Temperate and boreal moist or wet oligotrophic grassland
Description (English)
Meadows and pastures of less nutrient-rich soils, wet for much of the year, though not inundated by flood-waters and drying out in summer, especially in more continental regions. The soils may be somewhat acidic to base-rich, sometimes peaty above, and through the lowland to submontane belts of Europe, they have been part of wider landscapes among fens and drier grasslands. Less productive than flood meadows, they are mown just once a year, and towards the west of the range, often just lightly grazed, but they can be species-rich with some characteristic and striking species.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code R37 |
|---|---|
| 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
Flowering Plants
Succisa pratensis
Flowering Plants
Carex panicea
Flowering Plants
Molinia caerulea
Flowering Plants
Potentilla erecta
Flowering Plants
Juncus acutiflorus
Flowering Plants
Selinum carvifolia
Flowering Plants
Sanguisorba officinalis
Flowering Plants
Scorzonera humilis
Flowering Plants
Cirsium dissectum
Flowering Plants
Ranunculus acris
Flowering Plants
Galium uliginosum
Flowering Plants
Juncus conglomeratus
Flowering Plants
Cirsium palustre
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Succisa pratensis | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex panicea | Flowering Plants | |
| Molinia caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
| Potentilla erecta | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus acutiflorus | Flowering Plants | |
| Selinum carvifolia | Flowering Plants | |
| Sanguisorba officinalis | Flowering Plants | |
| Scorzonera humilis | Flowering Plants | |
| Cirsium dissectum | Flowering Plants | |
| Ranunculus acris | Flowering Plants | |
| Galium uliginosum | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus conglomeratus | Flowering Plants | |
| Cirsium palustre | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Potentilla erecta
Flowering Plants
Molinia caerulea
Flowering Plants
Carex panicea
Flowering Plants
Succisa pratensis
Flowering Plants
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Flowering Plants
Ranunculus acris
Flowering Plants
Festuca rubra
Flowering Plants
Briza media
Flowering Plants
Cirsium palustre
Flowering Plants
Luzula campestris
Flowering Plants
Carex flacca
Flowering Plants
Carex nigra
Flowering Plants
Lotus pedunculatus
Flowering Plants
Galium uliginosum
Flowering Plants
Juncus acutiflorus
Flowering Plants
Filipendula ulmaria
Flowering Plants
Sanguisorba officinalis
Flowering Plants
Plantago lanceolata
Flowering Plants
Agrostis canina
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Potentilla erecta | Flowering Plants | |
| Molinia caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex panicea | Flowering Plants | |
| Succisa pratensis | Flowering Plants | |
| Anthoxanthum odoratum | Flowering Plants | |
| Ranunculus acris | Flowering Plants | |
| Festuca rubra | Flowering Plants | |
| Briza media | Flowering Plants | |
| Cirsium palustre | Flowering Plants | |
| Luzula campestris | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex flacca | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex nigra | Flowering Plants | |
| Lotus pedunculatus | Flowering Plants | |
| Galium uliginosum | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus acutiflorus | Flowering Plants | |
| Filipendula ulmaria | Flowering Plants | |
| Sanguisorba officinalis | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago lanceolata | Flowering Plants | |
| Agrostis canina | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Molinia caerulea
Flowering Plants
Juncus acutiflorus
Flowering Plants
Carex panicea
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Molinia caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus acutiflorus | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex panicea | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | E3.5 | Moist or wet oligotrophic grassland | narrower |
| European Red List of Habitats | E3.5 | Temperate and boreal moist or wet oligotrophic grassland | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | E3.5 | Moist or wet oligotrophic grassland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | E3.5 | Moist or wet oligotrophic grassland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | E3.5 | Moist or wet oligotrophic grassland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | E3.5 | Moist or wet oligotrophic grassland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | E3.5 | Moist or wet oligotrophic grassland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | E2.5 | Moist or wet acid or oligotrophic grassland | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 37.3 | Oligotrophic humid grasslands | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 37.3 | Oligotrophic humid grasslands | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 37.3 | same | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 37.3 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 37.3 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 37.3 | same |
