Icelandic black sedge-brown moss fens

Description (English)

Carex nigra-dominated fen communities of the lowlands of Iceland with a variable species cortège that may include Carex rariflora, Carex lyngbyei, Carex canescens, Eriophorum angustifolium, Scirpus cespitosus ssp. cespitosus (Trichophorum cespitosum), Juncus filiformis, Calamagrostis stricta, Potentilla palustris, Menyanthes trifoliata, Polygonum viviparum, Pinguicula vulgaris, Salix callicarpaea (Salix arctica), Equisetum palustre, Selaginella selaginoides and bryophytes Drepanocladus revolvens, Calliergonella cuspidata, Polytrichum commune, Aulacomnium palustre, Calliergon sarmentosum, Calliergon stramineum, Calliergon giganteum, Cinclidium stygium, Cinclidium subrotundum, Climacium dendroides, Hypnum spp., Oncophorus wahlenbergii, Sphagnum girgensohnii. Hummocks with heath mosses and sphagna are common; these communities are modified by grazing, resulting, notably, in a reduced willow component.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code Q4223

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Flowering Plants Carex nigra
Mosses & Liverworts Aulacomnium palustre
Mosses & Liverworts Calliergon giganteum
Mosses & Liverworts Calliergon sarmentosum
Mosses & Liverworts Calliergon stramineum
Mosses & Liverworts Calliergonella cuspidata
Mosses & Liverworts Cinclidium stygium
Mosses & Liverworts Cinclidium subrotundum
Mosses & Liverworts Climacium dendroides
Mosses & Liverworts Drepanocladus revolvens
Mosses & Liverworts Polytrichum commune
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Carex nigra Flowering Plants
Aulacomnium palustre Mosses & Liverworts
Calliergon giganteum Mosses & Liverworts
Calliergon sarmentosum Mosses & Liverworts
Calliergon stramineum Mosses & Liverworts
Calliergonella cuspidata Mosses & Liverworts
Cinclidium stygium Mosses & Liverworts
Cinclidium subrotundum Mosses & Liverworts
Climacium dendroides Mosses & Liverworts
Drepanocladus revolvens Mosses & Liverworts
Polytrichum commune Mosses & Liverworts

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) D4.163 Icelandic black sedge-brown moss fens same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 D4.163 Icelandic black sedge-brown moss fens same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 D4.163 Icelandic black sedge-brown moss fens same
European Environment Agency (EEA)
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