EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > U - Inland habitats with no or little soil and mostly with sparse vegetation > U6 - Recent volcanic features > U62 - Mediterranean, Macaronesian and temperate volcanic field

Mediterranean, Macaronesian and temperate volcanic field

Description (English)

Sparsely vegetated volcanic areas of Mediterranean and Macaronesian regions, comprising mostly recently deposited volcanic scoriae (tephra), lava flows or orifices in volcanic areas emitting hot gases and vapours in Italy and the Canary Islands. Intense solar radiation, remarkable daily temperature variations, long-lasting snow-cover and mechanical disturbances caused by strong winds are usual conditions for this habitat type. Large areas are completely unvegetated or only covered by some bryophytes and lichens or a scattered and, on fragmentary soils, a discontinuous cover of a few, vascular plants.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code U62
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)	Fields of lava and natural excavations	8320	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 Rumex aetnensis

Flowering Plants Anthemis aetnensis

Flowering Plants Scleranthus perennis subsp. vulcanicus

Flowering Plants Silene nocteolens

Flowering Plants Rhaponticum centauroides

Flowering Plants Saponaria sicula

Flowering Plants Cerastium tomentosum

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
Rumex aetnensis		Flowering Plants
Anthemis aetnensis		Flowering Plants
Scleranthus perennis subsp. vulcanicus		Flowering Plants
Silene nocteolens		Flowering Plants
Rhaponticum centauroides		Flowering Plants
Saponaria sicula		Flowering Plants
Cerastium tomentosum		Flowering Plants

Flowering Plants Rumex aetnensis

Flowering Plants Anthemis aetnensis

Flowering Plants Scleranthus perennis subsp. vulcanicus

Flowering Plants Silene nocteolens

Flowering Plants Cerastium tomentosum

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
Rumex aetnensis		Flowering Plants
Anthemis aetnensis		Flowering Plants
Scleranthus perennis subsp. vulcanicus		Flowering Plants
Silene nocteolens		Flowering Plants
Cerastium tomentosum		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)	H6.2	Inactive recent volcanic features	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	H6.1	Active volcanic features	overlap
European Red List of Habitats	H6.1	Mediterranean and temperate volcanic field	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	H6.2	Inactive recent volcanic features	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	H6.1	Active volcanic features	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	H6.2	Inactive recent volcanic features	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	H6.1	Active volcanic features	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	H6.1	Active volcanic features	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	H6.2	Inactive recent volcanic features	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	H6.2	Unvegetated lava and ash fields	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	H6.3	Fumaroles, solfataras and mofettes	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	H6.3	Fumaroles, solfataras and mofettes	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	H6.2	Unvegetated lava and ash fields	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	H6.2	Unvegetated lava and ash fields	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	H6.3	Fumaroles, solfataras and mofettes	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	66.6	Fumaroles, solfataras and mofettes	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	66.6	Fumaroles, solfataras and mofettes	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	66.6		same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	66.6		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991	66.6		same

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