Q41x Cantabrian neutro-basophilous fens

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Description

Calcareous and tufa-forming fens dominated by specialized small sedges and brown mosses. They are frequent in calcareous springs and the basins fed by them, but generally limited to small areas. The study area represents the SW distributional limit of the habitat in Europe, including relict species such as Salix hastata in Vega de Liordes (Picos de Europa).

Protection

Protected by the EU Habitat Directive under the code 7230 ("Alkaline fens").

Floristic Composition

Frequent species

Carex lepidocarpa aggr. 100%, Parnassia palustris 74%, Pinguicula grandiflora 71%, Caltha palustris 48%, Carex davalliana 42%, Carex nigra 35%, Briza media 35%, Carex echinata 35%, Selaginella selaginoides 32%, Eriophorum latifolium 32%, Pedicularis mixta 29%, Festuca rivularis 26%, Carex pulicaris 26%, Equisetum variegatum 26%, Geum rivale 23%, Menyanthes trifoliata 23%, Juncus articulatus 23%, Blysmus compressus 23%, Carex panicea 23%, Scorzoneroides autumnalis 23%, Erica tetralix 23%, Jacobaea aquatica 23%, Juncus alpinoarticulatus 19%, Plantago media 19%, Potentilla erecta 19%, Carex rostrata 16%, Eleocharis quinqueflora 16%, Crepis paludosa 13%, Veronica beccabunga 13%, Epilobium palustre 13%, Molinia caerulea 13%, Philonotis fontana 10%, Veronica ponae 10%, Narthecium ossifragum 10%, Nardus stricta 10%, Triglochin palustris 10%, Prunella vulgaris 10%, Nasturtium officinale 10%, Trifolium pratense 10%, Luzula congesta 10%, Pedicularis verticillata 10%, Angelica pyrenaea 10%, Anthoxanthum odoratum 10%, Carex demissa 10%, Carex flacca 10%, Agrostis hesperica 10%, Cerastium fontanum 10%, Dactylorhiza maculata aggr. 10%, Deschampsia cespitosa aggr. 10%, Alchemilla xanthochlora 10%, Equisetum palustre 10%, Saxifraga stellaris 6%, Scorpidium cossonii 6%, Gentianella campestris 6%, Scorzoneroides carpetana 6%, Bryum pseudotriquetrum 6%, Succisa pratensis 6%, Bistorta vivipara 6%, Trifolium repens aggr. 6%, Epilobium anagallidifolium 6%, Trocdaris verticillatum 6%, Ranunculus flammula 6%, Calluna vulgaris 6%, Cardamine raphanifolia 6%, Montia fontana aggr. 6%, Myosotis stolonifera 6%, Dasiphora fruticosa 6%, Mentha longifolia 6%, Cirsium palustre 6%, Drosera rotundifolia 6%, Linum catharticum 6%, Carex leporina 6%, Juncus squarrosus 6%, Juncus bulbosus 6%, Carex canescens 6%, Drepanocladus falcata 6%

Phytosociology

  • Centaurio somedani-Caricetum davallianae
  • Pinguiculo grandiflorae-Caricetum lepidocarpae

Relations with other habitat types

A regional level IV unit is created, since both the existence of some endemic plants and the geographic definitions of Q412 and Q413 preclude a seamless integration of our fens in any of them. Also the regionally defined level VI unit Q4214 ("Cantabrian yellow sedge fens") is included here.

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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