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
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Least Concern | - |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Least Concern | - |
Confidence in the assessment
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
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
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to agriculture and open habitats
- Maintaining grasslands and other open habitats
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
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) |
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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 |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).