Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grassland

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code R1A3

Description (English)

More or less mesophile, closed formations dominated by perennial, tuft-forming grasses, colonizing relatively deep, mostly calcareous soils. Generally species-rich, these communities may be overwhelmed by the highly social Brachypodium pinnatum.Their range extends from the British Isles, Denmark, the Low Countries and northern Germany to the Cantabric range, the Pyrenees, Catalonia, the southern Alps and the Central Apennines, extending east to the Bohemian Quadrangle, beyond which they are replaced by the vicariant formations of the Cirsio-Brachypodion, to the Wienerwald, Styria and Illyria. Bromus erectus and Brachypodium pinnatum often dominate, other grasses include Koeleria pyramidata, Festuca guestfalica, Festuca rupicola, Festuca lemanii, Avenula pubescens, Sesleria albicans, Briza media, Carex caryophyllea and Carex flacca. Herbs: Gentianella germanica, Trifolium montanum, Ononis repens, Medicago lupulina, Ranunculus bulbosus, Cirsium acaule, Euphrasia stricta, Dianthus deltoides, Potentilla neumanniana (Potentilla tabernaemontani, Potentilla verna), Anthyllis vulneraria, Galium verum, Euphorbia brittingeri (Euphorbia verrucosa), Hippocrepis comosa, Scabiosa columbaria, Centaurea scabiosa, Carlina vulgaris, Viola hirta, and numerous orchid species. Forming a bridge between the Mediterranean region and thermophile sites to the north, they can be identified by their high representation of Mediterranean species in the north and of Euro-Siberian ones in the south.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Flowering Plants Brachypodium pinnatum
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Brachypodium pinnatum Flowering Plants

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) E1.26 Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grassland same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 E1.26 Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grassland same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 E1.26 Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grassland same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 E1.26 Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grassland same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 E1.26 Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grassland same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 E1.26 Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grasslands same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 E1.112 Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grasslands same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 34.32 Sub-Atlantic semidry calcareous grasslands same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 34.32 Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grasslands same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 34.32   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 34.32   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 34.32   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 34.32   same
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