EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > U - Inland habitats with no or little soil and mostly with sparse vegetation > U3 - Inland cliffs, rock pavements and outcrops > U3A - Temperate ultramafic inland cliff

Temperate ultramafic inland cliff

Description (English)

Warmer south-facing cliffs of ultramafic rocks from the lowlands to the alpine belt of the temperate zone. They have an open cover of a distinctive crevice-rooting flora, mostly annuals, grasses and certain ferns, specialized for the mineral content of the shallow soils. The habitat supports some endemic plants.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code U3A
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 adulterinum

Flowering Plants Hedysarum macedonicum

Flowering Plants Hieracium waldsteinii

Flowering Plants Festuca pallens

Flowering Plants Erysimum linariifolium

Flowering Plants Moltkia petraea

Mosses & Liverworts Anomodon attenuatus

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 adulterinum		Ferns
Hedysarum macedonicum		Flowering Plants
Hieracium waldsteinii		Flowering Plants
Festuca pallens		Flowering Plants
Erysimum linariifolium		Flowering Plants
Moltkia petraea		Flowering Plants
Anomodon attenuatus		Mosses & Liverworts

Flowering Plants Thymus praecox

Ferns Asplenium adulterinum

Flowering Plants Silene vulgaris

Flowering Plants Festuca pallens

Flowering Plants Campanula rotundifolia

Flowering Plants Thymus pulegioides

Flowering Plants Poa pratensis

Flowering Plants Poa badensis

Flowering Plants Plantago holosteum

Flowering Plants Minuartia verna

Flowering Plants Festuca ovina

Ferns Asplenium trichomanes

Ferns Asplenium ruta-muraria

Flowering Plants Achillea millefolium

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
Thymus praecox		Flowering Plants
Asplenium adulterinum		Ferns
Silene vulgaris		Flowering Plants
Festuca pallens		Flowering Plants
Campanula rotundifolia		Flowering Plants
Thymus pulegioides		Flowering Plants
Poa pratensis		Flowering Plants
Poa badensis		Flowering Plants
Plantago holosteum		Flowering Plants
Minuartia verna		Flowering Plants
Festuca ovina		Flowering Plants
Asplenium trichomanes		Ferns
Asplenium ruta-muraria		Ferns
Achillea millefolium		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	H3.2f	Temperate ultramafic 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