Temperate mountain Picea forest
Description (English)
Evergreen coniferous forest dominated by spruce, including Picea abies in most temperate European mountain systems, relict Picea omorika in a restricted area in the Dinaric Mountains, and Picea orientalis in the Caucasus. Fir (Abies alba, Abies nordmanniana) can be admixed on acidic, even very oligotrophic, wet, cold or rocky soils in the montane and subalpine belts of the temperate mountain ranges of Europe.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code T31 |
|---|---|
| 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
Conifers
Picea abies
Flowering Plants
Oxalis acetosella
Flowering Plants
Prenanthes purpurea
Conifers
Abies alba
Flowering Plants
Lonicera nigra
Flowering Plants
Melampyrum sylvaticum
Flowering Plants
Veronica urticifolia
Flowering Plants
Luzula luzulina
Flowering Plants
Luzula sylvatica
Flowering Plants
Sorbus aucuparia
Flowering Plants
Polygonatum verticillatum
Flowering Plants
Homogyne alpina
Flowering Plants
Vaccinium myrtillus
Mosses & Liverworts
Polytrichastrum formosum
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Picea abies | Conifers | |
| Oxalis acetosella | Flowering Plants | |
| Prenanthes purpurea | Flowering Plants | |
| Abies alba | Conifers | |
| Lonicera nigra | Flowering Plants | |
| Melampyrum sylvaticum | Flowering Plants | |
| Veronica urticifolia | Flowering Plants | |
| Luzula luzulina | Flowering Plants | |
| Luzula sylvatica | Flowering Plants | |
| Sorbus aucuparia | Flowering Plants | |
| Polygonatum verticillatum | Flowering Plants | |
| Homogyne alpina | Flowering Plants | |
| Vaccinium myrtillus | Flowering Plants | |
| Polytrichastrum formosum | Mosses & Liverworts |
Conifers
Picea abies
Flowering Plants
Vaccinium myrtillus
Flowering Plants
Oxalis acetosella
Flowering Plants
Sorbus aucuparia
Mosses & Liverworts
Dicranum scoparium
Flowering Plants
Fagus sylvatica
Conifers
Abies alba
Flowering Plants
Avenella flexuosa
Ferns
Athyrium filix-femina
Flowering Plants
Rubus idaeus
Flowering Plants
Prenanthes purpurea
Mosses & Liverworts
Polytrichastrum formosum
Flowering Plants
Luzula sylvatica
Mosses & Liverworts
Hylocomium splendens
Flowering Plants
Solidago virgaurea
Flowering Plants
Fragaria vesca
Flowering Plants
Homogyne alpina
Ferns
Dryopteris dilatata
Ferns
Dryopteris filix-mas
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Picea abies | Conifers | |
| Vaccinium myrtillus | Flowering Plants | |
| Oxalis acetosella | Flowering Plants | |
| Sorbus aucuparia | Flowering Plants | |
| Dicranum scoparium | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Fagus sylvatica | Flowering Plants | |
| Abies alba | Conifers | |
| Avenella flexuosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Athyrium filix-femina | Ferns | |
| Rubus idaeus | Flowering Plants | |
| Prenanthes purpurea | Flowering Plants | |
| Polytrichastrum formosum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Luzula sylvatica | Flowering Plants | |
| Hylocomium splendens | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Solidago virgaurea | Flowering Plants | |
| Fragaria vesca | Flowering Plants | |
| Homogyne alpina | Flowering Plants | |
| Dryopteris dilatata | Ferns | |
| Dryopteris filix-mas | Ferns |
Conifers
Picea abies
Flowering Plants
Vaccinium myrtillus
Flowering Plants
Oxalis acetosella
Mosses & Liverworts
Hylocomium splendens
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Picea abies | Conifers | |
| Vaccinium myrtillus | Flowering Plants | |
| Oxalis acetosella | Flowering Plants | |
| Hylocomium splendens | Mosses & Liverworts |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | G3.1 | Abies and Picea woodland | narrower |
| European Red List of Habitats | G3.1a | Temperate mountain Picea woodland | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | G3.1 | Abies and Picea woodland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | G3.1 | Abies and Picea woodland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | G3.1 | Abies and Picea woodland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | G3.1 | Abies and Picea woodland | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | G3.1 | Abies and Picea woodland | same |
