R13x Iberoatlantic xeric basophilous grassland

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Description

Open, short vegetation typically found in small patches on very shallow and skeletal, base-rich soils, especially in the holes and ledges of karstified limestones enabling the depositon of a thin layer of the clays released by carbonate dissolution. The seasonally damp but bone dry in high summer conditions can be endured chiefly by crassulaceans and spring annuals, as well as by a very prominent and rich contingent of poikilohydric mosses.

Protection

The EU Habitat Directive grants it priority protection under the code 6110* ("Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi").

Floristic Composition

Frequent species

Minuartia hybrida 57%, Arenaria serpyllifolia 53%, Hornungia petraea 44%, Asterolinon linum-stellatum 42%, Saxifraga tridactylites 39%, Draba verna 36%, Trifolium scabrum 34%, Sherardia arvensis 31%, Brachypodium distachyon 29%, Catapodium rigidum 29%, Medicago minima 29%, Bombycilaena erecta 28%, Veronica arvensis 25%, Euphorbia exigua 25%, Erodium cicutarium aggr. 21%, Cerastium pumilum 19%, Cerastium diffusum 17%, Bupleurum baldense 17%, Alyssum alyssoides 17%, Crucianella angustifolia 17%, Sedum album 15%, Xeranthemum inapertum 15%, Thrincia saxatilis aggr. 14%, Trifolium campestre 14%, Poa bulbosa 14%, Arenaria obtusiflora 13%, Aegilops geniculata 13%, Arabis auriculata 11%, Campanula erinus 11%, Sedum acre 11%, Centranthus calcitrapae 11%, Bromus hordeaceus aggr. 11%, Petrorhagia nanteuilii 11%, Filago minima 10%, Linum strictum 10%, Arenaria leptoclados 10%, Micropyrum tenellum 10%, Cerastium semidecandrum 9%, Parentucellia latifolia 8%, Geranium molle 8%, Cerastium glomeratum 8%, Aira caryophyllea 8%, Vulpia bromoides 7%, Vulpia myuros 7%, Vulpia unilateralis 7%, Cynosurus echinatus 7%, Jacobaea vulgaris 7%, Bromus tectorum 6%, Helianthemum salicifolium 6%, Anthemis arvensis 6%, Rumex bucephalophorus 6%, Medicago lupulina 6%, Vulpia ciliata 6%, Galium murale 6%, Filago pyramidata 6%, Medicago rigidula 6%, Poa annua 6%, Bromus madritensis 6%, Petrorhagia prolifera 6%, Holosteum umbellatum 6%, Alyssum simplex 5%, Aphanes arvensis 5%, Linum bienne 5%, Galium parisiense 5%, Phleum arenarium 5%

Phytosociology

  • Bupleuro baldense-Arenarietum ciliaris
  • Minuartio hibridae-Saxifragetum tridactylitidis
  • Saxifrago tridactylitidis-Hornungietum petraeae

Relations with other habitat types

Since the only level IV unit considered by EUNIS is restricted Fenno-Scandia, a new regional one had to be created. This habitat occurs in mosaic, mediated by disturbances brought by erosion, drought or trampling, with grasslands of blocks R1A and R1H, as well as rocky outcrops of unit U381. It may also appear in artificial sites like quarry spoil and wall-tops.

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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