Heavy-metal dry grassland of the Balkans
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLE1.1h |
---|---|
Threat status | |
Europe | Least Concern |
EU | Near Threatened |
Relation to |
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Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
Ultramafic rocks (e.g. serpentine, ophiolite) form dark-colored soils characterized by high content of heavy metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt and chromium, and a relatively low content of nutrients such as calcium, potassium and phosphorous, as well as by a low ratio of Ca/Mg. Ultramafic soils are also characterized by pronounced fluctuation of temperature, heat and drought because of their dark color, small water capacity and usually low organic matter content. The above-mentioned special properties of ultramafic soils are considered responsible for their low fertility and the specialized vegetation they host. Species growing on ultramafic soils possess a range of adaptations to these severe ecologic conditions, such as nanism, pelosity, shiny surfaces and the ability to hyperaccumulate heavy metals in their tissues. In these habitats grow many relict and endemic species. The largest ultramafic surfaces in Europe are found in the Balkan Peninsula: Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, FYR of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece.
Indicators of quality:
This habitat depends on ultramafic soil properties but also on the type of land use. Grazing of medium intensity helps the conservation of the floristic composition and the physiognomy of this habitat type. The following characteristics may be considered as indicators of good quality: natural species composition, absence of invasive species as well as of tall herb, shrub and tree species, regular grazing and presence of endemic or specialized species adapted to ultramafic soils.
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Near Threatened | B1, B2 |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Least Concern | - |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Agriculture
- Grazing
- Intensive grazing
- Abandonment of pastoral systems, lack of grazing
- Sylviculture, forestry
- Forest planting on open ground
- Mining, extraction of materials and energy production
- Mining and quarrying
- Urbanisation, residential and commercial development
- Urbanised areas, human habitation
- Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)
- Biocenotic evolution, succession
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Decreasing ![]() |
Decreasing ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Decreasing ![]() |
Decreasing ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Conservation and management needs
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to agriculture and open habitats
- Maintaining grasslands and other open habitats
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Establish protected areas/sites
- Legal protection of habitats and species
Distribution
Geographic occurrence and trends
EU28 | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bulgaria | Present | Unknown | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Croatia | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Cyprus | Present | 0.41 | Stable | Stable |
Greece (mainland and other islands) | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
EU28 + | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albania | Present | 70 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Present | 200 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Kosovo | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) | Present | Unknown | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Serbia | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 74400 | 86 | Unknown | |
EU28+ | 325 | Unknown |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).
Characteristic species
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Achillea pseudopectinata | Flowering Plants | |
Echium rubrum | Flowering Plants | |
Erysimum linariifolium | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia glabriflora | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia montenegrina | Flowering Plants | |
Fumana bonapartei | Flowering Plants | |
Gypsophila spergulifolia | Flowering Plants | |
Halacsya sendtneri | Flowering Plants | |
Haplophyllum boissieranum | Flowering Plants | |
Medicago prostrata | Flowering Plants | |
Minuartia verna subsp. collina | Flowering Plants | |
Pistorinia hispanica | Flowering Plants | |
Plantago holosteum | Flowering Plants | |
Plantago subulata | Flowering Plants | |
Poa badensis | Flowering Plants | |
Polygonum albanicum | Flowering Plants | |
Potentilla visianii | Flowering Plants | |
Rumex acetosella | Flowering Plants | |
Scabiosa leucophylla | Flowering Plants | |
Scleranthus perennis | Flowering Plants | |
Sedum hispanicum | Flowering Plants | |
Sedum ochroleucum | Flowering Plants | |
Sedum serpentini | Flowering Plants | |
Sesleria latifolia | Flowering Plants | |
Silene armeria | Flowering Plants | |
Silene bupleuroides | Flowering Plants | |
Stachys recta | Flowering Plants | |
Stachys scardica | Flowering Plants |