Q223 Trichophorum cespitosum and Narthecium ossifragum acidic fens

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Description

Oceanic acidic fens fed by groundwaters in siliceous bedrocks, with a relatively high water table during the whole year. The communities are mainly dominated by Sphagnum species and fen species like Narthecium ossifragum.

Protection

This habitat is not protected under the EU Habitat Directive.

Floristic Composition

Frequent species

Drosera rotundifolia 75%, Carex echinata 70%, Narthecium ossifragum 66%, Erica tetralix 60%, Potentilla erecta 56%, Molinia caerulea 55%, Juncus bulbosus 52%, Anagallis tenella 38%, Sphagnum subnitens 36%, Trocdaris verticillatum 34%, Juncus acutiflorus 32%, Parnassia palustris 30%, Carex panicea 29%, Pedicularis sylvatica 26%, Wahlenbergia hederacea 26%, Rhynchospora alba 26%, Sphagnum palustre 26%, Calluna vulgaris 25%, Sphagnum papillosum 23%, Eleocharis multicaulis 21%, Hypericum elodes 19%, Viola palustris 18%, Sphagnum capillifolium 18%, Dactylorhiza maculata aggr. 18%, Eriophorum angustifolium 18%, Sphagnum auriculatum 17%, Aulacomnium palustre 17%, Scutellaria minor 16%, Carex lepidocarpa aggr. 16%, Erica mackayana 14%, Drosera intermedia 14%, Juncus squarrosus 14%, Agrostis canina 14%, Carex demissa 13%, Carex durieui 13%, Trichophorum cespitosum 13%, Juncus articulatus 12%, Sphagnum denticulatum 12%, Arnica montana 12%, Ranunculus flammula 10%, Lotus pedunculatus 10%, Danthonia decumbens 10%, Ranunculus bulbosus 10%, Sphagnum tenellum 9%, Carex nigra 9%, Scorzonera humilis 9%, Nardus stricta 8%, Pinguicula grandiflora 8%, Festuca rubra 8%, Juncus effusus 8%, Polygala serpyllifolia 8%, Ulex minor aggr. 8%, Schoenus nigricans 8%, Menyanthes trifoliata 8%, Cirsium palustre 8%, Drosera anglica 6%, Succisa pratensis 6%, Agrostis stolonifera 6%, Utricularia minor 6%, Eleocharis uniglumis 6%, Erica ciliaris 6%, Festuca nigrescens 6%, Festuca rivularis 6%, Sphagnum subsecundum 6%, Riccardia incurvata 6%, Carex canescens 5%, Agrostis hesperica 5%, Valeriana dioica 5%, Luzula multiflora 5%, Pinguicula lusitanica 5%, Anthoxanthum odoratum 5%, Holcus lanatus 5%, Sphagnum cuspidatum 5%, Genista berberidea 5%, Ranunculus omiophyllus 5%, Carex pulicaris 5%, Ranunculus penicillatus 5%, Campylium stellatum 5%

Indicator species

Drosera rotundifolia 0.68, Carex echinata 0.65, Narthecium ossifragum 0.62, Potentilla erecta 0.52, Erica tetralix 0.45, Molinia caerulea 0.37, Sphagnum subnitens 0.35, Juncus bulbosus 0.32, Anagallis tenella 0.3, Juncus acutiflorus 0.29, Trocdaris verticillatum 0.26, Sphagnum palustre 0.26, Parnassia palustris 0.26, Pedicularis sylvatica 0.25, Carex panicea 0.25, Rhynchospora alba 0.24, Wahlenbergia hederacea 0.23, Sphagnum papillosum 0.2, Eleocharis multicaulis 0.18, Dactylorhiza maculata aggr. 0.17, Hypericum elodes 0.17, Aulacomnium palustre 0.16, Viola palustris 0.15, Scutellaria minor 0.14, Calluna vulgaris 0.12, Agrostis canina 0.12, Drosera intermedia 0.11, Sphagnum denticulatum 0.11, Sphagnum auriculatum 0.11, Juncus squarrosus 0.11, Sphagnum capillifolium 0.1, Danthonia decumbens 0.1, Ranunculus bulbosus 0.09, Arnica montana 0.09, Scorzonera humilis 0.09, Erica mackayana 0.08, Carex lepidocarpa aggr. 0.08, Eriophorum angustifolium 0.08, Carex demissa 0.08, Trichophorum cespitosum 0.08, Juncus articulatus 0.07, Polygala serpyllifolia 0.07, Festuca rubra 0.07, Festuca nigrescens 0.06, Riccardia incurvata 0.06, Nardus stricta 0.06, Utricularia minor 0.06, Drosera anglica 0.06, Cirsium palustre 0.06, Succisa pratensis 0.06

Phytosociology

  • Narthecio ossifragi-Sphagnetum tenelli

Relations with other habitat types

The regional communities, interpretable as a lowland analogue of Q222, are recognised by EUNIS at level V as Q2233 (“Cantabrian deergrass and bog asphodel acidic fens"). As explained under Q11x, distinction from bogs, especially on purely floristic grounds, may be hard sometimes. But the topograhic position of fens, in somewhat steep talwegs, enables some flow of oxygenated waters which, by enhancing microbial decompositio, mobilises the available nutrients, moderates oligotrophy and prevents the accumulation of peat.

Regional distribution

Known occurrences and potential area of occupancy of the habitat type in the study region.

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Citation: IBEROATLANTICA – Flora and Habitats of the Cantabrian Mixed Forests ecoregion.
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