Montane to subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringe
Description (English)
Tall forb and fern vegetation of moist, fertile soils in relatively cool and humid conditions through high levels of the mountain ranges of Europe, having its optimum in the subalpine zone but also occurring in the Arctic lowlands of Scandinavia. Typically found as strips along streams and on the edges of forests, in the shelter of large rocks, on mountain ledges and under scrub, sometimes also fringing snowbeds where it benefits from protection from winter frosts. The vegetation is often very rich in species and hosts many local and regional endemics, as well as widespread montane plants. Vulnerable to grazing by wild herbivores and stock, but often protected by its remoteness.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code R56 |
|---|---|
| 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
Rumex alpinus
Flowering Plants
Adenostyles alliariae
Flowering Plants
Carduus personata
Flowering Plants
Chaerophyllum hirsutum
Flowering Plants
Peucedanum ostruthium
Flowering Plants
Doronicum austriacum
Flowering Plants
Aconitum napellus
Flowering Plants
Veratrum album
Ferns
Athyrium distentifolium
Flowering Plants
Ranunculus platanifolius
Flowering Plants
Saxifraga rotundifolia
Flowering Plants
Ranunculus aconitifolius
Flowering Plants
Geranium sylvaticum
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rumex alpinus | Flowering Plants | |
| Adenostyles alliariae | Flowering Plants | |
| Carduus personata | Flowering Plants | |
| Chaerophyllum hirsutum | Flowering Plants | |
| Peucedanum ostruthium | Flowering Plants | |
| Doronicum austriacum | Flowering Plants | |
| Aconitum napellus | Flowering Plants | |
| Veratrum album | Flowering Plants | |
| Athyrium distentifolium | Ferns | |
| Ranunculus platanifolius | Flowering Plants | |
| Saxifraga rotundifolia | Flowering Plants | |
| Ranunculus aconitifolius | Flowering Plants | |
| Geranium sylvaticum | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Geranium sylvaticum
Flowering Plants
Adenostyles alliariae
Flowering Plants
Rumex alpinus
Flowering Plants
Chaerophyllum hirsutum
Flowering Plants
Urtica dioica
Flowering Plants
Deschampsia cespitosa
Flowering Plants
Viola biflora
Flowering Plants
Veratrum album
Flowering Plants
Senecio nemorensis
Flowering Plants
Rubus idaeus
Flowering Plants
Saxifraga rotundifolia
Flowering Plants
Peucedanum ostruthium
Flowering Plants
Silene dioica
Flowering Plants
Heracleum sphondylium
Ferns
Athyrium filix-femina
Flowering Plants
Aconitum napellus
Flowering Plants
Oxalis acetosella
Flowering Plants
Hypericum maculatum
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Geranium sylvaticum | Flowering Plants | |
| Adenostyles alliariae | Flowering Plants | |
| Rumex alpinus | Flowering Plants | |
| Chaerophyllum hirsutum | Flowering Plants | |
| Urtica dioica | Flowering Plants | |
| Deschampsia cespitosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Viola biflora | Flowering Plants | |
| Veratrum album | Flowering Plants | |
| Senecio nemorensis | Flowering Plants | |
| Rubus idaeus | Flowering Plants | |
| Saxifraga rotundifolia | Flowering Plants | |
| Peucedanum ostruthium | Flowering Plants | |
| Silene dioica | Flowering Plants | |
| Heracleum sphondylium | Flowering Plants | |
| Athyrium filix-femina | Ferns | |
| Aconitum napellus | Flowering Plants | |
| Oxalis acetosella | Flowering Plants | |
| Hypericum maculatum | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Rumex alpinus
Flowering Plants
Adenostyles alliariae
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rumex alpinus | Flowering Plants | |
| Adenostyles alliariae | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | E5.5 | Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern stands | same |
| European Red List of Habitats | E5.5 | Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringe | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | E5.5 | Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern stands | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | E5.5 | Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern habitats | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | E5.5 | Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern habitats | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | E5.5 | Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern habitats | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | E4.5 | Alpine and subalpine tall herb and Pteridium aquilinum stands | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | E4.5 | Subalpine and alpine tall-herb stands | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 37.8 | Subalpine and alpine tall herb communities | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 37.8 | Subalpine and alpine tall herb communities | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 37.8 | same | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 37.8 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 37.8 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 37.8 | same |
