Perennial rocky calcareous grassland of subatlantic-submediterranean Europe

This habitat type occurs on shallow calcareous substrates with hardly any soil and humus, mostly on slopes. The underlying bedrock can be of different geological origin, including Carboniferous limestone and Cretaceous chalk. The open vegetation is characterized by perennials, among which a large percentage of chamaephytes. This is in contrast with habitat type 1.1d (Pioneer grassland on shallow soils on calcareous and ultramafic rocky outcrops), where annuals play a prominent role. Syntaxonomically, the vegetation type forms a separate order (Artemisio albae-Brometalia erecti) within the class Festuco-Brometea. The communities have a rather small distribution, ranging from the United Kingdom in the northwest and Italy (Liguria) in the southeast. In the National Vegetation Classification of the UK, it is represented by the sub-community with Helianthemum canum and Asperula cynanchica of the ‘Sesleria albicans-Galium sterneri grassland’ (CG9). The centre of the distribution is in France and Germany. In France, these grasslands are (for the greater part) described as ‘pelouses primaires’ in contrast to the other limestone grasslands of the Festuco-Brometea that are considered to be ‘pelouses secondaires’ or ‘semi-naturelles’. The habitat type, occurring from the lowlands to the submontane zone, is regarded as a western vicariant of E1.1g (Perennial grassland on rocky outcrops at low altitudes in Central and Southeastern Europe). The bedrock is often broken, resulting in a lot of loose material, resembling screes at higher altitudes in the mountains. The nutrient status (nitrogen, phosphorous) is extremely low, the pH high. Although the production of the vegetation is very low, grazing is important to guarantee that the sites are not grown over by shrubs and trees. As such, the habitat generally is part of a traditional management regime. 

Indicators of quality:

·      Open and low vegetation structure, with a high percentage of bare rock

·      Absence of nutrient-demanding and ruderal species

·      Chamaephytes account for a large proportion in the vegetation

·      Exposed to sunshine to support light-demanding species

·      Extensive grazing regime preventing the encroachment of shrubs and tree at the sites and the near vicinity

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats