Thermophilous woodland fringe of base-rich soils
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLE5.2a |
---|---|
Threat status | |
Europe | Near Threatened |
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
In the transitional zone between the open landscape and forests, habitats can be found that are characterized by a distinct species composition. Generally, two formations can be distinguished: one determined by shrubs, called mantle, and one – closer to the open landscape – built up by (tall) herbs and grasses, called fringe. Thus, fringe communities appear as a narrow belt along forests, but they also occur along scrublands and other formations. Even in the open landscape, e.g. along cliffs. In comparison with the generally rather species poor mantle communities, fringe communities are often harboring a large set of – colorful – flowers. This especially applies to the baserich soils, to which the heliophilous and thermophilous communities of Habitat type E5.2a are confined. Another prerequisite is a limited amount of nutrients; otherwise, the vegetation transforms into nitrophilous tall forb communities. The diagnostic species are adapted to the half-shadow conditions under the branches of trees and scrubs, but the small contact zone between the forest and the open landscape gives also room to the occurrence of species of these neighbouring formations. And this partly explains the species richness of the habitat.
In the subatlantic parts of Europe, fringes generally border mesophilous forests of the class Carpino-Fagetea sylvaticae. In the zone of thermophilous deciduous forest (Quercetea pubescentis), with relatively open canopy, most of the fringe species can also be found inside the forest communities. Fringe communities have developed through millennia of human activities. From a landscape ecological point of view, they may protect forests against unwanted effects from the open landscape, like the input of nutrients from agricultural land. Fringes provide important habitats for various animal groups, including birds and insects. Thermophile woodland fringes of baserich soils can be found in large parts of Europe. In Southern and Southeastern Europe, they also can be found in mountainous areas, but in the Northwestern parts of Europe, they are restricted to lowlands. Transitional zones are generally in need of well-balanced human activities, as changes in the neighboring formations (forest on the one side, open landscape on the other side) directly affects the quality of the fringe communities.
Indicators of good quality:
- Species richness
- Periodical cutting or grazing, protecting encroachment of the habitat by shrubs and trees
- Absence of woody species
- Absence of invasive species
- Low input of nutrients
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Least concern | - |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Near Threatened | A1 |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Agriculture
- Agricultural intensification
- Intensive grazing
- Fertilisation
- Removal of hedges and copses or scrub
- Urbanisation, residential and commercial development
- Continuous urbanisation
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Decreasing ![]() |
Decreasing ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Decreasing ![]() |
Decreasing ![]() |
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 forests and wooded habitats
- Restoring/Improving forest habitats
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Manage landscape features
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bulgaria | Present | Stable | Increasing | |
France mainland | Present | Unknown | Increasing | |
Germany | Present | Decreasing | Increasing | |
Hungary | Present | 10 | Stable | Unknown |
Slovakia | Present | 4 | Decreasing | Increasing |
Austria | Present | 4 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Belgium | Present | Unknown | Unknown | |
Croatia | Present | 40 | Stable | Stable |
Czech Republic | Present | 6 | Stable | Decreasing |
Italy mainland | Present | 98 | Decreasing | Increasing |
Latvia | Present | 3 | Unknown | Unknown |
Lithuania | Present | 5 | Unknown | Stable |
Netherlands | Present | 1 | Decreasing | Stable |
Poland | Present | 11 | Decreasing | Unknown |
Portugal mainland | Present | 6 | Unknown | Increasing |
Romania | Present | 1 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Spain mainland | Present | Unknown | Stable |
EU28 + | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Present | 30 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Kosovo | Present | Stable | Increasing | |
Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) | Present | Unknown | Unknown | |
Switzerland | Present | 33 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | >50000 | >50 | 190 | Some important countries are lacking data: e.g. Bulgaria, France, Germany, Spain. |
EU28+ | >50 | 253 | Some important countries are lacking data: e.g. Bulgaria, France, Germany, Spain, Macedonia, Kosovo. |
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 |
---|---|---|
Achillea millefolium | Flowering Plants | |
Anemone sylvestris | Flowering Plants | |
Campanula persicifolia | Flowering Plants | |
Campanula trachelium | Flowering Plants | |
Centaurea jacea | Flowering Plants | |
Chamaecytisus hirsutus | Flowering Plants | |
Chamaecytisus supinus | Flowering Plants | |
Clematis recta | Flowering Plants | |
Clinopodium vulgare | Flowering Plants | |
Coronilla coronata | Flowering Plants | |
Cruciata glabra | Flowering Plants | |
Cytisus nigricans | Flowering Plants | |
Dactylis glomerata | Flowering Plants | |
Dictamnus albus | Flowering Plants | |
Ferulago galbanifera | Flowering Plants | |
Festuca rubra | Flowering Plants | |
Fragaria vesca | Flowering Plants | |
Fragaria viridis | Flowering Plants | |
Galium album | Flowering Plants | |
Galium lucidum | Flowering Plants | |
Galium verum | Flowering Plants | |
Geranium sanguineum | Flowering Plants | |
Hieracium racemosum | Flowering Plants | |
Hieracium umbellatum | Flowering Plants | |
Hypericum perforatum | Flowering Plants | |
Inula hirta | Flowering Plants | |
Inula salicina | Flowering Plants | |
Knautia drymeia | Flowering Plants | |
Knautia illyrica | Flowering Plants | |
Laserpitium latifolium | Flowering Plants | |
Lathyrus pannonicus | Flowering Plants | |
Libanotis sibirica | Flowering Plants | |
Medicago falcata | Flowering Plants | |
Melampyrum cristatum | Flowering Plants | |
Melampyrum nemorosum | Flowering Plants | |
Origanum vulgare | Flowering Plants | |
Peucedanum cervaria | Flowering Plants | |
Peucedanum oreoselinum | Flowering Plants | |
Pimpinella saxifraga | Flowering Plants | |
Poa angustifolia | Flowering Plants | |
Polygonatum odoratum | Flowering Plants | |
Primula veris | Flowering Plants | |
Rosa pimpinellifolia | Flowering Plants | |
Serratula tinctoria | Flowering Plants | |
Silene italica | Flowering Plants | |
Silene nutans | Flowering Plants | |
Solidago virgaurea | Flowering Plants | |
Tanacetum corymbosum | Flowering Plants | |
Thalictrum minus | Flowering Plants | |
Trifolium alpestre | Flowering Plants | |
Trifolium rubens | Flowering Plants | |
Verbascum austriacum | Flowering Plants | |
Veronica chamaedrys | Flowering Plants | |
Veronica teucrium | Flowering Plants | |
Viola hirta | Flowering Plants | |
Hylocomium splendens | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Rhytidium rugosum | Mosses & Liverworts |