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
Flowering Plants
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
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 |
Flowering Plants
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
Mosses & Liverworts
Tortella tortuosa
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 |
Flowering Plants
Sesleria caerulea
Flowering Plants
Carex sempervirens
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 |
