Mediterranean inland salt steppe
Description (English)
Halophyte vegetation of inland situations in the Mediterranean region where the soils of flats or gentle hollows are permeated by waters laden with soluble salts from underlying substrates, and are then subject to extreme summer drought, with a surface efflorescence of crystalline deposits. The vegetation can be rich in endemics, but the particular species composition depends on the regional climate and local soil conditions, and there is often a distinctive seasonal pattern of growth and zonation around the hollows. In some regions, the vegetation has provided valuable grazing for sheep and goats in summer drought.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code R61 |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|
Limonium delicatulum | Flowering Plants | |
Sphenopus divaricatus | Flowering Plants | |
Limonium caesium | Flowering Plants | |
Lygeum spartum | Flowering Plants | |
Frankenia pulverulenta | Flowering Plants | |
Sonchus crassifolius | Flowering Plants | |
Limonium costae | Flowering Plants | |
Lepidium cardamines | Flowering Plants | |
Limonium supinum | Flowering Plants | |
Limonium latebracteatum | Flowering Plants | |
Frankenia corymbosa | Flowering Plants | |
Hordeum marinum | Flowering Plants | |
Artemisia barrelieri | 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 |
---|---|---|
Lygeum spartum | Flowering Plants | |
Plantago maritima | Flowering Plants | |
Plantago coronopus | Flowering Plants | |
Limonium delicatulum | Flowering Plants | |
Limonium caesium | Flowering Plants | |
Sphenopus divaricatus | Flowering Plants | |
Phragmites australis | Flowering Plants | |
Hordeum marinum | Flowering Plants | |
Frankenia pulverulenta | Flowering Plants | |
Artemisia herba-alba | 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 |
---|---|---|
Lygeum spartum | Flowering Plants | |
Limonium caesium | Flowering Plants | |
Limonium delicatulum | Flowering Plants | |
Frankenia pulverulenta | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | E6.1 | Mediterranean inland salt steppes | same |
European Red List of Habitats | E6.1 | Mediterranean inland salt steppe | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | E6.1 | Mediterranean inland salt steppes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | E6.1 | Mediterranean inland saline grass and herb-dominated habitats | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | E6.1 | Mediterranean inland saline grass and herb-dominated habitats | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | E6.1 | Mediterranean inland saline grass and herb-dominated habitats | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | E6.1 | Mediterranean inland saline grasslands | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | B4.2 | Inland salt meadows | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 15.8 | Mediterranean salt steppes | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 15.8 | Mediterranean salt steppes | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 15.8 | same | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 15.8 | same | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 15.8 | same | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 15.18 | same |