Macaronesian laurophyllous forest
Description (English)
Evergreen laurophyllous forest (laurisilva) on deep soils in the hyper-humid, frost-free fog belt mainly on the northern slopes in the mountains on some Macaronesian islands. The tree and shrub canopy is very diverse and rich in endemics, with striking differences related to climatic conditions across the different island groups, local topography and long isolation of the floras.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code T23 |
|---|---|
| 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
Laurus azorica
Flowering Plants
Persea indica
Flowering Plants
Ilex canariensis
Flowering Plants
Semele androgyna
Flowering Plants
Ocotea foetens
Ferns
Dryopteris crispifolia
Ferns
Asplenium hemionitis
Flowering Plants
Urtica morifolia
Flowering Plants
Jasminum odoratissimum
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Laurus azorica | Flowering Plants | |
| Persea indica | Flowering Plants | |
| Ilex canariensis | Flowering Plants | |
| Semele androgyna | Flowering Plants | |
| Ocotea foetens | Flowering Plants | |
| Dryopteris crispifolia | Ferns | |
| Asplenium hemionitis | Ferns | |
| Urtica morifolia | Flowering Plants | |
| Jasminum odoratissimum | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Laurus azorica
Flowering Plants
Erica arborea
Ferns
Pteridium aquilinum
Flowering Plants
Ilex canariensis
Flowering Plants
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Ferns
Asplenium adiantum-nigrum
Flowering Plants
Viburnum tinus
Flowering Plants
Rubia peregrina
Flowering Plants
Persea indica
Flowering Plants
Hedera helix
Flowering Plants
Rubus ulmifolius
Flowering Plants
Galium scabrum
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Laurus azorica | Flowering Plants | |
| Erica arborea | Flowering Plants | |
| Pteridium aquilinum | Ferns | |
| Ilex canariensis | Flowering Plants | |
| Brachypodium sylvaticum | Flowering Plants | |
| Asplenium adiantum-nigrum | Ferns | |
| Viburnum tinus | Flowering Plants | |
| Rubia peregrina | Flowering Plants | |
| Persea indica | Flowering Plants | |
| Hedera helix | Flowering Plants | |
| Rubus ulmifolius | Flowering Plants | |
| Galium scabrum | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Laurus azorica
Flowering Plants
Viburnum tinus
Flowering Plants
Picconia excelsa
Flowering Plants
Persea indica
Flowering Plants
Erica arborea
Ferns
Pteridium aquilinum
Flowering Plants
Ocotea foetens
Flowering Plants
Ilex canariensis
Flowering Plants
Hedera helix
Ferns
Diplazium caudatum
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Laurus azorica | Flowering Plants | |
| Viburnum tinus | Flowering Plants | |
| Picconia excelsa | Flowering Plants | |
| Persea indica | Flowering Plants | |
| Erica arborea | Flowering Plants | |
| Pteridium aquilinum | Ferns | |
| Ocotea foetens | Flowering Plants | |
| Ilex canariensis | Flowering Plants | |
| Hedera helix | Flowering Plants | |
| Diplazium caudatum | Ferns |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | G2.3 | Macaronesian Laurus woodland | same |
| European Red List of Habitats | G2.3 | Macaronesian laurophyllous woodland | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | G2.3 | Macaronesian Laurus woodland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | G2.3 | Macaronesian Laurus woodland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | G2.3 | Macaronesian Laurus woodland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | G2.3 | Macaronesian Laurus woodland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | G2.3 | Macaronesian Laurus woodland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | G2.3 | Macaronesian laurel woodland | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 45.6 | Macaronesian laurel forests | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 45.6 | Macaronesian laurel forests | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 45.6 | same | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 45.6 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 45.6 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 45.6 | same |
