Alpine and subalpine ericoid heath
Description (English)
Dwarf-shrub vegetation dominated by ericoids and other woody species (not juniper or genistoids) occurring in high mountains throughout Europe, varying in dominants and associates according to regional climate, degree of exposure and snow lie, soil reaction, soil depth and moisture.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code S22 |
|---|---|
| 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
Dryas octopetala
Flowering Plants
Homogyne alpina
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dryas octopetala | Flowering Plants | |
| Homogyne alpina | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Vaccinium myrtillus
Flowering Plants
Vaccinium uliginosum
Flowering Plants
Avenella flexuosa
Flowering Plants
Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Flowering Plants
Homogyne alpina
Flowering Plants
Dryas octopetala
Flowering Plants
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Flowering Plants
Calluna vulgaris
Flowering Plants
Nardus stricta
Flowering Plants
Potentilla erecta
Flowering Plants
Festuca rubra
Flowering Plants
Carex sempervirens
Flowering Plants
Sesleria caerulea
Fungi
Cetraria islandica
Flowering Plants
Rhododendron ferrugineum
Flowering Plants
Potentilla aurea
Flowering Plants
Campanula scheuchzeri
Flowering Plants
Lotus corniculatus
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccinium myrtillus | Flowering Plants | |
| Vaccinium uliginosum | Flowering Plants | |
| Avenella flexuosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Vaccinium vitis-idaea | Flowering Plants | |
| Homogyne alpina | Flowering Plants | |
| Dryas octopetala | Flowering Plants | |
| Anthoxanthum odoratum | Flowering Plants | |
| Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
| Nardus stricta | Flowering Plants | |
| Potentilla erecta | Flowering Plants | |
| Festuca rubra | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex sempervirens | Flowering Plants | |
| Sesleria caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
| Cetraria islandica | Fungi | |
| Rhododendron ferrugineum | Flowering Plants | |
| Potentilla aurea | Flowering Plants | |
| Campanula scheuchzeri | Flowering Plants | |
| Lotus corniculatus | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Vaccinium myrtillus
Flowering Plants
Dryas octopetala
Flowering Plants
Vaccinium uliginosum
Flowering Plants
Calluna vulgaris
Flowering Plants
Rhododendron ferrugineum
Flowering Plants
Loiseleuria procumbens
Flowering Plants
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccinium myrtillus | Flowering Plants | |
| Dryas octopetala | Flowering Plants | |
| Vaccinium uliginosum | Flowering Plants | |
| Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
| Rhododendron ferrugineum | Flowering Plants | |
| Loiseleuria procumbens | Flowering Plants | |
| Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | F2.2 | Evergreen alpine and subalpine heath and scrub | narrower |
| European Red List of Habitats | F2.2a | Alpine and subalpine ericoid heath | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | F2.2 | Evergreen alpine and subalpine heath and scrub | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | F2.2 | Evergreen alpine and subalpine heath and scrub | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | F2.2 | Evergreen alpine and subalpine heath and scrub | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | F2.2 | Evergreen alpine and subalpine heath and scrub | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | F3.2 | Alpine, subalpine and boreal heaths and dwarf-shrub mats | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | F3.2 | Alpine and boreal heaths and dwarf-shrub mats | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 31.4 | Alpine and boreal heaths | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 31.4 | Alpine and boreal heaths | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 31.4 | same | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 31.4 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 31.4 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 31.4 | same |
