StN DATABASE: CONTENT AND GLOSSARY OF ... - Pollinators

In Atlantic parts of Europe the fissures provide a cold, humid microclimate where shade-tolerant
vascular plants such as Geranium robertianum and Ceterach officinale occur, as well as formations of
herbaceous species typical of calcareous woodland; the small pockets of soil are occupied by
communities of Mesobromion (e.g. Seslerio-Mesobromenion). Marginal areas of Geranium
sanguineum may occur. Scrub (e.g. Corylo-Fraxinetum, Prunetalia spinosae) and patches of heath and
moorland vegetation may be present, but should be treated as additional habitats. These pavements may
be subject to severe winds, so that isolated shrubs can only there survive in prostrate growth-form
(e.g.Dryas octopetal, Juniperus).
In Sweden, limestone blocks are larger and cracks are smaller. The species composition reflects a
more continental, drier and cooler climate. The pavements are mostly exposed with scattered cushions
of bryophytes, more seldom covered by a thin layer of soil. The surface is covered by Sedum album,
Cerastium pumilum, C.semidecandrium, lichens (Aspicilia calcarea, Thamnolia vermicularis,
Verrucaria nigrescens) and bryophytes (Tortella tortuosa, Grimmia pulvinata). The vegetation in the
cracks contains Gymnocarpium robertianum, Asplenium ruta-muraria, A.trichomanes ssp.
quadrivalens and, occasionally, bushes of Prunus spinosa, Fraxinus excelsior, Cotoneaster spp., Rosa
spp.
In sub-mediterranean conditions, limestone pavements may carry patches of thermophilous Quercus
scrub, with an understory of Buxus - these should be regarded as separate habitats. The pockets of
grassland present are variable in character but would normally be described as xeric, and unimproved
(i.e.CORINE 34.5).
limnocrene, spring/flush: springs emerging in small pools. Limnocrens emerging in larger water
bodies such as lakes or dead arms are not covered here.
lowland, heath: CORINE 31.22, with the exclusion of all mediterranean, iberian, and alpine
communities; CORINE 31.23.
CORINE 31.22: SUB-ATLANTIC CALLUNA-GENISTA HEATHS; Calluno-Genistion pilosae p.;
Low Calluna heaths often rich in Genista, mostly of the North Sea lowlands. Similar formations
occuring in British upland areas are also included here.
CORINE 31.23: ATLANTIC ERICA-ULEX HEATHS; Ulicenion minoris; Daboecenion cantabricae
p.; Ulicion maritimae; heaths rich in gorse (Ulex) of Atlantic margins
lowland improved grassland: improved pasture and meadow occurring at altitudes up to, and
including, that of Fagus forest: CORINE 38.1, 38.2.
CORINE 38.1: MESOPHILE PASTURES; Cynosurion; regularly grazed mesophile pastures, fertilised
and on well-drained sites, with Lolium perenne, Cynosurus cristatus, Poa ssp., festuca ssp., Trifolium
repens, Leontodon autumnalis, Bellis perennis, Ranunculus repens, R.acris, Cardamine pratensis; they
are most characteristic of the Euro-Siberian zone, but extend to Atlantic Iberia and the Cordillera
Central, the Apennines and the supra-Mediterranean zone of Greece.
CORINE 38.2: LOWLAND HAY MEADOWS; Arrhenatherion, Brachypodio-Centaureion nemoralis;
mesophile hay meadows of low altitudes, fertilized and well-drained, with Arrhenatherion elatius,
Trisetum flavescens, Anthriscus sylvestris, Heracleum sphondylium, Daucus carota, Crepis biennis,
Knautia arvensis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pimpinella major, Trifolium dubium, Geranium pratense;
they are most characteristic of the Euro-Siberian zone, but extend to Atlantic Iberia, the Cordillera
Central and Montseny, to the Apennines and to the supra-Mediterranean zone of Greece.
lowland, tall herb communities: tall-herb communities at altitudes up to, and including, that of Fagus
forest. CORINE 37.1: meadowsweet stands and related communities. Filipendulion ulmariae i.a.
Hygrophile tall herb strips of fertile alluvial stream banks, often dominated by Filipendula ulmaria,
and tall herb stands (F.ulmaria, Angelica sylvestris) colonising humid hay meadows and pastures after
more or less long discontinuation of mowing or grazing; characterstic species are Filipendula ulmaria,
Angelica sylvestris Achillea ptarmica, Cirsium palustre,Deschampsia cespitosa, Epilobium hirsutum,
Geranium palustre, Veronica longifolia, Scutellaria hastifolia, Eupatorium cannabinum, Lysimachia
vulgaris, Lythrum salicaria, Phalaris arundinacea, Polygonum bistorta, Valeriana officinalis.
CORINE 37.7: humid tall herb fringes. Convolvuletalia sepium, Glechometalia hederaceae p.
(Calystegio-Alliarietalia). Watercourse veil and shady woodland edge communities.
lowland unimproved grassland (general), unimproved grassland: unimproved grasslands occurring at
altitudes up to, and including, that of Fagus forest. Used in contradistinction to montane/subalpine
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