering Plants Sedum album
Flowering Plants Sedum rupestre
Flowering Plants Myosotis stricta
Flowering Plants Veronica verna
Flowering Plants Trifolium arvense

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
Scleranthus perennis Flowering Plants
Gagea bohemica Flowering Plants
Sedum album Flowering Plants
Sedum rupestre Flowering Plants
Myosotis stricta Flowering Plants
Veronica verna Flowering Plants
Trifolium arvense Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Sedum album
Flowering Plants Poa bulbosa
Flowering Plants Scleranthus perennis
Flowering Plants Trifolium arvense
Flowering Plants Rumex acetosella
Flowering Plants Sedum rupestre
Flowering Plants Arenaria serpyllifolia
Flowering Plants Sedum acre
Flowering Plants Potentilla argentea
Flowering Plants Veronica arvensis
Flowering Plants Veronica verna
Flowering Plants Potentilla tabernaemontani
Flowering Plants Plantago lanceolata
Mosses & Liverworts Ceratodon purpureus
Flowering Plants Erodium cicutarium
Flowering Plants Cerastium pumilum
Flowering Plants Myosotis stricta
Flowering Plants Aira caryophyllea
Flowering Plants Sanguisorba minor

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
Sedum album Flowering Plants
Poa bulbosa Flowering Plants
Scleranthus perennis Flowering Plants
Trifolium arvense Flowering Plants
Rumex acetosella Flowering Plants
Sedum rupestre Flowering Plants
Arenaria serpyllifolia Flowering Plants
Sedum acre Flowering Plants
Potentilla argentea Flowering Plants
Veronica arvensis Flowering Plants
Veronica verna Flowering Plants
Potentilla tabernaemontani Flowering Plants
Plantago lanceolata Flowering Plants
Ceratodon purpureus Mosses & Liverworts
Erodium cicutarium Flowering Plants
Cerastium pumilum Flowering Plants
Myosotis stricta Flowering Plants
Aira caryophyllea Flowering Plants
Sanguisorba minor Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Sedum album
Flowering Plants Poa bulbosa

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
Sedum album Flowering Plants
Poa bulbosa Flowering Plants

Other classifications

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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