Macaronesian heath
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLF4.3 |
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Threat status | |
Europe | Least Concern |
EU | Least Concern |
Relation to |
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Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
Shrub communities of Azores, Madeira and the Canaries dominated or co-dominated by Erica, Daboecia or Calluna that are either i) pioneer, ii) permanent in thin soils or iii) seral or hedge of mature macaronesian forests (i.e. G2.7, G2.3). Although Erica azorica, E. playcodon subsp. pl. and Erica canariensis (= E. arborea sensu auct. can. & mad. non L.) may participate in the G2.7, G2.3 forest habitats, we strictly circumscribe the F4.3 type to the i), ii) and iii) conditions adding also iv) being nanophanerophytic. See also the G2.7 factsheet. This is a heterogeneous habitat with relation to biogeography, composition, structure and ecological context. Two main subtypes should be considered:
1) Azorean heathland. Azorean heahlands include several variants. i) A community dominated by Daboecia azorica with Thymus caespititius sitrictly permanent in pyroclast or volcanic rock nutrient-poor acidic leptosols, in the supratemperate belt of the Pico mountain (Pico island); ii) permanent communities of Calluna vulgaris with Huperzia dentata in recent lava fields (sometimes with post-XV century age); iii) Erica azorica pioneer communities that colonize former patches of Juniperus brevifolia mesotemperate microforest (G3.9c – Culcito macrocarpae-Juniperenion brevifoliae suballiance) and that collapsed by gravitational disturbance, i.e. catastrophic soil mass movements removing the juniper microforest, its blanket bog, the peat layer, and the placic (iron-pan) horizon. This heath is part of a ‘cyclic-climax’ dynamics that will lead again, by sucession, to juniper microforest and the above referred geomorphology; iv) Thermotemperate, occasionally thermomediterranean (S. Miguel island) low altitude, Erica azorica with Morella faya (= Myrica faya) heathland seral of Picconia azorica mature woodlands (G2.3 – Myrico fayae-Pittosporion undulatti) or permanent community in leptosols and rock outcrops or younger lava fields. A special variant of the later case are the Corema azorica termophyllous heaths in lava-fields up to 20 m.s.m.
2) Madeiran and Canarian heathland. Several variants of the habitat can be recognized. i) Shrub , sometimes tall-shrub, communities dominated by Erica canariensis, E. platycodon subsp. platycodon or E. platycodon subsp. maderincola along with Morella faya, Ilex canariensis (and sometimes in Madeira Picconia excelsa) that are the tall hedge of the laurel /heathy forests (G2.7, G23 – Ixantho-Laurion, Sibthorpio-Clethrion and Polysticho-Ericion) or many times their first seral stage (they are included in Myrico-Ericion in both archipelagos). Therefore, sometimes they include elements of the laurel forest (Laurus, Prunus, Viburnum, etc.). The Erica platycodon subsp. maderincola mantles of tree-heath forests in the summits of Madeira are, nevertheless, species-poor. In thin, rocky or dry soils it can have a permanent character. ii) Heath / broom communities that are, in general, seral stages of laurus /heathy forest, in concrete:- the second seral stage following the Myrico-Ericion stage. In steep, near-vertical slopes, they are admitted to be permanent communities. Along with the Erica species mentioned in 2) of low height, it also includes Erica maderensis (summits of Madeira only) and several species of genus Teline, Adenocarpus, Argyranthemum, Echium, Chamaecytisus that can be co-dominant in the heath /broom variant (see characteristic species, flora).
Indicators of good quality:
As its biogeography and ecological is so diverse, there isn´t a unique set of bioindicators of degradation. Thus, on each habitat stance, the loss of characteristic set of bioindicators must be evaluated in comparison to well-conserved descriptions of it (published phytosociological tables, for instance). In general, poorer versions tend to be dominated by just one or two species, few characteristics, less elements of the laurel /heathy forest and more plants of grassy stages. Also, the presence of aliens tends to be greater. In the case of the Azores: Pittosporum undulatum, Clethra arborea, Melaleuca sp. pl., Metrosideros excelsa, Banksia integrifolia, Solanum mauritianum, Laurus azorica x nobilis, Hedychium gardneranum, Criptomeria japonica (shrubby), Acacia sp. pl.; in the case of Madeira and the Canaries: Ulex, Cytisus scoparius, Arundo, Acacia, Hackea, Callotropis, Opuntia, Ailanthus, Eucalyptus, etc..
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
- Sylviculture, forestry
- Artificial planting on open ground (non-native trees)
- Transportation and service corridors
- Paths, tracks, cycling tracks
- Urbanisation, residential and commercial development
- Dispersed habitation
- Invasive, other problematic species and genes
- Invasive non-native species
- Climate change
- Droughts and less precipitations
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
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Average current trend in quantity |
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Increasing ![]() |
Increasing ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Increasing ![]() |
Increasing ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Conservation and management needs
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to forests and wooded habitats
- Adapt forest management
- 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) |
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Portugal Azores | Present | 963 | Unknown | Increasing |
Canary Islands | Present | 149 | Increasing | Increasing |
Madeira | Present | 963 | Unknown | Increasing |
Savage Islands | Present | 963 | Unknown | Increasing |
EU28 + | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
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Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 537850 | 120 | 1112 | |
EU28+ | 120 | 1112 |
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 |
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Juniperus brevifolia | Conifers | |
Huperzia dentata | Ferns | |
Huperzia suberecta | Ferns | |
Oreopteris limbosperma | Ferns | |
Bunium brevifolium | Flowering Plants | |
Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
Cedronella canariensis | Flowering Plants | |
Clethra arborea | Flowering Plants | |
Cytisus scoparius | Flowering Plants | |
Daboecia azorica | Flowering Plants | |
Echium candicans | Flowering Plants | |
Erica azorica | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia stygiana | Flowering Plants | |
Hedychium gardneranum | Flowering Plants | |
Hypericum foliosum | Flowering Plants | |
Hypericum inodorum | Flowering Plants | |
Ilex canariensis | Flowering Plants | |
Laurus azorica | Flowering Plants | |
Marcetella maderensis | Flowering Plants | |
Myrica faya | Flowering Plants | |
Picconia azorica | Flowering Plants | |
Picconia excelsa | Flowering Plants | |
Pittosporum undulatum | Flowering Plants | |
Plantago malato-belizii | Flowering Plants | |
Rubia agostinhoi | Flowering Plants | |
Smilax canariensis | Flowering Plants | |
Solanum mauritianum | Flowering Plants | |
Thymus caespititius | Flowering Plants | |
Vaccinium cylindraceum | Flowering Plants |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableOther classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 200711 | F4.3 | Macaronesian heaths | same |