Small-helophyte bed
Description (English)
Small and amphibious helophyte-dominated freshwater vegetation is a widespread, very common but fragmented habitat throughout the European lowlands, occurring in the shallow littoral zones of lakes, ponds and rivers subject to periodic and repeated variation in water levels. It is characterised by amphibious plants and provides an important habitat for benthic invertebrates, fish, amphibians and several species of birds, by offering shelter and food. Like other wetland types, this habitat has suffered much from the intensification of agricultural land use, including drainage, modification of flooding and reclamation, and expansion of urban areas.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code Q52 |
|---|---|
| Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableIndicator species
Flowering Plants
Glyceria fluitans
Flowering Plants
Alisma plantago-aquatica
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Glyceria fluitans | Flowering Plants | |
| Alisma plantago-aquatica | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Galium palustre
Flowering Plants
Glyceria fluitans
Flowering Plants
Eleocharis palustris
Flowering Plants
Alisma plantago-aquatica
Flowering Plants
Myosotis scorpioides
Flowering Plants
Ranunculus repens
Flowering Plants
Agrostis stolonifera
Flowering Plants
Mentha aquatica
Flowering Plants
Ranunculus flammula
Flowering Plants
Persicaria amphibia
Flowering Plants
Lycopus europaeus
Flowering Plants
Lemna minor
Flowering Plants
Lythrum salicaria
Flowering Plants
Veronica beccabunga
Flowering Plants
Rorippa amphibia
Flowering Plants
Oenanthe aquatica
Flowering Plants
Juncus effusus
Flowering Plants
Juncus articulatus
Flowering Plants
Phragmites australis
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Galium palustre | Flowering Plants | |
| Glyceria fluitans | Flowering Plants | |
| Eleocharis palustris | Flowering Plants | |
| Alisma plantago-aquatica | Flowering Plants | |
| Myosotis scorpioides | Flowering Plants | |
| Ranunculus repens | Flowering Plants | |
| Agrostis stolonifera | Flowering Plants | |
| Mentha aquatica | Flowering Plants | |
| Ranunculus flammula | Flowering Plants | |
| Persicaria amphibia | Flowering Plants | |
| Lycopus europaeus | Flowering Plants | |
| Lemna minor | Flowering Plants | |
| Lythrum salicaria | Flowering Plants | |
| Veronica beccabunga | Flowering Plants | |
| Rorippa amphibia | Flowering Plants | |
| Oenanthe aquatica | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus effusus | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus articulatus | Flowering Plants | |
| Phragmites australis | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Glyceria fluitans
Flowering Plants
Eleocharis palustris
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Glyceria fluitans | Flowering Plants | |
| Eleocharis palustris | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | C3.4 | Species-poor beds of low-growing water-fringing or amphibious vegetation | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | C3.1 | Species-rich helophyte beds | wider |
| European Red List of Habitats | C5.1b | Small-helophyte bed | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | C3.4 | Species-poor beds of low-growing water-fringing or amphibious vegetation | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | C3.1 | Species-rich helophyte beds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | C3.1 | Species-rich helophyte beds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | C3.4 | Species-poor beds of low-growing water-fringing or amphibious vegetation | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | C3.1 | Species-rich helophyte beds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | C3.4 | Species-poor beds of low-growing water-fringing or amphibious vegetation | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | C3.4 | Species-poor beds of low-growing water-fringing or amphibious vegetation | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | C3.1 | Species-rich helophyte beds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | C3.1 | Species-rich helophyte beds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | C3.5 | Water-fringing species-poor helophyte beds (excluding grasses, sedges and canes) | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | C3.1 | Species-rich helophyte beds | same |
