Thermophilous forest fringe of base-rich soils
Description (English)
Fringe communities on neutral to base-rich, only moderately nutrient-rich soils in the transition zone between forests or scrub and open habitats or in similar situations alongside cliffs and on roadsides. They occur across large parts of lowland North-Western Europe, but also extending into more continental regions where they fringe more open thermophilous forests, and into cooler montane levels to the south and south-east. Typically comprising half-shade plants, other species of neighbouring habitats can also find a place and, in calcareous landscapes, the vegetation can be very species-rich, harbouring many rare and/or endangered species. This vegetation depends on grazing or mowing to prevent succession.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code R51 |
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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 |
---|---|---|
Geranium sanguineum | Flowering Plants | |
Trifolium medium | Flowering Plants | |
Peucedanum cervaria | Flowering Plants | |
Origanum vulgare | 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 |
---|---|---|
Dactylis glomerata | Flowering Plants | |
Geranium sanguineum | Flowering Plants | |
Achillea millefolium | Flowering Plants | |
Trifolium medium | Flowering Plants | |
Origanum vulgare | Flowering Plants | |
Poa pratensis | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia cyparissias | Flowering Plants | |
Galium mollugo | Flowering Plants | |
Vincetoxicum hirundinaria | Flowering Plants | |
Hypericum perforatum | Flowering Plants | |
Brachypodium pinnatum | Flowering Plants | |
Galium verum | Flowering Plants | |
Clinopodium vulgare | Flowering Plants | |
Fragaria vesca | Flowering Plants | |
Arrhenatherum elatius | Flowering Plants | |
Polygonatum odoratum | Flowering Plants | |
Festuca rubra | Flowering Plants | |
Teucrium chamaedrys | Flowering Plants | |
Agrimonia eupatoria | 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 |
---|---|---|
Trifolium medium | Flowering Plants | |
Geranium sanguineum | Flowering Plants | |
Vincetoxicum hirundinaria | Flowering Plants | |
Peucedanum cervaria | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | E5.2 | Thermophile woodland fringes | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | E5.21 | Xero-thermophile fringes | narrower |
European Red List of Habitats | E5.2a | Thermophilous woodland fringe of base-rich soils | same |