Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)
Description (English)
Dry to semi-dry calcareous grasslands of the Festuco-Brometea. This habitat is formed on the one hand by steppic or subcontinental grasslands (Festucetalia valesiacae) and, on the other, by the grasslands of more oceanic and sub-Mediterranean regions (Brometalia erecti); in the latter case, a distinction is made between primary Xerobromion grasslands and secondary (semi-natural) Mesobromion grasslands with Bromus erectus; the latter are characterised by their rich orchid flora. Abandonment results in thermophile brushwood with an intermediate stage of thermophile fringe vegetation (Trifolio-Geranietea).
Only considered as a priority habitat on "important orchid sites", by which one should understand the sites that are important on the basis of one or more of the following three criteria:
(a) the site hosts a rich suite of orchid species
(b) the site hosts an important population of at least one orchid species considered not very common on the national territory
(c) the site hosts one or several orchid species considered to be rare, very rare or exceptional on the national territory.
Source: Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats, version EUR 28 (2013)
Quick facts
EU Habitats Directive | Annex I habitat type (code 6210) |
---|---|
Habitat type | Not priority |
Natura 2000 sites | 4249 are designated for this habitat type |
Distribution
Conservation status
EU conservation status
Conservation status assesses every six years and for each biogeographical region the condition of habitats and species compared to the favourable status as described in the Habitats Directive. The map shows the 2013-2018 assessments as reported by EU Member State. Assessments are further detailed in the summary document available behind the link below.
Species mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Adonis vernalis | Flowering Plants | |
Anthyllis vulneraria | Flowering Plants | |
Arabis hirsuta | Flowering Plants | |
Brachypodium pinnatum | Flowering Plants | |
Campanula glomerata | Flowering Plants | |
Carex caryophyllea | Flowering Plants | |
Carlina vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
Centaurea scabiosa | Flowering Plants | |
Dianthus carthusianorum | Flowering Plants | |
Eryngium campestre | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia seguierana | Flowering Plants | |
Festuca valesiaca | Flowering Plants | |
Fumana procumbens | Flowering Plants | |
Hippocrepis comosa | Flowering Plants | |
Koeleria pyramidata | Flowering Plants | |
Leontodon hispidus | Flowering Plants | |
Ophrys apifera | Flowering Plants | |
Ophrys insectifera | Flowering Plants | |
Orchis mascula | Flowering Plants | |
Orchis militaris | Flowering Plants | |
Orchis morio | Flowering Plants | |
Orchis purpurea | Flowering Plants | |
Orchis ustulata | Flowering Plants | |
Polygala comosa | Flowering Plants | |
Primula veris | Flowering Plants | |
Sanguisorba minor | Flowering Plants | |
Scabiosa columbaria | Flowering Plants | |
Silene otites | Flowering Plants | |
Stipa capillata | Flowering Plants | |
Stipa joannis | Flowering Plants | |
Veronica teucrium | Flowering Plants | |
Iphiclides podalirius | Scarce Swallowtail | Invertebrates |
Mantis religiosa | Invertebrates | |
Papilio machaon | Swallowtail | Invertebrates |
Natura 2000 sites
Protected in the following Natura 2000 sites
Protected sites
Please note the site map takes a while to display.Legal status
Mentioned in the following international legal instruments and agreements
Relation to habitat classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200711 | E1.22 | Arid subcontinental steppic grassland (Festucion valesiacae) | wider |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200711 | E1.24 | Central alpine arid grassland (Stipo-Poion) | wider |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200711 | E1.28 | Central European calcaro-siliceous grassland | wider |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200711 | E1.23 | Meso-xerophile subcontinental meadow-steppes (Cirsio-Brachypodion) | wider |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200711 | E1.2 | Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200711 | E1.26 | Sub-Atlantic semi-dry calcareous grassland | wider |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200711 | E1.27 | Sub-Atlantic very dry calcareous grassland | wider |
Nordic Vegetation Classification 1994 | 5.2.1.3c | Avenula pratensis-Artemisia oelandica-variant of "5.2.1.3 Avenula pratensis-Fragaria viridis-Filipendula vulgaris-typ" | not defined |
National Vegetation Classification (UK) | CG6 | Avenula pubescens grassland | not defined |
National Vegetation Classification (UK) | CG4 | Brachypodium pinnatum grassland | not defined |
National Vegetation Classification (UK) | CG5 | Bromus erectus-Brachypodium pinnatum grassland | not defined |
National Vegetation Classification (UK) | CG3 | Bromus erectus grassland | not defined |
National Vegetation Classification (UK) | CG2 | Festuca ovina-Avenula pratensis grassland | not defined |
National Vegetation Classification (UK) | CG1 | Festuca ovina-Carlina vulgaris grassland" | not defined |
National Vegetation Classification (UK) | CG7 | Festuca ovina-Hieracium pilosella-Thymus praecox/pulegioides grassland | not defined |
National Vegetation Classification (UK) | CG9 | Sesleria albicans-Galium sterneri grassland | not defined |
National Vegetation Classification (UK) | CG8 | Sesleria albicans-Scabiosa columbaria grassland | not defined |
German Federal List of Biotopes | 3403 | Natürlicher Steppenrasen (kontinental, auf tiefgründigem Boden | not defined |
German Federal List of Biotopes | 34020302 | Subkontinentaler Halbtrockenrasen auf karbonatischem Boden, beweidet Mähweide | not defined |
German Federal List of Biotopes | 34020303 | Subkontinentaler Halbtrockenrasen auf karbonatischem Boden, brachgefallen | not defined |
German Federal List of Biotopes | 34020301 | Subkontinentaler Halbtrockenrasen auf karbonatischem Boden, gemäht | not defined |
German Federal List of Biotopes | 340103 | Subkontinentaler Trockenrasen auf karbonatischem Untergrund | not defined |
German Federal List of Biotopes | 34020102 | Submediterraner Halbtrockenrasen auf karbonatischem Boden, beweidet Mähweide | not defined |
German Federal List of Biotopes | 34020103 | Submediterraner Halbtrockenrasen auf karbonatischem Boden, brachgefallen | not defined |
German Federal List of Biotopes | 34020101 | Submediterraner Halbtrockenrasen auf karbonatischem Boden, gemäht | not defined |
German Federal List of Biotopes | 340101 | Submediterraner Trockenrasen auf karbonatischem Unterground | not defined |