Alpine and subalpine Juniperus scrub

Juniperus heaths are found on carbonate as well as on non-carbonate bedrock, from the upper montane to the upper subalpine belt. Rarely we can find these communities in the lower alpine belt of all European mountains, especially those where traditional management such as grazing still continues. It occurs as a primary community on rocks and large boulders or as a secondary vegetation on sites where subalpine forests (dominated by beech or spruce) or dwarf pine krummholz communities are the climax. Sometimes it can even be found in moorland. Dominant species in the habitat are Juniperus communis subsp. alpine (= J. nana, J.sibirica), Juniperus communis subsp. hemispherica and Juniperus sabina.

These shrubs or dwarf shrubs form communities that tolerate extremely low temperatures in areas where deep and long snow cover during the winter serves as a shelter against freezing, desiccation and high solar radiation. If environmental conditions are suitable, communities may also develop on dry and sunny south exposed sites. Juniperus shrubs are able to grow as a procumbent dwarf shrub of only a few centimeters high, which can survive strong winds in the alpine vegetation belt. This plasticity allows these shrubs to form diverse and sometimes also floristically rich stands. The stands in the subalpine vegetation belt are a result of deforestation, subsequent soil erosion and grazing activities. Animals avoid eating the prickly Juniperus heaths and the shrubs are considered as undesired elements on pastures. They often are removed by cutting or burning. As a result of former or recent grazing, Juniperus heathlands form mosaics with related vegetation types such as dwarf shrub dominated by Vaccinium species or/and krummholz communities dominated by Pinus mugo.

Depending on the geological bedrock plant communities are either species poor (siliceous bedrock) or richer (calcareous bedrock). The vegetation is mainly classified within the class Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea that comprises arctic-boreal tundra dwarf shrub and relict (sub)alpine acidophilous heathlands. Based on habitat variability, e.g. mass and length of snow cover and thickness and quality of soil, as well as geographical pattern of distribution, the communities may be divided into more types, like acidophilous, mesophilous communities on deeper soils or dry communities on more shallow, drier soils mostly southward orientated.

Indicators of quality:

Due to the collapse of traditional farming systems, many areas in European mountains have been abandoned and processes of shrub and tree encroachment are going on. Juniperus shrubs play an important role in these processes as a succession stage of formerly deforested zone towards subalpine forests and krummholz. These processes may last long, however, due to severe mountain conditions. Controversially, developing of these Juniperus stands in the past was caused by intensive grazing in montane areas.

The following characteristics may be considered as indicators of good quality:

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats