Temperate high-mountain base-rich scree
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLH2.4 |
---|---|
Threat status | |
Europe | Least Concern |
EU | Least Concern |
Relation to |
|
Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
Calcareous and calcschist screes of high altitudes (mainly over 1000 m alt.) and cool sites in mountain ranges of the nemoral zone of Europe, including the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, central and eastern parts of Balkan Peninsula, Apennines, etc. Scree habitat consists of rock fragments with different forms and sizes covering the frost-shattered summits of mountains or accumulating on slopes below calcareous cliffs. Calcareous and calcschist screes consist of base-rich rocks including limestone, dolomites, calcareous-schists, and marbles.
The screes are colonised by a set of mostly perennial species. The vegetation consists of assemblages of calcicole and basiphilous species, the composition of which depends on altitude and geographical ranges. Geographical isolation and limited size of high-altitudinal screes are explanations for the high level of specification found in the flora of calcareous screes, resulting in many relic and local endemic species. Also many vegetation alliances have limited ranges on the slopes of European mountains, for example in the Carpathians (Papverion tatrtici and Papavero-Thymion pulcherrimi), the Dinarides (Bunion alpini and Saxifragion prenjae), the Pirin Mountain in Bulgaria (Veronico-Papaverion degenii), the Pyrenees (Iberidion spathulatae, Iberido apertae-Linarion propinquae, Saxifragion praetemirsae Androsacion ciliatae), and the Apennines (Linario-Festucion dimorphae, Thlaspion stylosi). Some vegetation alliances, like the Thlaspion rotundifolii and Drabion hoppeanae (on slates), are more widespread in the Alps and Carpathians. The vegetation of high-mountain and subalpine, relatively humid, fine limestone and marl screes belongs to the alliance Petasition paradoxi. Here many fern species (Polystichum lonchitis, Dryopteris submontana, D. villarii, Asplenium fissum) are found as well as large number of calcicolous mosses.
Indicators of quality:
- Occurrence of natural erosion processes.
- High species richness of the cliffs.
- Presence of rare, relict or endemic species.
- Absence of human activities, including grazing.
- Absence of alien 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
- Mining, extraction of materials and energy production
- Mining and quarrying
- Human intrusions and disturbances
- Sport and leisure structures
- Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)
- Biocenotic evolution, succession
- Climate change
- Changes in abiotic conditions
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
- 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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Austria | Present | 963 | Stable | Stable |
Bulgaria | Present | 20 | Stable | Decreasing |
Croatia | Present | 2 | - | Stable |
France mainland | Present | 500 | Stable | Stable |
Germany | Present | 100 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Italy mainland | Present | 1058 | Decreasing | Stable |
Sardinia | Present | 1058 | Decreasing | Stable |
Sicily | Present | 1058 | Decreasing | Stable |
Romania | Present | 1.5 | Unknown | Decreasing |
Slovakia | Present | 5 | Unknown | Decreasing |
Slovenia | Present | 15 | Stable | Stable |
Spain mainland | Present | 132 | Stable | Stable |
Poland | Present | 0.5 | - | - |
EU28 + | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Switzerland | Present | 750 | Decreasing | Stable |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Present | 3 | Stable | Stable |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 5646500 | 456 | 2800 | |
EU28+ | 474 | 3551 |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).