Continental dry grassland (true steppe)
Description (English)
Steppe and steppe-like grassland on mostly base-rich soils over limestones, of varying depth and stoniness, occurring through the lowland to submontane belts of continental Europe. Dominated by plants adapted to long periods of summer drought, mostly tall tussock grasses and perennial forbs, it shows wide variation in species composition and particular topographic location across the substantial range. In more extreme situations, the grasslands are natural, but they often sustain extensive grazing.
Remark: This habitat also includes many dry grasslands that are not
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code R1B |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|
Festuca valesiaca | Flowering Plants | |
Stipa capillata | Flowering Plants | |
Bothriochloa ischaemum | Flowering Plants | |
Medicago falcata | Flowering Plants | |
Salvia nemorosa | Flowering Plants | |
Artemisia austriaca | Flowering Plants | |
Eryngium campestre | Flowering Plants | |
Verbascum phoeniceum | Flowering Plants | |
Galatella villosa | Flowering Plants | |
Centaurea stoebe | Flowering Plants | |
Potentilla argentea | Flowering Plants | |
Falcaria vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
Nonea pulla | Flowering Plants | |
Taraxacum serotinum | 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 |
---|---|---|
Festuca valesiaca | Flowering Plants | |
Eryngium campestre | Flowering Plants | |
Medicago falcata | Flowering Plants | |
Stipa capillata | Flowering Plants | |
Bothriochloa ischaemum | Flowering Plants | |
Galium verum | Flowering Plants | |
Artemisia austriaca | Flowering Plants | |
Teucrium chamaedrys | Flowering Plants | |
Poa pratensis | Flowering Plants | |
Plantago lanceolata | Flowering Plants | |
Potentilla argentea | Flowering Plants | |
Poa bulbosa | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia cyparissias | Flowering Plants | |
Centaurea stoebe | Flowering Plants | |
Thymus pulegioides | Flowering Plants | |
Achillea millefolium | Flowering Plants | |
Asperula cynanchica | Flowering Plants | |
Koeleria pyramidata | Flowering Plants | |
Koeleria macrantha | Flowering Plants | |
Falcaria vulgaris | 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 |
---|---|---|
Festuca valesiaca | Flowering Plants | |
Bothriochloa ischaemum | Flowering Plants | |
Stipa capillata | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | E1.2 | Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes | narrower |
European Red List of Habitats | E1.2b | Continental dry steppe | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 200202 | E1.2 | Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes | 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 199712 | E1.11 | Perennial calcareous grassland | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 34.3 | Dense perennial grasslands and middle European steppes | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 34.9 | Continental steppes | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 34.A | Sand 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 1996 | 34.3 | narrower | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 34.3 | narrower | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 34.3 | narrower | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 34.3 | narrower |