Mediterranean closely grazed dry grassland

Description (English)

Heavily-grazed pasture of the Mediterranean Basin, mostly on silt and clay soils in the lowlands, dominated by rosette plants, various Fabaceae species and small grasses tolerant of intensive herbivory and trampling. The soils are dry in summer which helps exclude nitrophilous plants that might be encouraged by manuring but, refreshed by autumn rains, the herbage remains green and productive through the winter, providing valuable forage. Companion plants vary widely across the large range.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code R1D
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 Trifolium subterraneum
Flowering Plants Parentucellia latifolia
Flowering Plants Trifolium suffocatum
Flowering Plants Trifolium nigrescens
Flowering Plants Poa bulbosa
Flowering Plants Erodium cicutarium
Flowering Plants Erodium botrys
Flowering Plants Plantago lagopus
Flowering Plants Ranunculus paludosus
Flowering Plants Plantago coronopus
Flowering Plants Trifolium scabrum
Flowering Plants Scleranthus verticillatus
Flowering Plants Moenchia erecta

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
Trifolium subterraneum Flowering Plants
Parentucellia latifolia Flowering Plants
Trifolium suffocatum Flowering Plants
Trifolium nigrescens Flowering Plants
Poa bulbosa Flowering Plants
Erodium cicutarium Flowering Plants
Erodium botrys Flowering Plants
Plantago lagopus Flowering Plants
Ranunculus paludosus Flowering Plants
Plantago coronopus Flowering Plants
Trifolium scabrum Flowering Plants
Scleranthus verticillatus Flowering Plants
Moenchia erecta Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Poa bulbosa
Flowering Plants Erodium cicutarium
Flowering Plants Plantago coronopus
Flowering Plants Trifolium subterraneum
Flowering Plants Plantago lanceolata
Flowering Plants Parentucellia latifolia
Flowering Plants Trifolium scabrum
Flowering Plants Trifolium campestre
Flowering Plants Sherardia arvensis
Flowering Plants Eryngium campestre
Flowering Plants Cynodon dactylon
Flowering Plants Trifolium nigrescens
Flowering Plants Plantago lagopus
Flowering Plants Tuberaria guttata
Flowering Plants Anthemis arvensis
Flowering Plants Trifolium arvense
Flowering Plants Vulpia myuros
Flowering Plants Trifolium glomeratum

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
Poa bulbosa Flowering Plants
Erodium cicutarium Flowering Plants
Plantago coronopus Flowering Plants
Trifolium subterraneum Flowering Plants
Plantago lanceolata Flowering Plants
Parentucellia latifolia Flowering Plants
Trifolium scabrum Flowering Plants
Trifolium campestre Flowering Plants
Sherardia arvensis Flowering Plants
Eryngium campestre Flowering Plants
Cynodon dactylon Flowering Plants
Trifolium nigrescens Flowering Plants
Plantago lagopus Flowering Plants
Tuberaria guttata Flowering Plants
Anthemis arvensis Flowering Plants
Trifolium arvense Flowering Plants
Vulpia myuros Flowering Plants
Trifolium glomeratum Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Poa bulbosa
Flowering Plants Trifolium subterraneum
Flowering Plants Plantago coronopus

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
Poa bulbosa Flowering Plants
Trifolium subterraneum Flowering Plants
Plantago coronopus Flowering Plants

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) E1.3 Mediterranean xeric grassland narrower
European Red List of Habitats E1.3a Mediterranean closely grazed dry grassland same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 E1.3 Mediterranean xeric grassland same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 E1.3 Mediterranean xeric grassland same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 E1.3 Mediterranean xeric grassland same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 E1.3 Mediterranean xeric grassland same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 E1.3 Mediterranean xeric grassland same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 E1.13 Mediterranean xeric grassland same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 34.5 Mediterranean xeric grasslands same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 34.5 Mediterranean xeric grasslands same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 34.5   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 34.5   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 34.5   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 34.5   same
European Environment Agency (EEA)
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