Semi-dry perennial calcareous grassland (meadow steppe)
Description (English)
Semi-natural grassland on deeper and not so drought-prone, nutrient-poor, base-rich soils over limestone throughout the lowlands and submontane belts of submediterranean to hemiboreal Europe. Generally closed and dominated by mixtures of graminoids and forbs, often extremely species-rich, with many rare plants and sometimes striking contingents of orchids and varying much across the large range with different sets of continental or submediterranean companions. Dependent on extensive grazing, usually with sheep, or on an annual mowing, and often developed over centuries of traditional pastoralism, contributing to some striking cultural landscapes.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code R1A |
---|---|
Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableIndicator species
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 |
---|---|---|
Plantago media | Flowering Plants | |
Trifolium montanum | Flowering Plants | |
Linum catharticum | Flowering Plants | |
Pimpinella saxifraga | Flowering Plants | |
Salvia pratensis | Flowering Plants | |
Centaurea scabiosa | Flowering Plants | |
Cirsium acaulon | Flowering Plants | |
Galium verum | Flowering Plants | |
Briza media | Flowering Plants |
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 |
---|---|---|
Lotus corniculatus | Flowering Plants | |
Sanguisorba minor | Flowering Plants | |
Galium verum | Flowering Plants | |
Achillea millefolium | Flowering Plants | |
Plantago lanceolata | Flowering Plants | |
Brachypodium pinnatum | Flowering Plants | |
Briza media | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia cyparissias | Flowering Plants | |
Plantago media | Flowering Plants | |
Pimpinella saxifraga | Flowering Plants | |
Poa pratensis | Flowering Plants | |
Bromopsis erecta | Flowering Plants | |
Linum catharticum | Flowering Plants | |
Pilosella officinarum | Flowering Plants | |
Dactylis glomerata | Flowering Plants | |
Helianthemum nummularium | Flowering Plants | |
Carex flacca | Flowering Plants | |
Teucrium chamaedrys | Flowering Plants | |
Hypericum perforatum | Flowering Plants | |
Thymus pulegioides | Flowering Plants |
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 |
---|---|---|
Brachypodium pinnatum | Flowering Plants | |
Bromopsis erecta | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | E2.5 | Meadows of the steppe zone | wider |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | E1.2 | Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes | narrower |
European Red List of Habitats | E1.2a | Semi-dry perennial calcareous grassland | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | E2.5 | Meadows of the steppe zone | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | E1.2 | Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | E1.2 | Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | E2.5 | Meadows of the steppe zone | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | E1.2 | Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | E2.5 | Meadows of the steppe zone | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | E2.5 | Meadows of the steppe zone | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | E1.2 | Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | E1.2 | Perennial calcareous grassland | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | E2.5 | Meadows of the steppe zone | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | E1.11 | Perennial calcareous grassland | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | E3.6 | Steppe meadows | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 34.A | Sand steppes | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 34.3 | Dense perennial grasslands and middle European steppes | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 38.6 | Steppe meadows | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 34.9 | Continental steppes | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 34.9 | Continental steppes | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 34.A | Sand steppes | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 34.3 | Dense perennial grasslands and middle European steppes | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 38.6 | Steppe meadows | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 34.3 | narrower | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 38.6 | same | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 38.6 | same | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 34.3 | narrower | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 34.3 | narrower | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 34.3 | narrower |