Mediterranean tall perennial dry grassland

The habitat type includes mainly basophilous, xerophytic, tall, tufted, dense or short open grasslands (pseudosteppes) with a wide Mediterranean distribution. They are dominated by plant species which are adapted to the xerothermic climatic conditions, the poor soil conditions and human-made disturbances such as grazing, trampling etc. This habitat type includes several plant communities of dry grasslands, differentiated mostly by the geographical region (western, central or eastern Mediterranean area) and the geological substrate (calcareous, magnesite, dolomite) or the soil types (deep or shallow, sandy, clay or ultramafic soils). Physiognomically, they usually look like steppes even if no Stipa species occur (pseudosteppes). Their floristic composition can be fairly differentiated depending on specific communities, but generally they are dominated by grasses such as Lygeum spartum, Brachypodium retusum, Hyparrhenia hirta, Stipa spp. etc. Alien species, adapted to xerothermic conditions, are often found with high abundance, like Opuntia spp. Grazing or other disturbances, such as wildfires, maintain these grasslands, which are – in several cases – the result of the degradation of forests or evergreen shrublands. Invasion by alien species, transformation to agricultural land and urbanization are the major threats for this habitat type.

Indicators of quality:

This habitat type is characterized by steppe-like grasslands. Subsequently, the most important quality indicators are: (a) dominance of grass species, (b) absence or very low cover of nitrophilous or alien species, (c) no signs of primary succession (e.g. encroachment of chamaephytes or shrub species), (d) presence of properly adjusted, extensive grazing, (e) absence of indications of significant, crevice-like, erosion. 

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats