Lowland moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringe

Description (English)

Tall-herb and fern-dominated communities of moist, sometimes flooded nutrient-rich soils in the lowlands and low mountain areas of Europe, up to the subalpine zone, through the temperate, boreal and submediterranean regions. The relatively species-rich vegetation may be found in river floodplains, along smaller watercourses, in the shade at the edge of forests, often as narrow strips, and, as secondary vegetation after the abandonment of pastures and especially meadows. The species composition is quite diverse, depending on the altitude, geographic distribution and location in the landscape.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code R55
Relation to Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)
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 Urtica dioica

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
Urtica dioica Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Urtica dioica
Flowering Plants Filipendula ulmaria
Flowering Plants Galium aparine
Flowering Plants Ranunculus repens
Flowering Plants Dactylis glomerata
Flowering Plants Calystegia sepium
Flowering Plants Angelica sylvestris
Flowering Plants Aegopodium podagraria
Flowering Plants Glechoma hederacea
Flowering Plants Heracleum sphondylium
Flowering Plants Agrostis stolonifera
Flowering Plants Lythrum salicaria
Flowering Plants Anthriscus sylvestris
Flowering Plants Rumex obtusifolius
Flowering Plants Lysimachia vulgaris
Flowering Plants Deschampsia cespitosa

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
Urtica dioica Flowering Plants
Filipendula ulmaria Flowering Plants
Galium aparine Flowering Plants
Ranunculus repens Flowering Plants
Dactylis glomerata Flowering Plants
Calystegia sepium Flowering Plants
Angelica sylvestris Flowering Plants
Aegopodium podagraria Flowering Plants
Glechoma hederacea Flowering Plants
Heracleum sphondylium Flowering Plants
Agrostis stolonifera Flowering Plants
Lythrum salicaria Flowering Plants
Anthriscus sylvestris Flowering Plants
Rumex obtusifolius Flowering Plants
Lysimachia vulgaris Flowering Plants
Deschampsia cespitosa Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Urtica dioica
Flowering Plants Filipendula ulmaria
Flowering Plants Petasites hybridus

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
Urtica dioica Flowering Plants
Filipendula ulmaria Flowering Plants
Petasites hybridus Flowering Plants

Other classifications

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 E5.4 Moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringes and meadows same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 E5.4 Moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringes and meadows same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 E5.4 Moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringes and meadows same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 E5.4 Moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringes and meadows same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 E3.6 Moist or wet tall-herb fringes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 E2.6 Moist or wet tall-herb fringes same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 37.1 Lowland tall herb communities narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 37.7 Humid tall herb fringes narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 37.7 Humid tall herb fringes narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 37.1 Lowland tall herb communities narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 37.7   narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 37.1   narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 37.7   narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 37.1   narrower
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 37.7   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 37.7   same
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