Low steppic scrub

This is dwarf scrub, usually less than 1m tall, occurring in the forest-steppe and steppe zones across central Europe, in the Pannonian Basin and adjacent areas, in the Danube lowlands in Romania and Bulgaria and the forest-steppe and steppe zones from south-eastern Poland through Ukraine to Russia and central Asia. It develops on both shallow leptosols near rock outcrops and on deep soils such as chernozems, kastanozems, phaeozems, cambisols or luvisols. Often it forms small stands of clonally growing dominant species on relatively mesic sites in dry grassland areas, for example in small terrain depressions with winter snow accumulation, on north-facing slopes, or at the edges of tall scrub or dry woodland; or it is found in extrazonal complexes of continental dry grassland vegetation. In some places it is a permanent natural vegetation type, in others it is a successional stage of dry grassland after abandonment. 

Indicators of good quality:

This habitat often contains rare species of continental steppe and forest-steppe, which may occur at the western limit of their geographic range or at isolated sites west of their continuous range. Of particular conservation value are low and open stands that are rich in species, especially if they directly border on natural or semi-natural steppic grasslands. On the other hand, the spread of shrubs, especially of the hybrid Prunus x eminens, can indicate degradation of valuable dry grassland habitats. In these stands ruderal species such as Artemisia vulgaris and Elymus repens can be common.

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

• High species richness
• Occurrence of rare species, especially those of continental distribution
• Absence of ruderal, nutrient-demanding species
• Absence of alien species
• Long-term habitat stability, with no rapid successional trends
• Occurrence in habitat complexes with dry grassland vegetation

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats