EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > U - Inland habitats with no or little soil and mostly with sparse vegetation > U3 - Inland cliffs, rock pavements and outcrops > U3B - Mediterranean ultramafic inland cliff

Mediterranean ultramafic inland cliff

Description (English)

Ultramafic rocks and cliffs away from the coast in the Mediterranean have a very scattered distribution and sustain a sparse but highly distinctive flora of a few ferns, seed plants and cryptogams especially adapted for growing in the fissures and crevices of this specific substrate.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code U3B
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 Festucopsis serpentini

Flowering Plants Viola magellensis

Flowering Plants Sesleria coerulans

Flowering Plants Silene schwarzenbergeri

Flowering Plants Hypericum spruneri

Flowering Plants Centaurea micrantha

Flowering Plants Reseda virgata

Flowering Plants Linum elegans

Flowering Plants Genista hassertiana

Flowering Plants Potentilla apennina

Flowering Plants Silene parnassica

Flowering Plants Crepis conyzifolia

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
Festucopsis serpentini		Flowering Plants
Viola magellensis		Flowering Plants
Sesleria coerulans		Flowering Plants
Silene schwarzenbergeri		Flowering Plants
Hypericum spruneri		Flowering Plants
Centaurea micrantha		Flowering Plants
Reseda virgata		Flowering Plants
Linum elegans		Flowering Plants
Genista hassertiana		Flowering Plants
Potentilla apennina		Flowering Plants
Silene parnassica		Flowering Plants
Crepis conyzifolia		Flowering Plants

Flowering Plants Festucopsis serpentini

Flowering Plants Sedum album

Flowering Plants Viola magellensis

Flowering Plants Sesleria coerulans

Flowering Plants Minuartia verna

Flowering Plants Dianthus sylvestris

Ferns Asplenium ceterach

Flowering Plants Tuberaria guttata

Flowering Plants Trifolium arvense

Mosses & Liverworts Tortella tortuosa

Flowering Plants Silene schwarzenbergeri

Flowering Plants Silene parnassica

Flowering Plants Silene multicaulis

Flowering Plants Silene armeria

Flowering Plants Sedum rupestre

Flowering Plants Rumex scutatus

Flowering Plants Reseda virgata

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
Festucopsis serpentini		Flowering Plants
Sedum album		Flowering Plants
Viola magellensis		Flowering Plants
Sesleria coerulans		Flowering Plants
Minuartia verna		Flowering Plants
Dianthus sylvestris		Flowering Plants
Asplenium ceterach		Ferns
Tuberaria guttata		Flowering Plants
Trifolium arvense		Flowering Plants
Tortella tortuosa		Mosses & Liverworts
Silene schwarzenbergeri		Flowering Plants
Silene parnassica		Flowering Plants
Silene multicaulis		Flowering Plants
Silene armeria		Flowering Plants
Sedum rupestre		Flowering Plants
Rumex scutatus		Flowering Plants
Reseda virgata		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	H3.2g	Mediterranean 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

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