EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > U - Inland habitats with no or little soil and mostly with sparse vegetation > U3 - Inland cliffs, rock pavements and outcrops > U36 - Temperate high-mountain base-rich inland cliff

Temperate high-mountain base-rich inland cliff

Description (English)

Calcareous or base-rich rock faces and crevices at high altitudes of European mountain ranges in the temperate region. The chasmophytes, dwarf and cushion-like chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes, and numerous fern species and bryophytes, are very well adapted to the extreme habitat conditions, like strong solar radiation, a low water content, high day/night and seasonal temperature fluctuations, strong winds, and the absence of snow cover protection. The soil is in general very poorly developed but can accumulate in crevices. Variation in the vascular flora is high across the continent, and due to geographical isolation and variety in site conditions, numerous relict, endemic, rare and protected species can be found on these cliffs.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code U36
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)	Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation	8210	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)	Basic and ultra-basic inland cliffs	H3.2	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 Saxifraga squarrosa

Flowering Plants Campanula zoysii

Flowering Plants Androsace helvetica

Flowering Plants Carex firma

Flowering Plants Saxifraga media

Flowering Plants Potentilla nitida

Flowering Plants Globularia repens

Flowering Plants Artemisia umbelliformis

Flowering Plants Primula auricula

Flowering Plants Carex mucronata

Flowering Plants Trisetum alpestre

Flowering Plants Draba stellata

Flowering Plants Phyteuma charmelii

Flowering Plants Saxifraga paniculata

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
Saxifraga squarrosa		Flowering Plants
Campanula zoysii		Flowering Plants
Androsace helvetica		Flowering Plants
Carex firma		Flowering Plants
Saxifraga media		Flowering Plants
Potentilla nitida		Flowering Plants
Globularia repens		Flowering Plants
Artemisia umbelliformis		Flowering Plants
Primula auricula		Flowering Plants
Carex mucronata		Flowering Plants
Trisetum alpestre		Flowering Plants
Draba stellata		Flowering Plants
Phyteuma charmelii		Flowering Plants
Saxifraga paniculata		Flowering Plants

Flowering Plants Saxifraga paniculata

Flowering Plants Carex firma

Flowering Plants Globularia repens

Ferns Cystopteris fragilis

Flowering Plants Sesleria caerulea

Ferns Asplenium ruta-muraria

Flowering Plants Silene acaulis

Flowering Plants Saxifraga oppositifolia

Flowering Plants Primula auricula

Flowering Plants Viola biflora

Flowering Plants Saxifraga moschata

Flowering Plants Saxifraga squarrosa

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
Saxifraga paniculata		Flowering Plants
Carex firma		Flowering Plants
Globularia repens		Flowering Plants
Cystopteris fragilis		Ferns
Sesleria caerulea		Flowering Plants
Asplenium ruta-muraria		Ferns
Silene acaulis		Flowering Plants
Saxifraga oppositifolia		Flowering Plants
Primula auricula		Flowering Plants
Viola biflora		Flowering Plants
Saxifraga moschata		Flowering Plants
Saxifraga squarrosa		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)	H3.2	Basic and ultra-basic inland cliffs	narrower
European Red List of Habitats	H3.2b	Temperate high-mountain base-rich inland cliff	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	H3.2	Basic and ultra-basic inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	H3.2	Basic and ultra-basic inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	H3.2	Basic and ultra-basic inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	H3.2	Basic and ultra-basic inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	H3.2	Basic and ultra-basic inland cliffs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	H3.1	Calcareous inland cliffs	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	62.1	Vegetated calcareous inland cliffs	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	62.1	Vegetated calcareous inland cliffs	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	62.1		same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	62.1		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991	62.1		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989	62.1		same

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