Central Mediterranean mountain hedgehog-heath

This habitat includes high-mountain thorny-cushion dwarf scrub in the Central Mediterranean region. In terms of structure and ecology it is similar to the hedgehog heaths from the West-Mediterranean (F7.4a) and the East-Mediterranean (F7.4c). It is however distinguished as a separate, vicariant type, because of its different species composition, with many endemics. The dominant species are chamaephytes, morphologically similar to those in the West and East Mediterranean hedgehog heath. In the Central Mediterranean region the characteristic shrubs belong to the genera Aspalathus, Genista or Armeria. Central Mediterranean hedgehog heath is found in the supra-mediterranean and oro-mediteranean belts of the islands of Elba, Sardegna and Sicily and of the Southern Apennines and Cantabrian mountains. It is found both on acidic and calcareous soils, mainly on very windy sites that are exposed to an intense solar radiation.

Spiny Astragalus-species dominate primary stations above or near the timberline. Due to deforestation or grazing, such communities may have a downslope expansion. In lower altitudes they also grow on rocky ridges that are free of trees. In the Central Mediterranean the following Astragalus species are important in the mountain hedgehog heath: Astragalus calabrus in the Sila Massive of Calabria, Astragalus gennargenteus on Mount Gennargentu (Sardinia) and in the mountains of Corse, Astragalus nebrodensis (= Astragalus siculus subsp. nebrodensis) in the Madonie mountain chain of Sicily, Astragalus siculus on Mount Etna (Sicily), and relict stands of Astragalus sirinicus in the southern Appennines. These Astragalus-communities contain a high amount of endemic vascular plants, amongst which several species of Viola. In the Central Mediterranean region only the Mount Etna is sufficiently high to allow an optimal development of the thorny Astragalus dominated belt. In the other mountain groups the Astragalus-associations occur rather localized near the top of the mountains.

Genista dominated hedgehog-heath occurs mainly below the timberline, and in most cases is considered a secondary habitat, although it may form the climax vegetation on strongly wind-swept locations. In general such communities have a lower percentage of endemics than the Astragalus-communities, and a higher frequency of broader Mediterranean species, amongst which many therophytes. Examples of characteristic species are Genista salzmannii on Sardegna and Corse, Genista desoleana on Elba and Genista cupanii on Sicily. Genista-dominated scrub forms transitions towards Juniperus communis ssp. nana (Corse) or Juniperus hemisphaerica (Sicily) dominated dwarf scrub (F2.2b), in general found on deeper and more humid soils. Berberis aetnensis is a common species of both the Juniperus-dominated and the Genista-dominated dwarf scrub. On Sardegna and Corse mountain hedgehog heath is often found in mosaic with patches of oro-mediterranean grassland (E1.5c).

In Calabria spiny heaths are found on Mont Aspromonte, dominated by Armeria aspromontana, Potentilla calabra and Centaurea poltiana. Armeria nebrodensis is one of the dominant species in hedgehog heath on acidic soils in the Madonie mountains of Sicily.

Spiny scrub communities in the warmer parts of the Alps and Pyrenees, like those dominated by Astragalus sempervirens subsp. sempervirens, Genista lobelii or Genista hispanica, are not included in this habitat, but in F6.3 (supra-mediterranean garrigues). Spiny heathlands in the warmer parts of the Alps, like those dominated by Genista lobelii and Genista pulchella ssp. villarsii (alliance Genistion lobelii) or by Astragalus sempervirens (alliance Ononidion cenisiae = Avenion sempervirentis) are considered part of F6.6.

Indicators of good quality:

In good condition the habitat has a low structure and is rather open, forming mosaics with bare soil or grassland types. Indicators of good quality are:

·     No or little presence of trees,

·     Low hedgehog-like vegetation structure,

·     Forming landscape mosaics with grasslands or bare soil.

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats