Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)
Quick facts
EU Habitats Directive | Annex I habitat type (code 91E0) |
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Habitat type | Priority |
Natura 2000 sites | 6552 are designated for this habitat type |
Description (English)
Riparian forests of Fraxinus excelsior and Alnus glutinosa, of temperate and Boreal Europe lowland and hill watercourses (Pal. 44.3: Alno-Padion); riparian woods of Alnus incanae of montane and submontane rivers of the Alps and the northern Apennines (Pal. 44.2: Alnion incanae); arborescent galleries of tall Salix alba, Salix fragilis and Populus nigra, along medio-European lowland, hill or submontane rivers (Pal. 44.13: Salicion albae). All types occur on heavy soils (generally rich in alluvial deposits) periodically inundated by the annual rise of the river (or brook) level, but otherwise well-drained and aerated during low-water. The herbaceous layer invariably includes many large species (Filipendula ulmaria, Angelica sylvestris, Cardamine spp., Rumex sanguineus, Carex spp., Cirsium oleraceum) and various vernal geophytes can occur, such as Ranunculus ficaria, Anemone nemorosa, Anemone ranunculoides, Corydalis solida.
This habitat includes several subtypes: ash-alder woods of springs and their rivers (Pal. 44.31 Carici remotae-Fraxinetum); ash-alder woods of fast-flowing rivers (Pal. 44.32 Stellario-Alnetum glutinosae); ash-alder woods of slow-flowing rivers (Pal. 44.33 Pruno-Fraxinetum, Ulmo-Fraxinetum); montane grey alder galleries (Pal. 44.21 Calamagrosti variae-Alnetum incanae Moor 58); submontane grey alder galleries (Pal. 44.22 Equiseto hyemalis-Alnetum incanae Moor 58); white willow gallery forests (Pal. 44.13 Salicion albae). The Spanish types belong to the alliance Osmundo-Alnion (Cantabric atlantic and southeast Iberia peninsula).
Source: Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats, version EUR 28 (2013)
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 |
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Equisetum telmateia | Ferns | |
Alnus glutinosa | Flowering Plants | |
Anemone nemorosa | Flowering Plants | |
Anemone ranunculoides | Flowering Plants | |
Angelica sylvestris | Flowering Plants | |
Betula pubescens | Flowering Plants | |
Cardamine amara | Flowering Plants | |
Cardamine pratensis | Flowering Plants | |
Carex acutiformis | Flowering Plants | |
Carex pendula | Flowering Plants | |
Carex remota | Flowering Plants | |
Carex strigosa | Flowering Plants | |
Carex sylvatica | Flowering Plants | |
Cirsium oleraceum | Flowering Plants | |
Corydalis solida | Flowering Plants | |
Filipendula ulmaria | Flowering Plants | |
Fraxinus excelsior | Flowering Plants | |
Geranium sylvaticum | Flowering Plants | |
Geum rivale | Flowering Plants | |
Lycopus europaeus | Flowering Plants | |
Lysimachia nemorum | Flowering Plants | |
Populus nigra | Flowering Plants | |
Ranunculus ficaria | Flowering Plants | |
Rumex sanguineus | Flowering Plants | |
Salix alba | Flowering Plants | |
Salix fragilis | Flowering Plants | |
Ulmus glabra | Flowering Plants | |
Urtica dioica | Flowering Plants |