Small-helophyte bed

This habitat is characterized by the dominance of small and amphibious helophytes in oligotrophic to eutrophic water bodies. It is represented by shallow littoral zones of lakes, ponds and rivers subjected during the year to periodical and repeated changes of the water level. In both standing and running waters the small and amphibious vegetation may survive for short periods (1 to few seasons) and decline rapidly due to either exceptional flooding or succession towards tall helophyte-dominated vegetation. However, water bodies with a natural dynamic usually maintain a balanced proportion of small and tall helophyte vegetation. This habitat type has an important function for fauna, by offering shelter to benthic invertebrates, fish and amphibians and food to several species of birds. The general productivity of this habitat is lower than that of habitat C5.1a. In warmer parts of Europe during late summer this habitat may dry out and form transitions towards the habitat types C3.5a and C3.5b. Some amphibious species such as Alisma spp., Glyceria spp., Hippuris vulgaris, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Sparganium spp., typically growing in this habitat, have developed a dimorphism of the leaves (floating and terrestrial leaves) as an adaptation to the water level fluctuation and the water current. Also some small and medium size Cyperaceae, such as Eleocharis spp. and Bolboschoenus spp., are typical of this habitat type in standing water. This habitat usually represents the shore component of aquatic habitats (types C1.1a, C1.1b, C1.2a, C1.2b and C1.4) and therefore is in contact with them. Vegetation of small helophytes of the alliance Carici-Rumicion hydrolapathi, with species like Calla palustris, Comarum palustre, Menyanthes trifoliata, usually grows on organic muddy sediments of dystrophic and mesotrophic water bodies with relatively stable water levels.

Indicators of good quality:

• Natural hydrology and chemistry of water and substrates
• Typical structure of vegetation (species poor stands)
• Anthropogenic impacts low in terms of construction activities, eutrophication and regulation of the water level.
• No or low occurrence of tall helophytes, and nitrophilous species (e.g. Ranunculus sceleratus, Bidens spp., Chenopodium spp., Amaranthus spp.)
• Low cover of species from drier habitats (e.g. Ranunculus repens, Potentilla reptans, Agrostis stolonifera)
• No occurrence of invasive alien species (e.g. Ludwigia spp.)

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats