EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > T - Forest and other wooded land > T1 - Deciduous broadleaved forest > T18 - Fagus forest on acid soils

Fagus forest on acid soils

Description (English)

Forest dominated by beech (Fagus sylvatica and Fagus orientalis) on oligotrophic, base-poor mineral soils. It occurs through the Atlantic and continental areas of Europe and, at higher altitudes, in the submediterranean zone. Associated broadleaved trees are few and always subordinate in cover, though oaks may be co-dominant. Evergreen conifers like fir (Abies alba) and, at the altitudinal limit, spruce (Picea abies) can figure as minority canopy components. The field layer is generally species-poor.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code T18
Relation to	Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Legal text	Annex	Name in legal text	Code in legal text	Habitat type relationship	More information
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests	9110	Wider	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with Ilex and sometimes also Taxus in the shrublayer (Quercion robori-petraeae or Ilici-Fagenion)	9120	Wider	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Moesian beech forests	91W0	Overlap	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Fagus woodland	G1.6	Narrower	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Indicator species

Diagnostic species

Constant species

Dominant species

Flowering Plants Fagus sylvatica

Mosses & Liverworts Polytrichastrum formosum

Flowering Plants Luzula luzuloides

Flowering Plants Quercus petraea

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
Fagus sylvatica		Flowering Plants
Polytrichastrum formosum		Mosses & Liverworts
Luzula luzuloides		Flowering Plants
Quercus petraea		Flowering Plants

Flowering Plants Fagus sylvatica

Flowering Plants Avenella flexuosa

Flowering Plants Vaccinium myrtillus

Mosses & Liverworts Polytrichastrum formosum

Flowering Plants Sorbus aucuparia

Ferns Pteridium aquilinum

Flowering Plants Luzula luzuloides

Flowering Plants Quercus petraea

Conifers Picea abies

Flowering Plants Rubus fruticosus

Flowering Plants Oxalis acetosella

Mosses & Liverworts Dicranum scoparium

Flowering Plants Ilex aquifolium

Conifers Abies alba

Flowering Plants Carex pilulifera

Flowering Plants Quercus robur

Ferns Athyrium filix-femina

Flowering Plants Maianthemum bifolium

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
Fagus sylvatica		Flowering Plants
Avenella flexuosa		Flowering Plants
Vaccinium myrtillus		Flowering Plants
Polytrichastrum formosum		Mosses & Liverworts
Sorbus aucuparia		Flowering Plants
Pteridium aquilinum		Ferns
Luzula luzuloides		Flowering Plants
Quercus petraea		Flowering Plants
Picea abies		Conifers
Rubus fruticosus		Flowering Plants
Oxalis acetosella		Flowering Plants
Dicranum scoparium		Mosses & Liverworts
Ilex aquifolium		Flowering Plants
Abies alba		Conifers
Carex pilulifera		Flowering Plants
Quercus robur		Flowering Plants
Athyrium filix-femina		Ferns
Maianthemum bifolium		Flowering Plants

Flowering Plants Fagus sylvatica

Flowering Plants Vaccinium myrtillus

Flowering Plants Avenella flexuosa

Flowering Plants Quercus petraea

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
Fagus sylvatica		Flowering Plants
Vaccinium myrtillus		Flowering Plants
Avenella flexuosa		Flowering Plants
Quercus petraea		Flowering Plants

Please note that a maximum of 20 species of each indicator category is shown.

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	G1.6	Fagus woodland	narrower
European Red List of Habitats	G1.6b	Fagus woodland on acid soils	same

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	G1.6	Fagus woodland	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	G1.6	Fagus woodland	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	G1.6	Fagus woodland	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	G1.6	Fagus woodland	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	G1.6	Fagus woodland	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	G1.7	Beech woodland	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	41.1	Beech forests	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	41.1	Beech forests	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	41.1		same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	41.1		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991	41.1		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989	41.1		same

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Fagus forest on acid soils

Description (English)

Quick facts

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Indicator species

Other classifications

History