Temperate ultramafic inland cliff
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLH3.2f |
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Threat status | |
Europe | Data Deficient |
EU | Data Deficient |
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 occurs on southern, south-eastern and south-western slopes, from lowland to alpine belts, on bare ultramafic (e.g. serpentine) cliffs and rocks covered by shallow soil. The ultramafic rocks are ophiolitic, the content of calcium and silica is very low, but they contain high concentrations of aluminium, iron, magnesium, nickel, cobalt and chromium. The pH varies from basic to ultra-basic (5.5-8). The fluctuation of temperature, heat and drought is an important ecological factor.
The vegetation cover is low, consisting mainly of annuals, grasses and several fern species, which are adapted to the ultramafic conditions. The flora contains some rare and endemic species. The communities of this habitat are classified within the alliance Asplenion serpentini (order Asplenietalia septentrionalis) in Central Europe, and Ramondion nathaliae (Potentilletalia speciosae) in the south-central Balkan. The endemic and relict species Ramonda nathaliae is a typical chasmophyte which primarily grows on limestone rocks, but in the central part of Macedonia it can be found also on serpentine and siliceous rocks.
Communities on ophiolitic rocks are also found in the Western Alps (France, Italy and Switzerland) and in the Apennines. Ophiolitic cliffs are local phenomena and occur in restricted mountainous areas of those regions. Carex fimbriata, Noccaea alpestris subsp. sylvium, and Cardamine plumieri are three species occurring almost exclusively in sub- and alpine communities on ophiolitic substratum (cliffs, rock outcrops and open grasslands). Carex fimbriata is endemic to the Western Alps and the Apennines. Those communities have not been distinguished from other sub- and alpine alliances (cliffs: Potentillion caulescentis, Violo-Cystopteridion or Androsacion vandelii).
The main threats of the ultramafic rocks are mining, erosion processes, grazing, and fires.
Indicators of quality:
- species richness of the cliffs and presence of the characteristic species,
- presence of rare and endemic species.
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Data Deficient | - |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Data Deficient | - |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Mining, extraction of materials and energy production
- Mining and quarrying
- Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)
- Biocenotic evolution, succession
- Interspecific floral relations
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
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Unknown ![]() |
Unknown ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Unknown ![]() |
Unknown ![]() |
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bulgaria | Present | unknown | Stable | Stable |
Croatia | Present | unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Czech Republic | Present | 0.5 | Unknown | Stable |
Germany | Present | 2 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Slovenia | Present | 0.05 | Stable | Stable |
France mainland | Present | unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Greece (mainland and other islands) | Present | 4 | Stable | Stable |
Italy mainland | Present | unknown | 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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Present | 5 | Decreasing | Stable |
Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) | Present | 5 | Decreasing | Unknown |
Switzerland | Present | 0.1 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | >50000 | unknown | unknown | |
EU28+ | unknown | unknown |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).