Boreal and arctic base-rich scree and block field
Description (English)
Boreal and arctic base-rich screes and block fields comprise talus or freeze-thaw block fields of calcareous rocks in the southern boreal to arctic regions, mainly in the Scandinavian Mountains, Iceland and Svalbard. Because of the considerable variation in climate, the habitat harbours a large diversity of species and plant communities, but it includes only sparse assemblages of vascular plants growing in sparse patches. These are dependent on the natural or semi-natural disturbance regime, periodic rockfall and continuing instability of the substrate in the case of screes, and in some regions also a long tradition of grazing.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code U25 |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|
Saussurea alpina | Flowering Plants | |
Thalictrum alpinum | Flowering Plants | |
Selaginella selaginoides | Ferns | |
Tofieldia pusilla | Flowering Plants | |
Juncus biglumis | Flowering Plants | |
Betula nana | Flowering Plants | |
Viola biflora | Flowering Plants | |
Potentilla nivea | Flowering Plants | |
Arenaria pseudofrigida | Flowering Plants | |
Salix reticulata | Flowering Plants | |
Erigeron uniflorus | Flowering Plants | |
Pedicularis palustris | Flowering Plants | |
Trichophorum alpinum | 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 |
---|---|---|
Saussurea alpina | Flowering Plants | |
Selaginella selaginoides | Ferns | |
Festuca ovina | Flowering Plants | |
Viola biflora | Flowering Plants | |
Betula nana | Flowering Plants | |
Vaccinium vitis-idaea | Flowering Plants | |
Thalictrum alpinum | Flowering Plants | |
Vaccinium uliginosum | Flowering Plants | |
Ranunculus acris | Flowering Plants | |
Solidago virgaurea | Flowering Plants | |
Equisetum palustre | Ferns | |
Empetrum nigrum | Flowering Plants | |
Carex bigelowii | Flowering Plants | |
Andromeda polifolia | Flowering Plants | |
Tofieldia pusilla | Flowering Plants | |
Potentilla erecta | Flowering Plants | |
Geranium sylvaticum | Flowering Plants | |
Aulacomnium palustre | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Salix reticulata | 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 |
---|
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | H2.2 | Cold limestone screes | same |
European Red List of Habitats | H2.2 | Boreal and arctic base-rich scree | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | H2.2 | Cold limestone screes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | H2.2 | Cold limestone screes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | H2.2 | Cold limestone screes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | H2.2 | Boreal limestone screes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | H2.2 | Boreal limestone screes | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | H2.2 | Boreo-alpine limestone screes | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 61.62 | Arctic sandwort calcicline screes | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 61.62 | Arctic sandwort calcicline screes | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 61.62 | same | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 61.62 | same |