Western Mediterranean mountain hedgehog-heath
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLF7.4a |
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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
This habitat consists of scrub or shrubby vegetation dominated by prostrate ligneous plants of pulviniform habit, i.e. simulating a hedgehog. They live in high mountainous areas, mostly in upper supra- and oro-mediterranean levels, usually between 1,600 and 2,300 m Aslin mountains of the central and southern Iberian Peninsula. This habitat type is presentin the siliceous mountains (Cytision oromediterranei, Genisto versicoloris-Juniperion hemisphaericae) and in the calcareous ones (Pruno prostratae-Juniperion sabinae, Xeroacantho-Erinaceion anthyllidis); while in the dolomitic substrata of the Baetic ranges, the endemic-rich alliance Andryalion aghardii is represented. Junipers and hedgehog legumes, often spiny, are the dominant and representative elements of this habitat, which is adapted to conditions of cold and drought typical of the Mediterranean mountains. The flora is rich in narrow endemics due to speciation, which is enhanced by isolation between mountain summits. Endemics are much more numerous on limestone or dolomite than in siliceous substrata. This habitat type constitutes, in most of the stands, the potential natural vegetation of the oro-mediterranean belt but there are also secondary, anthropo-zoogenic downslope extensions of the high-altitude formations which can be considered seral scrubs; at these lower altitudes, the primary stands of this habitat are in the crests and steep slopes. Due to human influence (grazing, burning), those extensions have historically increased and currently occupy somewhat larger areas than they would under strictly natural conditions. This habitat type has been traditionally used by an extensive husbandry with local transhumance of sheep and goat herds moving along the different altitudinal levels, and thus leading to a moderate grazing pressure.
Indicators of good quality:
In optimal conditions, this type shows a structure of dense scrub or shrubland of high to medium cover with prominent cushion shaped (hedgehog) ligneous plants in mosaic with a grassland of hard grasses in the open spaces. The following characteristics may be considered as indicators of good quality:
- Abundance of endemics, including threatened species.
- High to medium cover of vascular plant vegetation, particularly prostrate shrubs and chamaephytes.
- Absence of signals of disturbance by trampling, skiing or burning.
- Absence of ruderal, nutrient-demanding species.
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
- Transportation and service corridors
- Paths, tracks, cycling tracks
- Car parcs and parking areas
- Human intrusions and disturbances
- Skiing, off-piste
- Skiing complex
- Climate change
- Temperature changes (e.g. rise of temperature & extremes)
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Stable ![]() |
Stable ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Stable ![]() |
Stable ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Conservation and management needs
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Establish protected areas/sites
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spain mainland | Present | 579 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Portugal mainland | Present | 77 | Stable | Increasing |
Balearic Islands | Uncertain | 579 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
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 | 595250 | 629 | 656 | Mostly in mountains of the Iberian Peninsula |
EU28+ | 629 | 656 | Mostly in mountains of the Iberian Peninsula |
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 alpina | Conifers | |
Juniperus sabina | Conifers | |
Anthyllis rupestris | Flowering Plants | |
Anthyllis tejedensis | Flowering Plants | |
Anthyllis vulneraria | Flowering Plants | |
Arenaria alfacarensis | Flowering Plants | |
Arenaria racemosa | Flowering Plants | |
Arenaria tomentosa | Flowering Plants | |
Armeria lanceobracteata | Flowering Plants | |
Bupleurum spinosum | Flowering Plants | |
Convolvulus boissieri | Flowering Plants | |
Erinacea anthyllis | Flowering Plants | |
Erodium boissieri | Flowering Plants | |
Erysimum cazorlense | Flowering Plants | |
Festuca plicata | Flowering Plants | |
Fumana procumbens | Flowering Plants | |
Globularia spinosa | Flowering Plants | |
Helianthemum frigidulum | Flowering Plants | |
Helianthemum pannosum | Flowering Plants | |
Lithodora nitida | Flowering Plants | |
Ononis cephalotes | Flowering Plants | |
Prunus prostrata | Flowering Plants | |
Rothmaleria granatensis | Flowering Plants | |
Santolina elegans | Flowering Plants | |
Satureja intricata | Flowering Plants | |
Scabiosa pulsatilloides | Flowering Plants | |
Scorzonera albicans | Flowering Plants | |
Sideritis giennensis | Flowering Plants | |
Teucrium oxylepis | Flowering Plants | |
Thymus granatensis | Flowering Plants | |
Vella spinosa | Flowering Plants | |
Veronica tenuifolia | Flowering Plants |