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	Resolution 4 habitat type (Bern Convention)
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

European Red List of Habitats categories

Based on Scientific Foundations for an IUCN Red List of Ecosystems

European Red List of Habitats criteria

Reduction in quantity (area of distribution)	A	A1 Present decline (over last 50 years) A2a Future decline (over the next 50 years) A2b Future/present decline (over a 50-year period inclunding present and future) A3 Historic decline
Restricted geographic distribution	B	B1 Restricted Extent of Occurrence (EOO) B2 Restricted Area of Occupancy (AOO) B3 Present at few locations
Reduction in abiotic quality	C	C/D1 Reduction in quality over the last 50 years C/D2 Reduction in quality in the future or in a period including present and future C/D3 Historic reduction in quality
Reduction in biotic quality	D
Quantitative analysis of probability of collapse	E

From Scientific Foundations for an IUCN Red List of Ecosystems

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

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Legal text	Annex	Name in legal text	Code in legal text	Habitat type relationship	More information
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Mediterranean short humid grassland	E3.2	Narrower	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]

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Sections

Mediterranean short moist grassland of lowlands

Quick facts

Summary

Threat status

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

European Red List of Habitats categories

European Red List of Habitats criteria

Pressures and threats

Habitat restoration potential

Trends in extent

Average current trend in quantity

Trends in quality

Average current trend in quality

Conservation and management needs

List of conservation and management needs

Distribution

Geographic occurrence and trends

Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area

Characteristic species

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Other classifications