EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > U - Inland habitats with no or little soil and mostly with sparse vegetation > U3 - Inland cliffs, rock pavements and outcrops > U33 - Temperate, lowland to montane siliceous inland cliff

Temperate, lowland to montane siliceous inland cliff

Description (English)

Siliceous rock walls and cliffs in the nemoral region except those in the high mountains and coastal cliffs subject to sea spray. They comprise diverse metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks but also some non-calcareous but more or less base-rich igneous volcanics. The vegetation in the rock fissures and crevices consists of vascular plants such as small ferns, succulents and rosulate herbs, on the rock surface also mosses and hepatics, crustose and foliose lichens, micro-algae and other micro-organisms. Natural succession can lead to scrub and woodland development.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code U33
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

Indicator species

Diagnostic species

Constant species

Dominant species

Ferns Asplenium septentrionale

Ferns Asplenium obovatum

Flowering Plants Hieracium umbellatum

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
Asplenium septentrionale		Ferns
Asplenium obovatum		Ferns
Hieracium umbellatum		Flowering Plants

Ferns Asplenium septentrionale

Flowering Plants Campanula rotundifolia

Ferns Asplenium trichomanes

Flowering Plants Hieracium umbellatum

Ferns Polypodium vulgare

Ferns Asplenium adiantum-nigrum

Flowering Plants Rumex acetosella

Flowering Plants Festuca ovina

Flowering Plants Hylotelephium maximum

Ferns Cystopteris fragilis

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
Asplenium septentrionale		Ferns
Campanula rotundifolia		Flowering Plants
Asplenium trichomanes		Ferns
Hieracium umbellatum		Flowering Plants
Polypodium vulgare		Ferns
Asplenium adiantum-nigrum		Ferns
Rumex acetosella		Flowering Plants
Festuca ovina		Flowering Plants
Hylotelephium maximum		Flowering Plants
Cystopteris fragilis		Ferns

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)	H3.1	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	narrower
European Red List of Habitats	H3.1c	Temperate, lowland to montane 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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