EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > U - Inland habitats with no or little soil and mostly with sparse vegetation > U3 - Inland cliffs, rock pavements and outcrops > U38 - Mediterranean base-rich inland cliff

Mediterranean base-rich inland cliff

Description (English)

Cliffs of limestone, calcareous conglomerates and other base-rich rocks in the lowlands to high mountains throughout the Mediterranean basin (excluding salt-sprayed coastal situations). They are characterized by a diverse flora of calcicole perennial vascular plants, often of rosulate, prostrate, succulent and cushion form, tussock grasses, small ferns, dwarf shrubs, shrubs and sometimes woody climbers and small trees, rooted in fissures and crevices. There are also bryophytes, lichens and epi- and endolithic micro-organisms. Towards the foothills and lowlands, the habitat is more prone to be affected by human disturbances, especially its species composition. High-mountain cliffs are usually well preserved, with a high degree of naturalness.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code U38
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

Ferns Asplenium ceterach

Flowering Plants Sarcocapnos enneaphylla

Ferns Asplenium petrarchae

Ferns Asplenium fontanum

Flowering Plants Sedum creticum

Flowering Plants Phagnalon sordidum

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 ceterach		Ferns
Sarcocapnos enneaphylla		Flowering Plants
Asplenium petrarchae		Ferns
Asplenium fontanum		Ferns
Sedum creticum		Flowering Plants
Phagnalon sordidum		Flowering Plants

Ferns Asplenium trichomanes

Ferns Asplenium ceterach

Ferns Asplenium ruta-muraria

Flowering Plants Sedum dasyphyllum

Flowering Plants Campanula rotundifolia

Flowering Plants Thymus vulgaris

Flowering Plants Sanguisorba minor

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 trichomanes		Ferns
Asplenium ceterach		Ferns
Asplenium ruta-muraria		Ferns
Sedum dasyphyllum		Flowering Plants
Campanula rotundifolia		Flowering Plants
Thymus vulgaris		Flowering Plants
Sanguisorba minor		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	H3.2d	Mediterranean 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

Write to us

Call us

Sections