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—mimicked in artificial sites like quarry spoil and wall-tops—can only be endured by succulent or small geophytic perennial and spring annuals, as well as by a very prominent and rich contingent of poikilohydric mosses. Since the only level IV unit considered by EUNIS is restricted Fenno-Scandia, we had to create a new one.

Floristic Composition

Frequent species

Minuartia hybrida 0.57, Arenaria serpyllifolia 0.53, Hornungia petraea 0.44, Asterolinon linum-stellatum 0.42, Saxifraga tridactylites 0.39, Draba verna 0.36, Trifolium scabrum 0.34, Sherardia arvensis 0.31, Brachypodium distachyon 0.29, Catapodium rigidum 0.29, Medicago minima 0.29, Bombycilaena erecta 0.28, Veronica arvensis 0.25, Euphorbia exigua 0.25, Erodium cicutarium aggr. 0.21, Cerastium pumilum 0.19, Cerastium diffusum 0.17, Bupleurum baldense 0.17, Alyssum alyssoides 0.17, Crucianella angustifolia 0.17, Sedum album 0.15, Xeranthemum inapertum 0.15, Thrincia saxatilis aggr. 0.14, Trifolium campestre 0.14, Poa bulbosa 0.14, Arenaria obtusiflora 0.13, Aegilops geniculata 0.13, Arabis auriculata 0.11, Campanula erinus 0.11, Sedum acre 0.11, Centranthus calcitrapae 0.11, Bromus hordeaceus aggr. 0.11, Petrorhagia nanteuilii 0.11, Filago minima 0.1, Linum strictum 0.1, Arenaria leptoclados 0.1, Micropyrum tenellum 0.1, Cerastium semidecandrum 0.09, Parentucellia latifolia 0.08, Geranium molle 0.08, Cerastium glomeratum 0.08, Aira caryophyllea 0.08, Vulpia bromoides 0.07, Vulpia myuros 0.07, Vulpia unilateralis 0.07, Cynosurus echinatus 0.07, Jacobaea vulgaris 0.07, Bromus tectorum 0.06, Helianthemum salicifolium 0.06, Anthemis arvensis 0.06, Rumex bucephalophorus 0.06, Medicago lupulina 0.06, Vulpia ciliata 0.06, Galium murale 0.06, Filago pyramidata 0.06, Medicago rigidula 0.06, Poa annua 0.06, Bromus madritensis 0.06, Petrorhagia prolifera 0.06, Holosteum umbellatum 0.06, Alyssum simplex 0.05, Aphanes arvensis 0.05, Linum bienne 0.05, Galium parisiense 0.05, Phleum arenarium 0.05

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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