R1A3 Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grassland

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Description

Closed grasslands on calcareous bedrocks, dominated by perennial herbaceous plants (especially Brachypodium pinnatum) together with a high diversity of thermophilous species with a wide distribution in European calcareous mountains.

Protection

Protected under the code 6210 ("Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia)") by the EU Habitat Directive, with priority in those localities rich in orchids.

Floristic Composition

Frequent species

Brachypodium pinnatum 100%, Lotus corniculatus 49%, Sanguisorba minor 45%, Dactylis glomerata 43%, Briza media 42%, Bromus erectus aggr. 39%, Carex flacca 36%, Plantago lanceolata 33%, Teucrium pyrenaicum 33%, Galium pumilum aggr. 33%, Daucus carota 31%, Erica vagans 30%, Linum catharticum 30%, Scabiosa columbaria 26%, Picris hieracioides 26%, Trifolium pratense 24%, Festuca rubra 24%, Anthyllis vulneraria 24%, Potentilla montana 24%, Helianthemum nummularium 24%, Achillea millefolium 24%, Thymus praecox 23%, Origanum vulgare 22%, Genista hispanica 21%, Pimpinella saxifraga 21%, Dianthus hyssopifolius 20%, Hypochaeris radicata 20%, Medicago lupulina 19%, Polygala vulgaris 19%, Anthoxanthum odoratum 19%, Pilosella officinarum 18%, Centaurea nigra 18%, Festuca nigrescens 18%, Ononis spinosa 18%, Stachys officinalis 18%, Pteridium aquilinum 17%, Glandora diffusa 17%, Ranunculus bulbosus 16%, Plantago media 16%, Agrostis capillaris 16%, Holcus lanatus 15%, Seseli cantabricum 15%, Thymus pulegioides aggr. 15%, Trisetum flavescens 15%, Koeleria vallesiana 15%, Helictochloa pratensis 15%, Clinopodium vulgare 13%, Cruciata glabra 12%, Blackstonia perfoliata 12%, Galium mollugo aggr. 12%, Poa pratensis 12%, Leucanthemum vulgare 12%, Danthonia decumbens 12%, Carthamus mitissimus 12%, Carex caryophyllea 12%, Helictotrichon cantabricum 12%, Hypericum perforatum 12%, Campanula glomerata 11%, Eryngium campestre 11%, Prunella grandiflora 11%, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria 11%, Viola riviniana aggr. 11%, Hippocrepis comosa 11%, Bellis perennis 11%, Silene nutans 10%, Teucrium chamaedrys 10%, Carlina vulgaris 10%, Geum sylvaticum 10%, Rumex acetosa 10%, Seseli montanum 10%, Galium verum 10%, Trifolium repens aggr. 10%, Potentilla erecta 9%, Teucrium scorodonia 9%, Trifolium ochroleucon 9%, Prunella vulgaris 9%, Lathyrus pratensis 9%, Carex humilis 9%, Centaurea debeauxii 8%, Cytisus scoparius 8%, Rhinanthus pumilus 8%, Asperula cynanchica 8%, Lathyrus linifolius 8%, Linum viscosum 8%, Hypericum pulchrum 8%, Pimpinella tragium 7%, Allium sphaerocephalon 7%, Vicia sativa aggr. 7%, Euphorbia flavicoma 7%, Crepis albida 7%, Trifolium campestre 7%, Cynosurus cristatus 7%, Echium vulgare 7%, Agrimonia eupatoria 7%, Prunella laciniata 7%, Primula veris 7%, Carlina corymbosa 7%, Helictochloa marginata 7%, Euphorbia amygdaloides 7%, Helianthemum oelandicum 7%, Festuca ovina 6%, Arrhenatherum elatius 6%, Clinopodium alpinum 6%, Rubus ulmifolius 6%, Mercurialis perennis 6%, Fragaria vesca 6%, Leontodon hispidus 6%, Cirsium tuberosum 6%, Phleum pratense aggr. 6%, Helleborus foetidus 6%, Globularia nudicaulis 6%, Filipendula vulgaris 6%, Biscutella laevigata aggr. 6%, Vicia cracca 6%, Sesleria argentea 6%, Vicia sepium 6%, Seseli libanotis 6%, Knautia legionensis aggr. 6%, Veronica chamaedrys 6%, Carduus defloratus aggr. 6%, Centaurium erythraea 6%, Arenaria grandiflora 6%, Sedum forsterianum 6%, Cirsium filipendulum 5%, Crataegus monogyna 5%, Onobrychis conferta 5%, Eryngium bourgatii 5%, Helianthemum apenninum 5%, Helleborus viridis 5%, Thrincia saxatilis aggr. 5%

Phytosociology

  • Bromo erecti-Caricetum brevicollis
  • Bromo erecti-Cirsietum tuberosi
  • Helianthemo cantabrici-Brometum erecti
  • Seselio cantabrici-Brachypodietum rupestris

Relations with other habitat types

These grasslands intermingle very often with the more mesic variants of unit S73x as a consequence of extensive pasturing.

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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