Temperate and boreal softwood riparian woodland

This is riparian woodland occurring on periodically-inundated river terraces of active floodplains with deposition of nutrient-rich alluvium in the boreal, boreo-nemoral, nemoral, submediterranean and steppe zones. Typically, there is a tall canopy dominated by one or a few tree species, commonly Salix alba, sometimes S. fragilis (maybe favouring situations where there is lime-deficiency). Two other trees commonly found here are Populus alba which is really a submediterranean tree but widely planted and naturalised and P. nigra, native in a large part of Europe (from western to central south-eastern part), but also widely planted, though often outnumbered there by hybrids such as P. x euramericana and x canadensis. Typically, alder is absent from the canopy and riparian woodlands where Alnus glutinosa or A. incana form part or all of the tree cover are not included here but with land-upheaval woodlands in G1.2a Alnus woodland on alluvial and mineral soil. There is often a dense understorey of smaller Salix spp., Sambucus nigra and other shrubs beneath the trees, the composition of this layer depending on the local degree of wetness of the ground. Among these, tangles of lianes and sprawlers such as Galium aparine and Solanum dulcamara occur. The field layer is typically dominated by a luxuriant cover of shade-tolerant, nutrient-demanding tall herbs, notably Urtica dioica, in mountain areas also Petastites hybridus, with a carpet of smaller plants beneath. Characteristically, much of the taller herb cover dies back quickly in autumn to leave a patchy carpet of mat-forming bryophytes on exposed mud. After a flood, there can be much woody debris washed in from upstream. This type does not include scrubs dominated by narrow-leaved willows S. eleagnos, S. purpurea and S. viminalis which fall within F9.1 Temperate and boreal riparian scrub.

Indicators of quality:

● Undisturbed hydrology with natural disturbance, at least periodically inundated with flood waters in uncontrolled stretches of mature rivers, though remnant stands can persist for some time around naturally isolated ox-bows.

• Survival of larger stands of forest continuously developed along the rivers without fragmentation and isolation
• Few if any signs of exploitation for timber, fallen trees remaining in situ and ample deposition of natural organic debris from flooding.
• No signs of eutrophication or pollution by anthropogenically enriched flood-waters, for example excessive spread of nutrient-demanding weeds.
• Absence of non-native tree species (Alien Poplar, Robinia pseudoacacia, Acer negundo...) and absence of invasive aliens such as Reynoutria japonica or Impatiens glandulifera.
• High diversity of epiphytic bryophytes (eg. Orthotrichum spp.)

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats