Red List habitat classification > RLE - Grasslands > RLE3.2a Mediterranean short moist grassland of lowlands

Mediterranean short moist grassland of lowlands

Quick facts

Red List habitat type code RLE3.2a
Threat status
Europe Least Concern
EU Least Concern
Relation to
Source European Red List habitat factsheet
European Red List of habitats reports
European Red List of habitats (Excel table)

Summary

These humid meadows occur in the Mediterranean region on clayey soils, often vertisols which experience a strong oscillatory regime in the water table level, with sharp seasonal dry-wet cycles. Winter flood is followed by summer drought and the swelling clay expands and contracts until it splits apart in narrow cracks, the typical appearance in summer. Historically, they have been intensively grazed.

The habitat can be considered a western vicariant of habitat E3.3 Submediterranean moist grassland.

Indicators of good quality:

  • A medium to short grassy sward with associated herbs irregularly scattered, sometimes forming an open cover over the cracked soil surface

  • High species richness with even distribution and abundance

  • Absence of species related to intense grazing

  • No visible anthropogenic disturbances due to intensive trampling

Characteristic species
For full habitat description, please download the habitat factsheet.

Threat status

Synthesis of Red List assessment

There is insufficient information to calculate average trends for Europe, but the widespread distribution, and reported slight declines in area are arguments for an assessment Least Concern (LC).
EU
Red List Category Red List Criteria
Least Concern -
Europe
Red List Category Red List Criteria
Least Concern -

Confidence in the assessment

low
Red List of habitat categories and criteria descriptions

Pressures and threats

  • Agriculture
    • Modification of cultivation practices
    • Grassland removal for arable land
  • Urbanisation, residential and commercial development
    • Urbanised areas, human habitation
  • Natural System modifications
    • Human induced changes in hydraulic conditions

Habitat restoration potential

Restoration depends greatly on the feasibility of restoring the distinctive hydrological conditions.

Trends in extent

Average current trend in quantity
Decreasing Unknown
EU28 EU28+

Trends in quality

Average current trend in quality
Decreasing Unknown
EU28 EU28+

Conservation and management needs

Most important is the continudation of traditional mowing and grazing regimes.

List of conservation and management needs

  • Measures related to agriculture and open habitats
    • Maintaining grasslands and other open habitats

Distribution

For each habitat a distribution map was produced from a wide variety of sources indicating known and potential occurrences of the habitat in 10x10 km grids within Europe. Occurrences in grid cells were given in two classes: actual distribution from relatively reliable sources (surveys, expert knowledge), and potential distribution based on models or less reliable indicators. Please download the fact sheet to see the map.

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)
France mainland Present unknown Decreasing Decreasing
Italy mainland Present unknown Decreasing Decreasing
Spain mainland Present 134 Decreasing Decreasing
EU28 + Present or presence uncertain Current area of habitat (Km2) Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) Recent trend in quality (last 50 years)

Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area

Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) Area of Occupancy (AOO) Current estimated Total Area Comment
EU28 1159900 183 >134 Data from Spain only
EU28+ 201 >134
AOO = the area occupied by a habitat measured in number of 10x10 km grid cells.
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).

Characteristic species

The full list of characteristic species and genus are available above from the Summary. The species available in the EUNIS database are shown here.
Flowering Plants Achillea ageratum
Flowering Plants Agrostis stolonifera
Flowering Plants Centaurea jacea
Flowering Plants Deschampsia media
Flowering Plants Festuca arundinacea subsp. atlantigena
Flowering Plants Hordeum bulbosum
Flowering Plants Jasonia tuberosa
Flowering Plants Phalaris coerulescens
Flowering Plants Plantago serpentina
Flowering Plants Prunella hyssopifolia
Flowering Plants Sanguisorba lateriflora
Flowering Plants Senecio carpetanus
Flowering Plants Seseli elatum
Flowering Plants Trifolium lappaceum
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Achillea ageratum Flowering Plants
Agrostis stolonifera Flowering Plants
Centaurea jacea Flowering Plants
Deschampsia media Flowering Plants
Festuca arundinacea subsp. atlantigena Flowering Plants
Hordeum bulbosum Flowering Plants
Jasonia tuberosa Flowering Plants
Phalaris coerulescens Flowering Plants
Plantago serpentina Flowering Plants
Prunella hyssopifolia Flowering Plants
Sanguisorba lateriflora Flowering Plants
Senecio carpetanus Flowering Plants
Seseli elatum Flowering Plants
Trifolium lappaceum Flowering Plants

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Other classifications

This habitat may be equivalent to, or broather than, or narrower than the habitats or ecosystems in the following typologies.
Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200711 E3.2 Mediterranean short humid grassland narrower
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