EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > U - Inland habitats with no or little soil and mostly with sparse vegetation > U2 - Screes > U28 - Western Mediterranean base-rich scree

Western Mediterranean base-rich scree

Description (English)

Calcareous and ultrabasic scree, with boulders, rock debris and riverine gravel derived from sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, ultramafics and basic volcanics occurring through the western Mediterranean, from lowlands to the high mountains. Epilithic bryophytes and lichens may be very diverse, particularly in the mountains, where they are mostly found in crevices and other shady and humid microsites of immobile boulders. The vascular plant vegetation comprises hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes adapted to the mechanical disturbance caused by scree movements, shortages in water supply and lack of fine-grained soil. The habitat becomes scarcer and more scattered in the foothills and lowlands and more prone to be affected by human disturbances, such as quarrying and infrastructure development. Nevertheless, high mountain screes are usually well preserved in a very natural state.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code U28
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)	Western Mediterranean and thermophilous scree	8130	Same	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)	Calcareous and ultra-basic screes of warm exposures	H2.6	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 Galeopsis angustifolia

Flowering Plants Ptychotis saxifraga

Flowering Plants Erodium daucoides

Flowering Plants Rumex scutatus

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
Galeopsis angustifolia		Flowering Plants
Ptychotis saxifraga		Flowering Plants
Erodium daucoides		Flowering Plants
Rumex scutatus		Flowering Plants

Flowering Plants Rumex scutatus

Flowering Plants Vincetoxicum hirundinaria

Flowering Plants Picris hieracioides

Flowering Plants Galeopsis angustifolia

Flowering Plants Sedum sediforme

Flowering Plants Melica ciliata

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
Rumex scutatus		Flowering Plants
Vincetoxicum hirundinaria		Flowering Plants
Picris hieracioides		Flowering Plants
Galeopsis angustifolia		Flowering Plants
Sedum sediforme		Flowering Plants
Melica ciliata		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

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)	H2.6	Calcareous and ultra-basic screes of warm exposures	narrower
European Red List of Habitats	H2.6b	Western Mediterranean base-rich scree	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	H2.6	Calcareous and ultra-basic screes of warm exposures	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	H2.6	Calcareous and ultra-basic screes of warm exposures	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	H2.6	Calcareous and ultra-basic screes of warm exposures	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	H2.6	Calcareous and ultra-basic screes of warm exposures	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	H2.6	Calcareous and ultra-basic screes of warm exposures	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	H2.6	Calcareous screes of warm exposures	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	61.5	Illyrian screes	narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	61.4	Eastern Mediterranean screes	narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	61.3	Part of Western Mediterranean and thermophilous screes	narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	61.3	Part of Western Mediterranean and thermophilous screes	narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	61.5	Illyrian calcareous screes	narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	61.3		narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	61.5		narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	61.5		narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	61.3		narrower

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