Periodically exposed shore with stable, mesotrophic sediments with pioneer or ephemeral vegetation

This habitat type is found along the periodically emergent shorelines of rivers, on exposed bottoms of permanent lakes and ponds, in wetlands at the edges of arable lands and rarely in ephemeral flush habitats. In rivers and lakes, the timing of exposure of their shoreline depends on the precipitation seasonality and on the time of snowmelt. This habitat type includes also artificial ponds drained in summer in intervals of several years as a part of their management. This habitat type must not be confused with Mediterranean vernal pools, which are instead included in the habitat type C1.6b. The habitat types here considered is characterized by pioneer ephemeral vegetation developing especially in summer and autumn. Plants growing in these environments are mainly annual, low-growing and competitively weak species from various families. Well-represented genera include Cyperus, Elatine, Juncus, Ranunculus, Spergularia and Veronica. Vegetation is usually short and open, and its cover increases with successional stage. Some stands are dominated by single species while others are co-dominated by several species. In some cases, especially on exposed pond bottoms and on river shores, the successional stage with short-growing ephemeral wetland species is followed, especially after water draw-down, by a stage with tall-growing annuals such Bidens, Chenopodium, Persicaria and Rumex maritimus. This succession results in a change of this habitat type into the habitat type C3.5a.

Indicators of good quality:

• Occurrence in natural environments such as shores of unregulated rivers, natural lakes, pools or ephemeral flush habitats
• Occurrence of rare wetland species
• Absence or low incidence of competitive, tall-growing and nutrient-demanding wetland herbs
• Absence or low incidence of neophytes

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats