EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > U - Inland habitats with no or little soil and mostly with sparse vegetation > U3 - Inland cliffs, rock pavements and outcrops > U31 - Boreal and arctic siliceous inland cliff

Boreal and arctic siliceous inland cliff

Description (English)

Siliceous rock faces and cliffs, mostly of hard crystalline rocks, soft mica schist and some volcanics, in the boreal and arctic biogeographical regions, though not including sea cliffs with salt spray influence or very wet, dripping vertical rock faces. The vegetation consists of a limited vascular flora growing in crevices and on ledges, with epilithic bryophytes, lichens as well as micro-algae on rock faces, overhangs and in all kinds of sheltered microsites. Although the rock types are all base-poor, they show marked variation in their chemical composition and stratigraphy and can harbour a great diversity of vascular plants and cryptogams in many different assemblages, differentiated into many microhabitats.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code U31
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)	Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation	8220	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]
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)	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	H3.1	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

Species mentioned in habitat description

Not available

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	H3.1	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	narrower
European Red List of Habitats	H3.1a	Boreal and arctic siliceous inland cliff	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	H3.1	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	H3.1	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	H3.1	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	H3.1	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	H3.1	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	H3.2	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	62.2	Vegetated siliceous inland cliffs	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	62.2	Vegetated siliceous inland cliffs	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	62.2		same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	62.2		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991	62.2		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989	62.2		same

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