Arctic-alpine calcareous grassland
Description (English)
Grasslands on usually shallow, highly calcareous soils on limestone or dolomite slopes and ridges in the alpine or subalpine belts of the high mountains of the temperate zone, being best developed in the Alps, but occurring also in the Carpathians and Pyrenees, with small fragmentary stands also in the Sudetes and in Scotland. Grasses and sedges dominate, along with numerous small herbs, the cover varying from sparse to complete according to the soil depth.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code R44 |
---|---|
Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
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 |
---|---|---|
Carex sempervirens | Flowering Plants | |
Sesleria caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
Bellidiastrum michelii | Flowering Plants | |
Gentiana clusii | Flowering Plants | |
Dryas octopetala | Flowering Plants | |
Phyteuma orbiculare | Flowering Plants | |
Saxifraga paniculata | 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 |
---|---|---|
Sesleria caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
Carex sempervirens | Flowering Plants | |
Anthyllis vulneraria | Flowering Plants | |
Bellidiastrum michelii | Flowering Plants | |
Dryas octopetala | Flowering Plants | |
Phyteuma orbiculare | Flowering Plants | |
Helianthemum nummularium | Flowering Plants | |
Saxifraga paniculata | Flowering Plants | |
Poa alpina | Flowering Plants | |
Carduus defloratus | Flowering Plants | |
Lotus corniculatus | Flowering Plants | |
Thymus praecox | Flowering Plants | |
Gentiana verna | Flowering Plants | |
Silene acaulis | Flowering Plants | |
Globularia cordifolia | Flowering Plants | |
Tortella tortuosa | Mosses & Liverworts |
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 |
---|---|---|
Sesleria caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
Carex sempervirens | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | E4.4 | Calcareous alpine and subalpine grassland | narrower |
European Red List of Habitats | E4.4a | Arctic-alpine calcareous grassland | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | E4.4 | Calcareous alpine and subalpine grassland | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | E4.4 | Calciphilous alpine and subalpine grassland | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | E4.4 | Calciphilous alpine and subalpine grassland | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | E4.4 | Calciphilous alpine and subalpine grassland | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | E4.3 | Calciphilous alpine and subalpine grassland | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | E4.3 | Calciphilous alpine grassland | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 36.4 | Boreo-Alpic calciphilous alpine grasslands | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 36.4 | Boreo-Alpic calciphilous alpine grasslands | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 36.4 | same | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 36.4 | same | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 36.4 | same | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 36.4 | same |