Thermal springs
Description (English)
Acid or alkaline springs heated by geothermal energy, located in regions of present or past volcanic activity, producing a continuous flow of water at temperatures significantly above the air temperature. Springs and tepid pools at temperatures below 50º C may host a few species of specialised animals, those at temperatures between 50º C and 75º C harbour bluegreen algae that may form conspicuous mats, those at temperatures above 75º C are inhabited only by heterotrophic bacteria; the margins of the springs and the water-saturated substrates may host distinctive biotic communities, including higher plants.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code C2.14 |
|---|
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112 | 66.7 | Thermal springs | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 4.1.1. | Inland marshes | n/a |
| Ramsar Wetland Types | Zg | Geothermal wetlands | wider |
| Milieux Naturels de Suisse 1998 | 1.3.0 | Ecoulement superficiel, suintement sans végétation | wider |
| Biotopes of Slovakia 1996 | 8114000 | Termálne a minerálne pramene | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | C2.14 | Thermal springs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | C2.14 | Thermal springs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | C2.14 | Thermal springs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | C2.14 | Thermal springs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | C2.34 | Thermal springs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | C2.34 | Thermal springs | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 66.7 | Thermal springs | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 66.7 | Thermal springs | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 66.9 | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 66.9 | same |
