Sphagnum and Eriophorum rafts

Description (English)

Transition mire communities formed by floating, sometimes drifting, carpets of sphagna, in particular, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum recurvum, Sphagnum auriculatum (Sphagnum obesum) or of sphagna and Eriophorum angustifolium. They may constitute fairly large transition mire communities in permanent heath pools, periglacial palsas, large raised bog and blanket bog pools and in former peat extraction holes. They often succeed the communities of unit D2.39 in the colonization process. They have an appearance that ranges from low, barely emerging sphagnum mats to fairly dense cottonsedge beds. Drosera rotundifolia is often abundant. The sphagnum and common cottongrass communities are an important habitat for the threatened bog orchid Hammarbya paludosa.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code Q258

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Flowering Plants Drosera rotundifolia
Flowering Plants Eriophorum angustifolium
Flowering Plants Hammarbya paludosa
Mosses & Liverworts Sphagnum auriculatum
Mosses & Liverworts Sphagnum cuspidatum
Mosses & Liverworts Sphagnum recurvum
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Drosera rotundifolia Flowering Plants
Eriophorum angustifolium Flowering Plants
Hammarbya paludosa Flowering Plants
Sphagnum auriculatum Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum cuspidatum Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum recurvum Mosses & Liverworts

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) D2.38 Sphagnum and Eriophorum rafts same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 D2.38 Sphagnum and Eriophorum rafts same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 D2.38 Sphagnum and Eriophorum rafts same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 D2.38 Sphagnum and Eriophorum rafts same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 D2.38 Sphagnum and Eriophorum rafts same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 D2.38 Sphagnum and Eriophorum rafts same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 D3.18 Sphagnum and cottonsedge rafts same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 54.58 Sphagnum and cottonsedge rafts same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 54.58 Sphagnum and cottonsedge rafts same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 54.58   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 54.58   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 54.58   same
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