Boreal and arctic acidophilous alpine grassland
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLE4.3a |
---|---|
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
Boreal and arctic acidophilous alpine grasslands represent grass-, sedge-, rush- or herb-dominated vegetation types in boreal and arcto-alpine mountains of Fennoscandia, Iceland and Scotland. The habitat includes a quite wide range of different vegetation communities from low-graminoid mountain heaths to mountain meadows. Common to these varieties is a low field layer, usually < 30 cm. These grasslands occur predominantly on siliceous bedrock and they are in most sites characterized by thick and late-lying snow cover.
There is no single characteristic species describing all of these grassland habitats, and the species composition varies according to the vegetation community. In high mountains grasses (Nardus stricta, Festuca ovina), sedges (Carex bigelowii) and/or rushes (Juncus trifidus) dominate the so-called graminoid mountain heaths (order Juncetalia trifidi). Other species present are a mixture of typical species for mountain heaths, snowbeds and mountain meadows. Mountain meadows (secondary grasslands) belonging to this habitat type are low-herb communities consisting mainly of Bistorta vivipara, Cerastium alpinum, Thalictrum alpinum, Saussurea alpina, Ranunculus acris, Silene acaulis, Astragalus alpinus, A. frigidus, Ericeron uniflorus and Potentilla crantzii (alliance Potentillo-Polygonion vivipari), forming a boreal equivalent to E2.3 Mountain hay meadows. The distinction between this habitat type and E4.4a Calcareous arctic-alpine grasslands does not relate only to the chemistry of bedrock, but is also reflected in the average height of vegetation, which in this habitat is usually relatively low.
Climate change can increase the growth of bushes and shrubs, which may reduce the area of grasslands.
Indicators of good quality:
The following characteristics are indicators of good quality:
· Openness (no trees or shrubs)
· Dominance of low sedges, rushes, grasses or hebs
· Thick snow cover
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
- Pollution
- Air pollution, air-borne pollutants
- Climate change
- Changes in abiotic conditions
- Changes in biotic conditions
- No threats or pressures
- No threats or pressures
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Stable ![]() |
Stable ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Stable ![]() |
Stable ![]() |
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
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Establish protected areas/sites
- Establishing wilderness areas/allowing succession
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Finland mainland | Present | 195 | Stable | Stable |
Sweden | Uncertain | - | - |
EU28 + | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Norway Mainland | Present | 1299 | Stable | Stable |
Iceland | Present | unknown | - | - |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 915800 | 733 | 195 | no data from Sweden |
EU28+ | 1325 | 1494 | no data from Sweden, Iceland |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).
Characteristic species
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Astragalus alpinus | Flowering Plants | |
Astragalus frigidus | Flowering Plants | |
Carex bigelowii | Flowering Plants | |
Cassiope tetragona | Flowering Plants | |
Cerastium alpinum | Flowering Plants | |
Deschampsia flexuosa | Flowering Plants | |
Festuca ovina | Flowering Plants | |
Hieracium alpinum | Flowering Plants | |
Juncus trifidus | Flowering Plants | |
Nardus stricta | Flowering Plants | |
Poa alpina | Flowering Plants | |
Potentilla crantzii | Flowering Plants | |
Ranunculus acris | Flowering Plants | |
Salix polaris | Flowering Plants | |
Saussurea alpina | Flowering Plants | |
Silene acaulis | Flowering Plants | |
Thalictrum alpinum | Flowering Plants | |
Trisetum spicatum | Flowering Plants | |
Veronica alpina | Flowering Plants | |
Viola biflora | Flowering Plants | |
Polytrichastrum alpinum | Mosses & Liverworts |