Macaronesian thermophilous woodland fringe
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLE5.2c |
---|---|
Threat status | |
Europe | Near Threatened |
EU | Near Threatened |
Relation to |
|
Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
Perennial herbaceous communities, humus-prone although not nitrophile, of thermophile half-shade, mesophytic natural hedges and clearings of macaronesian laurel-forests [G2.3]. This habitat type is found on forest micro-sites receiving a greater amount of radiation, compared to those typical of forest conditions, but still being dependent on forest litterfall defining somewhat mesotrophic conditions. The communities often have a heterogeneous physiognomy dominated by large-flowered herbs or forbs unlike deep-shade forest understory strata. The absence of grazing pressure and nitrogen inputs from large herbivores is also mandatory for its persistence. Although it shares some floristic elements with continental Europe forest-fringe communities (E5.2a & b): e.g. Agrimonia eupatoria, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Origanum virens, Carex divulsa, Lathyrus sylvestris, Clinopodium vulgare, Carex muricata subsp. lamprocarpa, etc., this type exhibits a great wealth of macaronesian neoendemics. According to each archipelago’s endemicity character, three variants can be respectively set for Madeira, the Azores and Canary Islands. That of the Azores (Pericallion malvifoliae) is the most floristically deviant from that shared by Madeira and the Canaries (Ranunculo cortusifolii-Geranion canariensis). Azorean variant is enriched from catenal contact with Azorean endemic grasslands [E1.F: Topido azoricae-Holcetea rigidi vegetation class]. Apart from being typical of laurel forest fringes, Canarian versions of the habitat may be also found in lower altitude subhumid canarian pinewoods [G3.8] and Madeiran versions may be found in altitude tree-heath forests [G2.7]. Catenal contacts are those with forest understory, shady fern-moss communities [Polypodion serrati, Polypodietea] and macaronesian heath woody fringes [Andryalo-Ericetalia arboreae or Frangulo-Lauretalia azoricae].
Indicators of good quality:
Maximal coenotic saturation of communities in relation to local endemic taxa would be a criterion of habitat quality. Thus, versions of habitat having higher syntaxa elements alone [at order and class levels] are considered basal (pioneer) or disturbed versions with less conservation value. Also, as disturbance is set, invasion of the biotope by shrubs, tree-saplings or shady nitrogen-prone vegetation [Geranio purpureae-Cardaminetalia hirsutae, Chenopodietea] lessens the value of the habitat. The habitat type is a fragile one and depends on the critical maintenance of integrity of forest conditions for protection and organic matter, including clearing persistence.
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Near Threatened | B2, C/D1 |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Near Threatened | B2, C/D1 |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Agriculture
- Grazing
- Intensive grazing
- Sylviculture, forestry
- Artificial planting on open ground (non-native trees)
- Transportation and service corridors
- Roads, paths and railroads
- Human intrusions and disturbances
- Outdoor sports and leisure activities, recreational activities
- Walking, horseriding and non-motorised vehicles
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Increasing | Increasing |
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 forests and wooded habitats
- Restoring/Improving forest habitats
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Establish protected areas/sites
- Legal protection of habitats and species
- 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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Portugal Azores | Present | 61 | Decreasing | Increasing |
Madeira | Present | 61 | Decreasing | Increasing |
Canary Islands | Present | Unknown | 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) |
---|
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 584500 | 69 | 61 | |
EU28+ | 69 | 61 |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).