EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > U - Inland habitats with no or little soil and mostly with sparse vegetation > U3 - Inland cliffs, rock pavements and outcrops > U34 - Mediterranean siliceous inland cliff

Mediterranean siliceous inland cliff

Description (English)

Siliceous rock walls and cliffs from the lowlands to high mountains in the Mediterranean, formed chiefly of igneous or metamorphic rocks which offer a diversity of niches for colonisation depending on the rock texture, schistosity, moisture content and chemistry. Typically they have cushion or rosulate vascular plants, some of them succulent, ferns and dwarf shrubs, with bryophytes, lichens, epilithic and endolithic micro-organisms.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code U34
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

Flowering Plants Potentilla crassinervia

Flowering Plants Festuca sardoa

Flowering Plants Bupleurum stellatum

Flowering Plants Asarina procumbens

Flowering Plants Hieracium amplexicaule

Flowering Plants Sedum dasyphyllum

Flowering Plants Leucanthemum monspeliense

Ferns Asplenium septentrionale

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
Potentilla crassinervia		Flowering Plants
Festuca sardoa		Flowering Plants
Bupleurum stellatum		Flowering Plants
Asarina procumbens		Flowering Plants
Hieracium amplexicaule		Flowering Plants
Sedum dasyphyllum		Flowering Plants
Leucanthemum monspeliense		Flowering Plants
Asplenium septentrionale		Ferns

Flowering Plants Helichrysum italicum

Ferns Asplenium trichomanes

Flowering Plants Sedum dasyphyllum

Ferns Asplenium septentrionale

Flowering Plants Potentilla crassinervia

Flowering Plants Dianthus sylvestris

Flowering Plants Sedum brevifolium

Flowering Plants Hieracium amplexicaule

Ferns Asplenium adiantum-nigrum

Flowering Plants Festuca sardoa

Flowering Plants Asarina procumbens

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
Helichrysum italicum		Flowering Plants
Asplenium trichomanes		Ferns
Sedum dasyphyllum		Flowering Plants
Asplenium septentrionale		Ferns
Potentilla crassinervia		Flowering Plants
Dianthus sylvestris		Flowering Plants
Sedum brevifolium		Flowering Plants
Hieracium amplexicaule		Flowering Plants
Asplenium adiantum-nigrum		Ferns
Festuca sardoa		Flowering Plants
Asarina procumbens		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)	H3.1	Acid siliceous inland cliffs	narrower
European Red List of Habitats	H3.1d	Mediterranean 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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