# European Red List of Habitats Table

Habitat Description:
Open or closed arid, floristically rich or poor steppes or steppe-like grasslands of sub-continental and continental areas of Central, South-Eastern and Eastern Europe from sea level to maximum 1200-1300 m alt.They are widespread in the plains, lowlands, hills and foothills, mostly on slopes or plainly but elevated terrains. The localities have mostly southern exposure and different tilt, as a result of which the underground surface waters are absent and the humidity of the soil completely depends on the rainfall. The habitat comprises plant communities which have developed in different soil and climatic conditions. The bedrock is mostly calcareous (limestones, dolomites, marls) but it can also be silicate and even sandstones. The soils are very diverse: Phaeozems, Chernozems, Luvisols, Lithosols, Rankers and Rendzhinas, but generally dry, thick or shallow, eroded and stony. The plant species that participate in the composition of this herbaceous vegetation are adapted to long periods of drought. There are two rest periods, one of which is in summer. Their distribution in various climatic conditions reflects in their floristic composition and structure. Additional factors of the environment such as altitude, soil characteristics, including soil acidity and anthropogenic pressure also have an impact on these communities.
The plant communities are dominated by high, tuft-forming grasses and other perennial herbaceous species. Inn the west, such communities (Stipo-Poion xerophilae) extend to the lower arid slopes of valleys in Eastern and Central Alps. The typical steppes (Festucion sulcatae, Stipion lessingianae) are developed mostly on deep soils in Central and Eastern Europe. They are dominated from xerophytic grasses: Stipa spp., Festuca spp., Chrysopogon gryllus, Dichanthium ischaemum, Bromus spp. They may be of primary origin, especially in most continental regions on thick loess cover or on naturally eroded terrains with basic rocks outcrops. But in the sub-continental and foothill regions they can inhabit places of former destroyed woodland. In these parts, semi-shrubs and solitary trees have remained from the primary wood vegetation. In more humid regions, or on eastern and northern slope in primary steppes, the habitat is more like a meadow, with many tall herbs, among which Salvia spp., Phlomis spp. and Filipendula vulgaris. On eroded slopes there are various petrophytic steppes (Satureion montanae) on shallow, degraded humus-carbonate soils or sandy-clayey screes. These communities are dominated by perennial herbs and aromatic semi-shrubs like Satureja spp., Thymus spp., Genista spp., Teucrium spp., Hyssopus officinalis. In the southernmost parts of the habitat’s range and on the coastal areas of the Black Sea, besides perennial grasses and semi-shrubs, also many annuals with Mediterranean origin participate in the habitat. The species composition of steppes along the Northern Black Sea is a mixture between typical steppe grasses, semi-shrubs and southern annuals (endemic alliance Pimpinello-Thymion zigoidi). Very diverse are also steppe communities on slopes, ridges and tops of loess plateaus in the Danube plain. They range from typical primary grasslands on deep chernozems on the tops, to open and poor semi-ruderal communities (Artemisio-Kochion) on the steep loess outcrops. The last ones are relic communities from the Pleistocene and dominated by large tufts of Artemisia campestris, Chamaecytisus supinus, Kochia prostrata, Agropyron cristatum and Krascheninnikovia ceratoides. The richest steppes are found however outside th EU28+, in Ukraine, South Russia and Kazakhstan, regions of ecological and climatic optimum for steppes. Many different steppe syntaxa have described there, representing a large diversity of steppe vegetation.
Through the whole range, overgrazing of steppes has caused ruderalization and degradation of the habitat, which transforms into pastures dominated by low grasses like Cynodon dactylon and Lolium perenne, with many spiny, poisonous or non-patable species for cattle. The semi-ruderal grasslands dominated by Dichanthium ischaemum are also secondary, because due the overgrazing they may replace more natural communities dominated by Chrysopogon gryllus, Stipa spp., etc. Continental steppes are very important habitat for many plant and animal species including relics and endemics. They are also very valuable resource for cattle. The most fertile soils, Chernozems, are formed by the interaction of the steppe vegetation and loess. Because it, the most steppe areas are ploughed and replaced from agricultures.
Indicators of good quality:
In good conditions these grasslands have rich species composition and dominance of steppe grasses.Mainthreat is ploughing, urbanization, industrial, agricultural and communication infrastructure, overgrazing that leads to xerophytisation, ruderalization and changes in their structure and ecological characteristics. General aridisation of the climate, fertilization of the neighbouring agricultural land, stone pits, digging activities, deposition of industrial and household waste, invasion of alien species, developing of tree and shrub vegetation are also serious threats. Complete abandoning of the grazing in foothill areas led to shrub and tree invasion as a process of restoration of former woodland.A patchy pattern of grassland and shrubs on a landscape scale is, on the other hand, of importance for many typical insects, birdsand reptilians.In such cases, especially for secondary steppes in foothill and low mountain areas, more intensive management may be needed for maintenance. The following characteristics may be considered as indicators of good quality, but these indicators differ in different regions depending by origin, geographical position and level of human disturbance:
High species richness
Presence of rare and/or threatened species mostly with relic steppe origin
Low cover and balance of encroaching shrubs and trees
Absence of invasive species
Sustainability of traditional human activities: mowing, grazing, gathering of medicinal plants, fungi, etc.

Characteristic species:
Flora
Vascular plants: Achillea clypeolata, A.collina, A. millefolium, A. nobilis, A. pannonica, A. setacea, A. tormentosa, A. virescens, Adonis flammea, A. vernalis, A. volgensis, Aegilops cylindrica, A. geniculata, A. triuncialis, Agrimonia eupatoria, Agropyron pectinatum, Ajuga genevensis, A. laxmannii, Alyssum alyssoides, A. caliacrae, A. parviflorum, A. saxatile, Allium flavum, A. moschatum, A. paniculatum, A. sphaerocephalon, Althaea hirsuta, Anacamptis pyramidalis, Anthericum ramosum, Asperula cynanchica, Arabis recta, Artemisia alba, A. austriaca, A. campestris, A. lerchiana, A. pedemontana, A. pontica, A. scoparia, Asphodeline lutea, Aster oleifolius, Astragalus austriacus, A. corniculatus, A. dasyanthus, A. exscapus, A. haarbachii, A. glaucus, A. monspessulanus, A. onobrychis, A. ponticus, A. pubiflorus, A. spruneri, A. vesicarius, Bellevalia ciliata, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brassica elongata, Bromus erectus, B.inermis, B.japonicus, B. mollis, B. tectorum, Buglossoides incrassata, Bupleurum falcatum, Camelinamicrocarpa, Campanula macrostachya, C. sibirica, Carex humilis, C. montana, C. caryophyllea, C. stenophylla, C. supina, Centaureamicranthos, C. stereophylla, C. stoebe, C. triumfetti, Cephalaria transsilvanica, C. uralensis, Chamaecytisus austriacus, Ch. jankae, C. supinus, Chondrilla juncea, Chrysopogon gryllus, Cichorium intybus, Cleistogenes serotina Colchicum turcicum, Convolvulus cantabrica, Coronilla scorpioides, Crambe tataria, Crocus reticulatus, Crupina vulgaris, Cynodon dactylon, Danthonia alpina, Dianthus campestris subsp. roseoluteus, D. carthusianorum, D. glabriusculus, D. nardiformis, D. pallens, D. petraeus subsp. noaeanus, D. pontederae, D. pseudarmeria, Dichanthium ischaemum, Dorycnium herbaceum, Dracocephalum austriacum, Echinops ritro, Echium maculatum E. vulgare, Elymus elongatus, E. hispidus, Elytrigia intermedia subsp. intermedia, Ephedra distachya, E. helvetica, E. negrii, Eryngium campestre, Erysimum diffusum, Euphorbia cyparissias, E. myrsinites, E. nicaeensis, E. seguierana, Euphrasia tatarica, Helianthemum canum, Hedysarum tauricum, Helianthemum salicifolium, Helictotrichon compressum, Herminium monorchis, Hieracium bauhinii, H. hoppeanum, Himantoglossum caprinum, Hyacinthella leucophaea, Hypericumelegans, H. perforatum, Hypochoeris maculata, Falcaria vulgaris, Ferula sadlerana, Festuca dalmatica, F. valesiaca, F. rupicola, Filipendula vulgaris, Fragaria viridis, Fumana procumbens, Galium album, G. octonarium, G. purpureum, G. verum, Genista sessilifolia subsp. trifoliata, Goniolimon besseranum, G. collinum, G. tataricum, Gypsophila glomerata, Inula ensifolia, I. hirta, I. oculus-christi, Iris pumila, Jurinea mollis, J. stoechadifolia, Kochia prostrata, Koeleria brevis, K. cristata, K. gracilis, Leontodon crispus, Limonium latifolium, Linum austriacum, L. tauricum, Lolium perenne, Matthiola fruticulosa, M. odoratissima, Medicago disciformis, M. falcata, M. minima,M. orbicularis, M. rigidula, Melampyrum arvense, Melica ciliata, Minuartia setacea, Nepeta parviflora, Nonea pulla, Onobrychis arenaria, O. viciifolia, Ononis arvensis, O. cenisia, O. pusilla, Onosma helveticassp. tridentina, Onosma tornensis, O. visianii, Orchis militaris, O. ustulata, Origanum vulgare, Orlaya grandiflora, Ornithogalum refractum, Ophrys apifera, O. sphegodes, O. fuciflora, Oxytropis pilosa,Paeonia tenuifolia, Paliurus spina-christi, Parentucellia latifolia, Paronychia cephalotes, Petrorhagia prolifera, P. saxifraga, P. velutina, Peucedanum arenarium, P. cervaria, Pimpinella saxifraga, P. tragium, Phleum phleoides, Phlomis herba-venti subsp. pungens, P. tuberosa, Plantago lanceolata, P. media, Poa angustifolia, P. bulbosa, Polygala major, Potentilla astracanica, P. arenaria,P. bornmuelleri, P. emilii-popii, P. pilosa, P. pusilla, Pseudolysimachion spicatum, Pulsatilla montana, P. nigricans, P. zimmermannii, Ranunculus illyricus, R. polyanthemos, Rhamnus saxatilis, Rindera umbellata, Ruta graveolens, Salvia aethiopis, S. argentea, S. austriaca, S. nemorosa, S. nutans, S. scabiosifolia, S. pratensis, S. ringens, S. sclarea, Sanguisorba minor, Satureja coerulea, S, montana, Saxifraga tridactylites, Scabiosa micrantha, S. ochroleuca, Scandix australis, Scorzonera austriaca, Scutellaria orientalis subsp. pinnatifida, Sedum hispanicum, S. maximum, S. urvillei, Seseli annuum, Seseli tortuosum, S. osseum, S. varium, Sideritis montana, Silene longiflora, S. otites, Stachys arenariaeformis, S. officinalis, S. recta, Sternbergia colchiciflora, Stipa capillata, S. crassiculmis, S. dasyphylla, S. joannis, S. lessingiana, S. stenophylla, S.pulcherrima, S. ucrainica, Syringa vulgaris, Tanacetum millefolium, Taraxacum serotinum, Teucrium chamaedrys, T. montanum, T. polium, Thlaspi jankae, Thesium linophyllon, Thymus callieri subsp. urumovii, T. glabrescens, T. pannonicus T. zygioides, Trifolium alpestre, T. angustifolium, T. cherleri, T. hirtum, T. incarnatum, T. montanum, T. scabrum, T. subterraneum, Trigonella gladiata, T. monspeliaca, Valerianella pumila, Verbascum banaticum, V. phoeniceum, Veronica austriaca, V. prostrata, Vinca herbacea, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, Viola ambigua, Xeranthemum annuum.
Mosses: Campylliadephus chrysophyllus, Ceratodon purpureus, Eurhynchiumhians, Homalothecium lutescens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Fissidens dubius, F. taxifolius, Grimmia pulvinata, Plagiomnium affine, Polytrichum piliferum, Rhytidium rugosum, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Syntrichia ruralis, Thuidium abietinum
Lichens: Cladonia convoluta, C. foliacea, C. furcata, C. rangiformis, Fulgensia fulgens, Peltigera canina, P. rufescens 
Fauna
Mammals: Cricetus cricetus, Mesocricetus newtoni, Mus spicilegus, Mustela eversmanni, Sicista subtilis, Spermophilus citellus, Vormela peregusna 
Birds: Alauda arvensis, Anthus campestris, Anthopoide svirgo, Asio flammeus,Burhinus oedicnemus, Calandrella brachydactyla, Circus cyaneus, C. pygargus, Emberiza calandra, E. cia, E. citrinella, E. melanocephala, Lullua arborea, Lanius collurio, Melanocorypha calandra, Oenanthe pleshanka, Otis tarda, Perdi xperdix, Phoenicurus ochruros, Sturnus roseus, Tetrax tetrax
Reptilia: Ablepharus kitaibelii, Dolichophis caspius, Eurotestudo hermannii, Lacerta trilineata, Lacerta viridis, Pseudopus apodus, Testudo graeca,Vipera ammodytes Insects: Bradyporus dasypus, Iphiclides podalirius, Mantis religiosa, Oedipoda germanica, Papilio machaon, Tettigonia viridissima Indicatorsofquality

Classification:
EUNIS:
E1.2 Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes
EuroVegChecklist alliances:
Festucion sulcatae Soó 1930 = Festucion valesiacae 
Artemisio-Kochion Soó 1964
Stipo-Poion xerophilae Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Br.-Bl. 1949
Stipion lessingianae Soó 1947
Pimpinello-Thymion zygoidi Dihoru et Donita 1970
Satureion montanae Horvat 1958
Helictotrichon desertori-Stipion rubentis Toman 1969
Annex 1:
6240 Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands
6250 Pannonic loess steppic grasslands
62C0 Ponto-Sarmatic steppes
Emerald:
E1.2 Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes
MAES:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The habitat is representative for the regions with continental climate in Europe. It is characterized from the participation of many relic steppic species from primary grassland vegetation. The optimum of habitat distribution is outside the EU28 in the Steppic region, but within the EU28 mainly in the Continental and Pannonian regions.

Map Description:
The map is rather complete, although some overestimation may exist in some regions (a.o. Germany, Hungary). Data sources: Art17, EVA.

Trends in Quantity:
A decrease has been reported from almost all countries, with the lowest extends around -20% (France, Bulgaria, Romania) and the highest about 50% (Austria, Slovakia and Poalnd). A slight decrease is expected to continue in most of the counties. The main reasons for decrease are agricultural intensification, change in the grazing regimes (abandonment of grazing, overgrazing), direct destruction (human urbanisation, mining and quarrying activities), natural successions and invasion of shrubs and threes.

Trends in Quality:
The average EU28 trend in quality is declining, affecting about 25% of the area with slight to moderate severity.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
<30%. The range of the habitat and expands in Eastern Europe (Russia, Ukraine, Moldova) towards Kazakhstan and South Siberia. The countries of the EU28 and EU28+ are in the westermost and southwesternmost parts of this very large range of distribution.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat has a very large EOO and occurs in large stands.

Pressures and Threats:
The biggest threats are the agricultural intensification and change of grasslands into arable land. Also changing of grazing regimes (abandonment of grazing, overgrazing), direct destruction (human urbanisation, mining and quarrying activities), natural successions and invasion of shrubs and trees are important threats.

Conservation and Management:
The most important is a legal protection of the steppic grassland and stopping of their transformation into arable lands. Restoration of some steppe areas and their management (like extensive grazing) are also important conservation activities.

Conservation Status:
Annex I
6240: ALP U2, ATL U1, BLS U1, CON U1, PAN U1
6250: CON U1, PAN U2
62C0: BLS U1, CON U1, STE U1

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The habitat has a capacity to recover naturally but the process is slow and difficult. It could be restored in many areas on the former arable lands with a low productivity. In the past it was dependent on wild herbivores, now practically extinct in most areas. Domestic animals could play an analogical role, but their grazing has to be regulated so that it will not cause any overgrazing and loss of biodiversity.

Summary:
This broadly-defined habitat includes steppe and steppe-like grasslands on mostly base-rich soils over limestones, of varying depth and stoniness, through the Continental lowlands to sub-montane belts of Europe.  Dominated by plants adapted to long periods of summer drought, mostly tall tussock grasses and perennial forbs, these grasslands show wide variation in particular topographic situation and species composition across the substantial range. In more extreme situations, the grasslands are natural, but they often sustain extensive grazing and abandonment of traditional farming, over-grazing and attempts at soil improvement and cultivation have all had an impact. Strict protection of remaining areas and restoration of such grazing as was previously sustained are essential for conservation.

References:
Chytrý M 2007. THD Festucion valesiacae Klika 1931. In: Chytrý M (ed.) Vegetace ÄŒeské republiky. 1. Travinná a keÅ™íÄkovávegetace [Vegetation of the Czech Republic. 1. Grassland and Heathland Vegetation]. Academia, Praha, pp. 409-410.
Donita, N., A. popescu, M. Pauca-Comanescu, S. Mihailescu & I.-A. Biris 2005. Habitatele din Romania. Editura Tehnica Silvica, Bucuresti.
Mucina L & Kolbek J 1993. Festuco-Brometea. In: Mucina L, Grabherr G, Ellmauer T. (eds.). Die Pflanzengesellschaften Österreichs. Teil I: 420-492. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena.
Royer J M 1991. Synthèse eurosibériene, phytosociologique et phytogéographique de la classe des Festuco-Brometea. Dissertationes Botanicae, 178: 1-296. J. Cramer, Berlin-Stuttgart.
Werger M & van Staalduinen M (eds.) 2012. Eurasian Steppes. Ecological Problems and Livelihoods in a Changing World.Dordrecht, Heidelberg, New York, London: Springer, 565 p.

Criterion A Text:
The habitat has been decreased in almost all countries. The average (calculated from provided territorial data of 12 countries) is -26% for both EU28 and EU28+, but aplying the maximum ranges it is up to -31%/-30% respectively. Reported data from Romania were not relaible and have been corrected according to area reported by Donita et al. (2005; types 3414 to 3421), resulting in Romania having the largest proportion of this habitat of all countries (49% of the EU28+ total reported). Using the maximum decline percentages results in the assessment Vulnerable (VU) for both the EU28 and EU28+. As the trend data from Romania is uncertain, the overall assessment certainty has been indicated to be 'low'.

Criterion B Text:
The habitat is widespread in the Eastern and parts of Central and even Western Europe and the EOO is larger than 50000 km2, the AOO larger than 50 km2 and the number of locations high. The habitat is assessed as Least Concern under all B criteria.

Criterion C/D Text:
The overall extent and severity are the weighted average calculated from reported territorial data, excluding the (uncertain) Romanian data, and therefore covering about 50% of the reported data. The involved countries could not provide enough information on long historical or future trends in quality (CD2, CD3, C2, C3, and D2). The changes in quality are both abiotic and biotic, so C/D1 has not been split into C1 and D1. The assessment of C/D1 results in the category Least Concern.

Synthesis:
The habitat type is assessed as Near Threatened (NT) under criterion A1 because of a large reduction in quantity (on average -26%) in both the EU28 and EU28+ over the last 50 years. The maximum trend calculated is however higher (-31%) and meets the threshold for Vulnerable (VU). Further uncertainty about the assessment exists, because of uncertain area data from Romania, the country that covers the largest area of continental steppes in the EU28+ region. All other criteria for which data were available resulted in a Least Concern category.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
The habitat has large diversity in different regions of the large range. A main division could be in the true steppes of the Steppic Region (northern Bulgaria, Romania) and a subtype for the continental and pannonian region, partly secondary steppes. O

Contributors:
Habitat Definiton: R. Tzonev
Territorial data: S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, C. Bita-Nikolae, J. Boloni, G. Buffa, M. Chytry, R. Delarze, M. Janisova, P. Finck, Z. Kacki, A. Mikolajczak, D. Milanovic, D. Paternoster, U. Raths, U. Riecken, V. Rusakova, A. Ssymank, Z. Skvorz
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E1.3b Mediterranean tall perennial dry grassland

Habitat Description:
The habitat type includes mainly basophilous, xerophytic, tall, tufted, dense or short open grasslands (pseudosteppes) with a wide Mediterranean distribution. They are dominated by plant species which are adapted to the xerothermic climatic conditions, the poor soil conditions and human-made disturbances such as grazing, trampling etc. This habitat type includes several plant communities of dry grasslands, differentiated mostly by the geographical region (western, central or eastern Mediterranean area) and the geological substrate (calcareous, magnesite, dolomite) or the soil types (deep or shallow, sandy, clay or ultramafic soils). Physiognomically, they usually look like steppes even if no Stipa species occur (pseudosteppes). Their floristic composition can be fairly differentiated depending on specific communities, but generally they are dominated by grasses such as Lygeum spartum, Brachypodium retusum, Hyparrhenia hirta, Stipa spp. etc. Alien species, adapted to xerothermic conditions, are often found with high abundance, like Opuntia spp. Grazing or other disturbances, such as wildfires, maintain these grasslands, which are – in several cases – the result of the degradation of forests or evergreen shrublands. Invasion by alien species, transformation to agricultural land and urbanization are the major threats for this habitat type.
Indicators of quality:
This habitat type is characterized by steppe-like grasslands. Subsequently, the most important quality indicators are: (a) dominance of grass species, (b) absence or very low cover of nitrophilous or alien species, (c) no signs of primary succession (e.g. encroachment of chamaephytes or shrub species), (d) presence of properly adjusted, extensive grazing, (e) absence of indications of significant, crevice-like, erosion. 
Characteristic species:
Dominant species: Andropogon distachyos, Brachypodium boissieri, B. retusum, Cachrys pungens, Dactylis glomerata subsp. hispanica, Festuca capillifolia, F. scariosa, Helictochloa bromoides, Helictotrichon filifolium s.l., Heteropogon contortus, Hyparrhenia hirta, H. sinaica, Lygeum spartum, Macrochloa tenacissima, Magydaris pastinaca, Stipa barbata, S. cazorlensis, S. iberica, S. juncea, S. lagascae, S. offneri, S. parviflora, S. pauneroana, Trisetum velutinum.
Diagnostic species: Allium pallens, A. sphaerocephalon, Aristida adscensionis subsp. caerulescens,â€‹ Arrhenatherum album, Carlina corymbosa, C. graeca, Cenchrus ciliaris, Convolvulus althaeoides,â€‹ Dichanthium annulatum, Echinophora tenuifolia, Eryngium dichotomum, E. triquetrum, Euphorbia terracina, Ferula communis, Festuca humifusa, Ferulago nodosa, Helictochloa gervaisii, Lapiedra martinezii, Moricandia arvensis, Phagnalon rupestre subsp. graecum, P. saxatile, Rhaponticum coniferum, Sanguisorba verrucosa, Scorzonera cretica, Stipa bufensis, S. capillata, S. gussonei, Thapsia pelagica, Tricholaena teneriffae.
Invasive: Pennisetum setaceum.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E1.3 Mediterranean xeric grassland
E1.4 Mediterranean tall-grass and [Artemisia] steppes
EuroVegChecklist alliances:
Agropyro pectinati-Lygeion sparti Br.-Bl. & O. Bolòs 1958 corr. Rivas-Martínez et al. 1999
Cymbopogono Brachypodion ramosi Horvatic 1963 
Festucion scariosae Martínez-Parras et al. 1984 
Hyparrhenion hirtae Br.-Bl. et al. 1956 
Leontodonto tuberosi-Bellion sylvestis Biondi et al. 2001 
Moricandio-Lygeion sparti S. Brullo et al. 1990 
Reichardio maritimae-Dactylidion hispanicae Biondi et al. 2001 
Scorzonero creticae-Lygeion sparti S. Brullo et al. 2002 
Stipion parviflorae De la Torre et al. 1996 
Stipion tenacissimae Rivas-Martínez 1984 
Thero-Brachypodion retusi Br.-Bl. 1925 
Triseto velutini-Brachypodion boissieri Rivas-Martínez et al. 2002
Annex 1: 
6220 *Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea.
Emerald:  
E1.3. Mediterranean xeric grassland.
MAES:  
Grasslands
IUCN:  
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
These xeric grasslands are typical of the Mediterranean region. They also occur in the Macaronesian region.

Map Description:
The map is rather complete with some gaps outside the EU on the Balkan, and data gaps for Macaronesia. Data sources: Art17, EVA.

Comment EU28:
The area occupied by the habitat in France is not known

Trends in Quantity:
Average Trend in EU28: -3.2% over the last decades (since 1960-1974)
Average Trend in EU28+: -3.2% over the last decades (since1960-1974)
The extent of this habitat has been slightly decreased since the middle of the 20th century, from 10114 km2 to 9793 km2 in EU countries and thus over the last 50 years the loss of habitat’s area is estimated approximately at 3% in EU28 and EU28+ countries. This decline is rather heterogeneous. Portugal, Bosnia and Croatia have reported an important decrease, but the countries where the habitat occupies large areas have reported only a slight decrease (Italy), or no decrease (Spain). Greece and France did not report any data about recent trends, but France has reported a strong decrease over the last century. The regression was mainly due to scrub encroachment, change to agricultural land, urbanization and afforestation. Regarding future trends, most countries estimate that the area of the habitat will remain more or less stable or it will be slightly decreased.

Trends in Quality:
Less than 10% of the habitat area in Europe has been subjected to slight up to moderate degradation over the last 50 years. The trends over larger historical periods are not known. France has reported degradation that has been caused by fragmentation and scrub encroachment. This trend in France is expected to continue in the future due to the abandonment of extensive grazing systems, which is also the main reason of the recent degradation. The calculated extent of degradation in EU28 is 7% with a severity of 41%. EU28+ shows similar trends, but severity is slightly lower (40%).

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
It is not easy to give an estimate of the proportion of the habitat's area within the EU28, as it is also present in northern Africa and western Asia, across the entire Mediterranean region. A rough estimation of the proportion of habitat’s area within EU 28 is approximately 50%.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The extent of occurrence is larger than 50000 km2, and the decline during the last 50 years has not been very important.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The extent of occurrence is larger than 50000 km2.

Pressures and Threats:
The grasslands included in this habitat are mainly threatened by the abandonment of the traditional form of extensive grazing, which initiates the succession process and finally enhances scrub encroachment within grasslands. Characteristic light-demanding species disappear during this process, and grasses loss their dominance. Change of grasslands to arable lands or forests (by afforestation) can also decrease their area. Furthermore, nitrification can affect their quality, as it increases the cover of nitrophilous and even alien species. The latter are especially dangerous in the warmest areas of habitat’s distribution (mainly in islands). Pennisetum setaceum is an outstanding example of an alien grass which invades these grasslands. Finally, another important threat is urbanization, which affects the grasslands especially in coastal areas. These threats are similar along all EU28 and EU28+ countries.

Conservation and Management:
The maintenance of traditional silvopastoral systems is very important for the conservation of this habitat. Extensive grazing is a basic feature of these systems, and management practices should focus on this key factor. In regions where these grasslands are more endangered their change to arable lands and tree plantations should be minimized.

Conservation Status:
Annex I:
6220: ALP XX, ATL U2, BLS U1, MED U1, CON U1.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
These grasslands grow on many types of soils, but as they occur in dry climates, their degradation is often caused by soil erosion and thus their restoration may need very long time, depending on the degree of erosion. If the habitat degradation is due to management abandonment and the consequent shrub encroachment, it can be restored by the re-introduction of traditional forms of extensive grazing.

Summary:
These are grasslands of impoverished, base-rich soils over various calcareous bedrocks through the Mediterranean region, where grazing and trampling sustain open or closed swards generally dominated by tall, dense tussock grasses that lend a steppe-like character. Summer drought and disturbance help prevent reversion to woodland but can encourage the invasion of aliens. Abandonment of traditional agriculture, improvement for more productive farming and urbanisation are the main threats, particular along developing coastal zones. Losses of extent have been slight, though there is widespread modest decline in quality. Two key factors for maintenance are the re-introduction of traditional pastoral systems and the establishment of protected areas, especially on the islands. Once destroyed or severely damaged the restoration of the habitat type through natural processes is expected to take very long time, due to soil erosion.

References:
Apostolova, I., Dengler, J., Di Pietro, R., Gavilán, R.G. and Tsiripidis, I. 2014. Dry grasslands of southern Europe: syntaxonomy, management and conservation. Hacquetia 13(1): 5-18.
Bergmeier, E., Konstantinou, M., Tsiripidis, I. and Sýkora, V. 2009. Plant communities on metalliferous soils in northern Greece. Phytocoenologia 39(4): 411-438.
Brullo, S., Giusso del Galdo, G. and Guarino, R. 2002. Phytosociological notes on the Lygeum spartum grasslands from Crete. Lazaroa 23: 65-72.
Brullo, C., Brullo, S., Giusso del Galdo, G., Guarino, R., Minissale, P., Scuderi, L., Siracusa, G., Sciandrello, S. and Spampinato, G. 2010. The Lygeo-Stipetea in Sicily. Annali di Botanica (IV Serie) 0: 57-84.
Costa, J.C., Capelo, J., Jardim, R., Sequeira, M., Lousa, M., Espírito-Santo, M.D. and Rivas-Martínez, S. 2004. Catálogo sintaxonómico e florístico das comunidades vegetais da Madeira e do Porto Santo. Quercetea 6: 61-185.
De la Torre, A., Alcazar, F. and Vicedo, M. 1996. Stipion parviflorae all. nova, pastizales vivaces subnitrófilos y calcícolas Mediterráneo-Iberolevantinos. Acta Botanica Malacitana 21: 297-302.
Ríos, S. and Salvarod, F. 2009. 6220 Pastizales xerofíticos mediterráneos de vivaces y anuales (*). In: VV.AA., Bases ecológicas preliminares para la conservación de los tipos de hábitats de interés comunitario en España. Madrid: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino. 88 pp.
Rivas-Martínez, S. 2011. Mapa de series, geoseries y geopermaseries de vegetación de España. Parte II. Itinera Geobotanica 18: 5-800.
San Miguel, A. 2008. Management of Natura 2000 habitats. 6220 *Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea. European Commission.
www.prodromo-vegetazione-italia.org (access 21/9/2015)

Criterion A Text:
The values of criterion A1 were calculated from the territorial data sheets. All the countries that reported data for the habitat were used for the calculation, except France, which did not reported data neither on area nor on trend, and Greece, which did not reported data on trend. The habitat has decreased over the last decades in EU28 countries from 10 % in Italy to 40 % in Portugal. In Spain, the most important country for this habitat, no negative trend has been reported, but this is a very coarse estimate, as there are not data of area extent 50 years ago. In total, the extent of the habitat was reduced from 10114 km2 to 9793 km2 in EU28 countries. There is no quantitative information on longer historical trends, although France has reported a strong decrease over the last century. Regarding future trends, most countries estimate that the area will remain more or less stable or will be slightly decreased, but quantitative data are not available.

Criterion B Text:
Both values of the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are very big and do not meet criterion B. Sub-criteria have not been evaluated because the above-mentioned values are well above the thresholds.

Criterion C/D Text:
The overall extent and severity of degradation are the weighted average calculated from reported data from Spain, Italy and Croatia for EU28 (93.8% of the known area in EU28), plus Bosnia and Herzegovina and FYR Macedonia for EU28+ (93.9% of the known area in EU28+). The changes in quality are both abiotic and biotic, so C/D1 has not been split into C1 and D1.
The involved countries could not provide enough information on long historical or future trends in quality (C/D2, C/D3).

Synthesis:
The habitat has been assigned to the category Least Concern (LC) both for EU28 and EU28+. It covers a large area, as it is extended all over the Mediterranean region, and it has only been reduced by 3% in the last decades. As regards reduction in quality, 7% of its area has suffered degradation with a severity of 40%. So, although it cannot be assigned in any category of threat, the application of light conservation measures in the future, such as the maintenance of extensive grazing in many areas and the control of urbanization and disturbances especially in coastal areas and islands should be considered.

Contributors:
Habitat defintion: G. Fotiadis & Y. Kazoglou.
Territorial experts: E. Agrillo, O. Argagnon, F. Attorre, J. Capelo, L. Casella, D. Espírito-Santo, G. Giusso del Galdo, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, V. Matevski, D. MilanoviÄ‡, S. Sciandrello, Škvorc, D. Viciani
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E1.3c Mediterranean annual-rich dry grassland

Habitat Description:
These grasslands are composed mainly by short annual plants with a short winter-spring vegetative cycle. There is a large inter-annual variation in the development of plant communities that is attributed to climatic fluctuations and especially to the amount of precipitation during spring; usually in summer they become dry. They grow mainly in the Mediterranean macrobioclimate, extending into the Temperate one, but mostly within its Submediterranean variant. These nano-therophytic, often ephemeral, communities exhibit extremely rich plant diversity that is mainly composed by species of the families Leguminosae, Rubiaceae, Compositae, Umbelliferae and Gramineae. Consequently, the high plant species diversity results in a high communities' diversity. Floristic composition and plant diversity of these communities depends on geographical location, substrate, climatic factors and human activities. Most of them are pioneer, xerophytic, basophilous communities that develop on various substrata (limestone, clay, gypsum, dolomite, serpentines, mafic) with lithosols or slightly euptrophic soils. Occasionally, they occupy areas close to the sea, regardless of the substrate. The grasslands of this habitat type are found mainly in South Mediterranean countries and are considered as an ultimate stage in the degradative succession of xeric Mediterranean forests and shrub communities. Traditional practices such as logging, fires and grazing led to the degradation of forests and evergreen scrublands of the Mediterranean area, which gradually turned to grasslands. Abandonment of the traditional practices, mainly of grazing, facilitates the encroachment of woody species, a fact that may alter the character of this grassland habitat type.
Indicators of good quality:
extensive grazing, without signs of abandonment,
absence of crevice-like erosion,
absence (or low cover) of nitrophilous species,
absence of signs of secondary succession (e.g. encroachment of chamaephytes or shrub species)

Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Clinopodium acinos (= Acinos alpinus), Aegilops geniculata, Aizoon hispanicum, Ajuga iva, Allium pentadactyli, Alyssum alyssoides, Alyssum simplex (= A. minus), Ammoides pusilla, Androsace elongata subsp. breistrofferi, Arenaria capillipes, Arenaria pomelii, Arenaria modesta subsp. modesta, Arenaria retusa subsp. arundana, Arenaria retusa subsp. retusa, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Atractylis cancellata, Avena barbata, Trachynia distachya (=Brachypodium distachyon), Anisantha fasciculata (=Bromus fasciculatus), Buglossoides incrassata subsp. incrassata (=B. arvensis subsp. gasparrinii), Bupleurum baldense, Bupleurum gerardi, Bupleurum gracile, Bupleurum semicompositum, Callipeltis cucullaria, Campanula dichotoma (incl. subsp. afra) Campanula dichotoma subsp. semisecta, Campanula erinus, Catapodium rigidum, Cerastium brachypetalum subsp. tenoreanum (=C. tenoreanum), Chaenorhinum macropodum, Chaenorhinum grandiflorum subsp. carthaginense, Microrrhinum minus (=Chaenorhinum minus), Chaenorhinum rubrifolium subsp. raveyi, Chaenorhinum rubrifolium subsp. rubrifolium, Clypeola jonthlaspi (=C. microcarpa), Coronilla scorpioides, Crepis neglecta, Crucianella angustifolia, Daucus durieua, Echinaria capitata, Erodium recoderi, Eryngium grossii, Erysimum incanum subsp. matritense, Euphorbia exigua, Euphorbia falcata, Euphorbia sulcata, Filago eriocephala, Filago pyramidata, Gastridium ventricosum, Geranium molle, Geranium columbinum, Moraea sisyrinchium (=Gynandriris sisyrinchium), Hedysarum spinosissimum subsp. capitatum (=H. glomeratum), Helianthemum angustatum, Helianthemum salicifolium, Hippocrepis biflora, Hippocrepis ciliata, Hornungia petraea, Hypericum perforatum subsp. veronense, Hypochoeris achyrophorus, Iberis fontqueri, Jasione montana subsp. blepharodon (=J.  blepharodon), Jasione penicillata, Lactuca viminea, Lathyrus sphaericus, Limonium echioides, Linaria huteri, Linaria micrantha, Linaria oblongifolia, Linaria platycalyx, Linaria salzmannii var. flava, Linaria saturejoides var. angustealata, Linaria saturejoides var. saturejoides, Linaria simplex, Linum strictum, Lotus ornithopodioides, Medicago littoralis, Medicago minima, Melilotus neapolitana, Minuartia hamata, Minuartia hybrida, Minuartia mediterranea, Minuartia montana, Medicago rigidula, Micropus supinus, Neatostemma apulum, Nepeta ucranica subsp. braun-blanquetii, Nepeta ucranica subsp. hispanica, Odontites kaliformis, Odontites longiflorus subsp. lateritia, Odontites viscosus subsp. oscensis, Omphalodes commutata, Omphalodes linifolia, Onobrychis caput-galli, Ononis pubescens, Ononis ornithopodioides, Ononis pendula subsp. boissieri, Ononis reclinata, Ononis viscosa subsp. breviflora, Anacamptis coriophora subsp. fragrans (=Orchis fragrans), Orlaya grandiflora, Parapholis incurva, Petrorhagia saxifraga, Pistorinia breviflora, Plantago albicans, Plantago amplexicaulis, Plantago bellardi subsp. bellardi, Plantago bellardi subsp. deflexa, Platycapnos tenuilobus subsp. paralelus, Polygala monspeliensis, Ptilostemon stellatus, Romulea columnae, Scabiosa stellata subsp. simplex, Scandix stellata subsp. velutina, Silene almolae, Silene germana, Silene inaperta subsp. serpentinicola, Silene psammitis subsp. lasiostyla, Thymelaea passerina, Trachynia distachya, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium cherleri, Trifolium scabrum, Trifolium stellatum, Trisetaria loeflingiana (=Trisetum loeflingianum), Trisetaria scabriuscula (=Trisetum scabriusculum), Sedum sexangulare, Sideritis romana, Silene conica, Stipa capensis, Valerianella eriocarpa, Valerianella multidentata, Valerianella rimosa, Velezia rigida, Vulpia ciliata, Vulpia hispanica subsp. montana, Wangenheimia lima.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E1.31 West Mediterranean xeric grassland
E1.32 Southwestern Mediterranean perennial pastures
E1.33 East Mediterranean xeric grassland
Euroveg Checklist:
Asterisco-Velezion rigidae (Rivas Goday 1964) S. Brullo 1985
Brachypodion distachyi Rivas-Mart. 1978
Dauco-Catananchion luteae S. Brullo 1985
Hypochoeridion achyrophori Biondi et Guerra 2008
Omphalodion commutatae Rivas-Mart. et al. ex Izco. 1976 corr. Pérez Raya et al. 1991
Onobrychido-Ptilostemion stellati S. Brullo et al. 2001
Sedo-Ctenopsion gypsophilae Rivas Goday et Rivas-Mart. ex Izco 1974
Stipion retortae Br.-Bl. et O. Bolòs ex O. de Bolòs 1957
Vulpio ciliatae-Crepidion neglectae Poldini 1989
Xeranthemion annui Oberd. 1954.
Annex 1:
6220 *Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea
Emerald:
E1.3 Mediterranean xeric grassland
MAES:
Terrestrial - Grasslands
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
These annual dry grasslands are typical of the Mediterranean region, where they find optimal climatic conditions for their development.

Map Description:
The map is very incomplete, depending on availability of data in the EVA database, but relatively good for Spain. Data sources: EVA, NAT.

Trends in Quantity:
In spite of large values of the Extent of Occurrence and Aea of Occupancy, this habitat type naturally tends to cover small patches, often forming a mosaic with perennial vegetation. The quantitative trend over the last 50 years is slightly decreasing (4% on average). Bulgaria and Croatia reported high rates of decrease (about 30% and 20%, respectively), however Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal, which account for most of the known habitat's area, indicated a slighter decline, between 0 and 10%.

Trends in Quality:
The qualitative trend for this habitat type is generally declining, with a degree of severity that ranges from slight to severe (about 55% on average), affecting 31% of the total habitat's area in EU28 and 30% in EU28+. It should be noted that data from Spain, Portugal and Greece, countries which account for most of the total distribution area, did not include qualitative trends if not for Spain, only reporting on a general decreasing trend without any detail about extent and severity. Further detailed information is needed to proceed with a more complete qualitative assessment.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
More than 99% of the currently known distribution area of this habitat type lies inside the EU28 territory. Out of EU28, only a very small area is reported from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The presence in other countries EU28+ has not been confirmed but it is highly probable. Further detailed data can likely increase the proportion of area of this habitat type out of the EU28 territory.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The geographical range of the habitat (EOO) is very wide and the decline in extent has been moderate.

Pressures and Threats:
The main pressures acting on this habitat type include both the lack of grazing and the overgrazing. On one side, the abandonment of traditional pastoral systems and the consequent biocenotic evolution and succession promote a drastic change in the structure and floristic composition of the habitat. On the other side, an excess of grazing, either caused by a prolonged stay of the animals in an area or by an excessive number of animals, increases the number of nitrophilous species, promotes ruderalization and thus alters the local ecological conditions (e.g. soil erosion or compaction by trampling). Also fire plays an important role for the conservation of this habitat type; fire represents a very effective tool to block the succession, and the lack of natural or controlled fires can accelerate the shrub encroachment within the habitat’s area. In general, for a sustainable balance, a low degree of disturbance is needed for the maintenance of this habitat and for halting the natural succession, although the successional processes are not so fast due to the presence of shallow and poor soil. The absence of such disturbance regime leads to the development of the other competing vegetation types (e.g. perennial grasslands, scrub vegetation, etc.). Locally, intensive agricultural and livestock-breeding, expansion of arable lands, urbanization, reforestation and pollution can cause a quantitative and qualitative decline.

Conservation and Management:
A balanced management including extensive grazing and controlled fire can represent an effective way to maintain this habitat type. Promotion and even reintroduction of the traditional pastoral systems is nowadays the only realistic approach for a correct conservation of these annual dry grasslands.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
This habitat generally develops on shallow rocky soils, even in conditions of strong erosion, so it can rapidly re-colonize empty surfaces, provided that the successional processes are blocked by extensive grazing or controlled fire.

Summary:
This habitat is an ephemeral response to the yearly cycle of spring rains and summer drought through the Mediterranean zone where a high diversity of small annual plants make a brief colourful appearance on bare patches of mainly base-rich soils. The species composition varies greatly, according to the particular regional terrain and climate. Abandonment of traditional grazing and control of fires allow encroachment of shrubs and trees, overgrazing may promote nitrophilous plants, and other threats include ploughing for arable cultivation, afforestation and urban development. Loss of extent has been slight but there has been substantial decline in quality over a proportion of the range. Fire plays an important positive role for the conservation of this habitat type together with traditional pastoralism.

References:
Apostolova, I., Dengler, J., Di Pietro, R., Gavilán, R.G., and Tsiripidis, I. 2014. Dry grasslands of southern Europe: syntaxonomy, management and conservation. Hacquetia 13(1): 5-18.
Biondi, E., Blasi, C., Allegrezza, M., Anzellotti, I., Azzella, M.M., Carli, E., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Facioni, L., Galdenzi, D., Gasparri, R., Lasen, C., Pesaresi, S., Poldini, L., Sburlino, G., Taffetani, F., Vagge, I., Zitti, S. and Zivkovic, L. 2014. Plant communities of Italy: The Vegetation Prodrome. Plant Biosystems 148(4): 728-814. doi: 10.1080/11263504.2014.948527
Biondi, E., Blasi, C., Burrascano, S., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Galdenzi, D., Gigante, D., Lasen, C., Spampinato, G., Venanzoni, R. and Zivkovic, L. 2009. Manuale Italiano di interpretazione degli habitat della Direttiva 92/43/CEE. Società Botanica Italiana. Ministero dell’Ambiente e della tutela del territorio e del mare, D.P.N. http://vnr.unipg.it/habitat/
Biondi, E., Burrascano, S., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Galdenzi, D., Gigante, D., Lasen, C., Spampinato, G., Venanzoni, R., Zivkovic, L. and Blasi, C. 2012. Diagnosis and syntaxonomic interpretation of Annex I Habitats (Dir. 92/43/ EEC) in Italy at the alliance level. Plant Sociology 49(1): 5-37.
Blasi, C. (Ed.) 2010. La Vegetazione d’Italia. Palombi & Partner S.r.l. Roma. ISBN: 978-88-6060-290-9
Costa, J.C., Neto, C., Aguiar, C., Capelo, J., Espírito Santo, M.D., Honrado, J., Pinto-Gomes, C., Monteiro-Henriques, T., Sequeira, M. and Lousã, M. 2012. Vascular plant communities in Portugal (Continental, Azores and Madeira). Global Geobotany 2: 1-180.
Fanelli, G., Blanco, P.M., De Sanctis, M., and Serafini Sauli, A. 2010. The alliance Trachynion distachyae Rivas Martínez 1978 in central Italy. Annali di Botanica 0: 39-51
Genovesi, P., Angelini, P., Bianchi, E., Dupré, E., Ercole, S., Giacanelli, V., Ronchi, F. and Stoch, F. 2014. Specie e habitat di interesse comunitario in Italia: distribuzione, stato di conservazione e trend. MATTM, ISPRA. Roma. 194 pp.
ISPRA, 2009-2014. Progetto Carta della Natura alla scala 1:50.000. http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/servizi-per-lambiente/sistema-carta-della-natura/carta-della-naturaalla-scala-1-50.000
MATTM, 2014. 3rd Italian national report 2014. Report on Implementation Measures (Article 17, Habitats Directive), 2007-2013. http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/it/eu/art17/envupyjhw; ftp://ftp.dpn.minambiente.it/Natura2000/TrasmissioneCE_2014/
Rivas-Martínez, S., Díaz, T.E., Fernández-González, F., Izco, J., Loidi, J., Lousã, M. and Penas, A. 2002. Vascular plant communities of Spain and Portugal. Addenda to the syntaxinomical checklist of 2001. Itinera Geobotanica 15(1-2): 5-922
Rodwell, J.S., Schaminée, J.H.J., Mucina, L., Pignatti, S. and & Moss, D. 2002. The diversity of European vegetation. An overview of phytosociological alliances and their relationship to EUNIS habitats. Report EC-LNV 2002/054, Wageningen.
San Miguel, A. 2008. Management of Natura 2000 habitats. 6220 *Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea. European Commission.

Criterion A Text:
The average quantitative trend for the last 50 years shows a very slight reduction of about 4%. In Greece and Portugal the habitat appears stable, while in other SE-European countries (e.g. Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina) far higher declining trends are reported (from 20% to 40%); however, many of these countries couldn't provide figures about the past and present distribution area, making it impossible to evaluate the real quantitative loss. No data are available for the application of the other criteria.

Criterion B Text:
The ongoing tendency to abandon the traditional pastoral systems represents a threatening process likely to cause continuing decline in quantity and/or abiotic and biotic quality for this habitat type, within the next 20 years. However, the values of Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy largely exceed the highest thresholds and as a consequence the assessment results in the category Least Concern.

Criterion C/D Text:
Only few countries reported figures about the qualitative decline. On average, it affects an extent of 31% of the total surface in EU28 and 30% in EU28+, with a degree of severity of about 55%. So, the qualitative trend for this habitat type is generally declining. It should be noted that data from Spain, Portugal and Greece, countries which account for most of the total distribution area, did not include qualitative trends, but only reported a general decreasing trend without any details about extent and severity. On the ground of the available data, according to the Criterion C/D1, this habitat type can be considered as Near Threatened (NT), but there is large uncertainty on this assessment due to the large data gaps.

Synthesis:
The habitat is assigned to the category Near Threatened (NT) for both EU28 and EU28+, because of a significant qualitative decrease. However, this trend is accompanied by a slight quantitative decrease and is based on relatively few data, with quality data lacking for Spain, the country that reported the largest area. Due to the habitat's wide distribution, the Extent of Occurence is very large. On the other hand, the Area of Occupancy is relatively small, but still too high for the assignment of a hgher threat level. It should be considered, however, that the sites actually covered by these short-sized annual grasslands are patchy and very restricted and they may be easily overestimated.

Contributors:
Type description: G. Fotiadis & M. Vrahnakis
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, O. Argagnon, F. Attorre, S. Bagella, J. Capelo, L. Casella, P. Dimopoulos, D. Espírito-Santo, C. Gussev, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, G. Pezzi, Z. Škvorc, D. Viciani
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E1.5b Iberian oromediterranean basiphilous dry grassland

Habitat Description:
Dwarf vegetation composed of hard leaved grasses (Festuca, Koeleria) and other ligneous plants which form a grassy scrub on calcareous thin rocky soils. Depending on the association involved, the grassland-scrub can be dominated by grasses (Festuca sp. pl.), or by other ligneous plants. The vegetation completely covers the soil surface or leaves up to 40 % of bare soil, depending on the rocky character of the soil, but also on the freezing-thawing cycle (geliturbation, gelifluction) which takes place in this habitat.
The habitat type is found in Mediterranean mountains, at upper supra-oro-cryoro levels, of the Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, French Massif Central and Alps Maritimes - Ligurian Alps, between 1300 to 2500 m. Here the grasslands are found under submediterranean high mountain climatic conditions, with a short summer drought, and severe low winter temperatures, as they are poorly protected by snow (they are covered by a thin layer of snow or even remain snow-free in winter).
The habitat is very rich in endemic species, probably due to its calcareous soils and its extreme environmental conditions. Succession towards taller vegetation types is prevented by extreme environmental conditions in the higher altitudes, where those grasslands are often climax communities. At lower altitudes (supra levels) encroachment by shrubs is easier, due to the more mesic conditions and this vegetation may be replaced by succession. The habitat can endure a light grazing pressure (usually sheep) without altering its structure and composition and it used to be grazed in summer during the short growing season.
Indicators of good quality:
The following characteristics may be considered as indicators of good quality:
·      High species richness
·      Presence of endemic species
·      A medium to high vegetation cover
·      Absence of nitrophilic species, linked to human activities
·      No visible anthropic disturbances due to building activities, skiing or intensive trampling
Characteristic species:
Flora
Dominants:  Anthyllis montana, Arenaria aggregata, Artemisia pedemontana subsp. assoana, Astragalus incanus subsp. nummularioides, Astragalus sempervirens s.l., Carex humilis, Festuca altopyrenaica, Festuca burnatii, Festuca dimorpha, Festuca gautieri subsp. scoparia, Festuca hystrix, Festuca nevadensis, Festuca reverchonii, Genista lobelii, Globularia cordifolia, Helictotrichon sedenense, Helictotrichon sempervirens, Ononis cristata, Ononis striata, Sesleria caerulea subsp. elegantissima, Stipa eriocaulis, Teucrium polium subsp. aureum, Thymelaea nivalis.
Diagnostic: Androsace vitaliana s.l., Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. argyrophylla, Arenaria erinacea s.l., Arenaria murcica, Armeria bigerrensis subsp. legionensis, Artemisia chamaemifolia subsp. cantabrica, Asperula pyrenaica, Astragalus cavanillesii, Astragalus tremolsianus, Brimeura amethystina s.l., Centaurea podospermifolia, Centaurea jaennensis, Centaurea janerii subsp. babiana, Crepis albida s.l., Cyanus triumfettii, Cytisus ardoinii, Dianthus brachyanthus s.l., Dianthus subacaulis, Draba cantabriae s.l., Draba lebrunii, Dyanthus brachyanthus s.l., Erodium cazorlanum, Erodium daucoides, Erodium foetidum s.l., Erysimum humile subsp. pyrenaicum, Erysimum seipkae, Euphorbia duvalii, Genista delphinensis, Genista villarsii, Gentiana clusii subsp. corbariensis, Globularia punctata, , Helictotrichon sedenense subsp. gervaisii, Iberis saxatilis, Laserpitium lainzii, Leucanthemum burnatii, Leucanthemum graminifolium, Linaria aeruginea subsp. cardonica, Narcissus assoanus, Onobrychis pirenaica, Onosma bubani, Onosma fastigiata, Onosma tricerosperma subsp. alpicola,  Oreochloa confusa, Oxytropis javalambrensis, Paronychia kapela subsp. serpyllifolia, Plantago argentea, Saponaria caespitosa, Saxifraga conifera, Sempervivum calcareum, Senecio doronicum s.l., Senecio provincialis var. corbariensis, Seseli granatensis, Sideritis glacialis subsp. fontqueriana, Sideritis hyssopifolia s.l., Sideritis subspinosa, Teucrium luteum, Thesium catalaunicum, Thymus godayanus, Thymus vulgaris subsp. palearensis, Thymus willkommii.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E1.5 Mediterranean-montane grassland
EuroVegChecklist (alliances):
Ononidion striatae Br.-Bl. et Susplugas 1937
Ononidion cristatae Royer 1991
Festucion scopariae Br.-Bl. 1948
Genistion lobelii Molinier 1934
Avenion sempervirentis Barbero 1968 4
Festucion burnatii Rivas Goday et Rivas-Mart. ex Mayor et al. 1973
Minuartio-Poion ligulatae O. de Bolòs 1962
Seselio granatensis-Festucion hystricis Rivas-Mart. in Rivas-Mart. et al. 2011
Annex 1:
6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands
Emerald:
E4.4 Calcareous alpine and subalpine grassland
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN: 
3.8. Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation.

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
Although the habitat is typical in Mediterranean calcareous mountains, it is also spread in Atlantic (Cantabrian mountains) and Alpine (Pyrenees, Western Alps and Alps maritimes). In fact, the submediterranean areas host most of the area of the habitat.

Map Description:
Map is complete for Spain, but misses occurrences in France and Italy, in the Pyrenees, Corbieres and Cevennes, Western Alps, and Maritime Alps-Ligurian Alps. Data sources: NAT.

Trends in Quantity:
Average Trend EU28 and EU28+: 0% (since 1960). The surface of this habitat has not decrease since 1960 according to data reported by Spain and France. Italy has reported a negative trend of 10%, but as they did not reported data of current extent this negative trend was ignored in the calcultation. Data on historical trends are not available, and regarding future trends, France estimates a slight decrease.

Trends in Quality:
More than 10% of the area of the habitat in Europe has been subjected to moderate degradation over the last decades. This negative trend in quality started long ago, linked to the traditional sheep grazing, which has shaped the landscape of Mediterranean mountains for centuries. Overgrazing, as well as fires, has a strong negative influence on the quality of this habitat, both on biotic and on abiotic components. On the contrary, in Iberian plateaus abandonment of grazing is causing shrub and tree encroachment. The calculated extent of degradation in EU28 (and EU28+) is 15% with 49% severity of degradation.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
The habitat is also represented in northern African high elevations (Rif and Atlas), so it is estimated that less than 75% of its area lies within the EU28.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
EOO is quite large and the habitat has not undergone an important decline during the last 50 years.

Justification of Restricted Area:
Although the area reported is not very large (725 km2), its EOO is big, and in quite large areas it occupies big extensions.

Pressures and Threats:
Grasslands included in this habitat are threatened both by intensive sheep grazing and lack of grazing. Intensive grazing causes loss of quality because of trampling, erosion and invasion by nitrophilous species, but if grazing finishes shrubs and trees invade the habitat following natural succession, especially in the montane and low subalpine. Fire is another important factor, both because of high frequency and fire supression. In the highest elevations main threat is related to leisure activities, which involve the construction of skiing complexes and intensive trampling. Artificial planting of conifers also threatens the habitat in the lowest elevations, especially in the Iberian plateaus. Finally, climate change also threatens the habitat quality, as more competitive species from lower elevations come into these grasslands.

Conservation and Management:
The conservation of this habitat involves the maintenance of low intensity sheep grazing and the minimization of the impact of leisure activities. The disturbance created by the latter can facilitate the arrival of ruderal species, which is also facilitated by changing climatic conditions. Plantation of conifers should be avoided.

Conservation Status:
6170:
ATL: Range FV, Area FV, Structure & Function U2, Future Prospects U2; Overall U2.
ALP: Range U1, Area U1, Structure & Function U1, Future Prospects FV; Overall U1.
CON: Range FV, Area U1, Structure & Function U1, Futur

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
In the higher elevations, the extreme climatic conditions make it very difficult the recovery of the habitat once it has been seriously damaged. If damage is related to soil erosion due to intense trampling, the habitat needs a long time to recover, which can be facilitated through human intervention. If damage is related to climate change and consequent invasion of species from lower
altitudes, the diagnostic species will dissapear in the long term and thus future recovery of the habitat will not be possible.

Summary:
This habitat comprises grasslands of base-rich soils over calcareous bedrocks on the slopes and crests of high mountains in the Iberian Peninsula and France. There, the growing season is short, with harsh winters when strong winds blow the ground free of snow and leave the surface subject to deep cold which encourages the development of freeze-thaw features. The cover of vegetation is intermediate to complete, dominated by prostrate or dwarf grasses and forbs, and includes many endemics.  Extreme conditions generally prevent succession, and grazing, generally by sheep, is restricted to the brief summer and has little impact except where the habitat extends to somewhat lower levels.  There seems to have been no loss of extent but there has been some decline in quality due to leisure infrastructure. The maintenance of low intensity sheep grazing is essential for the conservation of the habitat in the lower elevations, while in the highest elevations limitation of leisure activities is very important, as the habitat is very difficult to recover once it has been destroyed.

References:
Barbero, M. 1968. A propos des pelouses écorchées des Alpes maritimes et ligures. Bulletin Societé Botanique de France 115 : 219-224.
Gaultier C. 1989. Relations entre pelouses eurosiberiennes (Festuco- Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. 43) et groupements mediterraneens (Ononido- Rosmarinetea Br.-Bl. 47). Etude regionale (Diois) et synthese sur le pourtour mediterraneen nord-occidentale. Universite de Paris - sud Centre d'Orsay: These
Gómez-Mercado, F., Valle, F. & Mota, J.F. 1995. Los pastizales de la clase Festuco-Ononidetea striatae y Nardetea en las montañas calcáreas del sur de España. Colloques Phytosociologiques 21: 707-722.
Jiménez-Alfaro, B., Alonso, J.I., Bueno, A. & Fernández Prieto, J.A. 2014. Alpine plant communities in the Picos de Europa calcareous massif (Northern Spain). Lazaroa 35: 67-105.
Montserrat, P. & Villar, L. 1974. Las comunidades de Saponaria caespitosa en el Pirineo. Lazaroa 7: 9-24.
Remón, J. L., Gómez, D. & García-González, R., 2009. 6170 Pastos de alta montaña caliza. In: VV.AA., Bases ecológicas preliminares para la conservación de los tipos de hábitat de interés comunitario en España. Madrid: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, y Medio Rural y Marino. 80 p
Valls A., 2003. Revisió sintaxonòmica dels prats oromediterranis de l’ordre Ononidetalia striatae Br.-Bl. 1947. Acta Botanica Barcinonensia 48: 67-198.

Criterion A Text:
The values for A1 were calculated from the territorial data sheets. Almost all of the area occupied by the habitat in Europe lies in Spain and France, which have reported a stable trend over the last decades. There is no information on longer historical trends neither in future trends.

Criterion B Text:
Both EOO and AOO are quite large and do not meet criterion B. Sub-criteria were not evaluated because the values for EOO and AOO
are well above the thresholds.

Criterion C/D Text:
The overall extent and severity of degradation are the weighted average calculated from reported data from Spain and France, that are home to almost all of the extend of the habitat in Europe. The changes in quality are both abiotic and biotic, so C/D1 has not been split into C1 and D1. The involved countries could not provide enough information on long historical or future trends in quality (C/D2, C/D3).

Synthesis:
The habitat is assigned to the category Least Concern (LC), as it has not substantially decreased in quantity nor in quality over the last 50 years, and its distribution (AOO) and range (EOO) are quite large. Nevertheless, we have to take into account that inside this EOO, the habitat only occurs in wind-exposed slopes of the calcareous mountains and plateaus, with a current estimated total area of only 725 km2.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: J. Loidi
Territorial experts: J. Loidi, A. Mikolajczak, D. Viciani
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E1.5c Cyrno-Sardean oromediterranean siliceous dry grassland

Habitat Description:
High-mountain siliceous grasslands of the oromediterranean belt of Corsica, occurring mainly at altitudes of 1,800-2,100 m, especially in the massifs of Monte Cinto, Monte Rotondo, Monte Renoso and Monte Incudine. These grasslands are dominated by herbs and graminoids, of which Bellardiochloa variegata, Ligusticum corsicum, Plantago sarda, Sagina pilifera and Luzula spicata subsp. italica are most frequent. Species endemic to Corsica are also common, including Armeria multiceps, Paronychia polygonifolia and Trisetum conradiae. In places dwarf shrubs may occur, especially Genista lobelii, and patches of creeping juniper Juniperus communis subsp. alpina. At altitudes between 2,100 and 2,200 m, these grasslands become more open.
This habitat type might be present also in Sardinia, represented by fragments localized on Mt. Gennargentu. The altitude of this mountain (1,834 m a.s.l.) reaches the oromediterranean climatic belt, and its top is characterized by strong winds that, in areas of ridges, exert a strict selection of the plant species in favor of crawling hemicryptophytes and cushion-like chamephytes, pushing the hemicryptophytic vegetation to find protection in between the dwarf shrubs. The most representative species are Festuca morisiana, Armeria sardoa subsp. genargentea, Hieracium soleirolianum and other endemics.
This vegetation occurs on different types of siliceous rocks, which give rise to soils of pH between 5 and 6. These soils are influenced by cryoturbation and gelifluction.
Indicators of good quality:
·       Occurrence of rare species, especially Corsican endemics
·       Absence of nutrient-demanding, tall-growing competitive species
·       No indication of the spread of (dwarf) shrubs
·       Absence of overgrazing
Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Armeria multiceps, Bellardiochloa variegata (=Poa violacea), Cerastium soleirolii, Genista lobelii, Hieracium auricula subsp. micranthum, Juniperus communis subsp. alpina, Luzula spicata subsp. italica, Minuartia verna s.l., Nardus stricta, Paronychia polygonifolia, Plantago sarda, Poa balbisii var. prorepens, Reseda phyteuma (=Sesamoides pygmaea), Robertia taraxacoides, Sagina pilifera, Scleranthus burnatii, Sempervivum arachnoideum, Trisetum conradiae

Classification:
EUNIS
E1.5 Mediterranean-montane grassland
EuroVegChecklist alliances:
Sesamoido pygmaeae-Poion violaceae Gamisans 1975
Annex 1:
-
Emerald:
E4.3 Acid alpine and subalpine grassland
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
This habitat is typical of the Mediterranean region, where it is limited to the oromediterranean belt where it occupies only a very restricted and isolated area.

Map Description:
The map is complete. Data sources: EVA, LIT, BOHN.

Trends in Quantity:
The knowledge about this habitat is very incomplete and fragmentary; precise figures about current and past quantitative trends are not available, all over its distribution area. Both in Corsica and in Sardinia, a current stable trend has been reported.

Trends in Quality:
The knowledge about this habitat is very incomplete and fragmentary; precise figures about current and past qualitative trends are not available, all over its distribution area. In Corsica a slight decline in quality is reported, in Sardinia there are no data.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
The distribution area of this habitat type lies completely inside the EU 28 territory.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The habitat has a very small natural range, with an EOO <<< 50,000 Km2, however according to the territorial data it has not undergone any important decline during the last 50 years.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat has a very small natural range (with an EOO <<< 50,000 Km2) due to its peculiar biogeographic, bioclimatic and floristic traits; it is characterized by many endemic species and is itself an endemic habitat, so it can not

Pressures and Threats:
These grasslands are threatened by both intensive grazing (causing trampling, erosion, invasion by nitrophilous species) and lack of grazing (causing dynamic processes and invasion of dwarf shrubs). It should be considered that this ridge habitat is a mosaic of this dry grassland with dwarf shrubs. Traditional mountain pastoralism was abandoned since the 60s, but these grasslands are still maintained by wandering cattle. Fire is also an important factor and it also regressed more recently (starting approximately from 15 years ago). Climate change also represents a threat for this habitat, from both a quantitative and qualitative point of view.

Conservation and Management:
Maintaining the traditional pastoral systems, with a low intensity grazing, is the most effective way to maintain this habitat type. Due to the rather extreme climatic conditions, the successional processes are not particularly fast, however the lack of grazing should be avoided.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Maintaining or re-establishing the traditional pastoral systems, with a low intensity grazing, is necessary to preserve the characteristics of this habitat. Due to the extreme climatic conditions, when severely damaged, its capacity to recover its typical character and functionality is very low and, in case of extreme degradation, it might be very hard, if not impossible.

Summary:
This habitat comprises grasslands of base-poor soils over siliceous bedrocks on the slopes and crests of high mountains in Corsica and (probably) Sardinia. There, the growing season is short, with harsh winters when strong winds blow the ground free of snow and leave the surface subject to deep cold which encourages the development of freeze-thaw features. The cover of vegetation is intermediate to complete, dominated by prostrate herbs, cushion plants and dwarf shrubs, and includes many endemics.  Extreme conditions prevent succession and grazing, generally by sheep, is restricted to the brief summer and has little impact.  The habitat is poorly known but the very limited extent makes for high vulnerability.

References:
Arrigoni, P.V., and Camarda, I. 2014. La Flora del Gennargentu (Sardegna centrale). Quad. Bot. Amb. Appl., 25 (2014): 3-109.
Biondi, E., Blasi, C., Allegrezza, M., Anzellotti, I., Azzella, M.M., Carli, E., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Facioni, L., Galdenzi, D., Gasparri, R., Lasen, C., Pesaresi, S., Poldini, L., Sburlino, G., Taffetani, F., Vagge, I., Zitti, S., and Zivkovic, L. 2014. Plant communities of Italy: The Vegetation Prodrome. Plant Biosystems 148(4): 728-814. doi: 10.1080/11263504.2014.948527
Biondi, E., Blasi, C., Burrascano, S., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Galdenzi, D., Gigante, D., Lasen, C., Spampinato, G., Venanzoni, R., and Zivkovic, L. 2009. Manuale Italiano di interpretazione degli habitat della Direttiva 92/43/CEE. Società Botanica Italiana. Ministero dell’Ambiente e della tutela del territorio e del mare, D.P.N. http://vnr.unipg.it/habitat/
Biondi, E., Burrascano, S., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Galdenzi, D., Gigante, D., Lasen, C., Spampinato, G., Venanzoni, R., Zivkovic, L., and Blasi, C. 2012. Diagnosis and syntaxonomic interpretation of Annex I Habitats (Dir. 92/43/ EEC) in Italy at the alliance level. Plant Sociology 49(1): 5-37.
Blasi, C. (Ed.) 2010. La Vegetazione d’Italia. Palombi & Partner S.r.l. Roma. ISBN: 978-88-6060-290-9
Gamisans J. 1977. La végétation des montagnes corses. Deuxieme partie. Phytocoenologia 4: 35-131.
ISPRA, 2009-2014. Progetto Carta della Natura alla scala 1:50.000. http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/servizi-per-lambiente/sistema-carta-della-natura/carta-della-naturaalla-scala-1-50.000
Valsecchi, F. 1983. Compendio delle ricerche fitosociologiche in Sardegna. Bollettino della Società sarda di scienze naturali 22 [1983(1982)]: 231-245.

Criterion A Text:
Figures about the quantitative decline of this habitat type are not available; both in Corsica and in Sardinia, a current stable trend has been reported, however there are no data about the past area, so the assessment brings to the category Data Deficient (DD).

Criterion B Text:
In Corsica, accounting for more than 80% of the distribution (AOO), this habitat type showed during the last 50 year a slight but continuous qualitative decline, due to the abandonment of the traditional pastoral systems (traditional mountain pastoralism was abandoned since the 1960s). Additionally, the total AOO and EOO are very small, so the conditions to apply Criterion B1 and B2 are met. The habitat is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN).

Criterion C/D Text:
Figures about the qualitative decline of this habitat type are not available, although a certain decline has been reported in Corsica, with no indication about its extent. As a consequence, the assessment brings to the category Date Deficient (DD).

Synthesis:
The habitat is assessed as Endangered (EN) based on a combination of restricted distribution and negative trends. In Corsica, accounting for more than 80% of the AOO, this habitat type showed during the last 50 year a slight but continuous qualitative decline, due to the abandonment of the traditional pastoral systems. Additionally, the total distribution (AOO = 14 grid cells of 10x10 km2) and extent (EOO = 7700 km2) are very small, so the habitat meets the conditions for the threat level Endangered. Figures about qualitative and quantitative decline of this habitat type are not available and there are no quantitative data about the past area.

Contributors:
Type description: M. Chytrý, & D. Gigante
Territorial data: S. Bagella, J. Reymann
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E1.5d Greek and Anatolian oromediterranean siliceous dry grassland

Habitat Description:
This habitat is formed by dense, closed, usually unsculptured, oromediterranean chionophilous grasslands of acid and often deep soils over siliceous or calcareous substrates, as well as the closed, dry or mesophilous perennial Nardus spp. grasslands (mat-grass swards) occupying siliceous soils in the mountains of central and southern Greece, and north-western Anatolia (transitional region between the Mediterranean and the Euro-Siberian floristic region). The various vegetation communities of this unit occur on the high mountains of the southern Balkan peninsula under Mediterranean climate influence, including southern Albania, the Former Yuguslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), northwestern Turkey, the southern Pelagonides (Vermion), the Pindus mountain range (Tymfi, Peristeri, Karava, Smolikas), the high Thessalian mountains (Olimbos, Ossa), the Sterea Ellas (Giona, Iti) and the Peloponnesus mountains (Chelmos, Killini, Erimanthos, Taygetos); they develop on decalcified colluviums, on damp soils of seeps or poorly drained areas, and in depressions and other sites where snow lingers. These grassland communities or grassy meadows ("pelouses rases") above the treeline are mainly found at altitudes from 1,800 to 2,400 m Asl, and are mainly associated with late snow cover (>150 days) and irrigation from melt water in shallow depressions or in more or less flat ground with accumulated fine-grained soil.
Indicators of quality:
Vegetation cover > 80%
Species rich communities
High grass species presence
Absence of strong erosion indication
Soil without significant disturbances
 Absence or very low cover of weed species
Absence of indications of secondary succession (e.g. invasion by tall herbs and the establishment of trees and shrubs on grassland areas)
Controlled grazing regime

Characteristic species:
Flora: Vascular plants: Alopecurus gerardii, Poa pumila, Anthoxanthum alpinum, Phleum alpinum, Nardus stricta, Bellardiochloa violacea (Poa violacea), Trisetum flavescens, Trifolium pallescens, Trifolium parnassi, Trifolium heldreichianum, Trifolium alpestre, Trifolium ottonis, Omalotheca supina, Omalotheca hoppeana, Herniaria parnassica, Ranunculus sartorianus, Lotus corniculatus, Thesium parnassi, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago atrata, Plantago holosteum, Scleranthus perennis, Rorippa thracica, Erigeron epiroticus, Acinos alpinus, Luzula pindica, Crocus veluchensis, Scilla nivalis, Corydalis densiflora, Corydalis parnassica, Beta nana, Trinia guicciardii, Botrychium lunaria.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E4.3 Acid alpine and subalpine grassland (according to Hill M.O., Moss D. & Davies C.E. (2004a), the Trifolion parnassi is related to this habitat);
E4.35 (in the 4th level of the EUNIS classification under the title: Oro-Hellenic closed grassland, the Trifolion parnassi is included);
EuroVegChecklist:
Trifolion parnassi Quézel 1964;
Poion violaceae Horvat 1937;
Annex I:
6230 Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe); 
Emerald:
E4.3 Acid alpine and subalpine grassland
MAES:
Grassland
IUCN:
4. Grasslands (4.4 Temperate).

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The habitat is representative for the climatic, geomorphological, altitudinal and biotic conditions in the Oromediterranean zone of eastern Mediterranean regions. It is restricted to the high mountains in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and Anatolian Peninsulas.

Map Description:
The map is more or less complete for Greece, but lacks data from Macedonia and Albania. Data sources: Art17.

Trends in Quantity:
The habitat is stable in Greece - the only EU 28 country inside its range. There has been a decrease in quantity in FYR Macedonia of about 7% (between 5 and 10%) during the last 50 years, mostly due to the abandonment of mountain livestock breeding. In the future, the quantity of the habitat in Greece will probably remain stable, but in FYR Macedonia it is expected to continue declining.

Trends in Quality:
The habitat is stable in Greece – the only EU 28 country inside its range. There is a decrease in quality in FYR Macedonia of about 7% (between 5 and 10%) during the last 50 years mostly because of the abandonment of mountain livestock breeding. This abandonment of traditional grazing practices leads to the invasion of tall nitrophilous herbs and the establishment of heathlands and shrubs on grassland areas. The severity of the degradation is slight. In the future, the quality of this habitat in Greece will probably remain stable, but in FYR Macedonia it is expected to continue declining.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Probably not more than 20% of the habitat type lies within the EU 28, but the exact percentage is unknown. The habitat also occurs in FYR Macedonia, Albania and Turkey.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The habitat is distributed on the tops of the highest mountains on the southern parts of Balkan Peninsula. They have not changed drastically during the last decades.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat areas are restricted to the highest parts of the mountains in the southern Balkan Peninsula, but the pastures are widespread in these mountains.

Pressures and Threats:
The biggest threats for this habitat are changes in the grazing regime (overgrazing or abandonment of grazing), expansion of forest plantations and some natural processes like successions of heathlands and shrubs.

Conservation and Management:
There is a need for the establishment of protected areas/sites to ensure this habitat remains unthreatened. Projects for the restoration and regulation of grazing regime would also benefit this habitat.

Conservation Status:
Annex I:
6230: CS: Range Area S&F FP Overall MED (only Greece): 6230 FV

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The habitat has the capacity to recover naturally and through intervention. Intervention would imply the restoration and regulation of different grazing activities.

Summary:
These are closed grasslands of deeper soils on high mountain slopes and hollows in Greece and Anatolia where snow accumulates and provides springtime irrigation with melt-water. Species-richness is high but the dominance and associates vary from place to place.  The vegetation can provide valuable summer grazing and decline of traditional pastoralism threatens change but loss of extent and quality appear low. The habitat needs protection and some local restoration activities, such as re-instatement and regulation of the grazing regime in high mountain pastures.

References:
Dimopoulos, P. and Georgiadis, T. 1995. Present state of the phytosociological research on the Greek mountains, syntaxonomy and future perspectives. Annali di Botanica LIII: 119-133.
Krahulec, F. 1985.The chorologic pattern of European Nardus-rich communities. Vegetatio 59: 119-123.
Parolly, G. 2004. The High Mountain Vegetation of Turkey - a State of the Art Report, Including a First Annotated Conspectus of the Major Syntaxa. Turkish Journal of Botany 28: 39-63.
Quézel, P. 1964. Végétation des hautes montagnes de la Grèce méridionale. Vegetatio 12 (5/6): 289-385. Ruci, B., Hoda, P., Vangjeli, J., Dragoti, N., Xhulaj, M., Buzo, K. and Mersinllari, M. 2001. Biodiversity of the Albanian national parks and its problems. Options Méditerranéennes: Série A, Séminaires Méditerranéens.

Criterion A Text:
In the past 50 years, the habitat has been stable in Greece, and has declined slightly in FYR Macedonia. This habitat is therefore assessed as Least Concern under Criterion A. There is no information on longer historical trends. In the future, a small further decline is expected in FYR Macedonia, and in Greece it is expected to stay stable, but quantitative data is not available.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat has a large geographic distribution with large EOO and AOO values. There is only a slight continuing decline in quantity and quality at the EU 28+ level, and no decline at the EU 28 level, due to modifications in the grazing regime; either overgrazing or abandonment of grazing. This habitat is therefore assessed as Least Concern under Criterion A.

Criterion C/D Text:
The overall extent and severity given are the weighted average calculated from reported data from Greece (EU28) and FYR Macedonia (EU 28+). There has been no reduction in abiotic or biotic quality in the EU 28, and there has only been a slight decline at the EU 28+ level affecting 7% of the habitat’s extent. This habitat is therefore assessed as Least Concern under Criterion C/D. There is no available information on long historical or future trends in quality. The changes in quality are both abiotic (climatic changes) and biotic (grazing regime).

Synthesis:
The habitat type is assessed as Least Concern since it has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 61,350 km2, an area of occupancy (AOO) of 155, and the habitat is stable in quantity and quality in the EU 28. In the EU 28+ region, the habitat is slightly decreasing in quantity and quality (between 5 and 10%), but not enough to qualify for a threatened category.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: P. Dimopoulos
Territorial data: P. Dimopoulos, V. Matevski
Working Group Grassland: J. Capelo, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminee, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E1.8 Open Iberian supramediterranean dry acid and neutral grassland

Habitat Description:
Perennial grasslands formed by hard grasses (Festuca) and small hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes covering shallow soils on siliceous substrata in western Iberian Peninsula, at medium to high elevations (supra-oro levels). The vegetation is closed, covering between 60 to 90 % of the surface, and the dominant species are of low height, with a dense layer of 5 to 10 cm height in which some plants loom above until 20 to 30 cm. Most of the plants present the typical set of morpho-ecological traits of the Mediterranean grasslands, with adaptations to the summer drought, which in this case combine with the nutrient poverty stress. Substrata are varied, from mafic and ultramafic in NE Portugal (Tras os Montes), where the endemic alliance Armerion eriophyllae occurs, to schist in south Spain (Sierra Nevada and Filabres), where the endemic alliance Thymion serpylloidis is found. The main alliance, Hieracio castellani-Plantaginion radicatae is widespread in western Iberia and develops on sandy soils derived from granite, gneiss and sandstone. Soils are dry, lacking any hydromorphic properties, and have a limited development of the edaphic layers. As they cover rocky outcrops or eroded substrata, soils can be qualified as rocky lithosols, having primary stations in outcrops and secondary ones in eroded places. Usually this habitat type is distributed forming a mosaic pattern with others, such as Nardus grasslands (E1.7a) or vallicares (E2.4), forming part of the seral communities complex replacing pine or oak forests. These grasslands have been traditionally grazed, mostly by sheep, in a system of a comprehensive utilization of the available resources valid in the traditional husbandry system existed so far. A large number of Iberian endemic species constitute the core of this type, with a high representation of Plumbaginaceae (Armeria), Caryophyllaceae and Festuca sp. pl.
Indicators of good quality:
These grasslands are in a good condition if they show a low height and a high cover, not necessarily of 100%, without woody plants of the more developed stages in succession such as shrubs or trees. Signals of moderate grazing are also acceptable. Artificial conifer plantations should be absent.
Characteristic species:
Vascular plants
Dominants: Agrostis truncatula, Arenaria frigida, Armeria eriophylla, Armeria langei s.l., Armeria odorata, Festuca gredensis, Festuca rivas-martinezii, Festuca summilusitana, Hieracium castellanum, Leucanthemopsis pallida, Leucanthemopsis pulverulenta, Plantago radicata.
Diagnostic species: Arenaria armerina, Arenaria querioides s.l., Armeria caballeroi, Armeria ciliata, Armeria humilis s.l., Armeria merinoi, Armeria salmantica, Armeria trachyphylla, Armeria transmontana, Armeria vestita, Astragalus devesae, Avenula romero-zarcoi, Bufonia macropetala, Centaurea alba, Centaurea borjae, Centaurea toletana, Dianthus laricifolius s.l., Dianthus merinoi, Erodium cheilanthifolium, Erysimum nevadense, Festuca brigantina, Festuca longiauriculata, Helianthemum masguindalii, Herniaria scabrida, Hippocrepis carpetana, Jasione sessiliflora s.l., Koeleria nevadensis, Linaria atrofusca, Ornithogalum concinnum, Ortegia hispanica, Plantago acanthophylla, Reseda virgata, Sagina merinoi, Sesamoides purpurascens, Silene legionensis, Thymus borgiae, Thymus izcoi, Thymus serpylloides.

Classification:
EUNIS:  
E1.5 Mediterranean-montane grassland.
EuroVegChecklist (alliances):
Hieracio castellani-Plantaginion radicatae Rivas-Mart. et Cantó 1987
Armerion eriophyllae Pinto da Silva 1970
Thymion serpylloidis Rivas Goday et Rivas-Mart. in Rivas-Mart. 1965
Annex 1: 
-
Emerald:
-
MAES-2 
Terrestrial grasslands
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
This habitat is only present in the Mediterranean Iberian Peninsula. It is a genuine silicicolous mediterranean habitat, although it is also present in the Cantabrian Range. It occurs at middle elevations. In the highest elevations it is replaced by 1.5a.

Map Description:
Map is good for Spain, but with gaps for Portugal. Data source: NAT.

Trends in Quantity:
The average trend in EU28 and EU28+ is -5.4% over the last decades (since 1960-1974). The surface of this habitat has slightly decreased over the last 50 from 1298 km2 to 1228 km2 with a relative loss of area of 5%. However, Spain and Portugal have reported opposite trends, negative in Spain, and positive in Portugal. We have neither data on historical trends, nor on future trends.

Trends in Quality:
10% of the area of the habitat in Europe has been subjected to slight to moderate degradation over the last decades (since 1960). The trends over larger historical periods are not known, neither the future trends. Recent degradation is related mainly to abandonment of extensive sheep grazing. The calculated extent of degradation in EU28 (and EU28+) is 10% with 40% severity of degradation.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
The habitat only exists in the Iberian Peninsula, so all its current distribution lies within the EU28.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
Although we have no quantitative data, EOO is quite large and the habitat has not undergone an important decline during the last 50 years.

Justification of Restricted Area:
Although we have no quantitative data, EOO is quite large and the habitat is not restricted to small spots.

Pressures and Threats:
Grasslands included in this habitat are mainly threatened by the abandonment of traditional extensive grazing, which causes shrub encroachment during succession process. Characteristic light-demanding grasses and small scrubs dissapear in this process. Artificial conifer plantations also threaten the habitat in extensive areas. These threats are similar along all EU28 and EU28+ countries.

Conservation and Management:
The maintenance of traditional silvopastoral systems has been very important for the conservation of this habitat. Extensive grazing is a basic feature, and management should be focused on this key factor. Protection areas are also important, and pine plantation and urbanization should be restricted in these areas.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The most frequent degradation of this habitat type is due to shrub and tree encroachement. With human intervention (fire and maintenance of sheep grazing) this damage can be rather quickly recovered. If damage is due to erosion and construction of infrastructures, the recovery will take longer, at least 50 years with human intervention.

Summary:
This habitat comprises short swards dominated by small tussock grasses, forbs and mat-formers on shallow skeletal soils over outcrops of siliceous and ultramafic bedrocks at moderate to high altitudes in the Iberian Peninsula. Traditionally grazed, this grassland is vulnerable to shrub encroachment but recent losses in extent and quality appear to be modest.  For continued sustainability, traditional pastoral systems should be ensured and protected areas established. Once destroyed or severely damaged the recovery of the habitat type by natural processes will take a long time, more than 50 years with human intervention.

References:
Aguiar, C., Penas, A. & Lousa, M. 1998. Végetación endémica, no rupícola, de las rocas ultrabásicas de Trás-os-Montes (NE de Portugal). Itinera Geobotanica 11: 249-261.
Martínez-Parras, J.M., Peinado, M. & Alcaraz, F. 1987. Datos sobre la vegetación de Sierra Nevada. Lazaroa 7: 515-533.
Pinto da Silva, A.R. 1970. A flora e vegetaçao das áreas ultrabásicas do Nordeste Transmontano - Subsídios para o seu estudo. Agronomia Lusitana 30(3-4): 174-264.
Rivas-Martínez, S. & Cantó, P. 1987. Datos sobre la vegetación de las sierras de Guadarrama y Malagón. Lazaroa 7: 235-257.

Criterion A Text:
The values for A1 were calculated from the territorial data sheets. The whole area occupied by the habitat in the world lies in Spain and Portugal, which have reported opposite trends over the last decades, positive in Portugal (12%) and negative in Spain (-10%). As the occupied area is more than three times bigger in Spain, the average trend is slightly negative. There is no information on longer historical trends neither on future trends.

Criterion B Text:
Although we do not have quantitative data, we estimate that both values (AOO and EOO) are relatively big and do not meet criterion B. Sub-criteria were not evaluated because the values for EOO and AOO are well above the thresholds.

Criterion C/D Text:
The overall extent and severity of degradation in the last 50 years (Criterion C/D1) are the weighted average calculated from reported data from Spain (95% of area in EU28). No information on long historical or future trends in quality could be provided, so none of the related C/D Criteria could be applied. The changes in quality are both abiotic and biotic, so C/D1 has not been split into C1 and D1.

Synthesis:
The habitat is assigned to the category Least Concern (LC), as it has not substantially decreased in quantity nor in quality and its distribution (AOO) and range extent (EOO) are not very restricted.


Habitat Type Name:
E1.9a Oceanic to subcontinental inland sand grassland on dry acid and neutral soils

Habitat Description:
This habitat comprises semi-natural, moderately open to closed, relatively low-grown meso-xeric grasslands on nutrient-poor, acid to neutral, sometimes slightly calcareous sands in the lowlands and middle high mountains throughout temperate Europe. These grasslands are mostly dominated by tussock-forming, narrow-leaved graminoids (hemicryptophytes) of the Festuca ovina aggregate (namely F. brevipila, F. filiformis, F. guestfalica, F. heteropachys, F. lemanii, F. ovina), often accompanied by Agrostis capillaris, Poa angustifolia or Carex praecox. In good conditions they are relatively rich in herbs, forming an important nectar source for insects.
Characteristic herbs of the habitat are Armeria maritima subsp. elongata, Artemisia campestris, Dianthus deltoides, Campanula rotundifolia, Galium verum, Sedum acre, Silene otites, Potentilla argentea agg., Thymus serpyllum, Trifolium arvense, Veronica prostrata and Herniaria glabra. Present in most sites of this habitat are Achillea millefolium, Plantago lanceolata, Hieracium pilosella, Rumex acetosella, Hypochaeris radicata and Jasione montana. More open examples of this habitat contain a high cover of mosses and/or lichens and are rich in annual vascular plants (therophytes). Several ‘steppe elements’ have a western or northern outpost in this habitat, thanks to the extreme micro-climate, with high temperatures during the day, dropping down quickly at night. Examples of such species (most of them characteristic of the class Festuco-Brometea) are Euphorbia cyparissias, Helichrysum arenarium, Phleum phleoides and Veronica spicata. On the Balkans the vicariant alliance Armerio-Potentillion is described, with Armeria rumelica, Agrostis castellana, Jasione heldreichii, Plantago subulata and Potentilla inclinata.
Especially, the more calcareous examples of the habitat contain several characteristic species of type E1.1g. On relative acid soils the habitat shows transitions towards grasslands of habitat ‘Lowland to submontane Nardus grassland’ (E1.7a, mainly alliance Violion caninae). More natural, pioneer stages of these grasslands, develop under relatively dynamic conditions along rivers, with active sand sedimentation. On inland sandy dunes the habitat forms a succession stage after the initial Corynephorus-grasslands (type E1.9b), as a result of humus accumulation. Some of the grasslands of this type are rather similar to Atlantic and Baltic coastal dune grasslands (type B1.4a), and such inland and coastal grasslands are united in the same alliances.
This habitat is found on high, rarely flooded levees in river valleys, on dry, sandy parts of plains and siliceous mountains, as well as on coastal sandy cliffs in the Baltics. Its main range covers France, the UK, the Netherlands, Northern Germany, South Scandinavia, Poland and the Baltic countries. It is less frequent in the southern half of Central Europe (in siliceous mountain ranges and on dune systems along the big rivers), becomes rarer to the South (Northern Iberia, Central France) and East (e.g. restricted to the valleys of the big rivers in Ukraine). Based on available data on vegetation and soils, there seems to be a second centre of distribution in the central parts of the Balkan Peninsula (Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria).
The habitat type corresponds to the phytosociological orders Trifolio arvensis-Fetucetalia ovinae and Thero-Airetalia (class Koelerio-Corynephoretea), excluding their occurrences on coastal grey dunes. It occurs from the submediterranean to the southern boreal zones of Europe, where ever there are dry, moderately developed sandy soils, be it from dunes or as weathering product of siliceous bedrock. The range of E1.9a extends to Northern Iberia, France and the British Isles in the West, while in Eastern Central and Eastern Europe it co-occurs with the habitat type ‘Pannonian and Pontic sandy steppe’ (E1.1a, grasslands of the order Festuco-Sedetalia acris). There, type E1.9a is found on better developed soils, where it may be found side by side to habitat E1.1a on more xeric, poorly developed soils.
The habitat type mainly consists of five, largely vicariant alliances of meso-xeric perennial grasslands, differentiated by the matrix-forming graminoids: In the Atlantic region (mainly in the lowlands) the Sedo-Cerastion arvensis with Festuca filiformis occurs, in the subcontinental lowlands (mainly the areas covered by the Nordic Ice shield during the glaciations) the Armerion elongatae with Festuca brevipila and Armeria maritima subsp. elongata is widespread, the Hyperico perforati-Scleranthion perennis with Festuca ovina and F. guestfalica is mainly distributed in siliceous low mountain ranges and in Scandinavia, the Agrostion vinealis with Poa angustifolia and Agrostis vinealis is typical for the big river valleys of East Europe (but probably not within EU28+) and the Armerio rumelicae-Potentillion with various Agrostis species, Festuca valesiaca and Armeria rumelica occurs on the Central and Northern Balkan Peninsula. There are two more alliances of perennial tussock grasslands that potentially or partly belong here. The Koelerio-Phleion phleioidis, described from the lower siliceous mountain ranges in the southern half of Central Europe is a transition between the Hyperico perforati-Scleranthion perennis and the Armerion elongatae on the one side and the Festucion valesiacae (belonging to the habitat type E1.2b) on the other side, and not accepted in the EuroVegChecklist. The Armerion junceae from Southern France has been preliminarily placed in the Trifolio arvensis-Festucetalia ovinae by the EuroVegChecklist, but this position is questionable. Lastly, there are the grasslands rich in winter-annuals (Filago arvensis, F. minima, Vulpia spp., Aira spp., Trifolium spp.) of the order Thero-Airetalia with the single alliance Thero-Airion, which occurs under similar site conditions in the Submediterranean-Atlantic parts of temperate Europe (Northern Iberia, France, British Isles), but can be found in small patches at disturbed sited within Trifolio arvensis-Festucetalia ovinae stands also further to the east.
Indicators of good quality:
Continuation of management is important, but under very dry conditions the structure and species composition may remain unchanged for rather long periods without management. Inadequate management (burning, no management) may cause dominance of a single graminoid species, and finally succession towards scrub and woodland.
Indicators of good quality include:
·      Long continuation of management (grazing, hay making or a combination of both)
·      Occurrence of regional rare species (steppic elements) having an outpost in their European distribution range
·      High richness in herb species, no development of dense, species-poor grassland with thick litter accumulation
·      No encroachment of mosses (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus), grasses (Calamagrostis epigejos, Arrhenatherum elatius), shrubs (Rubus caesius) or trees
Characteristic species:
Flora
Vascular plants: Achillea millefolium agg., Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis castellana, Agrostis vinealis, Aira caryophyllea, Aira elegantissima, Aira praecox, Allium schoenoprasum, Allium vineale, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Armeria maritima subsp. elongata, Armeria rumelica, Artemisia campestris subsp. campestris, Bromus hordeaceus, Campanula rotundifolia, Carex arenaria, Carex ligerica, Carex pairae, Carex praecox, Cerastium arvense subsp. arvense, Cerastium glutinosum, Cerastium semidecandrum, Dianthus armeria, Dianthus deltoides, Dianthus carthusianorum, Erodium cicutarium, Erysimum diffusum, Euphorbia cyparissias, Festuca brevipila, Festuca filiformis, Festuca guestfalica, Festuca heteropachys, Festuca lemanii, Festuca ovina, Filago arvensis, Galium verum, Helichrysum arenarium, Herniaria glabra, Hieracium hoppeanum, Hieracium pilosella, Hypochoeris radicata, Jasione heldreichii, Jasione montana, Koeleria macrantha, Luzula campestris, Myosotis ramosissima, Myosotis stricta, Ononis reprens, Ornithopus perpusillus, Orobanche arenaria, Orobanche purpurea, Phleum phleoides, Pimpinella saxifraga agg., Plantago lanceolata, Plantago subulata, Poa angustifolia, Potentilla argentea agg., Potentilla inclinata, Potentilla tabernaemontani, Rumex thyrsiflorus, Saxifraga granulata, Scleranthus perennis, Scleranthus polycarpos, Sedum acre, Sedum reflexum, Sedum sexangulare, Silene nutans, Silene otites, Taraxacum sect. Erythrosperma, Thymus pulegioides, Thymus serpyllum, Trifolium arvense, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium striatum, Veronica arvensis, Veronica prostrata, Veronica spicata, Vicia angustifolia, Vicia lathyroides, Viola tricolor, Vulpia bromoides, Vulpia myuros.
Bryophytes: Brachythecium albicans, Ceratodon purpureus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme var. lacunosum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Racomitrium canescens agg., Syntrichia ruralis agg.
Lichens: Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia scabriuscula, Peltigera canina, Peltigera didactyla, Peltigera rufescens.
Fauna
Reptiles: Lacerta agilis
Insects: Decticus verrucivorus

Classification:
EUNIS:
E1.9 Open non-Mediterranean dry acid and neutral grassland, including inland dune grassland
EuroVegChecklist (alliances):
Armerio rumelicae-Potentillion Micevski 1978
Armerion elongatae Pötsch 1962 (without stands on coastal grey dunes)
Armerion junceae Br.-Bl. ex Br.-Bl. et al. 1952 (unclear placement)
Hyperico perforati-Scleranthion perennis Moravec 1967 (without stands on coastal grey dunes)
Sedo-Cerastion arvensis Sissingh & Tideman 1960 (without stands on coastal grey dunes)
Thero-Airion Tx. ex Oberdorfer 1957
Annex 1:
2330 Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands p.p. (only the most closed subtypes)
6120 Xeric sand calcareous grasslands p.p. (the most base-rich types of subcontinental Europe have partly been included here).
6270 Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands p.p. (dry types on sandy soils = Armerion elongatae or Hyperico perforati-Scleranthion perennis)
Emerald:
E1.12 Euro-Siberian pioneer calcareous sand swards
MAES-2:
Sparsely vegetated land
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The habitat is widespread in Europe, ranging from the Atlantic to the Continental and Boreal region.

Map Description:
The map gives an underestimation of the distribution with data gaps in Denmark, NW Germany, South Sweden, the British Isles, parts of the Northern Balkan Peninsula and northern Iberia.

Comment EU28:
The data provided by the country assessors (164 kmÂ²) was due to a misleading habitat description far too low; 1900 kmÂ² is a conservative assessment based on field and literature knowledge of J. Dengle

Comment EU28+:
The data provided by the country assessors (164 kmÂ²) was due to a misleading habitat description far too low; 2600 kmÂ² is a conservative assessment based on field and literature knowledge of J. Dengle

Trends in Quantity:
Recent trend EU28: -73% - EU28+: -73% (based on 66% of the total area reported). Long-term trend EU28: -77% - EU28+: -77% (based on 39% of the total area reported). The reliability of this information is restricted because the majority of country assessors did not understand the habitat type as intended. For the future, all countries that provided an assessment assume a further moderate to strong decrease.

Trends in Quality:
Within EU28, 34% of the remaining area are degraded with 45% severity, while for none of the additional countries in EU28+ assessments were available, i.e. the calculated ratios were the same.

Pressures and Threats:
This habitat type largely emerged due to low-intensity grazing (or also alteration of arable fields with abandonment) of sandy landscapes during past centuries and is characterised by nutrient-poor, sandy soils. Since such low-intensity grazing systems are not economically viable any more in most European countries, they have been abandoned. The former sites are then subject to free succession or conversion to forests or arable fields. Eutrophication by atmogenic nitrogen input is a second major threat as it speeds up the natural succession and also might facilitate expansion of competitive high-grown grasses, such as Arrhenatherum elatius or Calamagrostis epigejos. Some country assessments additionally mentioned mining and quarrying, direct habitat destruction and regulation of river courses as additional threats.

Conservation and Management:
The main measure to maintain this habitat type and keep it in a good state is to continue or re-introduce low-intensity grazing systems, with sheep, cattle or best multi-species assemblages. With robust breeds that allow year-round grazing, the habitat type can even be maintained under current economic conditions via so-called large-scale pasture landscapes. Since this habitat type is still missing or neglected in many national habitat classifications, it is probably also underrepresented in the current network of conservation areas and thus well-developed large-scale examples should be put under legal conservation.

Conservation Status:
Annex I:
2330 ATL U2, BOR U2, CON U2, MED U1, PAN FV
6120 ATL U2, BOR U2, CON U2, MED XX, PAN U2
6270 ALP U2, BOR U2, CON U2

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
If only a moderate succession/eutrophication of the habitat has occurred due to abandonment of grazing, often simply the reestablishment of a proper grazing scheme will suffice, potentially accompanied by some mechanical removal of woody encroachment at the beginning. Restoration of meso-xeric sandy  grasslands from afforested sites is possible if there is still a seedbank in the soil. Even arable fields can be reconverted to this habitat type under certain conditions (if they were hardly fertilized); this can be facilitated by hay transfer or other means of diaspore input of target species.

Summary:
This is a broadly defined habitat of moderately open to closed grasslands on nutrient-poor sandy soils, mostly acid to neutral though sometimes calcareous, through the lowlands and sub-montane belts of temperate Europe. Narrow-leaved graminoids dominate, associated herbs can be very numerous and more open swards can have rich annual and cryptogam floras. Across the wide range, there is considerable variety among the dominants and companions. Originating through clearance and low-intensity land-use, and maintained through grazing, mainly by sheep, this habitat is vulnerable to changes in traditional management and to eutrophication through agricultural improvement and atmospheric inputs and huge areas have been loss or declined in quality. Year-round grazing with robust breeds of sheep can probably be maintained as an economic concern but the habitat also warrants protection and conservation management.

References:
Becker, T., Schmiege, C., Bergmeier, E., Dengler, J., Nowak, B. 2012. Nutrient-poor grasslands on siliceous soil in the lower Aar valley (Middle Hesse, Germany) – neglected vegetation types in the intersection range of four classes. Tuexenia 32: 281–318.
Dengler, J. 2001. Erstellung und Interpretation synchorologischer Karten am Beispiel der Klasse Koelerio-Corynephoretea. Berichte der Reinhold-Tüxen-Gesellschaft 13: 223–228.
Gregor, T. 2001. Acidophile schafschwingelreiche Magerrasen im osthessischen Buntsandsteingebiet. Bot. Naturschutz Hessen 13: 5–19.
Jeckel, G. (1984): Syntaxonomische Gliederung, Verbreitung und Lebensbedingungen nordwestdeutscher Sandtrockenrasen (Sedo-Scleranthetea). Phytocoenologia 12: 9–153.
JermacÄne, S. 2003. Sociology of Armeria vulgaris Willd. in Latvia. Acta Univ. Latv., Earth Environ. Sci. 654: 38–63.
JuÅ›kiewicz, B., Endler, Z. 2000. Phytocoenoses of Diantho-Armerietum on ex-military training ground Muszaki-agarzewo (Masurian Plain, north-eastern Poland) [in Polish, with English summary]. Fragm. Florist. Geobot. Pol. 7: 159–165.
Kleiven, M. 1959. Studies on the xerophile vegetation in Northern Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. Nytt. Mag. Bot. 7: 1–60.
Kratzert, G., Dengler, J. 1999. Die Trockenrasen der „Gabower Hänge“ am Oderbruch. Verh. Bot. Ver. Berl. Brandenb. 132: 285–329.
Krausch, H.-D. 1968. Die Sandtrockenrasen (Sedo-Scleranthetea) in Brandenburg. Mitteilungen der Floristisch-Soziologischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft N.F. 13: 71–100.
Kuzemko, A. 2009. Dry grasslands on sandy soils in the forest and forest-steppe zones of the plains part of Ukraine: present state of syntaxonomy. Tuexenia 29: 369–390.
Löbel, S. and Dengler, J. 2008 [“2007”]. Dry grassland communities on southern Öland: phytosociology, ecology, and diversity. Acta Phytogeographica Suecica 88: 13–31.
Moravec, J. 1967. Zu den azidophilen Trockenrasengesellschaften Südwestböhmens und Bemerkungen zur Syntaxonomie der Klasse Sedo-Scleranthetea. Folia Geobotanica Phytotaxonomica 2: 137–178.
Pedashenko, H., Apostolova, I., Boch, S., Ganeva, A., Janisová, M., Sopotlieva, D., Todorova, S., Ünal, A., Vassilev, K., Velev, N. and Dengler, J. 2013. Dry grasslands of NW Bulgarian mountains: first insights into diversity, ecology and syntaxonomy. Tuexenia 33: 309–346.
RÅ«siÅ†a, S. 2007. Diversity and contact communities of mesophytic and xerophytic grasslands in Latvia [in Latvian, with English summary]. Latv. VeÄ£. 12: 1–366.
Süß, K., Schwabe, A. 2007. Sheep versus donkey grazing or mixed treatment: results from a 4-year field experiment in Armerio-Festucetum trachyphyllae sand vegetation. Phytocoenologia 37: 135–160.
Thébaud, G., Roux, C., Bernard, C.-E., Delcoigne, A. 2014. Guide d’identification des vététations du nord du Massif central – Associations végétales et habitats naturels. Presse universitaires Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, FR.

Criterion A Text:
The values for A1 and A3 are calculated from the territorial data sheets, which provided trend data for 10 and 3 countries, for the 50 yr and long-term trend, respectively. Overall the value for reduction in quantity has only low to moderate reliability because many countries within the distribution range did not provide data and those who provided data in their majority seemingly did only assess small parts of the habitat type (caused by unclear original habitat description). The provided data were far too incomplete to allow assessment of A2a and A2b.

Criterion C/D Text:
The data for C/D1 were calculated from the territorial data sheets, which provided assessments for 11 countries. No data were available for C/D2 and C/D3. The degradation quality refers to both biotic features and abiotic circumstances.

Synthesis:
Based on a short-term reduction in area of 73% and a long-term reduction of even 77%, this habitat type is Endangered (EN) both in EU28 and EU28+. Furthermore, a significant reduction in biotic and abiotic quality results in a Near Threatened status (NT).

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
A set of vicariant subtypes may be distinguished within the broad range in Europe.

Contributors:
Type description: J.A.M. Janssen (revised by J. Dengler).
Territorial data: J. Capelo, M. Chytrý, J.M. Courvreur, D. Espírito-Santo, P. Finck, M. Janišová, Z. KÄ…cki, T. Kontula, A. Mikolajczak, D. Paelinckx, D. Paternoster, V. RašomaviÄius, U. Raths, U. Riecken, E. Roosaluste, S. Rusina, A. Ssymank, R. Tzonev, E. Weeda.
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E1.9b Inland sanddrift and dune with siliceous grassland

Habitat Description:
These are open grasslands on inland sand-drift areas, dunes and other sites with poorly developed sandy, acidic and nutrient-poor soils, characterized by a pattern of small tussocks of the grass Corynephorus canescens and/or patches of the stoloniferous graminoids Agrostis vinealis and Carex arenaria in a matrix of lichens, mosses and open sand. The habitat has its main distribution in the North Central European lowland of the Netherlands, Germany and Poland, and in this region the large open landscapes formed by the habitat are known as ‘Atlantic deserts’. The habitat is considered to be the result of overexploitation of woodlands and heathlands since the Middle Ages, and these sand drifts had their largest distribution in the middle of the 19th century.
The open sand is an extreme habitat, with high temperatures and extreme drought during summer, where only a few plants and animals can live. Some of the characteristic fauna here have their main distribution in the Southeast European steppes, for example the grasshopper Oedipoda caerulescens and the butterfly Hipparchia semele semele.
Soil development occurs very slowly, due to wind erosion and nutrient poverty. In the Netherlands and Germany the following succession stages have been distinguished: open sand, pioneer communities with Polytrichum piliferum, lichen-rich open grassland with Corynephorus canescens, lichen-rich open grassland with Agrostis vinealis and Festuca spp., and more closed grasslands with Carex areanaria and Deschampsia flexuosa with few lichens. Further development leads to heathland with Calluna vulgaris. This succession is exaggerated by nutrient input, for example from nitrogen deposition, which also favours the dominance of the non-native moss Campylopus introflexus. Characteristic lichens of the younger succession stages are Stereocaulon condensatum and small-cup lichens, like Cladonia pulivinata, Cladonia cervicornis, Cladonia glauca, Cladonia strepsilis and Cladonia borealis. The Agrostis vinealis stage is also indicated by Cladonia portentosa, Cladonia zopfii and Cladonia uncialis. Where wind erosion of sand occurs up to a deeper soil layer, moist depressions develop, in which typically Juncus sqarrosus is found.
The habitat occurs in mosaics with heathland, scrub and forest, and such mosaics are an especially suitable habitat for birds like Lullula arborea and Anthus campestris. Small patches of open Corynephorus vegetation occur as open spots in heathlands, but in such cases these patches should be considered as part of dry heathlands, providing some differentiation in structure and some additional species diversity and therefore adding to the quality of the heathland habitat.
Outside the North Central European plains, the habitat is found in lowlands of southern Central Europe, the Baltic states, Southern Sweden and Denmark, Western Ukraine and the region Aquitaine of Southwest France. It occurs rarely in the UK, Italy and the Iberian Peninsula.
Habitat type E1.9b represents the part of the phytosociological order Corynephoretalia canescentis with its only alliance Corynephorion canescentis that occurs on sites not located close to the sea coast. On coastal dunes, there are floristically and ecologically very similar to indistinguishable stands, which in the current typology are considered as part of the habitat type B1.4a − Atlantic and Baltic coastal stable dune grasslands (grey dunes).
With decreasing sand mobility, the natural succession of the habitat type typically leads to meso-xeric sandy grasslands with closed swards (order Trifolio arvensis-Festucetalia ovinae; habitat type E1.9a − Oceanic to sub-continental inland sand grassland on dry acid and neutral soils). Under subcontinental to continental climates on base-rich soils, often sandy grasslands of the order Sedo acris-Festucetalia (habitat type E1.1a Pannonian and Pontic sandy steppe) are inserted in this sequence, while under the most oceanic climates and most acidic soils, Deschampsia flexuosa grasslands or Calluna vulgaris heaths of the class Calluno-Ulicetea might follow more or less immediately.
Indicators of good quality
Maintenance of open sand, and open grassland in different stages of succession
Active processes of sand transport by wind
High diversity in lichens
Presence and maintenance of populations of characteristic fauna (birds, insects)
Part of a landscape mosaic with forest and heathland
No dominance of non-native species, such as Campylopus introflexus
Little or no regeneration of trees
Absence of high levels of nitrogen deposition

Characteristic species
Flora:
Vascular plants: Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Carex arenaria, Corynephorus canescens, Filago minima, Hieracium pilosella, Hypochaeris radicata, Jasione montana, Ornithopus perpusillus, Rumex acetosella, Scleranthus perennis, Scleranthus polycarpos, Spergula morisonii, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Thymus serpyllum.
Bryophytes: Campylopus introflexus, Cephaloziella divaricata, Ceratodon purpureus, Pohlia nutans, Polytrichum piliferum, Racomitrium canescens agg.
Lichens: Cetraria aculeata, Cetraria islandica, Cetraria muricata, Cladonia portentosa, Cladonia borealis, Cladonia cervicornis, Cladonia cornuta, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia deformis, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia glauca, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia grayi, Cladonia macilenta, Cladonia mitis, Cladonia monomorpha, Cladonia phyllophora, Cladonia pleurota, Cladonia portentosa, Cladonia pulvinata, Cladonia strepsilis, Cladonia subulata, Cladonia uncialis, Cladonia verticillata, Cladonia zopfii, Placynthiella icmalea, Placynthiella oligotropha, Placynthiella uliginosa, Stereocaulon condensatum, Trapeliopsis granulosa.
Fungi: Tulostoma brumale.
Fauna
Birds: Anthus campestris, Lullula arborea, Caprimulgus europaeus, Oenanthe oenanthe
Butterflies: Hipparchia semele semele, Hipparchia statilinus
Grasshoppers: Oedipoda caerulescens

Classification:
EUNIS:
E1.9 Open non-Mediterranean dry acid and neutral grassland, including inland dune grassland
EuroVegChecklist:
Corynephorion canescentis Klika 1931 (only inland occurrences)
Thero-Airion Tx. ex Oberd. 1957 (marginal, within a context of Corynephorion)
Koelerion glaucae Volk 1931 (marginal, within a context of Corynephorion)
Annex 1:
2330 Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands
23408 Pannonic inland dunes
Emerald:
E1.9 Open non-Mediterranean dry acid and neutral grassland, including inland dune grassland
MAES-2:
Sparsely vegetated land
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
This is a very distinctive  habitat type that emerged in the central and northern parts of the Atlantic and Continental biogeographic regions in consequence of centuries of landscape overexploitation and then became a typical element of nutrient poor, sandy landscapes in the North Central European plains, together with Calluna heaths and oligotrophic birch-oak-pine woodlands.

Map Description:
The map is reasonably good. However, the habitat type is much more frequent in the Polish lowlands, throughout the Baltic states, while the occurrence in Southern Portugal is doubtful, but there should be some occurrences in northern Iberia. Data sources: Art17, EVA.

Comment EU28:
Provided country data say 284 kmÂ², but several countries with occurrences did not provide data and figures for Germany and Poland appear too low

Trends in Quantity:
Recent trend EU28: -80% - EU28+: -80% (based on 76% of the total area reported). Long-term trend EU28: -83% - EU28+: -83% (based on 53% of the total area reported). The trends are rather consistent among the countries with well-founded data. For the future, most countries expect a continuing decrease. However, some countries believe that due to conservation efforts the area will remain stable (on a low level) in the next years (Estonia, Austria) or even slightly increase (Belgium).

Trends in Quality:
Within EU28, 58% of the remaining area are degraded with 31% severity, while within EU28+ 58% of the remaining area are degraded with 31% severity.

Pressures and Threats:
This habitat type largely emerged due to human overexploitation of sandy landscapes during past centuries and is characterised by very nutrient-poor, acidic soils. Since the land use systems that created this type (e.g. by deforestation followed by intensive overgrazing or even arable cultivation) are no longer in place, the main threatening factor is natural succession towards more closed grassland habitats on better developed soils, followed by heathlands, shrublands and finally forests. Eutrophication by atmogenic nitrogen input is a second major threat as it speeds up the natural succession and also might facilitate invasion of competitive non-native (like the moss Campylopus introflexus) and native (like the tall grass Calamagrostis epigejos) species. Sometimes the areas no longer agriculturally used are also afforested. Individual countries also mentioned urbanisation and mining as threats. Sometimes outdoor sports (e.g. motocross) are considered as threats; however, in reality, they might often rather help to keep the sands mobile and thus the habitat alive. Likewise with military activity, which occurs in some areas.

Conservation and Management:
The most extensive and best developed stands of this habitat type are currently found on active military training areas where soil disturbance continues through driving of tanks with no agricultural nitrogen input. This seems to be the most effective way to retain the habitat in a good state. In abandoned military training areas and other sites with this habitat type, year-round grazing with robust cattle, sheep and other herbivores in large-scale pasture landscapes seems to be the most promising approach. Human activities like walking on the dunes or motocross (as often) should not be forbidden because they keep the habitat alive, except in places with occurrences of particularly rare species. New stands of this habitat can emerge from open lignite mining, when extremely nutrient-poor, acidic sand is exposed to the surface. In such cases therefore part of the former mines should be excluded from usual kinds of recultivation.

Conservation Status:
Annex I:
2330: ATL U2, BOR U2, CON U2, MED U1, PAN FV
2340: CON U1, PAN U2

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
When severely damaged, i.e. normally meaning a development towards a denser/higher vegetation on more nutrient-rich, fixed soils, the habitat can recover its typical character only via intervention, i.e. removing the nutrient-rich top-soil (or turning it upside-down) and/or reintroducing soil disturbance. If this is done and there are still diaspores of the typical species available, a recovery is possible within a few years.

Summary:
Here are included usually sparse grasslands on sand drifts of inland dunes and other open landscapes, mainly in the north central European lowlands, where the nutrient-poor and highly acidic surface is prone to wind erosion and hot droughty summers. Small tussocks of Corynephorus canescens and other graminoids form an open matrix among which there can be rich contingents of mosses and lichens.  The habitat probably originated in over-exploitation and desertification of woodlands and heaths since the Middle Ages, and it provides a highly distinctive landscape which can host far-flung outposts of steppe fauna.  Abandonment of extensive grazing and concerns about sand erosion may encourage succession to closed swards, especially where there is eutrophication from atmospheric inputs, and afforestation can also be a threat. Enclosure for military training has sometimes provided a distinctive kind of protection but grazing and disturbance from agricultural or even recreational activities could also be beneficial. New occurrences developed after abandoned lignite mining should be welcomed.

References:
Hentschel, M. 2011. Die Gliederung des Corynephorion Klika 1931 (Silbergrasfluren) in Europa. PhD. thesis, University of Münster, Münster, DE.
Jentsch, A. and Beyschlag, W. 2003. Vegetation ecology of dry acidic grasslands in the lowland area of central europe. Flora 198: 3–25.
Jeckel, G. (1984): Syntaxonomische Gliederung, Verbreitung und Lebensbedingungen nordwestdeutscher Sandtrockenrasen (Sedo-Scleranthetea). Phytocoenologia 12: 9–153.
JuÅ›kiewicz-Swaczyna, B. 2009. The psammophilous grassland community Corniculario aculeatae-Corynephoretum canescentis in the Masurian Lake District (NE Poland). Tuexenia 29: 391–408.
Sparrius, L.B. 2011. Inland dunes in the Netherlands: soil, vegetation, nitrogen deposition and invasive species. PhD thesis University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL.

Criterion A Text:
The values for A1 and A3 are calculated from the territorial data sheets, which provided trend data for 12 and 4 countries, for the 50-yr and long-term trend, respectively, including the countries with the largest occurrences (Germany). The provided data were far too incomplete to allow assessment of A2a and A2b. Trend data from Poland (second largest present area) were missing. A calculation of long term trend (-83%) is based on data from two countries only, and therefore not reliable for the whole of Europe.

Criterion B Text:
EOO and AOO are far larger than the thresholds for the criteria B1 and B2. The habitat type has many occurrences in about 20 European countries.

Synthesis:
Based on a 50 year reduction in quantity of more than 70%, this habitat type is assessed as Endangered (EN) both in EU28 and EU28+. Furthermore, long-term reduction data from just a few countries indicate a similar level of threat, while a significant reduction in biotic and abiotic quality results in a near-threat status (NT).

Contributors:
Type description: J.A.M. Janssen (revised by J. Dengler)
Territorial data: S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, G. Buffa, J. Capelo, M. Chytrý, J.M. Courvreur, D. Espírito-Santo, P. Finck, Z. KÄ…cki, G. Király, A. Mikolajczak, D. Paelinckx, D. Paternoster, V. RašomaviÄius, U. Raths, U. Riecken, E. Roosaluste, S. Rusina, A. Ssymank, E. Weeda.
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E3.5 Temperate and boreal moist or wet oligotrophic grassland

Habitat Description:
This habitat comprises meadows on nutrient-poor soils (both in nitrogen and phosphorus) that are wet during a large part of the year, but superficially may dry out in summer. This especially refers to the more continental regions of its distribution range. In spring, the sites are not flooded, which distinguishes these meadows from floodplain meadows belonging to habitat E3.4 (Moist or wet mesotrophic to eutrophic hay meadows). Due to their relatively low productivity, these grasslands are mown only ones a year, usually late in the season (July, August). The grasses Molinia caerulea and Molinia arundinacea quite often dominate these rather species-rich communities. Both Molinia species may form tussocks, up to 50 cm tall, but – especially in the more Atlantic regions – Molinia (caerulea) is sometimes less conspicuous and integrates more with other plant species in the stands. Companions are low-productive species of intermittently wet soils that generally also can be found in open forests. Some of the rather striking tall herbs may provide the vegetation a splendid sight in mid-summer. In the western part of its distribution range, the more peaty appearance of the communities goes along with the frequent occurence of sedges (like Carex nigra and Carex panicea) and rushes (like Juncus acutiflorus and Juncus conglomeratus); here the communities are sometimes grazed. In syntaxonomic literature, these grasslands are often described as distinct alliances (Junco-Molinion and/or Juncion acutiflorae). The habitat may occur from the lowlands up to the (sub)montane areas. The pH varies from more or less acidic to calcareous, with calcium carbonate as an important chemical compound. In fen-meadows, the peaty soils may temper the effect of the fluctuating water tables. When the water fluctuations become too intense, other species may take over, like Juncus effusus.
The following characteristics can be considered as indicators of good quality:
High richness in herb species;
Long-term habitat stability;
Extensive management regime aimed at long-term continuation of yearly mowing, prohibiting a succesion towards woodland;
Complex landscape setting, with fens or other kinds of mire vegetation on the one hand and drier grasslands on the other.

Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Betonica officinalis, Carex pallescens, Cirsium dissectum, Cirsium tuberosum, Crepis paludosa, Dianthus superbus, Galium boreale subsp. boreale, Gladiolus imbricatus, Iris sibirica, Molinia caerulea, Molina arundinacea, Sanguisorba officinalis, Scorzonera humilis, Selinum carvifolia, Serratula tinctoria, Silaum silaus, Stachys officinalis, Succisa pratensis, Tetragonolobus maritimus, Viola persiciflora. 
Mosses: Calliergonella cuspidata, Climacium dendroides

Classification:
EUNIS:
E3.5 Moist or wet oligotrophic grassland
EuroVegChecklist:
Molinion caeruleae Koch 1926 
Annex 1:
6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae)
Emerald:
E3.5 Moist or wet oligotrophic grassland
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The types has a wide distribution throughout Europe. It has been recorded from 32 countries.

Map Description:
The map is complete for the EU, but likely more incomplete for Norway, Iceland (?) and the Balkan countries outside the EU. In the western part of the distribution (Ireland, UK, northwest-Spain) the map includes the distinctive rush dominated subtype of this habitat (Juncion acutiflori), but it is likely that this subtype has not been included in the reported area for the type in these countries. However, the decline is likely to be the same. Data sources: Art17, NAT, EVA.

Trends in Quantity:
Recent trend EU28: -72.2% Recent trend EU28+: -71.7%. The calculation is based on >98 % of total area reported. Future trend (EU28 and EU28+): probably decrease will continu, but at low rate. Historical trend (EU28 and EU28+): few quantitative data are available, but reported data show an even larger decrease in the past.

Trends in Quality:
Within EU28: 56.8% is degradated with a weighted severity of 56%. Within EU28+: 57.3% is degradated with a weighted severity of 57%. Calculations are based on average values. When based on maximum values, the calculations result in slightly higher degradation scores, still within the thresholds of the same Red List category (VU).

Justification of Restricted Area:
The types has a wide distribution throughout Europe (it has been recorded from 35 countries). The surface of the sites can be quite large (up to several hectares).

Pressures and Threats:
The main threats are agricultural intensification (fertilisation and drainage) and abandonment (lack of mowing). Other major losses are due to changes in the natural hydrological systems and habitat destruction by urbanisation and expand of infrastructure (e.g. road construction).

Conservation and Management:
Continuation of traditional hay making and safeguarding the appropriate hydrological conditions, both on site and landscape level, are the key factors for conserving this habitat type.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1 type:
6410: ALP U2, ATL U2, BLS U1, BOR U2, CON U2, MED U1, PAN U2, STE FV

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The habitat type needs human intervention for restoration, by re-introducing traditional mowing regimes and improving the hydrological conditions. The latter may take a relatively long period to become effective. The presence of relict populations of key species is crucial for success on the short term.

Summary:
These meadows and pastures are typical of less nutrient-rich soils, wet for much of the year, though not inundated by flood-waters and drying out in summer, especially in more Continental regions. The soils may be somewhat acidic to base-rich, sometimes peaty above, and through the lowlands and sub-montane zones of Europe, they have been part of wider landscapes among fens and drier grasslands. Less productive than flood meadows, they are mown just once a year, and towards the west of the range, often lightly grazed, but they can be species-rich with some characteristic and striking species. The main threats are agricultural intensification with fertilisation and drainage, and abandonment of the traditional mowing. Other major losses are due to changes in the natural hydrological systems and habitat destruction by urbanisation and expand of infrastructure. Though still widespread, losses in extent and quality have been very substantial and maintenance of traditional hay making and safeguarding the appropriate hydrological conditions, both on site and landscape level, are the key factors for conserving this habitat type.

References:
Balátova-TuláÄková, E. (1994). Alopecurion- and Molinion-Gesellschaften NW-Böhmens. Acta. Sci. Nat. Brno 28 (6): 1-52.
Dierschke, H. (1990). Syntaxonomische Gliederung des Wirtschaftsgrünlandes und verwandter Gesellschaften (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea) in Westdeutschland. Ber. Reinh. Tüxen-Ges. 2: 83-89.
Godwin, H. (1978). Fenland: its ancient past and uncertain future. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Criterion A Text:
The values fro A1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets. No data (%) available for A2a, A2b and A3.

Criterion B Text:
EOO and AOO are above thresholds for evaluating Criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
The values for C/D1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets, which we obtained from 32 countries. No data available for C/D2 and C/D3. The degradation in quality refers to both biotic features and abiotic circumstances.

Synthesis:
Based on a reduction in quantity over the past 50 years, this habitat type is Endangered (EN) both in EU28 and EU28+ (EN). Furthermore, a substantial reduction in biotic and abiotic quality results in a Vulnerable status (VU).

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
No sub-types in need of further examination. The reduction in quantity and quility refers to the whole range of the habitat type.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: J. Schaminée
Territorial data: S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, A.B.G. Averis, A.M. Averis, C. Bita-Nicolae, G. Buffa,J. Capelo, J.M. Couvreur, R. Delarze, D. Espírito-Santo, G. Giusso Del Galdo, P. Finck, , M. Janišová, Z. KÄ…cki, M. KoÄí, T. Kontula, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, J.R. Martin, A. Mikolajczak, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, Z. Molnár, D. Paternoster, D. Paelinckx, G. Pezzi,V. RašomaviÄius, U. Raths, U. Riecken, S. Rusina, V. Rusakova, Z. Škvorc, A. Ssymank, D. Viciani, E.J. Weeda
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Description:
This habitat comprises natural or semi-natural grasslands along the coasts of the Baltic Sea. The habitat resembles A2.5c, Atlantic salt marshes, but in the Baltics tidal differences are much smaller, in the northern parts insignificant and the Baltic sea has a pronounced salinity gradient. Because of this, the species composition and zonation belts are different and the geomorphology is more flat, without pronounced levees and depressions. In general a zonation is found of specific communities in the lower parts, the hydrolittoral (below mean water level) and others in the higher parts (geolittoral, above mean water level). But species composition also changes in longitudinal direction over the area due to climatological as well salinity gradient that ranges from about 20‰ near the Kattegat, through  8‰ in the Darß-region to 2-5‰ in the Bothnian Gulf and Finnish Gulf. Tidal differences are small, and overruled by irregular, seasonal fluctuations in flooding regime due to storms, wind direction, changes in air pressure and drifting ice. The habitat is found on clayey sediments, sometimes mixed with gravelly substrates. Besides, the land upheaval of the northern parts of the Baltic Sea, continuing after the recession of the last glaciers in the ice ages, causes the development of saline meadows on non-sedimentary soils. Overall, the habitat is best represented in large bays, where clayey sediments are available, like in the Bothnian Bay and in Western Estonia.
In relatively saline areas, the most flooded, hydrolittoral and lower geolittoral belts harbour communities of the Puccinellion maritimae, with amongst others Puccinellia maritima, Triglochin maritima , Spergularia maritima and Plantago maritima, and of the Spergulario-Puccinellion, with Puccinellia distans(ssp. distans and ssp. borealis) and Spergularia salina. Sometimes Salicornia europaea is present. The total vegetation cover often is low (< 50%). However in areas strongly influenced by freshwater, like in the Darß, large helophytes or Cyperaceae of the Scirpion maritimi dominate the lower belts, mainly Bolboschoenus maritimus, but also Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Eleocharis uniglumis , Carex paleacea or Carex halophila may dominated such areas. The lower belt is especially pronounced in the northern part of the Bothnian Gulf, where the land uplift creates bare substrate that becomes colonized by pioneer species.
The higher, geolittoral belt has in general a closed vegetation cover and is characterized by communities of the Armerion maritimae and Potentillion anserinae, containing the following species: Juncus gerardi, Festuca rubra, Agrostis stolonifera, Vicia cracca, Potentilla anserina, Carex nigra, Trifolium fragiferum, Lotus tenuis, and Calamagrostis stricta. In many cases the species composition is a mixture of ‘real’ salt marsh species (halophytes) and more freshwater indicating species. In places with freshwater influence Blysmus rufus may dominate. On the higher edge of the meadows, the habitat may form transitions to or mosaics with grassland communities of the Cynosurion cristati (habitat E2.1a).
The Bothnian Gulf is one of the few areas in Northern-Europe where after the Ice Ages new, endemic taxa have developed. Endemics of the saline meadows are Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. bottnica (= Deschampsia bottnica),  characteristic of gravelly shores within the salt meadows, and Euphrasia bottnica, which grows in the higher parts of the meadows. Also a high amount of boreal-arctic species  is found here, having (sometimes rare) relict populations from a period when there existed a connection between the Baltic and the White Sea. Examples of such species are mainly found in brackish conditions, like Puccinellia phryganodes and Primula nutans ssp. finmarchica, more characteristic of Arctic salt marshes (habitat A2.5a), and Carex glareosa, Carex mackenziei, Carex paleacea and Carex halophila (in both habitat A2.5a and A2.5b). Most of these species grow in low grasslands and depend on grazing for their sustainable survival. Rare species in the saline meadows of the Baltic States is Angelica palustris, while along the East-German and Polish Baltic coast, Middle Sweden, southern Finland and Estonia the rare Eleocharis parvula forms pioneer communities on muddy, brackish soils in sheltered lagoons.
Traditionally the saline meadows have been more-or-less intensively grazed or mowed for ages, but due to recent abandonment of this type of land-use, in several parts of the Baltics the habitat is threatened by succession towards reed beds. Unlike for the Atlantic salt-marshes, such reed beds are not considered part of the habitat itself, but are in the definition of C5.1.
The habitat forms an important breeding and resting sites for many water birds and migratory birds. It also contains a set of specialized insects, in many cases living on just one or a few halophytic plant species.
Indicators of good quality:
The following characteristics are considered as indicators of good quality:
Regularly flooding with brackish water
Low vegetation structure
Absence of large stands of Phragmites australis
Absence of shrubs
Presence of rare or endemic species
Presence of several zonation belts
Reguarly erosion by sea ice

Characteristic species:
Flora
Vascular plants: Agrostis stolonifera, Blysmus rufus, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Calamagrostis stricta,Carex glareosa, Carex mackenziei, Carex nigra, Carex paleacea, Centaurium littorale, Centaurium pulchellum, Eleocharis acicularis, Eleocharis parvula, Eleocharis uniglumis, Festuca rubra, Glaux maritima, Juncus gerardi, Odontites littoralis, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Phragmites australis, Plantago maritima, Potentilla anserina subsp. anserina, Potentilla anserina subsp. egedii, Puccinellia capillaris, Puccinellia distans, Salicornia europaea (very rare), Spergularia maritima, Spergularia salina, Trifolium fragiferum, Triglochin maritima, Vicia cracca.
Fauna
Birds: Dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii)

Classification:
Annex 1:
1630 Boreal Baltic coastal meadows, In the German and Polish Baltic coast included under 1330
EuroVegChecklist (alliances):
Festucion maritimae Christiansen 1927 (= Puccinellion maritimae)
Armerion maritimae Br.-Bl. et De Leeuw 1936
Atriplicion littoralis Nordhagen 1940
Thero-Salicornion Br.-Bl. 1933
Puccinellio maritimae-Spergularion salinae Beeftink 1965
Scirpion maritimi Dahl et Hadac 1941
Loto tenuis-Trifolion fragiferi Westhoff et Den Held ex de Foucault 2009 (= Potentillion anserinae Tx. 1947 p.p.)
Emerald:
A2.5 Coastal saltmarshes and saline reedbeds
MAES-2:
Marine inlets and transitional waters
IUCN:
12.5.  Salt Marshes [Emergent Grasses]

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
It is a very typical for the Baltic Sea coast.

Map Description:
The map is almost complete, with data gaps only in the Russian part of the Baltic Sea coast. Data sources: ART17.

Comment EU28:
Information is possibly lacking from Lithuania.

Comment EU28+:
Data is lacking from Russia (Kalingrad, Saint Petersburg oblast).

Trends in Quantity:
In Finland, Germany, Sweden and Latvia the habitat has undergone negative trends over the last 50 years. The situation in Denmark is stable, Estonia unknown and Poland increasing. Overall the trend is a decline.

Trends in Quality:
Quality is decreasing in most countries excpet Poland and Denmark (stable), but a decrease in quality has
occurd in all contries over the last 50 years

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
More than 95%. Outside the EU28 the habitat may occur in the Saint Petersburg oblast and Kaliningrad.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The EOO is relatively large, as the habitat is widespread on the Baltic Sea coasts.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The relatively widespread habitat may form large stands in some sites, smaller ones in others.

Pressures and Threats:
The most significant threat to this hibitat is that it is abandonment of pastoral system, in Sweden and Finland and probaly more of the countries the grazing has mowed to other habitats and the grazing that still occur in the shore meadows is payd with nature conservation money

Conservation and Management:
The most important messure is to continue with grazing in grazed areas and areas with abandoned pastures should be restored with grazing

Conservation Status:
Annex I:
1630: BOR U2, CON U2
In Germany, Denmark and Poland minor parts of the Red List type have been registered under Annex I type Atlantic salt meadows, 1330.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
As a seminatural habitat dependent on grazing it could not recover naturally, but with management it could be restored by quantity rather fast, but to restore the quality if it had gone lost it will take several decades before most species are back.

Summary:
Baltic Coastal meadow occurs on clayey or gravelly coastal sediments around the Baltic sea, subject to only trivial tidal fluctuations with often rather brackish waters and best developed in large bays and sheltered rocky coves. Usually the vegetation is disposed over gently sloping ground without creeks and pans, and shows a zonation from below to above the mean water level, including both halophytic saltmarsh assemblages and more transitional plant communities above, even terrestrial grasslands. There is a boreo-arctic contingent in the flora which includes endemics developed since the Ice Ages. Traditionally grazed or mown, abandonment became widespread with succession towards reedbeds which are not included in the type. Just fragments now remain though restoration has been undertaken in many places. The quality is easier and faster to restore than the area and most of the sites that are managed today have a good or rather good quality.

References:
Dierssen, K. (1996). Vegetation Nordeuropeas. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart.
Siira, J. (1984) On the vegetation and ecology of the primary saline soils of the Bothnian Bay. Aquilo Ser. Bot. 20: 1-13.
Tyler, G. (1969). Regional aspects of Baltic shore-meadow vegetation. Vegetatio 19: 60-86.

Criterion A Text:
Baltic coastal meadows have declined all over its distribution area during the last 100-150 years, but how much is hard to say, because there are few quantitative data on the area 50 or 100 years ago. The decline has been going on for a long time and started earlier in the north than in the south of the Baltic region, and also therefore it is hard to say how much is lost over the last 50 years. However, the loss is at least 60%, but may even be more than 90%. A decline of 61% leads to the category Endangered (EN). A few countries reported slightly higher percentages over a long historical timeframe, and - assuming this trend is similar for the whole range - this leads to the category Vulnerable (VU).

Criterion B Text:
The EOO is larger than 50000 km2 and the AOO larger than 50 km2, so the habitat does not fulfill the criteria for B.

Criterion C/D Text:
Based on territorial data an average decline in qaulity has been calculated of 75% of the area being negatively affected in a moderate way (30%). The figures are minimum as data do not occur for all contries and are aven hard to compare betrween different sources. The figures are close to the thresholds for Vulnerable (VU) and therefore result in a Near Threatened assessment for C/D1.

Synthesis:
The Baltic coastal meadows have declined all over its distribution area during the last 100-150 years. The decline has been going on for a long time and started earlier in the north than in the south, and threfore it is hard to assess how much has been lost over the last 50 years. The loss is at least 60%, but may even be more than 90%. According to criteria A1 (trend in area) the habitat is assessed at least as Endangered (EN).

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
The gradient from north to south in baltic sea is continous so division into subtypes is not needed.

Contributors:
Habitat Definition: J. Janssen
Territorial data: P. Finck, A. Jacobson, T. Kontula, U. Raths, U. Riecken, E. Roosaluste, S. Rusina, A. Ssymank
Working Group Coastal: A. Acosta, F. Bioret, H. Gardfjell, J. Janssen, J. Loidi, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E3.4b Moist or wet mesotrophic to eutrophic pasture

Habitat Description:
Pastures or trampled grasslands on mesotrophic to eutrophic, wet to moist sites in the temperate regions of Europe. Naturally such grasslands occur in floodplains and on shores of lowland lakes, in poorly drained places that are grazed by wild animals or cattle. More anthropogenic they are found along banks of ditches, and in wet grasslands in sites where cattle gathers or that are inundated a long time of the year. The soil may vary from clayey, sandy to peaty and sometimes is brackish. The sites are inundated during winter and spring, but fall dry in summer. The habitat is most common in riverine areas, and may occupy large areas under natural flooding regimes. Embanking of floodplains and regulating of water courses may result in a loss of area of the habitat. On the other hand, intensive grazing of grasslands may result in the species composition of this habitat on the lower and most trampled sites. The species combination consists of plants that endure long periods of inundation (and trampling) very well, like Potentilla anserina, Trifolium fragiferum, Trifolium repens, Plantago major, Agrostis stolonifera, Mentha pulegioides. They develop and flower in the dry periods. Some of them are able to quickly occupy empty sites by stolones or rhizomes. Other plants in the communities are especially resistant to grazing by being unpalatable, like Juncus inflexus and Rumex crispus. Most species of the habitat are common and widespread, but a few rare and more restricted species are characteristic, amongst which Apium repens, Blysmus compressus, Alopecurus bulbosus, Carex vulpina and Teucrium scordium. The habitat has some species in common with pioneer communities of river shores (type C3.5a), with which type transitions and mosaics occur, but in general type E3.4b is a more closed community, really a grassland type. On the higher site it may form mosaics with Cynosurion-pastures (habitat E2.1a) or moist or wet hay meadows (habitat E3.4a). Some other species are in common with tall-herb communities on moist sites, like Mentha longifolia. The habitat occurs widespread throughout the temperate European lowlands. In most of the Mediterranean region it is replaced by communities of habitat E3.2a Mediterranean short moist grassland of lowlands. In the continental parts of Europe the habitat is rare, and restricted to sites with long-term high water levels. Similar communities occur on the brackish, higher parts of Atlantic and Baltic saltmarshes, but in that case they are included under habitat A2.5b or A2.5c. Also inland salt pan communities of the Lolio-Potentillion are excluded, as they are considered under type E6.2 or E6.3.
Indicators of good quality:
• Natural flooding regime
• Long term inundation during winter and spring
• Maintenance of grazing pressure
• Absence of non-native plant species
Characteristic species:
Flora: Vascular plants: Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus bulbosus, Alopecurus geniculatus, Blysmus compressus, Cardamine parviflora, Carex otrubae (= C. cuprina), Carex vulpina, Carex hirta, Eleocharis uniglumis, Festuca arundinacea, Gratiola officinalis, Glyceria fluitans, Inula brittanica, Juncus articulatus, Juncus compressus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Lolium perenne, Mentha longifolia, Mentha pulegium, Mentha suaveolens, Oenanthe fistulosa, Plantago major ssp. intermedia, Poa trivialis, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla reptans, Pulicaria dysenterica, Pulicaria vulgaris, Ranunculus repens, Ranunculus sardous, Rorippa (Nasturtium) microphylla, Rorippa sylvestris, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Teucrium scordium, Trifolium fragiferum, Trifolium repens, Triglochin palustris.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E3.4 Moist or wet eutrophic and mesotrophic grassland
EuroVegChecklist:
Potentillion anserinae Tx. 1947       
Juncion inflexi Knapp 1971
Annex I:
-
Emerald:
-
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The type has a wide distribution thoughout Europe. It has been recorded in 31 countries.

Map Description:
The map is very incomplete due to large data gaps, and it is reflecting mainly availability of data in the EVA database. Especially the Atlantic countries Ireland and United Kingdom are strongly underrepresented. Data sources: EVA.

Trends in Quantity:
Recent trend EU28 = -54.3%; Recent trend EU28+ = -51.5%. Although data from some of the countries where the habitat type is widely distributed are missing, the calculated figures seem to be correct. A remark has to be made for Latvia, where the loss is defined at 96%, contributing quite a lot to the overall figure.
Future trend (EU28 and EU28+): the decrease will continue, but at a lower rate than over the last twenty years; quite some countries are reporting a stable situation at present, where there has been a decrease in the past (e.g. Germany and France).
Historical trend (EU28 and EU28+): few quantitative data are available, but reported data show a large decrease in the past (e.g. UK: >97%, Hungary: 80-90%).

Trends in Quality:
Within EU28 about 50% of the total area are degraded with a weighted severity of 50%. Within EU28+ 45% are degraded with a weighted severity of 50%. Calculations are based on average values from data provided by 10 (out of 20) EU28 countries and 2 additional EU28+ countries.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat type has a wide distribution throughout Europe (it has been recorded from 31 countries). The surface of the sites can be quite large, up to several hectares.

Pressures and Threats:
The main threats are agricultural intensification (fertilisation, drainage) and changes in water regimes of the major river systems in Europe, like the Danube and the Rhine. Other major losses are due to direct habitat destruction (e.g. by urbanisation).

Conservation and Management:
Although these pastures are still available over large areas, there are ongoing risks for further degradation. To preserve the still existing grasslands, safeguarding the appropriate hydrological conditions is a prerequisite. To restore degraded grasslands, the pressure from agricultural use (applying of fertilizers) has to be reduced.

Conservation Status:
There is no Annex I type assigned to this habitat type.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Depending on the type of damage, different forms of restoration are required. When the sites are overgrown with shrubs and trees, these woods have to be cleared; when grasslands still exist but the typical species are absent, a reduction of the amount of fertilizer is needed. In all cases, grazing regimes must be set up, whereas the hydrological conditions have to be appropriate (waterlogged soils by periodic inundation).

Summary:
The pastures belonging to this habitat type are found on moist to wet, mesotrophic to eutrophic soils, that are generally inundated during winter and spring, but which may become dry in summer. Their main occurrences are in floodplains, along the shores of lakes and other large water bodies (including along the shores of the Baltic Sea) and more fragmentarily along ditches, where the natural conditions have been strongly affected by hydrological measures such as drainage and intensification of agricultural use. The soils can be sandy to clayey, even peaty or sometimes brackish. Grazing is mostly by cattle which can strongly affect the nutrient status and compaction of the soil and plants tolerant of inundation and trampling dominate here with a paucity of attractive flowers and a poor associated invertebrate fauna.. Though still extensive and widely distributed in the temperate lowlands of Europe, there have been substantial losses of extent and quality.  Protecting or restoring what remains demands appropriate hydrological conditions and not too intensive grazing regimes.

References:
Sýkora, K.V. 1980. The Lolio-Potentillion anserinae R. Tuexen 1947 in the Northern part of the Atlantic domain. PhD-thesis, Agricultural University Wageningen.

Criterion A Text:
The values for A1 have been calculated from the territorial data sheets. The calculated trend over the last 50 years leads to category Endangered (EN) both for EU28 and EU28+. No data (percentages) available for A2a, A2b and A3.

Criterion B Text:
EOO and AOO are well above the thresholds for evaluating Criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
The values for C/D1 have been calculated from the territorial data sheets, which we obtained from 31 countries. The calculated figures lead to categories Vulnerable (VU) for EU28 and Near threatened (NT) for EU28+. No data available for C/D2 and C/D3. The degradation in quality refers to both biotic features and abiotic circumstances.

Synthesis:
Based on a strong reduction in quantity over the past 50 years, this habitat type is Endangered (EN) in both EU28 and EU28+. A substantial reduction in biotic and abiotic quality results in a status Vulnerable (VU) for EU28 and Near Threatened (NT) for EU28+.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
No sub-types in need of further examination. The reduction in quantity and quality refers to the whole range of the habitat type.

Contributors:
Type description: J. Janssen
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, F. Attorre, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, C. Bita-Nicolae, G. Buffa, L. Casella, R. Delarze, D. Gigante, P, Finck, M. Janišová, R.G. Jefferson, Z. KÄ…cki, M. KoÄí, T. Kontula, J. Loidi, J.R. Martin, A. Mikolajczak, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, Z. Molnár, D. Paternoster, G. Pezzi, V. RašomaviÄius, U. Raths, U. Riecken, E. Roosaluste, S. Rusina, Z. Škvorc, A, Ssymank, K. Sumberova, D. Viciani, E.J. Weeda
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E1.B Heavy-metal grassland of western and central Europe

Habitat Description:
This habitat comprises dry, short grasslands on soils with a high natural or anthropogenic content of heavy metals such as zinc, lead, copper, nickel, cobalt, cadmium or chromium, occurring in western and central Europe. The characteristic plant taxa (mostly subspecies or ecotypes) are metallophytes, species that developed various mechanisms for tolerating these heavy metals in the soil. The vegetation often has an open cover of vascular plants and is rich in lichens and mosses. The typical grasslands of the order Violetalia calaminaria are dominated by metallophytes, but on non-optimal sites also grasslands of other types (belonging to the classes Koelerio-Corynephoretea, Festuco-Brometea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea) may contain lower numbers of metallophytes, and these also are regarded as belonging to this Red List type.
Heavy metal grasslands of this habitat are found in Ireland, England and Scotland, Northeast-Belgium and adjacent Netherlands, Northern France, Germany, Poland, Austria and Slovenia. They occur on natural sites where bedrocks with zinc or lead lie close to or at the surface. Secondary habitats have been created by mining the metal ores, which has resulted in contaminated soils in the vicinity of mines, along transporting routes and in storage areas. Tertiary locations occur where heavy metals have contaminated the soil by air or water transport from other sources. In many places, grazing by wild herbivores such as rabbits helps maintain an open sward and prevents the disappearance of cryptogam-rich early stages in the development of the vegetation and the greater dominance of grasses and dicotyledons.
Exploitation of the heavy metals ores is recorded from Roman times, but has probably occurred since the Bronze Age. Exploitation increased strongly from the Middle Ages, with an optimum industrial exploitation in the 19th century. In that period, the Belgian area of La Calamine (Kelmis) and Plombières (Bleiberg) was the world centre of zinc mining. Ores were transported to this area from mines in the surrounding to be washed and processed and because of this industry large amounts of zinc have been loaded into the environment, especially into the river Geul (Geulle), resulting in tertiary sites of metallophytes in its floodplain grasslands. The maximum distribution of the habitat type probably occurred in the first half of the 20th century.
In habitat type E1.B only those heavy metal grasslands are included that have traditionally been placed in the order Violetalia calaminariae.  In several countries, inside and outside the range of this order, other habitats occur on metal-rich soils, like grasslands and scree vegetation on ultramafic soils (serpentine soils and other copper-rich soils). These habitats are not included here, but are considered under other grassland or scree types. According to this definition, the resulting Red List type E1.B is equivalent to the Annex 1 habitat type 6130.
Indicators of good quality:
In good conditions these grasslands are rich in and dominated by metallophytes. In heavily contaminated spots even 100 years after mining no plants may grow at all. In soils with low concentration of heavy metals and where grazing declines, succession slowly leads to overgrowing with taller grasses (for instance Holcus lanatus) or shrubs and trees. In such cases, sites may be managed by mowing, removing trees and shrubs or sod cutting. Eutrophication, manuring and addition of chalk reduces the availability of zinc to the plants, causing a decrease in metallophytes.
The following characteristics are indicators of good quality:
·      High cover of metallophytes
·      Areas with open soil and characteristic lichens
·      Low vegetation structure
·      Low cover of encroaching tall grasses, tall herbs and shrubs
Characteristic species:
Flora
Vascular plants: Agrostis capillaris, Armeria maritima subsp. halleri (including subsp. bottendorfensis and subsp. hornburgensis), Cardaminopsis halleri, Cochlearia pyrenaica, Festuca ovina subsp. ophioliticola, Festuca rubra, Galium verum, Holcus mollis, Minuartia verna var. hercynica, Pimpinella saxifraga, Potentilla tabernaemontani, Rumex acetosella, Silene otites, Silene vulgaris subsp. humilis, Spergularia rubra, Thlaspi caerulescens subsp. calaminaria, Viola calaminaria, Viola guestphalica.
Bryophytes: Polytrichum piliferum, Riccia bischoffii.
Lichens: Cladonia pocillum, Diploschistes scruposus.
Fauna
The heavy metal vegetation typically contains fauna species of dry, steppic grasslands, which are also (and in higher numbers) found in other dry grasslands and heathlands.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E1.B Heavy metal grasslands
EuroVegChecklist:
Thlaspion calaminarii Ernst 1965
Armerion halleri Ernst 1965
Annex 1:
6130 Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae
Emerald:
E1.B Heavy-metal grassland
MAES-2:
Terrestrial grasslands
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate grassland

Map Description:
The map is rather complete. Data sources: Art17, EVA.

Trends in Quantity:
Recent trend EU28: -55% - EU28+: -55% (based on 96.6% of the total area reported). Long-term trend EU28: -60% - EU28+: -60% (based on 20% of the total area reported). For the future, most countries assume a continuation of the decrease, while Germany expects +/- stable areas and Belgium even a slight increase.

Trends in Quality:
Within EU28, 60% of the remaining area are degraded with 43% severity. Since the habitat type is restricted to EU28, the values for EU28+ are the same.

Justification of Restricted Area:
Although the overall AOO is very small, the locations few and small, the overall range EOO is >> 50,000 km².

Pressures and Threats:
The main threat to this habitat is the slow natural succession that occurs on metal-rich rocks or after the heavy-metal rich contaminants have been deposited. With time part of the heavy metals are leached or become less plant available, so that the site conditions become less extreme, allowing the development towards other habitat types. Also grazing by wild herbivores often assists in keeping the cover of vascular pl;ants low.  Furthermore, nowadays no new sites are established since laws would prevent open deposition of heavy metal rich material. The remaining small sites might also be negatively affected by afforestation, abandonment of grazing systems, trampling or atmosphreic eutrophication.

Conservation and Management:
Ultimately, the gradual shrinkage of the area of this habitat type due to abiotic and biotic succession can hardly be prevented. Grazing by stock, which is one standard measure to keep other semi-natural habitats open, cannot be recommended in this case because the plant material contains toxic concentrations of heavy metals, though access to wild herbivores can be maintained.  The only sure way to counteract succession and keep at least some sites of the endemic heavy metal plants can be mowing and removal of woody encroachment, but also then the question is how to get rid of this contaminated plant material. Since the remaining sites are small, they should at least be legally protected and any damage by quarrying, construction activities or trampling be prevented as far as possible.

Conservation Status:
Annex I:
6130 ALP U1, ATL U2, CON XX, MED U1

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
When overgrown by tall forbs or woody species, mowing or removal of woody encroachment can help, but this cannot counteract  in the long run the leaching of heavy metals.

Summary:
This habitat comprises short open swards with a distinctive metallophyte component, occurring on shallow, skeletal soils over natural rock exposures with heavy metals in Western and Central Europe, on mine spoil or ground contaminated by dust and waters from such sources. Such grasslands form a highly localised element in other landscapes, colonising slowly and sustained by the extreme environment, though also sometimes dependent on grazing by wild herbivores for maintaining early successional stages which are richer in cryptogams. Encroachment from around by shrubs and trees, quarrying, land development and disturbance pose threats and there have been very substantial losses in extent and quality. With limited potential for restoration, the best appproach to sustaining the habitat is protection.

References:
Baumbach, H. 2005. Genetische Differenzierung mitteleuropäischer Schwermetallsippen von Silene vulgaris, Minuartia verna und Armeria maritima unter Berücksichtigung biogeographischer, montanhistorischer und physiologischer Aspekte. Dissertationes Botanicae 398: 1−128
Becker, T. & Brändel, M. 2007. Vegetation-environment relationship in a heavy metal-dry grassland complex. Folia Geobotanica 42: 11–28.
Becker, T., Brändel, M., Dierschke, H. 2007. Trockenrasen auf schwermetall- und nicht schwermetallhaltigen Böden der Bottendorfer Hügel in Thüringen. Tuexenia 27: 255–286.
Ernst, W.H.O. 1965. Ökologisch-soziologische Untersuchungen in den Schwermetallpflanzengeselschaften Mitteleuropas unter Einschluss der Alpen. Abhandlungen des Landesmuseums für Naturkunde Münster 27: 1-54.
Ernst, W.H.O. 1976. Prodrome of the European Plant communities 3. Violetea calaminariae. J. Cramer, Vaduz.

Criterion A Text:
The values for A1 and A3 are calculated from the territorial data sheets, which provided trend data for 8 and 3 countries, for the 50-yr and long-term trend, respectively. The provided data were far too incomplete to allow assessment of A2a and A2b.

Criterion B Text:
EOO is far larger than the criterion B1. However, the occurrences are highly localised to sites with heavy metal mining, so that the area of occurrence (AOO) likely equals about 50 grid cells.

Criterion C/D Text:
The data for C/D1 were calculated from the territorial data sheets, which provided assessments for 9 countries. No data were available for C/D2 and C/D3. The degradation quality refers to both biotic features and abiotic circumstances.

Synthesis:
Based on a recent reduction of over 50% in area, the habitat type is Endangered (EN). Both the long-term quantitative reduction and the small current area of occurrence would result in a Vulnerable status (VU). A significant reduction in biotic and abiotic quality results in a Near-threatened status (NT).

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
No sub-habitats need to be distinguished for further assessment.

Contributors:
Type description: J.A.M. Janssen (revised by J. Dengler).
Grassland working group: J. Rodwell, I. Biurrun, J. Capelo, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J.H.J. Schaminée, R. Tsonev.
Territorial data: A. ÄŒarni; V. Fievet, P. Finck, J.A.M. Janssen, N. Juvan; Z. KÄ…cki, J.R. Martin, A. Mikolajczak, F. O’Neill, D. Paternoster, U. Raths, U. Riecken, J. Simkin, A. Ssymank.


Habitat Type Name:
E2.1a Mesic permanent pasture of lowlands and mountains

Habitat Description:
These are mesotrophic pastures on deep, well-drained, mesic soils occurring very commonly throughout temperate Europe, though more restricted in mountains to warmer and more Continental regions. Such pastures are the basis of stock-rearing across much of Europe but the grazing regime varies greatly, from rather intensive to light, year-round or only in summer and may involve cattle, horses, sheep, goats or various combinations of these. Semi-wild herds of horses or cattle may also be used in extensively grazed areas and wild herbivores such as deer, rabbits and hares may be locally important.
Transitions to E2.2 Low and medium altitude hay-meadows can occur, especially where these have been subject to increased grazing in spring and late summer but, in contrast to mown grasslands on similar soils, these pastures contain numerous leaf rosette plants and a smaller contingent of slender, taller grasses and herbs. Flowering is less concentrated in late spring than for meadows, but spread through the growing season. In well-managed grasslands of this type, much of the herbage is palatable and nutritious.
These grasslands are typically characterized by the combination of Cynosurus cristatus, Bellis perennis, Trifolium repens and Lolium perenne in lowlands and montane areas, and Poa alpina and Leontodon hispidus in upper-montane to alpine areas with some associated vicariant species pairs in these respective ranges, like Phleum pratense vs. Phleum rhaeticum, Trifolium repens vs. Trifolium thalii and Poa pratensis vs. Poa alpina. Other regional sub-types are found in southern Europe where, because of the favourable climate, the grasslands can be both grazed and mown, with Agrostis castellana, Carum verticillatum, Linum bienne, Orchis coriophora and Gaudinia fragilis in the south-west and Hordeum bulbosum, Trifolium incarnatum ssp. molinerii and Vulpia ligustica in the central and southern Apennines. 
There are also variations related to soil differences. On calcareous soils Plantago media, Briza media, Sanguisorba minor and Galium verum indicate transitions towards calcareous grasslands (Habitat E1.2a Semi-dry perennial calcareous grassland), while in acidic, nutrient poor conditions transitions towards species-poor calcifuge grasslands (Habitat E1.7a Lowland to submontane Nardus grassland) indicated by Nardus stricta, Potentilla erecta, Danthonia decumbens and Hieracium pilosella. In boreal regions Galium boreale is an additional species, in alpine areas Gentiana bavarica, Gentiana nivalis, Nigritella nigra and Crocus species are found in this habitat and on moist, severely trampled situations in high mountains, Poa supina may dominate.
Indicators of good quality
Continuation of traditional grazing management

Diversity of species-rich examples in different regions

Presence of distinctive rare species

Presence of fungi indicative for “old grassland”

No increase of nutrients by fertilization addition or atmospheric nitrogen deposition

No overgrazing with spread of unpalatable weeds, like Rumex spp., Cirsium spp. Senecio spp.

No under-grazing with spread of palatable coarse grasses such as Arrheneatherum elatius


Characteristic species:
Vascular plants : Achillea millefolium, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis castellana, Alchemilla vulgaris, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Bellis perennis, Carum verticillatum, Cerastium fontanum, Chamaemelum nobile, Crepis aurea, Crepis capillaris, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia caespitosa, Elymus repens, Euphrasia rostkoviana, Festuca pratensis, Festuca rubra, Gaudinia fragilis, Holcus lanatus, Hordeum bulbosum, Hordeum secalinum, Lathyrus pratensis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Leontodon autumnalis, Leontodon hispidus, Leontodon saxatilis, Linum bienne, Lolium perenne, Lotus corniculatus, Nardus stricta, Orchis coriophora, Phleum alpinum, Phleum pratense, Phleum rhaeticum, Plantago alpina, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Poa alpina, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Rhinanthus minor, Taraxacum sect. officinale, Trifolium badium, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium incarnatum ssp. molinierii, Trifolium micranthum, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Trifolium striatum, Trifolium thalii, Veronica serpyllifolia, Vulpia ligustica.
Fungi: Especially in situations where grassland management has been long uninterrupted (so-called ‘old grasslands’), many rare waxcap and other basidiomycete fungi can be found.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E2.1 Permanent mesotrophic pastures and aftermath-grazed meadows
EuroVegChecklist:
Cynosurion cristati Tx. 1947 (incl. Lino biennis-Gaudinion fragilis (Br.-Bl. 1967) de Foucault 1989)
Poion alpinae Gams ex Oberd. 1950
Poion supinae Rivas-Mart. et Géhu 1978 (marginal)
Annex 1:
6270 Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands (partly)
Emerald:
-
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
It is a widespread type whose general characteristics relate more to soil characteristics and long histories of grazing throughout temperate Europe.

Map Description:
Map with many data gaps, for example in Portugal, Hungary, Romania, United Kingdom, Ireland and Balkan countries. Data sources: EVA, NAT.

Comment EU28:
Extent in Bulgaria, Germany and Belgium (Wallonia) unknown

Trends in Quantity:
Where data/estimates are available (for about half the countries), the general long-term historical picture is one of substantial loss, particularly in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the UK and Estonia, where 65 to >90% of this habitat has gone largely due to shifts in farming practice, particularly a move to intensification of grass production.  In many of these countries, the rate of loss has increased further in the past 50 years.  Only rarely have no loss (in Slovakia) or a modest increase (in Bulgaria) been recorded.  In some countries the situation has stabilized but overall future prospects are gloomy with 10-50% further decline expected over the coming years, abandonment of pastures an increasing threat.

Trends in Quality:
Almost everywhere across the EU, slight to severe biotic and abiotic degradation has affected more than 30% of this habitat over the past 50 years, often up to 50%, sometimes up to 90%. A reliable picture for long-term historical trends is unattainable.  In a majority of countries, decline in quality continues, sometimes it has stabilized, rarely (Bulgaria) has it been reversed and, where future estimates have been made, decline in quality is expected to continue.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The reduction in extent is substantial but widespread so the overall range is largely unchanged.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat has a potentially very widespread and extensive range as a replacement maintained by grazing for many kinds of cleared temperate forest.

Pressures and Threats:
The habitat has been much changed by shifts in land-use and agricultural practices. Agricultural ‘improvement’ to increase fertility for dairying and beef-production, started early in western Europe and has become widespread, much increased in extent and intensity is recent decades through EU financial support. Addition of chemical fertilizers, top-sowing, cultivation and re-seeding has decreased the species-richness and regional diversity of this habitat across large parts of north-western Europe producing very species-poor pastures dominated by Lolium perenne and other highly productive and competitive grasses and clovers. Increased stock rates, causing soil-poaching, trampling and spread of weeds may also be problematic and in some regions there has been conversion to arable land. Particularly towards eastern and northern Europe, and especially in mountains, abandonment of traditional grazing in these pastures is common, with development of rank grasslands, scrub and woodland.  Often this habitat persists now only in protected areas with some financial subsidy for the maintenance of traditional pasturing.  Except in such cases and where there are local restoration programmes, there is no sign of any reduction in threats.

Conservation and Management:
Conservation of this habitat is directed towards maintaining as many of the traditional elements of farming practice as possible:  appropriate levels of grazing and the use of only dung, urine, lime and mild phosphates as fertilisers.  This usually means payments to farmers for income foregone since these days there is constant pressure to intensify stock production, or shift to arable cropping and various schemes of agri-environment funding have been implemented to administer this financial support. Where damaged, restoration aims, one way and another, to reinstate elements of traditional practice but is often hindered by the accumulated fertility (especially of bound phosphate) in the soils and by a wider shift to intensive farming led by market demand and subsidized by substantial incentives.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1 types:
6270: ALP U2, BOR U2, CON U2

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Restoration is more successful on pastures which still retain some measure of floristic diversity but, even where restoration is better, the wider fabric of traditional farming with its landscape-scale diversity, vernacular architecture, field names and festivals has often disintegrated.

Summary:
This is the most common and widespread kind of traditionally managed pasture throughout temperate Europe, with many local types related to regional climate, terrain and pastoral traditions.  Often species-rich with distinctive scarce and rare plants, it can withstand some changes in grazing regime and temporary shifts towards meadow management but it is vulnerable to any kind of substantial change in farming practice, particularly fertilising with slurry or chemicals rather than animal dung.  It is also often now reseeded to produce more productive, species-poor, pastures, a change that often started early, particularly in western Europe, but which has been much encouraged in recent decades by agricultural subsidies. In some mountain areas and in eastern Europe, abandonment of grazing has led to scrub and woodland encroachment. Losses in extent and quality are now very widespread with little or no prospect of reduced change. Often once part of wider pastoral landscapes with distinctive associated meadows, vernacular architecture, place names and farming festivals, good examples now often survive more fragmentarily, even in eastern Europe, and only with financial support for conserv- ation management.  Restoration needs thoughtful intervention and is difficult once soil fertility has reached high levels or where successions to woodland are advanced.

References:
Blasi, C., Burrascano, S., Del Vico, E., Di Pietro, R., Iocchi, M. & Rosati, L. 2009. Cynosurion cristati grasslands in the central Apennines (Tyrrhenian sector): a phytosociological survey in the Lepini and Prenestini mountains. Plant Biosystems 143: 69-77.
Dierschke H. 1995. Syntaxonomical survey of Molinio-Arrhenatheretea in Central Europe. Colloques  Phytosociologiques 23: 387-399.
Mucina L., Grabherr G. & Ellmauer T. 1993. Die Pflanzengesellschaften Österreichs, Teil I: Anthropogene Vegetation. Verlag Gustav Fischer, Jena.
Tüxen R. & Böttcher H. 1969. Weide- und Wiesen-Gesellschaften (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea) in Südwest-Island. Berichte aus der forschungsstelle Nedri As, Hveragedrdi (Island) Nr 1.
Zuidhoff A.C., Rodwell J.S. & Schaminée J.H.J. 1995. The Cynosurion cristati Tx. 1947 of central, southern and western Europe: a tentative overview, based on the analysis of individual relevés. Annali di Botanica LIII: 25-47.

Criterion A Text:
The calculated trend is based on data supplied by the territorial experts and leads to the category Vulnerable (VU) for Criterion A1. The date used for recent past extent varies from 1955-1978 and there is often no actual extent figure for the earlier date; rather the figure is based on a back calculation of actual loss or expert opinion of loss from the known present distribution. In some cases (Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium Wallonia and, in EU28+, Kosovo), the present extent is also unknown. The longer term (A3) loss is unknown in about half the countries so an accurate overall calculation cannot be made but where an estimate is made, decline is supposed to be considerable, sometimes up to 90%. Insufficient responses are available for any calculation of likely future losses (A2a, A2b) but in the fewcases where estimates are given, 10-35% loss is expected.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat has a huge EOO extent calculated from the map and at present an unknown but very large AOO (actual extent = 35795km2), so the main thresholds for Criterion B are not met, though there is a continuing decline in quality (B1aii) and continuing threat (B1aiii).

Criterion C/D Text:
The calculation is based on good quality territorial data from a majority of countries for the past 50 years, where an average reduction in quality of 54% severity over 36% of the extent gives a category of NT.  Where a range of severity or extent is given, the average calculation does not exceed the NT threshold.  Decline in quality is always both biotic and abiotic. Insufficient data are available for a longer term calculation but it is often supposed that deterioration began before 50 years ago. A majority of countries expect decline in quality to continue because of ongoing threats.

Synthesis:
High quality expert opinion on decline in extent in recent historic time (A1) for a large majority of the countries confirms an assessment of Vulnerable, supported by an average long term loss (A3) reported for half the countries.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
This is a very diverse habitat with sub-types in different climatic regions, at different altitudes and on soils of different base-status.  These are varyingly threatened by extensive and substantial changes in a wide range of pastoral traditions

Contributors:
Type description: J. Janssen, edited J. Rodwell
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, F. Attorre, C. Bita-Nicolae, J. Capelo, L. Casella, J.M. Couvreur, R. Delarze, D. Espírito-Santo, P. Finck, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, M. Janišová, R.G. Jefferson, Z. KÄ…cki, G. Király, M. KoÄí, T. Kontula, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, J.R. Martin, A. Mikolajczak, Ä.MilanoviÄ‡, F. Millaku, D. Paelinckx, D. Paternoster, G. Pezzi, V. RašomaviÄius, U. Raths, U. Riecken, E. Roosaluste, V. Rusakova, S. Rusina, S. Sciandrello, Škvorc , A. Ssymank, D. Viciani, E. Weeda.
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Description:
This habitat includes grasslands mown for hay occurring on deep, well-drained, mesic soils throughout much of Europe, especially in the nemoral and boreo-nemoral zones where they are found from low to medium altitudes. In southern Europe they are confined to precipitation-rich areas at higher altitudes, occurring in the mountains of the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula, the Apennines and the supra-Mediterranean zone of the Balkan Peninsula. These meadows are typically fertilized by dung, only lightly by chemical fertilisers, and mown once or twice a year for hay, rather than silage, with light spring and/or aftermath grazing in some places.
They are dominated by productive grasses such as Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca pratensis, F. rubra, Poa pratensis and Trisetum flavescens, dicotyledonous herbs, particular rosette plants with taller flowering stems, including Crepis biennis, Heracleum sphondylium, Knautia arvensis agg., Leucanthemum vulgare agg., Pimpinella major, Plantago lanceolata and Rumex acetosa, and clonal geophytes such as Geranium pratense and Sanguisorba officinalis. Species-richness can be high, especially in types where low-input management has been consistent over long periods of time. Such grasslands also better reflect regional differences in climate and local variations in soil, whether to more base-rich or acidic substrates, or to moister or drought-prone situations.   Transitions to E2.1a Mesic permanent pastures are widespread in the lowlands, especially where there is a shift from mowing to more consistent grazing which favours a lower structure, the elimination of more palatable grasses and the prevention of flowering among taller rosette hemicryptophytes.    
Although the meadows of this type are still widespread through the nemoral and boreo-nemoral zones, they have been declining for many decades either because of such conversion to intensively grazed pastures or through heavy fertilizing and reseeding for crops of silage which can be cut three or more times a year.  In landscapes dominated by intensive agriculture, this habitat often survives best on road verges that are cut annually for amenity reasons but, where coarse perennials or weeds invade such situations, the vegetation does not belong to this habitat. Abandonment and subsequent encroachment of shrubs and trees is also widespread.
Indicators of good quality:
Continuation of traditional management with one or two hay cuts per year

Light or no spring and/or aftermath grazing

High species richness

Absence of patches dominated by nutrient-demanding, tall-growing competitive dicotyldeonous herbs

Absence of alien plant species

No encroachment of trees and shrubs

Absence of heavy grazing

No increase of fertility with addition of chemical fertilisers


Characteristic species:
Flora: Vascular plants : Achillea millefolium agg., Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Campanula patula, Centaurea jacea, C. nigra, Cerastium holosteoides, Crepis biennis, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Daucus carota, Festuca pratensis, F. rubra, Galium album, Geranium pratense, Holcus lanatus, Knautia arvensis agg., Lathyrus pratensis, Leontodon autumnalia. L. hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare agg., Lolium perenne, Lotus corniculatus, Luzula campestris agg., Pimpinella major, Plantago lanceolata, Poa pratensis, P. trivialis, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, R. bulbosus, Rumex acetosa, Salvia pratensis, Trifolium dubium, T. pratense, T. repens, Taraxacum sect. Taraxacum, Trisetum flavescens, Veronica chamaedrys, Vicia cracca.
Mosses: Brachythecium rutabulum, Plagiomnium affine agg., Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus

Classification:
EUNIS:
E2.2 Low and medium altitude hay meadows
EuroVegChecklist:
Arrhenatherion elatioris Luquet 1926
Brachypodio-Centaureion nemoralis Br.-Bl. 1967  
Chrysopogono-Danthonion KojiÄ‡ 1957
Ranunculo neapolitani-Arrhenatherion elatioris Allegrezza et Biondi 2011
Rumicion thyrsiflori Micevski ex ÄŒarni et Mucina 2013 
Cynosurion cristati Tx 1947 (mainly pastures)
Annex I:
6270 Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands (partly)
6510 Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)
Emerald:
E2.2 Low and medium altitude hay meadows
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
It is a widespread type in the lowlands and foothills of Europe whose general characteristics relate more to long histories of mowing for a hay crop on soils of good quality.

Comment EU28:
Data missing from Luxembourg and Sweden within the EU, from  Norway, Serbia & Russia outside the EU.

Trends in Quantity:
Where data/estimates are available (for under half of the countries), the picture is of long-term losses of up to 75% and over, particularly in Germany, Hungary, the UK and Switzerland. Rarely, losses are small (Bulgaria) or the situation has remained stable (Romania). Over the past 50 years, almost every country records losses, generally over 30%, often approaching 50%, sometimes (as in Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Finland, Latvia and Poland) over 75%. Often, decreases are expected to continue in the future, though in the Czech Republic, Romania, Switzerland and Ireland, the situation is stabilising.

Trends in Quality:
Generally, across all countries, there has been a moderate to severe decline in biotic and abiotic quality in over 30% of this habitat over the past 50 years, sometimes over 75% of the extent. In a few countries (Slovenia, Romania, Switzerland, Estonia), the situation has stabilised, but generally decline in quality is continuing and, in the few cases where a future estimate has been made, the decline is expected to continue.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat has a potentially very widespread and extensive range as a replacement maintained by mowing, often with some grazing, for many kinds cleared temperate forest.

Pressures and Threats:
The habitat has been much changed by shifts in farming practice and land-use. A move away from traditional hay-making, with some spring and autumn grazing and fertilizing only by animal dung, has occurred all across Europe, beginning in the west and speeding greatly after World War 2, much increased in extent and intensity in recent decades through EU financial support. Addition of chemical fertilizers, top-sowing, cultivation and re-seeding has decreased the species-richness and regional diversity of this habitat across large parts of north-western Europe producing very species-poor crops dominated by Lolium perenne and other highly productive and competitive grasses and clovers. These are now generally cut for silage, sometimes several crops a year, and often more intensively grazed in spring and autumn. In other cases, meadows have been converted to intensively-managed permanent pasture or ploughed up for arable cropping and there is also some conversion to forestry. Particularly towards eastern and northern Europe, and especially in foothills, abandonment of traditional grazing in these meadows is common, with development of rank grasslands, scrub and woodland. Often this habitat persists now only in protected areas with some financial subsidy for the maintenance of traditional hay-making. Except in such cases and where there are local restoration programmes, there is no sign of any reduction in threats.

Conservation and Management:
Conservation of this habitat is directed towards maintaining as many of the traditional elements of farming practice as possible: relief from grazing in late spring, cutting of hay in summer, use of only dung, urine, lime and mild phosphates as fertilisers. This usually means payments to farmers for income foregone since these days hay cropping is uneconomic, especially at the often reduced levels of productivity in traditional meadows, and various schemes of agri-environment funding have been implemented to administer this financial support. Where damaged, restoration aims, one way and another, to reinstate elements of traditional practice: repeated cuts of existing herbage to reduce soil fertility, reduced levels of spring grazing, later cutting of the hay or haylage crop and strewing of green hay cut from remaining better quality meadows to seed in distinctive species.

Conservation Status:
Annex I: 
6270: ALP U2, BOR U2, CON U2
6510: ALP U2, ATL U2, BLS FV, BOR U2, CON U2, MED U2, PAN U1, STE FV

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Restoration is often hindered by the accumulated fertility (especially of bound phosphate) in the soils; by the lack of a market for hay; the lack of suitable stock or of pasture when the hay-fields are closed; and by the loss of social memory among ageing farmers and changing communities. More successful on meadows which still retain some measure of floristic diversity but, even where success is better, the wider fabric of traditional farming with its landscape-scale diversity, vernacular architecture, field names and festivals has often disintegrated.

Summary:
This is the most common and widespread kind of traditionally managed meadow throughout the lowlands and foothills of temperate Europe, with many local types differing according to regional climate, terrain and mowing traditions. Often species-rich with distinctive scarce and rare plants, it can withstand some changes in mowing regime and temporary shifts towards pasture management but it is vulnerable to any kind of substantial change in farming practice, particularly fertilising with slurry or chemicals rather than animal dung. It is also often more heavily grazed in spring and autumn, ploughed and reseeded, and the more productive but species-poor herbage cut more frequently each summer for silage. Such a change has been much encouraged in recent decades by agricultural subsidies. In other cases, especially towards northern and eastern Europe, traditional meadows have been abandoned and succeeded to scrub and woodland. Losses in extent and quality are now very widespread across Europe, with stabilisation in only a minority of countries. Often once part of wider agricultural landscapes with distinctive associated pastures, vernacular architecture, place names and farming festivals, good examples of the habitat now often survive more fragmentarily, even in eastern Europe, and only with financial support for conservation management. Restoration needs thoughtful intervention and is difficult once soil fertility has reached high levels or scrub invasion is advanced.

References:
Dierschke, H. 1995. Syntaxonomical survey of Molinio-Arrhenatheretea in Central Europe. Colloq. Phytosoc. 23: 387-399.
Dierschke, H. and Briemle, G. 2002. Kulturgrassland. Wiesen, Weiden und verwandte Staudenfluren. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart.
Mucina, L., Grabherr, G. and Ellmauer, T. 1993. Die Pflanzengesellschaften Österreichs, Teil I: Anthropogene Vegetation. Verlag Gustav Fischer, Jena.
Tüxen, R. and Böttcher, H. 1969. Weide- und Wiesen-Gesellschaften (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea) in Südwest-Island. Berichte aus der forschungsstelle Nedri As,
Hveragedrdi (Island) Nr 1.
Zuidhoff, A.C., Rodwell, J.S. and Schaminée J.H.J. 1995. The Cynosurion cristati Tx. 1947 of central, southern and western Europe: a tentative overview, based on the analysis of individual relevés. Annali di Botanic LIII: 25-47.

Criterion A Text:
The actual recent past extent is often unknown or back-calculated from the usually reliable present extent data and an expert estimate of loss. Also, the recent time period over which this calculation/estimate is made varies from 20-60 years. Despite this, there is clearly sufficient recent loss for an assessment of Vulnerable (VU). For countries providing an estimate of longer term historical loss (Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, UK, Switzerland), this is estimated as a range which can extend to over 90%, average over 50% which would give an assessment of Vulnerable (VU) as well. Future losses are expected but with no reliable quantification.

Criterion B Text:
The EOO is calculated from the map and an exact figure for AOO is lacking but it is certainly more than the threshold. Although together these would suggest an assessment of LC, the prospect of continuing loss in both extent and biotic and abiotic quality across much of Europe, together with widespread continuing threats from agricultural improvement and abandonment, all suggest a higher category of threat is appropriate.

Criterion C/D Text:
The combination of generally at least moderate decline in quality across usually more than half of the extent of the territories making returns for this criterion, result in a category of Vulnerable (VU), close to Endangered (EN). Reduction in quality is always biotic, generally also abiotic. There are insufficient data for a reliable longer historical estimate of loss in quality but the assumption is generally that the decline began before 50 years ago, especially in western Europe. Despite some amelioration of threat in some territories, the general likely picture for the future is one of continuing loss.

Synthesis:
Reliable estimates of decline in extent in recent historical time (A1) provide clear justification for an assessment of Vulnerable.  A close to severe decline in quality over 50% of the extent over the same time period (C/D1) more than confirms this and suggests that a higher category of Endangered is being approached.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
This is a very diverse habitat with sub-types in different climatic regions, at different altitudes and on soils of different base-status. These are varyingly threatened by changes in a wide range of pastoral traditions.

Contributors:
Type description:  M. Chytrý
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, F. Attorre, C. Bita-Nicolae, J. Capelo, A. Carni, L. Casella, J.M. Couvreur, R. Delarze, P. Dimopoulos, D. Espírito-Santo, P. Finck, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, M. Janišová, R.G. Jefferson, N. Juvan, Z. KÄ…cki, G. Király, M. KoÄí, T. Kontula, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, J.R. Martin, V. Mateveski, A. Mikolajczak, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡,.F Millaku, D. Paelinckx, D. Paternoster, G. Pezzi, V. RašomaviÄius, U. Raths, U. Riecken, E. Roosaluste, V. Rusakova, S. Rusina, S. Sciandrello, Z. Škvorc, A. Ssymank, D. Viciani, E. Weeda
Working Group Grassland: J. Capelo, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminee, R. Tzonev


Habitat Description:
This habitat is characteristic of deep, well-drained, mesic soils through the sub-montane and montane zones of northern and central Europe, being favoured by an oceanic rather than continental climate and, at southern latitudes, more limited to high mountains.  It is especially well developed in the Alps and Carpathians but extends also into Scandinavia and the United Kingdom and the Pyrenees and Balkan Peninsula.  A shorter and/or cooler growing season at higher altitudes results in less productive growth than in lowland meadows on similar soils and often only one hay crop a year.  Spring and aftermath grazing occurs in some regions.  These meadows have traditionally been fertilized by dung and so tend to be more frequent near settlements, farms and mountain huts  where grazing stock were available and carting easier. Typically, chemical fertilisers are not used.
These meadows share many species of medium-tall grasses and herbs with mown grasslands of lower altitudes but the distinctive character is provided by such plants as Trisetum flavescens, Polygonum bistorta, Geranium sylvaticum, Cirsium helenioides, Trollius europaeus,  Alchemilla vulgaris agg.  Some of these plants occur both in these meadows and in the more open woodlands of the montane belt from which they were probably originally derived.
Distinctive sub-types of mountain hay meadows reflect regional contrasts in climate from the more oceanic north and west of Europe (with Lathyrus linifolius, Poa chaixii, Anemone nemorosa, Crepis mollis), the sub-Continental central European mountains (Meum athamanticum, Galium hercynicum, Arnica montana), the Jura and Alps (Rumex alpestris, Pleum alpinum, Poa alpina, Campanula scheuchzeri, Myosotis alpestris, Rhinanthus alectorolophus) and the Tatra and west Carpathians (Alchemilla walasii, A. crinita, Cardaminopsis halleri). 
Indicators of good quality:
High species-richness

Occurrence of regionally distinctive rare plants

Continuation of traditional management with one or two hay cuts per year, optionally with light aftermath grazing

Absence of heavy grazing

No encroachment of trees and shrubs

Absence of patches dominated by nutrient-demanding, tall-growing competitive herbs and grasses

Absence of alien plant species


Characteristic species:
Vascular plants:  Agrostis capillaris, Alchemilla vulgaris agg., Anthoxanthum odoratum, Astrantia major, Bistorta major, Briza media, Campanula patula, Cardaminopsis halleri, Centaurea phrygia agg., Cirsium helenioides, Crepis mollis, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra agg., Geranium sylvaticum, Hypericum maculatum, Lathyrus pratensis, Meum athamanticum, Narcissus poeticus, Phleum rhaeticum, Phyteuma spicatum, Pimpinella major, Poa chaixii, Polygonum bistorta, Primula elatior, Rumex acetosa, Trifolium pratense, Trisetum flavescens, Trollius europaeus, Phleum rhaeticum. 
Mosses: Plagiomnium affine agg., Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus

Classification:
EUNIS:
E2.3 Mountain hay meadows
EuroVegChecklist:                                                                                                     
Phyteumo-Trisetion flavescentis Hundt ex Passarge 1969                                                                  
Triseto flavescentis-Polygonion bistortae  Br.-Bl. Et Tx. Ex Marschall 1947                                      
Violion cornutae Nègre 1972
Panicion serbicae LakušiÄ‡ 1966
Annex 1:
6520 Mountain hay meadows
Emerald:
E2.3 Mountain hay meadows
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
It is a widespread type through the European mountains and its general character is determined by the combination of montane climate and traditional management.

Map Description:
The map is quite good but shows too much in Sweden, too little in Norway and Romania.

Comment EU28:
Among all the countries returning an assessment, only Belgium (Flanders) records an unknown present extent.

Comment EU28+:
The very large extent from Norway much affects this total

Trends in Quantity:
Where data/estimates are available (for about half the countries), generally substantial losses, almost always over 30%, in some cases (Germany and the UK),  over 80%, have been recorded over the long-term historical period, largely due to shifts in farming practice, notably a move towards intensification of grass production.  In almost all countries this rate of loss has been maintained over the past 50 years or increased.  Only rarely has the rate decreased (Switzerland) or the situation stabilised (Romania).  In Norway a 50-80% decrease in all hay meadows has been recorded in recent historic time.  Where an estimate of future trends has been made, about 2/3 of the countries, losses are expected to continue, though, in the few cases where figures are given at somewhat slower pace than before.

Trends in Quality:
All but one country (Spain) records usually at least moderate, sometimes severe reduction in biotic and abiotic quality over recent time, affecting almost always over 30%, sometimes over 50%, of the current extent. Except in Switzerland and Romania, where conditions are stable, this loss is ongoing.  In the few countries where an assessment of future prospects has been made, this trend is thought likely to continue, particularly because of abandonment of hay meadow management.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The reduction in extent is substantial but widespread through the European mountains so the overall range is largely unchanged.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The potential distribution of this habitat within the EOO is strictly controlled by the dependency on a harsh climate, with a short growing season and low summer temperatures, and a low-input mowing regime.  These conditions have been met througho

Pressures and Threats:
The habitat has been much changed by shifts in farming practice and land-use all across Europe. A move away from traditional hay-making, with some spring and autumn grazing and fertilizing only by animal dung, began in the west and speeded greatly after World War 2, much increased in extent and intensity is recent decades through EU financial support. Addition of chemical fertilizers, top-sowing, cultivation and re-seeding has decreased the species-richness and regional diversity of this habitat across large parts of north-western Europe producing very species-poor crops dominated by Lolium perenne and other highly productive and competitive grasses and clovers.  These are now generally cut for silage, sometimes several crops a year, and often more intensively grazed in spring and autumn. In other cases, meadows have been converted to intensively-managed permanent pasture or ploughed up for arable cropping. Particularly in the mountains of eastern and northern Europe abandonment of traditional grazing in these meadows is common, with development of rank grasslands, scrub and woodland.  Often this habitat persists now only in protected areas with some financial subsidy for the maintenance of traditional hay-making.  Except in such cases and where there are local restoration programmes, there is no sign of any reduction in threats.

Conservation and Management:
Conservation of this habitat is directed towards maintaining as many of the traditional elements of farming practice as possible:  relief from grazing in late spring, cutting of hay in summer, use of only dung, urine, lime and mild phosphates as fertilisers. This usually means payments to farmers for income foregone since these days hay cropping is uneconomic, especially at the often reduced levels of productivity in traditional meadows, and various schemes of agri-environment funding have been implemented to administer this financial support.  Where damaged, restoration aims, one way and another, to reinstate elements of traditional practice: repeated cuts of existing herbage to reduce soil fertility, reduced levels of spring grazing, later cutting of the hay or haylage crop and strewing of green hay cut from remaining better quality meadows to seed in distinctive species.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1 types:
6520: ALP U2, ATL U2, BOR U2, CON U2, MED U2, PAN U1

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Restoration is often hindered by the accumulated fertility (especially of bound phosphate) in the soils; by the lack of a market for hay; the lack of suitable stock or of pasture when the hay-fields are closed; and by the loss of social memory among ageing farmers and changing communities. Restoration is more successful on meadows which still retain some measure of floristic diversity but, even where restoration is better, the wider fabric of traditional farming with its landscape-scale diversity, vernacular architecture, field names and festivals has often disintegrated.

Summary:
This is the typical kind of traditionally managed meadow throughout the mountains of northern and central Europe, with many local types differing according to regional climate, terrain and mowing traditions.  Often species-rich with distinctive scarce and rare plants, it can withstand some changes in mowing regime and temporary shifts towards pasture management but it is vulnerable to any kind of substantial change in farming practice, particularly fertilising with slurry or chemicals rather than animal dung.  It is also often more heavily grazed in spring and autumn and/or reseeded, and the more productive but species-poor herbage cut more frequently each summer for silage. Such a change has been much encouraged in recent decades by agricultural subsidies. In other cases, especially towards northern and eastern Europe, traditional meadows have been abandoned and succeeded to scrub and woodland. Substantial losses in extent and quality are now widespread with the prospect of stabilisation in only a few countries. Often once part of wider agricultural landscapes with distinctive associated pastures, vernacular architecture, place names and farming festivals, good examples of the habitat now often survive more fragmentarily, and only with financial support for conservation management. Restoration needs thoughtful intervention and is difficult once soil fertility has reached high levels or scrub invasion is advanced.

References:
Dierschke, H. 1981.  Syntaxonomische Gliederung der Bergwiesen Mitteleuropas (Polygono-Trisetion).  Berichte der Internationalen Symposien der Internationalen Vereinigung für Vegetationskunde 1981, 311-41.
Mucina L., Grabherr G. & Ellmauer T. 1993. Die Pflanzengesellschaften Österreichs, Teil I: Anthropogene Vegetation. Verlag Gustav Fischer, Jena.
Rodwell, J.S. 2015.  Half-hidden in the herbage; A farmer’s diary from Northern England. Stratiotes: 48, 33-48.
Schaminée, J.H.J. (1993). Subalpine heathlands and adjacent plant communities of the Monts du Forez (Massif central, France). PhD thesis, University of Nijmegen. 
Tüxen R. & Böttcher H. 1969. Weide- und Wiesen-Gesellschaften (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea) in Südwest-Island. Berichte aus der Forschungsstelle Nedri As, Hveragedrdi (Island) Nr 1.

Criterion A Text:
The recent historic reduction in extent is well supported, often from expert knowledge, occasionally from survey data, though estimates of previous extent are often based on back calculation from present extent and an estimate of recent % loss.  The average loss calculation gives a category of VU but the range of loss varies greatly from country to country and larger losses (as in Slovakia, Germany, Spain, Austria, the Czech Republic, UK) usually now leave a small residual extent.  The exception to this is Norway where very large losses still leave a large extent and, though the Norwegian Red List gives an assessment of EN, with other smaller EU28+ losses, the average assessment here is still VU. The often very considerable longer term losses average at over 50%, supporting this assessment.  Only a few quantitative estimates of future loss are provided and an average cannot be calculated but the range is from 10-50%.

Criterion B Text:
The habitat has a large overall range, occurring in many of the north and central European mountains and an AOO over 50, so that the main thresholds for Criterion B1 are not met, although there is continuing biotic and abiotic decline (B1aii) right across the extent and continuing threat (B1aiii).

Criterion C/D Text:
Over half the countries provided sufficient data for a calculation of general decline in quality, the values giving an overall evaluation of NT, higher country figures occasionally   with a combination of severity and extent reaching the VU threshold.  Norway reports a loss in quality of 50-80% severity but the extent affected was not recorded.

Synthesis:
An overall assessment of Vulnerable (VU) is based on the average loss in extent over recent historical time (A1) and over the longer time period (A3), with recent reduction in quality (C/D1) providing a Near Threatened (NT) rating.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
This is a diverse habitat with sub-types in different climatic regions.  These are varyingly threatened by changes in a wide range of local traditions of mowing for hay.

Contributors:
Type description: M. Chytrý
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, F. Attorre, C. Bita-Nicolae, A. Carni, L. Casella, J.M. Couvreur, R. Delarze, P. Dimopoulos, P. Finck, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, M. Janišová, R.G. Jefferson, Juvan, Z. KÄ…cki, G. Király, M. KoÄí, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, V. Mateveski, A. Mikolajczak, Ä.MilanoviÄ‡, F. Millaku, D. Paternoster, G. Pezzi, U. Raths, U. Riecken, V. Rusakova, S. Rusina, S. Sciandrello, Škvorc , A. Ssymank, D. Viciani
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Description:
This habitat refers to inland salt marshes and meadows in temperate and continental regions, which are dominated by halophytic (salt-adapted) plants. In Western and Central Europe this habitat is found in places where fossil salt lies close to the surface or were relict sea water is present, resulting in brackish or saline ground and surface water. Such sites are extremely rare.
In Western and Central Europe the habitat occurs on several types of bedrock, like on marble in Lorraine, on travertine in the Auvergne, on so-called Zechstein in England, Germany and Poland, and on miocene salt rocks in Poland. This habitat is naturally found in places where fossil salt deposits have been uplifted to the surface in the form of domes or pillows or where salty water related to the salt stratums or relict seawater is present close to the surface. In the Atlantic regions plant communities belong to the (mainly coastal) classes Thero-Salicornietea and Juncetea maritimi and the alliance Potentillion anserinae. The species composition resembles that of coastal salt marshes (A2.5abc), but some coastal species are never found in inland sites and also the functioning of inland and coastal salt marshes is very different. A very specific case form the saline spring fens on travertine soils in the Slovakian Carpathians, with among others Trichophorum pumilum, Pinguicula vulgaris, Parnassia palustris and Primula farinosa, but these are considered as a subhabitat of D4.1a (Small-sedge base-rich fens and calcareous spring mires).
In more continental regions inland salt pans are more common, like in the Pannonian plain, Central Balkan and in the steppic areas of South-Eastern Europe. Here the habitat is found on hypersaline (solonetz and solonchak) soils, where it occurs as depressions within a matrix of alkaline steppes and as subhalophytic, mesic meadows. In these regions the habitat contains vegetation of the classes Thero-Salicornietea (alliance Salicornion prostratae) and Festuco-Puccinellietea (alliance Juncion gerardii and Beckmannion eruciformis).  
Like in coastal salt marshes, within the habitat often a vegetation zonation is found, reflecting different levels of salinity, related with microtopography. Lower parts of the habitat in most cases are sparsely vegetated with Salicornia europaea, S. emerici var. vicensis (in Lorraine), S. perennans (= S. prostrata), Suaeda maritima , Suaeda prostrata, Suaeda pannonica, Salsola soda, Spergularia salina and Spergularia maritima, Puccinellia distans and sometimes Puccinellia fasciculata. In the Atlantic region on moist sites, the saline meadows and pastures resemble that of coastal salt marshes, with a combination of Agrostis stolonifera, Juncus gerardi, Glaux maritima, Carex distans, Plantago maritima, Glaux maritima, Tetragonolobus maritimus, Triglochin maritima and Aster tripolium, and on more brackish sites Lotus tenuis, Trifolium fragiferum, Potentilla anserina, Alopecurus bulbosus, Alopecurus geniculatus, Festuca arundinacea, Blysmus rufus and Juncus compressus.
Moist saline meadows in the continental region are characterised by Juncus gerardi, Carex distans, Agrostis stolonifera, Aster tripolium subsp. pannonicus, Cirsium brachycephalum, Melilotus dentatus, Scorzonera parviflora, Mentha pulegium, and Lotus tenuis. On drier edges communities with Puccinellia distans or Puccinellia limosa are found (alliance Puccinellion limosae), communities that are also found in (wetter parts of) salt steppes (E6.2). In South-Eastern Europe halophytic and sub-halophytic moist meadows that are dominated by Elytrigia obtusiflorus (Elymus elongatus subsp. ponticus), Festuca arundinacea and Phacelurus digitatus are included in this habitat.
Besides the dominance of halophytic and sub-halophytic plant communities, also part of the associated fauna is characteristic halophytic. Examples are the mott Coleophora adjunctella (living on Juncus gerardi), and the beetles Hygrotus parallelogrammus, Enochrus bicolor and Bembidion minimum.
Small stands of Bolboschoenus maritimus, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani or Phragmites australis may be present, especially where the water table remains high during the year, but where these species form larger, brackish reedbeds, they are considered as a separate wetland habitat C5.4. In the continental regions in drier sites alkaline steppic grasslands are found, which are considered under habitat E6.2 (Continental inland salt steppes), and have some species in common. Mediterranean inland salt marshes and steppes are considered as a separate habitat under E6.1. Habitats with saline vegetation of the Crypsietea aculeatae are considered under habitat C3.5c.
The habitat can occur as a natural or semi-natural system. In the latter case sites are traditionally used as meadows or pastures. In natural sites succession is mainly limited or prevented by long-term inundation and high soil salinity. Desalinisation and abandonment of traditional management may lead to an increase of ruderal species and scrubs, and transitions towards other habitats.
In Western and Central Europe the habitat is naturally rare in Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, England, France and Italy. Also on the Balkan the habitat is relatively rare, and among others found in Macedonia and Bulgaria. Inland salt pans are more common in the Pannonian lowland and occur even more widespread further eastwards, in the steppe regions of the Ukraine, the Caspian Lowlands of Russia and the Central Asian (semi)deserts.
Although in some cases referred to as Annex 1-type 1340 and having similar vegetation, saline coastal sites that became relatively recently (approximately since the Middle Ages) isolated from the sea by natural dynamics or embankment are not included here, but are considered under coastal habitats (B-group).
Anthropogenic sites associated with salt industry or other present human activity are not considered under this habitat (like saline sites along roads resulting from salt deposition during winter). But abandoned salt mines or waste deposits, which now have a semi-natural character and harbour the characteristic species combination, may be included under the habitat.
Indicators of good quality:
High water table during (at least) part of the season, resulting in regular disturbance
Dominance of halophytic and sub-halophytic species
Presence of rare, halophytic fauna
High soil salinity (ECe over 4 dS/m)
Maintenance of traditional management (extensive grazing, mowing)
Absence of ruderal species and shrubs
Absence of disturbance by man

Characteristic species (*= also in E6.2):
Flora: Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus bulbosus, Aster tripolium (incl. subsp. pannonicum = Tripolium pannonicum)*, Atriplex prostrata (=hastata), Bolboschoenus maritimus (= Scirpus maritimus), Beckmannia eruciformis, Blysmus rufus, Bupleurum tenuissimum, Carex cuprina, Carex distans*, Carex divisa, Centaurium pulchellum, Cirsium brachycephalum, Frankenia hirsuta, Glaux maritima, Halimione pedunculata, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Hordeum hystrix, Hordeum marinum, Hordeum jubatum, Juncus gerardi, Leontodon taraxacoides (= L. saxatilis), Limonium vulgare, Lotus glaber (= L. tenuis), Melilotus dentatus, Odontites vulgaris (= O. serotina) , Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Plantago tenuiflora, Potentilla anserina, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia limosa*, Pulegium vulgare, Ranunculus sardous, Salicornia emerici, Salicornia europaea (incl. S. ramosissima), Salicornia perennans (= S. prostrata), Salsola soda, Samolus valerandi, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (=Scirpus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani), Scorzonera parviflora, Spergularia media (= S. maritima)*, Spergularia marina (= S. salina)*, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda prostrata, Taraxacum bessarabicum, Trifolium fragiferum, Triglochin maritima.
Fauna (examples):
Birds: 1. included in Birds Directive - Crex crex, Coturnix coturnix, Luscinia svecica, Botaurus stellaris, Ixobrychus minutus, Rallus aquaticus, Porzana porzana, Gallinula chloropus, Circus aeroginosus, Vanellus vanellus, Limosa limosa, Gallinago gallinago, Tringa totanus, 2. other:  Anas aquerquedula, Perdrix perdrix, Tachybaptus ruficollis, Charadius dubius, Lanius excubitor, Riparia riparia, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, A. arundinaceus, Saxicola rubetra, S. rubicola, Oenanthe oenanthe, Anthus pratensis, Motacilla flava, Emberiza calandra.
Invertebrates: 1. aquatic Coleoptera – Hygrotus parallelogrammus, H. nigrolineatus, Ochthebius auriculatus, O. marinus, Berosus spinosus, Hetrocerus parallelus, H. flexuosus, H. obsoletus, 2. Coleoptera: Dyschurius chalceus, D. salinus, Bembidion varium, B. fumigatum, B. aspericolle, B. minimum, Pogonus chalceus, Anisodactylus poecilioides, Dicheirotrichus obsoletus, Acupalpus elegans, Amara strandi, A. strenua,  A. convexiuscula, 3. Dolichopodidae – Micromorphus albipes, Thinophilus flavipalpis, T. ruficornis, Schoenophilus versutus, Syntormon filiger, Campsicnemus magius, C. pictornis, Melanostolus nigricilius, Tachytrechus notatus, Dolichopus clavipes, D. diadema, D. latipennis, D. sabinus, Medetera truncorum.

Classification:
EUNIS:
D6.1 Inland saltmarshes
EuroVegChecklist:
Festucion maritimae Christiansen 1927 (= Puccinellion maritimae)
Armerion maritimae Br.-Bl. et De Leeuw 1936
Thero-Salicornion Br.-Bl. 1933
Puccinellio maritimae-Spergularion salinae Beeftink 1965
Scirpion maritimi Dahl et Hadac 1941
Loto tenuis-Trifolion fragiferi Westhoff et Den Held ex de Foucault 2009 (= Potentillion anserinae Tx. 1947 p.p.)
Saginion maritimae Westhoff et al. 1962
Annex 1:
1340 Inland salt meadows
1530 Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes
Emerald:
D6.1 Inland saltmarshes
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
5.16. Permanent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The habitat occurs widespread, but also localised, in the Atlantic, Continental, Pannonian and Steppic region.

Map Description:
The map is rather complete but misses data from Hungary. Data sources: Art17, EVA.

Trends in Quantity:
Based on territorial data from Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, UK, the decrease over a period of about 50 years in the countries of EU is about -53,5%. This leads to category endangered. Italy and Romania reported decrease unknown and were excluded from calculations. Habitat was not reported form non-EU countries. For assesment of historical trends, there is relatively little data, but this trend seems larger than over a period of about 50 years and probably leads to the same category. The decreasing trend of habitat quantity results mainly from lowering of the salty ground water by meliorations, cessation of grazing and mowing, and from natural processes like decreasing of salt spring activity. Furthermore, Bulgaria reported that intensive agricultural and livestock-breeding activities and also changes in the river streams are the reason for a decrease of the habitat.

Trends in Quality:
Calculated from the territorial data, within the EU on average 60% of the area of the habitat has suffered from degradation in quality. The average severity of the degradation in this affected area is 49%. These calculations are based on data from ca. 99% of the reported area. No data from EU28+ countries is available, but the occurrences on the Balkan (Serbia, Macedonia) contribute relatively little to the EU28+ total area.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Data on the habitat are reported only by EU countries, but it is certain that it is present in EU28+ countries on the Balkan (Serbia). However, if the steppic regions of Ukraine and southern Russia, where Salicornia and other saline communities occur on a large scale are included, the EU28 hosts less than 50%.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The EOO is larger than 50,000 km2. However, within the range the habitat is relatively rare in most countries.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat is limited to the natural saline areas, which are very rare and relatively small in the humid climate of Central and Western Europe. In drier climates saline inland marsh habitats occur often in larger patterns, but are also naturally

Pressures and Threats:
The most important pressures and threats reported by the countries of the EU are natural systems modifications as land reclamation and drying out, general modification of hydrographic functioning and structures of inland water courses. These modifications lead to changes in saline water supply for the habitat and result in decrease of its quantity and quality. A second group of factors reported are changes in management type. On the one hand abandonment of traditional mowing and grazing leads to habitat degradation in Germany, Poland and Hungary, on the other hand intensive grazing and overuse is a threat in the UK, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. Another serious threat is also intensification of agriculture, reported by France, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Poland (in case of salt meadows - the use of fertilizers and supply by fodder species). Some countries report natural processes as succession and biocenotic evolution. Moreover, habitat destruction by urbanization and transportation and service corridors are stressed. Soil erosion is a problem in Romania, invasive species in Austria and climate change could be a problem for Hungary. UK reports pollution of surface waters.

Conservation and Management:
For maintaining the diversity of inland salt marshes extensive grazing by cattle or sheep is known to be the optimum management leading to the highest diversity. However, traditional mowing could be also applied. In general no management (like abandonment) leads to relatively species-poor reedbeds with dominance of Phragmites australis. Inland salt marshes, especially in humid climate, are dependent on the supply of saline springs or saline ground water. Therefore, the natural hydrological conditions should be protected. In places where the hydrological conditions already have been damaged their reconstruction (for example by damming drainage ditches) are recommended to provoke flooding of saline water. In case of inland salt marshes managed as hay meadows fertilization and supply by fodder species (eg. Lolium perenne) should be prohibited.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1 types:
1340: ALP U2, ATL U1, CON U2, PAN U2
1530: BLS U1, CON U1, PAN U1, STE FV

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Inland salt marshes in most cases are seminatural habitats and therefore, for conservation and restoration, they should be traditionally used as meadows or pastures. The use should be extensive: for example traditional mowing includes one treatment per year in June or two treatments in June and August, while pasturing for example should be carried out by about 1 lifestock unit/ha. In places where habitat degradation has been caused by damage of natural hydrological conditions recovery needs restoration of former natural supply of salty water. The time needed for restoration depends on the severity of the caused damage.

Summary:
These are inland salt marshes and meadows in temperate and continental regions, characteristic of situations where fossil salt lies close to the surface or where relict sea water is present, resulting in brackish or saline ground and surface water. In more continental regions inland salt pans are more common, as in the Pannonian plain, Central Balkan and in the steppic areas of South-Eastern Europe where the habitat is found on solonetz and solonchak soils in depressions within a matrix of salt steppes and as subhalophytic meadows. Elsewhere in Europe, the habitat can be found in association with a variety of salty bedrocks and also on abdnoned salt workings. The species composition is very varied according the regional climate and particular site conditions and, in more extensive sites, there can be zonations of different plant communities related to microtopography or salinity level. These habitats are under pressure in most parts of the range because of modifications in hyrdology with land reclamation and drainage, structures of inland water courses, changes in management type with the abandonment of traditional mowing and grazing or shift to intensive grazing and overuse, and urbanization. Natural succession may also form a threat. The habitat is declining in extent and quality throughout the range and large losses have occurred in recent historic time.

References:
Brandes  D. (ed.) (1999). Vegetation salzbeeinflusster Habitate im Binnenland. Braunschweiger Geobotanishe Arbeiten, Braunschweig.
Bank Ch., Spitzenberg D. (eds.)  (2001). Darstellung der derzeit. Die Salzstelle Hecklingen bedeutendsten Binnenlandsalzstellen in Deutschland. Hereausgegeben von derFachgruppe Faunistik und Okologie, Stassfurt.
Duvigneaud  J. (1967). Flore et végétation halophiles de la Lorraine orientale (département de Moselle, France). Mém. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belgique 3: 1-122.
Ministerium für Landwirtschaft, Naturschutz und Umwelt (2005). Binnensalzstellen Mitteleuropas. Freistaat Thüringen.
Piernik A. (2012). Ecological pattern of inland salt marsh vegetation in Central Europe. Nicolaus University Press, ToruÅ„, 234 p.
Mucina L. (1993). Puccinellio-Salicornietea. In: Mucina, L., Grabherr, G. & Ellmauer, T. (eds). Die Pflanzengesellschaften Österreichs. Teil 1, Anthropogene Vegetation. Fischer, Stuttgart, New York, pp. 522-549.
WilkoÅ„-Michalska  J. (1963). Halofity Kujaw [Halophytes of Kujawy]. Studia Societatis Scientiarum Torunensis D, Botanica 7.

Criterion A Text:
The average negative trend in area in the EU countries is based on trend data over the last 50 years from nine countries, covering ca. 99% of the reported area. Quantitative data from Italy and Romania were lacking, and no data was reported from EU28+ countries. The decline leads to the category Endangered. No or insufficient data on long historical trends or future trends were available.

Criterion B Text:
Both EOO and AOO are larger than the thresholds for criterion B, and the habitat is present in many lcoations.

Criterion C/D Text:
The affected extent and the severity of degradation over the last 50 years have been calculated based on nine EU countries (99% of reported area). For two countries, Italy and Romania, not sufficient data was available. Also from EU28+ countries no data were reported. Most countries report the degradation in quality to be caused from a combination of abiotic degradation (changes in hydrological condition, soil degradation) and biotic losses. No long historical data or future estimates were given. Therefore only the criterion C/D1 has been assessed, leading to the catgeory Near Threatened.

Synthesis:
Due to the large reduction in quantity the category Endangered is scored. Additionally, the relatively severe reduction in quality parameters results in the Red List category Near Threatened.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
In the Annex I of the Habitat's Directive the habitat has been divided into a more oceanic type (1340) and a more continental type (1530). It is likely that both subhabitats are seriously threatened.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: J. Janssen & A. Piernik
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Capelo, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminee, R. Tzonev
Territorial data: C. Bita-Nicolae, P. Finck, M. Janišová., J. Janssen, Z. KÄ…cki, A. Mikolajczak, Zs. Molnár, D. Paternoster, G. Pezzi, A. Piernik, U. Raths, U. Riecken, J. Rodwell, A. Ssymank, K. Šumberová, R. Tzonev.


Habitat Description:
This habitat comprises dense medium to tall grasslands growing in the lowlands and at moderate elevations up to 1500m on siliceous rocks with sandy to clayey oligotrophic soils in the Mediterranean and sub-mediterranean western Iberian Peninsula. The drainage conditions are good to poor and there can be temporary flooding with rapid desiccation afterwards. This is largely a semi-natural habitat type, linked to traditional cattle husbandry management.
The grasslands are dense and dominated by tall perennial grasses (vallicos) and annual species such as clovers, which have been traditionally grazed and sometimes mown. Waterlogging in the soil causes dominance of Agrostis pourretii and Agrostis castellana (alliance Agrostion castellanae), while free drainage favours dominance of Festuca elegans subsp. elegans, Festuca elegans subsp. merinoi (alliance Festucion merinoi) or Stipa gigantea (alliance Agrostio-Stipion giganteae), depending on the region and environmental conditions.
Indicators of quality:
Dominance of grasses in a dense, carpet-like sward

High plant species diversity

Few or no open spots due to overgrazing or the use of machinery

Absence of shrubs, particularly brooms, indicating initial stages of succession towards shrubland

Absence of nitrophilous plants indicating overgrazing and over-fertilizing


Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Agrostis castellana, Agrostis pourretii (Agrostis salmantica), Anthoxanthum aristatum, Anthoxanthum ovatum, Carex chaetophylla, Dactylis hispanica subsp. lusitanica, Gaudinia fragilis, Festuca ampla, Festuca elegans subsp. elegans, Festuca elegans subsp. merinoi, Festuca summilusitana subsp. graniticola, Holcus setiglumis, Malva tournefortiana, Molineriella minuta, Periballia involucrata, Phalacrocarpon oppositifolium, Phalacrocarpon hoffmanssegii, Rumex angiocarpus, Sedum forsterianum, Stipa gigantea, Vulpia ciliata, Vulpia myuros, Vulpia bromoides, and often with Juncus capitatus and clovers such as Trifolium campestre, Trifolium cernuum, Trifolium retusum

Classification:
EUNIS:
E2.4 Iberian summer pastures (vallicares)
EuroVegChecklist:
Agrostion castellanae Rivas Goday ex Rivas-Mart. et al. 1980        
Festucion merinoi Rivas-Mart. et Sánchez-Mata in Rivas-Mart. et al. 1986 corr. Rivas-Mart. et Sánchez-Mata in Rivas-Mart. et al. 2002
Agrostio castellanae-Stipion giganteae Rivas Goday ex Rivas-Mart. et Fernández González 1991
Annex 1:
-
Emerald:
-
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The distribution and species composition of this type is related to the Mediterranean climate and the distinctive regional pastoral tradition.

Map Description:
The map is complete for Spain but with data gaps in Portugal. Sources: EVA, NAT.

Trends in Quantity:
No data are available for long-term historical trend but losses have been seen in both countries, of half the extent in Portugal, over the past 50 years. Future losses can be expected.

Trends in Quality:
At present, there is a decline in both biotic and abiotic quality of this habitat in Spain but the severity and extent of past recent change is unknown and no future trend is indicated.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The substantially reduction in extent in Portugal probably reduces the overall range.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The range of this habitat is strictly limited by the combination of the regional climate, distinctive terrain and soils and traditional pastoral agriculture.

Pressures and Threats:
Conservation of this type is inseparably linked to the maintenance of the traditional, extensive cattle grazing. A decrease of grazing pressure triggers succession, with appearance of brooms and other shrubs so the abandonment of this style of management means that the habitat is unlikely to survive, being replaced by scrub and woodland. In other cases, losses come from conversion to intensively-managed grassland or arable land or the spread of human settlements.

Conservation Status:
No conservation status has been reported.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The recovery capacity of this habitat is diverse depending on the hydrological regime, being more difficult in the moister versions than in the drier ones. In any case, if soil has been damaged, the recovery is almost impossible until the soil is reestablished to some extent. The pastoral regime has to be maintained in any case.

Summary:
This habitat comprises the highly distinctive tall grass pastures and meadows associated with traditional cattle rearing in the lowlands and foothills of western Iberia where a Mediterranean or sub-Mediterranean climate and the long-established grazing and occasional mowing regimes sustain a striking contingent of regional plants and association with dehesa. Decrease in grazing has allowed invasion of shrubs and trees and other areas have seen conversion to intensively managed grasslands or the spread of settlements. Substantial losses in extent and quality show little or no sign of slowing. Restoration is difficult where traditional management has become impossible or where scrub invasion is advanced.

References:
Rivas-Martínez, S. et al.  2011. Mapa de series, geoseries y geopermaseries de vegetación de España [Memoria del mapa de vegetación potencial de España]. Parte II. Itinera Geobotanica 18 (1& 2): 5-800.
Rivas Goday, S. & Rivas-Martínez, S. 1963. Estudio y clasificación de los pastizales españoles. Publicaciones del Ministerio de Agricultura. Madrid. 269 pp.

Criterion A Text:
The average loss in extent in recent historic time gives a category of Near Threatened, though the much smaller proportion of the habitat in Portugal has suffered losses twice this high.

Criterion B Text:
There is a continuing loss of abiotic and biotic quality (B1aii) and continuing threats (B1aiii), but EOO, AOO and number of locations are much higher than the thresholds for criteria B.

Synthesis:
The habitat is assessed as Near Threatened (NT) based on recent loss in extent (A1). No data on changes in quality are available.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: J. Loidi.
Territorial data: J.A. Campos, J. Capelo, D. Espirito-Santo, J. Loidi.
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Capelo, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J.H.J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev.


Habitat Type Name:
E1.A Mediterranean to Atlantic open, dry, acid and neutral grassland

Habitat Description:
Siliceous low sized grasslands of low density and biomass, formed by small ephemeral annuals presenting the typical eco-morphological traits syndrome of the pioneer initial stages of succession. Vascular plant species have a short life cycle of less than one year, usually starting in autumn/winter with the germination and seedlings establishment, followed by a fast growth in early spring and a flowering and a rapid seed production in late spring to early summer. After seed dispersal, the plants immediately die (agostamiento in Spanish) leaving their offspring in form of dormant seeds lying in the soil seed bank until autumn rainfalls trigger germination and the outbreak of a new generation. The biomass of the vegetative phases of this cycle strongly depends on the rainfall amount during early spring, reaching to have high biomass if abundant precipitations are received in the wet season and remaining practically invisible when drought becomes dominant in spring. In such cases seeds remain dormant in the seed bank until the next germinating period.
Soils are dry, with no gravitational surplus of water and no hydromorphy in their profile. Texture varies from coarse sandy to lime rich and inorganic nutrient content is generally low, with low values of pH. The disturbance regime endured by these grasslands does not include strong nitrification due to artificial fertilization nor soil tilling, keeping soils structured and with low content in nitrogen and phosphate compounds. This habitat almost always occupies small surfaces in mosaic with others, usually shrubby or herbaceous, vegetation types, in the clearings and open spaces between shrubs or other taller perennial herbs or grasses. In the Mediterranean region as well as in other Atlantic areas, the scrub or heathland landscape, resulted from human disturbance, entails such inextricable mosaic between patches of these annual grasslands and the scrub itself that it becomes extremely difficult to disentangle one from the other in the medium to large scale, making it difficult performing separate cartographies. These annual grasslands are considered being the initial stage of succession replacing mature vegetation of mainly Quercus forests in disturbed areas submitted to grazing and fire.
This habitat type is the silicicolous replicate of E1.3c being more widely represented in Temperate and Atlantic Europe as in these areas base poor substrata are more frequent due to the leaching effect on the soils favored by the more abundant summer rainfalls. In spite of its low biomass, this habitat type can reach a high species richness, particularly in Mediterranean countries. The total number of taxa bounded to this habitat type is more than one hundred, most of them with a Mediterranean optimal distribution, with few endemics of restricted area. This habitat, together with the homologous E1.3c of base-rich soils, incorporate the majority of the European annual vascular flora not bound to nitrophilic environments.
These grasslands can represent an appreciable resource for grazing flocks in spring period, when they are exploiting the scrub and heathland areas. They are not a highly valuable pasture in absolute terms, but they increase substantially the values of these scrub areas in spring, when sheep are breeding their lambs; for that reason, these grasslands contribute strategically to satisfy a temporary additional energetic and protein demand of the flocks and are much appreciated by the shepherds.
This habitat type occurs in most of the Temperate and Mediterranean countries of Europe but the highest frequency, quantity and diversity is found in the western Mediterranean area, particularly in the Iberian countries, where there are large areas with siliceous substrata with abundant scrub (matorral, garrigue or phrygana). It is also common in the siliceous territories of North Africa and Middle East.
Indicators of good quality:
·       medium disturbance regime
·       extensive grazing
·       absence of nitrophilous species
·       absence of signs of secondary succession (e.g. encroachment of chamaephytes or shrub species)
Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Aira caryophyllea subsp. caryophyllea, Aira caryophyllea subsp. multiculmis, Aira cupaniana, Aira elegantissima, Aira praecox, Aira tenorii, Airopsis tenella, Andryala integrifolia var. corymbosa, Anthoxanthum aristatum, Anthyllis lotoides, Apera interrupta, Aphanes cornucopioides, Aphanes microcarpa, Arabis nova subsp. iberica, Asterolinum linum-stellatum, Astragalus pelecinus, Briza maxima, Briza minor, Campanula lusitanica, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium ramosissimum, Cerastium semidecandrum, Chamaemelum fuscatum, Coronilla dura, Corynephorus divaricatus, Crassula tillaea, Crucianella angustifolia, Ctenopsis delicatula, Erophila praecox, Eryngium tenue, Evax carpetana, Evax lasiocarpa, Evax pygmaea, Filago lutescens, Galium divaricatum, Gaudinia coarctata, Gnaphalium teydeum, Helianthemum aegyptiacum, Helianthemum sanguineum, Hispidella hispanica, Holcus annuus subsp. duriensis, Holcus gayanus, Hymenocarpos cornicina, Hymenocarpos lotoides, Hypochoeris glabra, Jasione echinata, Jasione montana subsp. gracilis, Jasione montana subsp. montana, Lathyrus angulatus, Lathyrus inconspicuus, Lathyrus sphaericus, Leontodon longirostris, Linaria elegans, Linaria intricata, Linaria pelisseriana, Linaria saxatilis subsp. saxatilis, Linaria saxatilis var. minor, Linaria spartea, Linum trigynum, Logfia gallica, Logfia minima, Lolium aristatum, Lotus conimbricensis, Micropyrum patens, Micropyrum tenellum, Moenchia erecta, Molineriella laevis, Molineriella minuta subsp. australis, Molineriella minuta subsp. minuta, Myosotis incrassata, Myosotis stricta, Onobrychis caput-galli, Ononis cintrana, Ononis varelae, Ornithopus compressus, Ornithopus perpusillus, Ornithopus pinnatus, Paronychia cymosa, Paronychia echinulata, Periballia involucrata, Plantago bellardii, Psilurus incurvus, Pterocephalus diandrus, Rostraria azorica, Rumex bucephalophorus subsp. bucephalophorus, Rumex bucephalophorus subsp. canariensis, Rumex bucephalophorus subsp. gallicus, Scleranthus delortii, Sedum andegavense, Sedum arenarium, Sedum caespitosum, Sedum pedicellatum, Sedum willkommianum, Senecio minutus, Silene mariana, Silene portensis, Silene psammitis, Silene scabriflora subsp. megacalycina, Silene scabriflora subsp. scabriflora, Spergula morisonii, Spergula pentandra, Teesdalia coronopifolia, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Tolpis barbata, Tolpis umbellata, Trifolium arvense, Trifolium bocconei, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium cherleri, Trifolium phleoides subsp. willkommii, Trifolium stellatum, Trifolium striatum, Trifolium strictum, Trifolium sylvaticum, Trisetum ovatum, Tuberaria guttata, Veronica dillenii, Viola parvula, Vulpia bromoides, Vulpia ciliata, Vulpia muralis, Vulpia myuros, Vulpia unilateralis.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E1.A Open Mediterranean dry acid and neutral grassland
Euroveg CheckList:
Helianthemion guttati Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et al. 1940
Thero-Airion Tüxen & Oberdorfer 1958 em. Rivas-Martínez 1978
Crassulo tillaeae-Sedion caespitosi de Foucault 1999
Molinerion laevis Br.-Bl. et al. 1952
Sedion pedicellato-andegavensis Rivas-Mart. et al. 1986
Trifolion cherleri Micevski 1972 (Balkans)
Sclerantho-Myositidion incrassatae S. Brullo et al. 2001 (C  E mediterranean)
Ornithopo pinnati-Gaudinion coarctatae F. Prieto et Aguiar, in F. Prieto et al. 2012 (Azores)
Vulpion ligusticae Aubert et Loisel 1971
Annex 1:
6220* Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea
Emerald:
-
MAES-2:
Terrestrial - Grasslands
IUCN:
4.4 Temprate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
This habitat type occurs in most of the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Continental countries of Europe but the highest frequency, quantity and diversity is found in the western Mediterranean area, where there are large areas with siliceous substrata with abundant scrub (matorral, garrigue or phrygana). It is also common in the siliceous territories of North Africa and Middle East.

Map Description:
The map has many data gaps in all parts of the range, but the overall range is relatively well presented. Especially the distribution for Spain, Portugal and Italy is largely underestimated. Data sources: EVA.

Trends in Quantity:
When considering only the EU28 countries, this habitat type shows a quantitative reduction between 11 and 18% of its former area, considering the last 50 years. Similar trends were recorded at the EU28+ level (between 11 and 17% of reduction). The most severe reduction rates were reported by France (25%), Austria (30-50%), Czech Republic (65%).

Trends in Quality:
The qualitative decline for this habitat type could be calculated only based on a subgroup of countries reporting figures. In EU28, on average, it affected an extent of 54% of the total area during the last 50 years, with a degree of severity of 55%, showing a seriously declining trend. In some case it reached very high values, for instance in Bulgaria  (extent 55%, severity 60%) and Czech Republic (extent 70%, severity 60%). As concerns the EU28+ countries, the qualitative decline is similar, affecting 37% of the total area with a severity degree of 51% in the last 50 years. Data about future or historical trends are not available.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Based on the available quantitative data (still missing from several countries, especially from EU28+), more than 3/4 (between 77 and 85%) of the total distribution of this habitat type lies inside the EU28 territory.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
These grasslands, although suffering for an evident quantitative reduction, have a very large natural range. This habitat type, as well as E1.3c, consist in annual dry grasslands which usually occupy very small patches in between the shrubs or the tuft

Pressures and Threats:
The abandonment of traditional land use and extensive pastoral systems, which affected most of the European range of this habitat type in the last decades, remarkably reduced this habitat from both a quantitative and qualitative point of view and should be considered as its most significant pressure. On the other side, also overgrazing and intensive presence of cattle can represent a serious threat for these oligotrophic grasslands. Overgrowing by shrubs and tree species is a serious threat all over the habitat range, as a consequence of the abandonment, although the successional processes are not so fast due to the presence of shallow and poor soil. Fire represents a very effective tool to block the succession, and the lack of natural or controlled fires can accelerate the shrub encroachment. Changes in the land use, including transformation to arable land, forest planting on open ground, development of urbanized areas, intensification of use (e.g. fertilization, nitrogen input) can seriously damage this habitat type. Also climate change can play a role, with special reference to changes in the pluviometric regime. Invasive non-native species can locally affect the floristic composition.

Conservation and Management:
Maintaining, promoting and reintroducing the traditional pastoral systems are the most effective ways to preserve this habitat type. During the last 50 years, due to the progressive abandonment of a large part of the the areas of occurrence of this habitat type, the successional processes have long acted and in many cases conservation measures should include the mechanical eradication of shrubs, before being used again as extensive pastures. A controlled use of fire can also represent an effective way to maintain this habitat type.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1 types:
6220*: CON U1, MED U1, ALP XX

Summary:
This habitat is an ephemeral response to the yearly cycle of spring rains and summer drought through the western Mediterranean and more fragmentarily into the Atlantic and Continental zones. In such situations, a high diversity of small annual plants make a brief colourful appearance on bare patches of nutrient-poor, acidic soils. Typically, the habitat occurs as small patches in intimate mosaics with heath and scrub and there has provided a valuable supplementary resource for sheep at lambing time. Over-grazing, shifts to arable cultivation, afforestation and urbanisation all pose threats but the biggest losses in extent and especially of quality have been to abandonment of traditional pastoralism. Fire represents a very effective tool to block the subsequent succession.

References:
Bacchetta, G., Bagella, S., Biondi, E., Farris, E., Filigheddu, R., and Mossa, L. 2009. Vegetazione forestale e serie di vegetazione della Sardegna (con rappresentazione cartografica alla scala 1:350.000). Fitosociologia 46(1) suppl.1: 3-82.
Bagella, S, Caria, M.C., Farris, E., Rossetti, F., and Filigheddu, R. 2014. Traditional land uses enhanced plant biodiversity in a Mediterranean agro-silvo-pastoral system.  Plant Biosystems. doi: 10.1080/11263504.2014.943319
Biondi, E., and Bagella, S. 2005. Vegetazione e paesaggio vegetale dell’arcipelago di La Maddalena (Sardegna nord-orientale). Fitosociologia  42(2) suppl.1: 1-99.
Biondi E., Burrascano S., Casavecchia S., Copiz R., Del Vico E., Galdenzi D., Gigante D., Lasen C., Spampinato G., Venanzoni R., Zivkovic L. & Blasi C. 2012. Diagnosis and syntaxonomic interpretation of Annex I Habitats (Dir. 92/43/EEC) in Italy at the alliance level. Plant Sociology 49: 5-37.
Biondi, E., Blasi, C., Allegrezza, M., Anzellotti, I., Azzella, M.M., Carli, E., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Facioni, L., Galdenzi, D., Gasparri, R., Lasen, C., Pesaresi, S., Poldini, L., Sburlino, G., Taffetani, F., Vagge, I., Zitti, S., and Zivkovic, L. 2014. Plant communities of Italy: The Vegetation Prodrome. Plant Biosystems 148(4): 728-814. doi: 10.1080/11263504.2014.948527
Blasi, C. (Ed.) 2010. La Vegetazione d’Italia. Palombi & Partner, Roma.
Biondi, E., Blasi, C., Burrascano, S., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Galdenzi, D., Gigante, D., Lasen, C., Spampinato, G., Venanzoni, R. and Zivkovic, L. 2009. Manuale Italiano di interpretazione degli habitat della Direttiva 92/43/CEE. Società Botanica Italiana. Ministero dell’Ambiente e della tutela del territorio e del mare, D.P.N. http://vnr.unipg.it/habitat/
Genovesi, P., Angelini, P., Bianchi, E., Dupré, E., Ercole, S., Giacanelli, V., Ronchi, F. and Stoch, F. 2014. Specie e habitat di interesse comunitario in Italia: distribuzione, stato di conservazione e trend. MATTM, ISPRA. 194 pp.
ISPRA, 2009-2014. Progetto Carta della Natura alla scala 1:50.000. http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/servizi-per-lambiente/sistema-carta-della-natura/carta-della-naturaalla-scala-1-50.000
MATTM, 3rd Italian national report 2014 - Report on Implementation Measures (Article 17, Habitats Directive), 2007-2013. http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/it/eu/art17/envupyjhw; ftp://ftp.dpn.minambiente.it/Natura2000/TrasmissioneCE_2014/

Criterion A Text:
When considering only the EU28 countries, this habitat type shows a quantitative reduction between 11 and 18% of its former area, considering the last 50 years. When we take into account the EU28+, the declining trend is similar although a little lower, between 11 and 17%. The reduction rate was very severe in some case (e.g. France 25%, Austria 30-50%, Czech Republic 65%). The reported quantitative trends don't meet the thresholds indicated for the Criterion A, and the assessment results in the category LC. There are no data available to apply Criteria A2 and A3.

Criterion B Text:
The ongoing tendency to abandon the traditional activities represents a threatening process likely to cause continuing declines in quantity and/or quality for this habitat type, within the next 20 years. However, the values of EOO and AOO, although with some gaps, already largely exceed the highest thresholds indicated for this Criterion and, as a consequence, the assessment results in the category Least Concern.

Criterion C/D Text:
The qualitative trend could be calculated only based on the few countries reporting data. On average, during the last 50 years, in EU28 it affected an extent of 54% of the total area, with a degree of severity of 55%, showing a qualitative trend seriously declining, with reference to both abiotic and biotic quality. In the EU28+ countries the only data available are those from Macedonia, which has reported a lower qualitative decline. This results in a an extent of 37% and a relative severity of 51%. On the ground of the available data, according to the Criterion C/D1, this habitat type can be assessed as VU for the EU28, and NT for the EU28+.

Synthesis:
In EU28 this habitat type is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) based on a severe qualitative decrease, due to a reduction in abiotic and/or biotic quality (Criterion C/D1) during the last 50 years. Extent and severity are respectively around 54 and 55%. In EU28+, the application of the same Criterion qualifies this habitat type as Near Threatened (NT), due to a comparable qualitative reduction (severity of 51%) affecting 37% of its extent. As concerns the quantitative trend (Criterion A), these grasslands also show a general decrease during the last 50 years, although it is too low (between 11 and 18%, and between 11 and 17%, respectively for EU28 and EU28+) to meet the indicated thresholds. The values of EOO and AOO are very huge, due to a large distribution area of these annual grasslands, and the application of Criterion B does not meet any threshold qualifying for higher threat levels, bringing also in this case to the cathegory LC. It should be considered, however, that the actual area of the spots covered by these short-sized annual grasslands are very restricted and may be easily overestimated. There are no data available for the application of Criterion E.

Contributors:
Type description: J. Loidi
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, F. Attorre, S. Bagella, C. Bita-Nicolae, J. Capelo, A. ÄŒarni, L. Casella, M. Chytrý, R. Delarze, D. Espírito-Santo, P. Finck, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, N. Juvan, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, J.R. Martin, V. Matevski, A. Mikolajczak, D. Paternoster, G. Pezzi, U. Raths, U. Riecken, S. Sciandrello, A. Ssymank, Z. Škvorc, R. Tzonev, D. Viciani, E. Weeda
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E3.4a Moist or wet mesotrophic to eutrophic hay meadow

Habitat Description:
The habitat comprises various wet to moist grasslands that are influenced by a high water table level and in some cases can be temporarily flooded. This group contains nutrient rich hay meadows, which sometimes are (moderately) grazed at the end of the summer period or in autumn after hay making. When the human impact is reduced or stopped, the habitat will be invaded by tall forb species (Filipendulion, Galio-Urticetea) and consequently by shrub and tree species (Salicion cinereae, Alno-Fraxinetalia). On the other hand, an intensive grazing regime will convert these meadows into pastures (Cynosurion cristati, Potentillo-Poygonetalia). Time and duration of flooding and/or the impact of groundwater are important factors in determining the floristic composition, as they influence the physiological (e.g. roots become in anaerobic condition) and ecological conditions (e.g. availability of nutrients). The main soil types are palanosol and gleysol (also amphigley). These mesotrophic  to eutrophic hay meadows can be found widespread over Europe. In temperate zones, they may occur in fresh and relatively nutrient-rich flooded plains along rivers and on wet mesotrophic mineral to peaty soils in brook valleys and comparable landscapes. In other parts of Europe (subcontinental, submediterranean), such wet meadows are found on alluvial plains that are relatively dry during parts of the year.
These habitats should be mown regularly to prevent afforestation process. This process can be started with various high forb communities (mainly from the alliance Filipendulion). The other threat for these grasslands is increased drainage of the habitat that causes turnover of species and formation of low and medium altitude hay meadows. In case of increased humidity, there appear sedges and reed (Phragmiti-Magnocaricetea). Communities from the alliance Oenanthion fistulosae indicate the transition between those two classes: Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Phragmiti-Magnocaricetea. A further threats is (over)grazing that could convert those meadows into pastures.
The following characteristics can be considered as Indicators of good quality:
High richness in herb species;

Occurrence of regionally distinct species;

Long-term habitat stability;

Extensive management regime aimed at long-term continuation of yearly mowing;

No encroachment of trees en shrubs.


Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Alchemilla subsp., Alisma plantago-aquatica, Allium angulosum, Alopecurus bulbosus, Alopecurus pratensis, Bromus racemosus, Caltha palustris, Carex divisa, Centaurea carniolica, Cirsium helenioides, Cirsium oleraceum, Cirsium rivulare, Clematis integrifolia, Crepis paludosa, Dactylorhiza majalis, Eleocharis palustris, Equisetum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Fritillaria meleagris. Galium debile, Galium palustre, Geum coccineum, Geum rivale, Gratiola officinalis, Hypericum tetrapterum, Leucojum aestivum, Lotus uliginosus, Lychnis flos-cuculi, Lysimachia vulgaris, Myosotis nemorosa, Myosotis scorpioides, Oenanthe fistulosa subsp. fistulosa, Oenanthe silaifolia, Plantago altissima, Polygonum bistorta, Pseudolysimachion longifolium, Ranunculus ophioglossifolius, Ranunculus sardous, Rhinanthus angustifolius, Sanguisorba officinalis, Scirpus sylvaticus, Senecio aquaticus, Silaum silaus, Stachys palustris, Thalictrum flavum, Trifolium michelianum, Trollius europaeus, Valeriana officinalis, Viola elatior.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E2.2 Low and medium altitude meadows
E3.4 Moist or wet eutrophic and mesotrophic grassland
EuroVegChecklist:
Calthion palustris Tx. 1937
Deschampsion cespitosae HorvatiÄ‡ 1930
Oenanthion fistulosae de Foucault 2009
Incl. Cnidion, Alopecurion
Annex 1:
6440 Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii
6510 Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)
Emerald:
E3.4 Moist or wet eutrophic and mesotrophic grassland
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate grassland

Map Description:
The map is very incomplete due to large data gaps, and it is reflecting mainly availability of data in the EVA database. Especially the Atlantic countries Ireland and United Kingdom are strongly underrepresented. Therefore distribution of Annex I type 6510 has been added as potential data. Data sources: EVA, Art17.

Trends in Quantity:
Recent trend EU28: -54.3% Recent trend EU28+: -53.7%. The calculation is based on almost 98 % of total area reported. Future trend (EU28 and EU28+): probably decrease will continue, but at lower rate than over the last twenty years. Historical trend (EU28 and EU28+): few quantitative data are available, but reported data show a large decrease in the past.

Trends in Quality:
Within EU28: 43.2% is degradated with a weighted severity of 49%. Within EU28+: 42.3% is degradated with a weighted severity of 49%. Calculations are based on average values.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The type has a wide distribution throughout Europe (it has been recorded from 32 countries). The surface of the sites can be up to several hectares, so quite large.

Pressures and Threats:
The main threats are changes in farming practice and land-use in the EU as well as in the wider Europe. The moves in farming practice mainly imply intensification (fertilisation and drainage) and abandonment (lack of mowing). Other major losses are due to changes in the natural hydrological systems and habitat destruction by urbanisation and expand of infrastructure (e.g. road construction). A large extent of the present extent of the habitat is found in nature reserves and involve some form of financial subsidy. Especially in the eastern European countries, where traditional hay-making has ceased over large areas, it is unclear how this will work out in the future.

Conservation and Management:
Continuation of these meadows is directed towards the maintainance of traditional hay making in combinatin with safeguarding the appropriate hydrological conditions. This applies to both the site and the landscape level. Where damaged, restoration programmes can be set up, but - especially in the European lowlands - the nowadays scattered occurrences of this habitat types will cause problems for recolonisation of the aimed species.

Conservation Status:
6440: ALP FV, ATL U2, BLS FV, CON U2, PAN U1, STE FV 
6510: ALP U2, ATL U2, BLS FV, BOR U2, CON U2, MED U2, PAN U1, STE FV

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The habitat type needs human intervention for restoration, by re-introducing traditional mowing regimes and improving the hydrological conditions. The latter may take a relatively long period to become effective. The presence of relict populations of key species is crucial for success, so restoration programmes will have more success in areas where species rich meadows still do occur.Specific management measurements like the spread of hay derived from still intact (preferebly nearby) nature reserves may be considered to overcome the 'dispersal problem'.

Summary:
These meadows are typical of moist, sometimes seasonally inundated, nutrient-rich soils on floodplains and in brook-valleys throughout lowland and sub-montane Europe. The herbage has traditionally been cut for hay, though there is sometimes light grazing in late summer and autumn. The vegetation is often species-rich with a diverse associated invertebrate fauna attracted by the abundance of flowers. Major threats are abandonment of traditional management with agricultural intensification, changes in the hydrology, urbanisation and associated infrastructure development. Decline in quantity and quality of this habitat during the last century have been considerable all over Europe.  Continuation of traditional hay making and safeguarding the appropriate hydrological conditions, both on site and at a landscape level, are the key factors for conserving this habitat type, though the effectiveness of these measures can be problematic where the habitat is much fragmented and the typical biota lost from the wider landscape.

References:
Balátova-TuláÄková, E. (1994). Alopecurion- and Molinion-Gesellschaften NW-Böhmens. Acta. Sci. Nat. Brno 28 (6): 1-52.
Botta-Duktá, Z, M. Chytry, P. Hájková, & M. Havlová (2005). Vegetation of lowland wet meadows along a climatic continentality gradient in Central Euope. preslia 77: 89-11.
Dierschke, H. (1995). Syntaxonomical survey of Molinio-Arrhenatheretea in Central Europe. Colloques Phytosociologiques 23: 387-399.

Synthesis:
Based on a reduction in quantity over the past 50 years, this habitat type is endangered both in EU28 and EU28+ (EN). Furthermore, a substantial reduction in biotic and abiotic quality results in a nearly theatened status (NT).

Contributors:
Habitat definition: A. ÄŒarni & J. Schaminée
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, F. Attorre, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, G. Buffa, L. Casella, J.M. Couvreur, R. Delarze, D. Gigante, P. Finck, , M. Janišová, R.G. Jefferson, Z. KÄ…cki, M. KoÄí, T. Kontula, J. Loidi, J.R. Martin, A. Mikolajczak, V. Matevski, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, Z. Molnár, D. Paternoster, D. Paelinckx, G. Pezzi, M. Prosser, V. RašomaviÄius, U. Raths, U. Riecken, J. Rodwell, E. E, E. Rothero, Z. Škvorc, A. Ssymank, D. Viciani, H. Wallace, E.J. Weeda
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster J. Rodwell, J. SchaminéeR. Tzonev


Habitat Description:
This habitat type comprises hay meadows that cover riverside terraces and gentle slopes. It represents typical lowland communities, that sometimes appear at higher altitude, up to 1 000 m. The ground is generally flat, only rarely the inclination is more pronounced. The site conditions are humid to rather wet, due to relatively high amounts of rainfall and the fact that groundwater level is close to the surface. Often the sites are inundated during winter and spring. In July and August, the ground conditions may become rather dry. These wet meadows have a pronounced phenology. In early spring, yellow flowering Ranunculus species may prevail, while later on various Trifolium species as well as Alopecurus rendlei (Alopecurus utriculatus) appear. Hay making takes place mainly in May and June. Sometimes, grazing is practiced, that may change the species composition.
The climate is submediterranean and the habitat type can be found in the coastal region of the Adriatic Sea, in the central part of the Italian Peninsula, the southern edge of the Pannonian Basin and in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The climax vegetation of the areas where the habitat occurs belongs to the class Quercetea pubescentis. The soil mainly consists of – rather sandy – clay, locally mixed with river deposits. Quite often the sites are moderately salted, which also effects the species composition. Nevertheless, the alliances that can be assigned to this habitat type do not vary that much that a division in subtypes is needed. The Trifolion resupinati, for instance, has its main occurence in the central Balkans with its centre of distribution in Macedonia, whereas the Trifolion pallidi is found on floodplains that are less dry in summer, having its center of distribution in eastern Croatia and western Serbia. The  Molinio-Hordeion secalini, of which the distribution stretches from Slovenia through Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina,  is also rather humid. The Trifolio-Ranunculion pedati is sub-halophytic and restricted to the Pannonion plain; the Ranunculion velutini is bound to central Italy.
These grasslands are in good condition, when they appear on primary sites and are maintained through traditional management. In case the meadows are drained or watered artificially, the species composition would change dramatically. Since these sites are fertile, the surfaces can be ploughed out and converted to fields. On the other hand their surfaces will overgrow with shrubs and tall grasses in case of abandonment of traditional management. Regular mowing prevents the beginning of secondary succession towards forests. One of the threats is also use of fertilizers and sawing of seeds. One additional threat is the use of fertilizers and the sawing of seeds. Another  treat is intensive grazing, that also changes species composition. 
Indicators of good quality are:
Species richness of the herb layer
Absence of invasive, tall herb and shrub species
Regular mowing
Absence of intensive grazing

Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Achillea millefolium, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Alopecurus rendlei, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Bromus racemosus, Carex distans, Carex hirta, Carex otrubae, Carex tomentosa, Carex vulpina, Centaurea jacea, Centaurea pannonica, Cichorium intybus, Cirsium canum, Clematis integrifolia, Convolvulus arvensis, Crepis setosa, Cynosurus cristatus, Daucus carota, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia media, Edraianthus dalmaticus, Elymus repens, Festuca pratensis, Galium debile, Galium verum, Gaudinia fragilis, Gratiola officinalis, Holcus lanatus, Hordeum murinum, Hordeum secalinum, Lathyrus nissolia, Lathyrus pannonicus, Lathyrus pratensis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Leucojum aestivum, Lolium perenne, Lotus corniculatus, Lychnis flos-cuculi, Lysimachia nummularia, Lythrum salicaria, Medicago arabica, Medicago hispida, Moenchia mantica, Molinia caerulea, Narcissus poeticus, Oenanthe silaifolia, Oenanthe stenoloba, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Orchis laxiflora, Peucedanum coriaceum, Plantago lanceolata, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Poa trivialis ssp.sylvicola, Podospermum canum, Potentilla reptans, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus marginatus Ranunculus polyanthemos, Ranunculus repens, Ranunculus sardous, Ranunculus stevenii (acris), Ranunculus velutinus, Rhinanthus minor, Rorippa sylvestris, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Scilla litardierei, Scutellaria hastifolia, Serratula tinctoria, Symphytum officinale, Taraxacum officinale agg., Moenchia mantica Tragopogon orientalis, Tragopogon pratensis, Trifolium balansae, Trifolium cinctum, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium fragiferum, Trifolium patens, Trifolium pallidum, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Trifolium resupinatum.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E3.3 Sub-mediterranean humid meadows
EuroVegChecklist:
Molinio-Hordeion secalini HorvatiÄ‡ 1934
Trifolion resupinati Micevski 1957
Trifolio-Ranunculion pedati SlavniÄ‡ 1948
Trifolion pallidi IlijaniÄ‡ 1969
Ranunculion velutini Pedrotti 1978
Annex 1:
6540 Sub-Mediterranean grasslands of the Molinio-Hordeion secalini
Emerald:
E3.3 Sub-mediterranean humid meadows
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
This habitat type is recorded from 6 countries, having its main distribution in the Balkan region; it furthermore occurs in Italy.

Map Description:
The map provides a good picture of the range, but data gaps still exist everywhere on the Balkan. Data: NAT, EVA.

Trends in Quantity:
Recent trend EU28: -13.3%, Recent trend EU28+: -3.6. Although data lack from Serbia, where the habitat type is widely distributed, the figures seem to be quite reliable. Only few quantitative data are available on historical trend, showing more or less the same trends as during more recent years, ranging from stable to slight decrease.

Trends in Quality:
Whereas most of the habitat type is situated outside the EU28+, the general conclusion is that there is only a small percentage of the area that is degraded (up to 20%), whereas the degree of degradation is slight (to moderate). Only in Bulgaria, the losses seem to be more considerable, but from this country no data on the extent of these grasslands is reported.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Only about 10% of the current distribution lies within EU 28, the largest areas of this submediterranean habitat type have been reported from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat type has a rather wide distribution in south-eastern Europe (reports from 5 countries); outside this area it also is reported from Italy.

Pressures and Threats:
Like other wet grasslands on Europe, the main threats for these submediterranean grasslands are agricultural intensification, including fertilisation and drainage. Other losses are due to changes in the (natural) hydrology of floodplains and habitat destruction by urbanisation and expansion of infrastructure (e.g. roads).

Conservation and Management:
Although these grasslands are still available over large areas and under rather well conditions (mainly outside EU28+), there are certain risks for degradation. The main factors are continuation of the hay making systems and safeguarding the appropriate hydrological conditions.

Conservation Status:
Annex I:
No assessment of cosnervation status of habitat 6540 is available, as this type was only added with the joining of Croatia of the European Union.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The habitat type is depending on human intervention for restoration, by re-introducing mowing regimes and improving hydrological conditions.

Summary:
The moist meadows belonging to this habitat type are typical of sandy to clayey, mesotrophic to eutrophic soils on riverside terraces and gentle slopes, mainly within the lowlands of south-eastern Europe, mostly in EU28+ but extending westwards to Central Italy. Inundation of the sites during winter and spring is common, and the humid to rather wet site conditions are often infuenced by the presence of groundwater close to the surface but later in the season the ground may dry up. The floristic variation in these widely distributed grasslands reflects differences in the temperate and rainfall of the Mediterranean climate though quite often there is some saline influence in the soils which also has an effect on the species composition. Hay making takes place mainly in May and June and sometimes the vegetation is also grazed which may affect the species composition. Continuation of hay making and safeguarding of the appropriate hydrological conditions are key factors for maintaining these communties and the main threats are abandonment of the traditional management and agricultural intensification through fertilisation and drainage. At the European level, the percentages of degradation in both in quantity and quality seem to be low, although locally the losses in biodiversity may demand adequate protection measures.

References:
Acic, S., Silc, U., D. Lukasic, & Z. Dajic Stevanovic (2013). Typification and correction of syntaxa from the class Molinio-Arrhenatherea Tx. 37 in Serbia. Hacquetia 12: 39-54.
Dajic Stevanovic, V., Lazarevic, D., Petrovic, M., S. Acic & D. Tomovic (2010). Biodiversity of natural grasslands in Serbia: state and prospects of utilisation. In: XII International Symposium on forage crops in Republic of Serbia, Krusevac, pp. 235-247.
Silc, U., Acic, S., Skvorc, Z., Krstonosic, D., Franjic, J. & V. Dajic Stevanovic (2014).  Grassland vegetation in the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class in the NW Balkan Peninsula. Applied Vegetation Science 17: 591-603.

Criterion A Text:
The values for A1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets. No data (%) available for A2a, A2b and A3.

Criterion B Text:
Negative trends are observed and expected for the future, but EOO, AOO and number of locations are above the thresholds for evaluating Criterion B, leading to the conclusion Least Concern (LC).

Criterion C/D Text:
The values fo C/D1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets, which were obtained from 6 countries. Although this only comprises a limited portion of the area of distribution, there is no sign that the losses in quality are higher outside the reported countries (with possibly the exception of Bulgaria). No data are available for C/D2 and C/D3. The degradation in quality refers to both biotic features and abiotic circumstances.

Synthesis:
This habitat type is not threatened in both EU28 and EU28+. Recent declines in quantity and in quality are relatively small. However, for the future it has to be monitored whether the traditional land use of hay making can be maintained in enough sites on the Balkan to prevent the habitat from becoming threatened.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
Although there is, in terms of syntaxonomic alliances, some variation in the various parts of the distribution area, there is no need for further examination of subtypes.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: A. ÄŒarni & J. Schaminée
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, F. Attorre, C. Bita-Nicolae,L. Casella, D. Gigante, C. Gussev, F. Matevski, G. Pezzi, Z. Škvorc, D. Viciani
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E5.2a Thermophile woodland fringe of base-rich soils

Habitat Description:
In the transitional zone between the open landscape and forests, habitats can be found that are characterized by a distinct species composition. Generally, two formations can be distinguished: one determined by shrubs, called mantle, and one – closer to the open landscape – built up by (tall) herbs and grasses, called fringe. Thus, fringe communities appear as a narrow belt along forests, but they also occur along scrublands and other formations. Even in the open landscape, e.g. along cliffs. In comparison with the generally rather species poor mantle communities, fringe communities are often harboring a large set of – colorful – flowers. This especially applies to the baserich soils, to which the heliophilous and thermophilous communities of Habitat type E5.2a are confined. Another prerequisite is a limited amount of nutrients; otherwise, the vegetation transforms into nitrophilous tall forb communities. The diagnostic species are adapted to the half-shadow conditions under the branches of trees and scrubs, but the small contact zone between the forest and the open landscape gives also room to the occurrence of species of these neighbouring formations. And this partly explains the species richness of the habitat.
In the subatlantic parts of Europe, fringes generally border mesophilous forests of the class Carpino-Fagetea sylvaticae. In the zone of thermophilous deciduous forest (Quercetea pubescentis), with relatively open canopy, most of the fringe species can also be found inside the forest communities. Fringe communities have developed through millennia of human activities. From a landscape ecological point of view, they may protect forests against unwanted effects from the open landscape, like the input of nutrients from agricultural land. Fringes provide important habitats for various animal groups, including birds and insects. Thermophile woodland fringes of baserich soils can be found in large parts of Europe. In Southern and Southeastern Europe, they also can be found in mountainous areas, but in the Northwestern parts of Europe, they are restricted to lowlands. Transitional zones are generally in need of well-balanced human activities, as changes in the neighboring formations (forest on the one side, open landscape on the other side) directly affects the quality of the fringe communities.
Indicators of good quality:
Species richness
Periodical cutting or grazing, protecting encroachment of the habitat by shrubs and trees
Absence of woody species
Absence of invasive species
Low input of nutrients

Characteristic species:
Flora: Vascular plants: Achillea millefolium, Anemone sylvestris, Anthericum ramosum, Betonica officinalis, Brachypodium pinnatum agg., Bupthalmum salicifolium, Bupleurum falcatum, Campanula bononiensis, Campanula persicifolia, Campanula trachelium, Centaurea jacea, Chamaecytisus hirsutus, Chamaecytisus supinus, Clematis recta, Clinopodium vulgare, Coronilla coronata, Cruciata glabra, Cytisus nigricans, Dactylis glomerata, Dictamnus albus, Ferulago galbanifera, Festuca rubra, Fragaria vesca, Fragaria viridis, Galium album, Galium lucidum, Galium verum, Geranium sanguineum, Hieracium racemosum, Hieracium umbellatum, Hypericum perforatum, Inula hirta, Inula salicina, Knautia drymeia, Knautia illyrica, Laserpitium latifolium, Lathyrus pannonicus, Libanotis sibirica, Medicago falcata, Medicago falcata, Melampyrum cristatum, Melampyrum nemorosum, Origanum vulgare, Peucedanum cervaria, Peucedanum oreoselinum, Pimpinella saxifraga, Poa angustifolia, Polygonatum odoratum, Primula veris, Rosa pimpinellifolia, Serratula tinctoria, Silene italica, Silene nutans, Solidago virgaurea, Tanacetum corymbosum, Teucrium chamaedrys, Thalictrum minus, Trifolium alpestre, Trifolium rubens, Verbascum austriacum, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica spicatum, Veronica teucrium, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, Viola hirta.
Bryophytes: Campthotecium lutescens, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidium rugosum.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E5.2 Thermophile woodland fringes
EuroVegChecklist:
Trifolion medii T. Müller 1962
Knaution dipsacifoliae Julve ex Dengler et Boch 2008
Geranion sanguinei Tx. in T. Müller 1962
Galio litoralis-Geranion sanguinei Géhu et Géhu-Franck in de Foucault et al. 1983
Stachyo lusitanicae-Cheirolophion sempervirentis (Capelo 1996) Capelo in Mucina et al. 2013
Dictamno albi-Ferulagion galbaniferae (van Gils et al. 1975) de Foucault et al. ex ÄŒarni et Dengler in Mucina et al. 2009
Lathyro laxiflori-Trifolion velenovskyi (ÄŒarni et al. 2000) ÄŒarni 2005
Annex I:
No relationship
Emerald:
No relationship
MAES-2:
No relationship
IUCN:
No relationship

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The habitat type has a wide distribution throughout Europe. It has been recorded in 30 countries.

Map Description:
The map underestimates occurrences in Hungary, Bosnia & Herzegovina and – possibly – other Balkan countries.

Comment EU28:
Some important countries are lacking data: e.g. Bulgaria, France, Germany, Spain.

Comment EU28+:
Some important countries are lacking data: e.g. Bulgaria, France, Germany, Spain, Macedonia, Kosovo.

Trends in Quantity:
According to the quantitative data as provided by the territorial data sheets, the recent trend in EU28 is a decrease of -20.5% and the recent trend in EU28+ is a decrease of -29.0%. However, the majority of countries reported that no quantitative data are available. The actual figures are calculated on data from only 6 EU28 country reports and 2 additional EU28+ countries. Based on the ongoing changes in land use, with many hay meadows gradually changing into fringe (tall forb) communities, we expect that the figures are less negative. For quite a number of countries, especially in Eastern Europe, this habitat type probably will be increasing.

Trends in Quality:
Within EU28, about 24% of the total area are degraded with a weighted severity of 20%. Within EU28+, 29% of the total are degraded with a weighted severity of 34%. The figures, however, are based on quantitative data from only 9 EU28 countries and 2 additional EU28+ countries (out of a total of 21 countries that reported information) and are substantially influenced by a relatively large area in Italy. Nevertheless, the trends seem to be rather convincing, with limited losses in extent and severity.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat type has a wide distribution throughout Europe, its occurrence has been recorded by 30 countries. The surface of the sites varies with its character, in the case of spatial transitions (like forest margins) the sites are generally

Pressures and Threats:
Changes in land use largely affect the extent and quality of this habitat type. Agricultural intensification (especially fertilisation) is the major threat. On the other hand, abandoning of pastureland and meadows is leading to a larger extent of this type, although this effect is only temporally (further succession will lead to shrubland and ultimately woodland). Another threat is habitat destruction (e.g. by urbanisation and related changes in infrastructure).

Conservation and Management:
Fringe communities per definition are vulnerable as they depend on gradients in the landscape, which can be temporal or spatial. Changes in land use therefore always have an effect on such communities. On the one hand, intensification of land use will lead to direct losses, on the other hand abandoning of grazing and mowing systems may lead to an increase of the habitat (although only for a certain period, as succession will go on, gradually transforming the fringe communities into shrubland and woodland).

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Extensive grazing and/or mowing are prerequisites for this habitat type. The maintenance of this habitat type is a matter of balance and depends on an appropriate management regime: when the sites are overgrown with shrubs and trees, these woody plants have to be removed. In intensively used landscapes, a reduction of fertilisation is needed. As the habitat type harbours a large number of rare species, the management of the sites needs full attention.

Summary:
These are fringe communities on neutral to base-rich soils in the transition zone between forests and open habitats or in similar situations alongside cliffs or under the shade of trees in lanes and on roadsides. They occur across large parts of Europe, in the lowlands of the north-west where they are associated with mesophilous broadleaved woodland, but also extending into more continental regions where ther fringe more open thermophilous forests, and into cooler montane levels to the south and south-east. The diagnostic species are adapted to the half-shade of such situations but other plants of the neighbouring habitats can also find a place. Especially in calcareous landscapes, the plant communities belonging here can be more species rich, harbouring a lot of rare and/or endangered species. Characteristically, there is a limited amount of nutrients in the soil; otherwise, the vegetation transforms into nitrophilous tall forb communities. Such woodland fringes also provide a congenial habitat for small birds and invertebrates which benefit from the complex structure of the vegetation. Fringe communities have developed through millennia of human activities and are dependent on interventions like grazing and/or mowing for their maintenance. Major threats are agricultural intensification and direct habitat destruction. On the other hand, these fringe communities profit from the abandonment of land, although only for a limited time, as further succession will lead to shrubland and woodland. For this reason, although there is some reduction in extent across Europe, such a trend might be temporarily reversed in future.

References:
Gils, H.A.M.J. van, 1978. Forb fringes and forb stages between semi-dry grasslands and deciduous forests on loess and hard bedrock in Europe; distribution, classifi­cation and site. PhD Thesis, Catholic University Nijmegen.

Criterion A Text:
The values for A1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets. The countries that reported complete quantitative data, that could be used for the calculation, covered about 33% of reported area in the EU28, and about 50% of reported area for the EU28+. The trend in the EU28+ qualifies the habitat for Near Threatened, based on strong declines in Switzerland and Bosnia & Herzegovina. No data (percentages) available for A2a, A2b and A3.

Criterion B Text:
Both EOO and AOO are above the thresholds for evaluating criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
The values for C/D1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets, which we obtained from 21 countries (altogether the occurrence of the habitat type is reported by 30 countries). No data available for C/D2 and C/D3. The degradation in quality refers to both biotic features and abiotic circumstances.

Synthesis:
This habitat type is neither threatened in EU28 nor in EU28+, but the decline in the EU28+ is close to the Vulnerable threshold and therefore qualifies as Near Threatened (NT). However, the trend calculation is based on data from relatively few countries. The calculated figures for trends in quality over the last 50 years as well as the relatively large extent of occurrence and area of occupancy result in the Least Concern (LC) category.

Contributors:
Type description: A. ÄŒarni & J. Schaminée
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, F. Attore, C. Bita-Nicolae, J. Bölöni, G. Buffa, J. Capelo, L. Casella, M. Chytrý, J.M. Couvreur, R. Delarze, M. Dimitrov, D. Espírito-Santo, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, P. Finck, M. Janišová, Z. KÄ…cki, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, V. Matevski, A. Mikolajczak, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, F. Millaku, D. Paelinckx, D. Paternoster, G. Pezzi, U. Raths, U. Riecken, V. RašomaviÄius, S. Rusina, Z. Škvorc, A. Ssymank, D. Viciani, E. Weeda
Working Group Grassland: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminee, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E5.2b Thermophile woodland fringe of acidic soils

Habitat Description:
These woodland fringes are especially characteristic of semi-shaded habitats along forest margins, overhung road verges and similar places with acidic and nutrient-poor soils. Dominated by bulky grasses and tall herbs, they are not so diverse as the more thermophilous E5.2a woodland fringe occurring on base-rich soils. They reach their optimum development in the cooler Atlantic and Subatlantic parts of Europe and, further east, their species richness gradually diminishes. The typical associated trees in the woodlands are deciduous Quercus spp., Betula spp. and Fagus sylvatica.  Fringe communities are semi-natural habitats, strongly influenced by human activities and where newly established, for example in forest clearings, around plantations and along hedgebanks, some years are needed to develop their characteristic features, above all depending on neighbouring habitats. This kind of fringe can be found in association with mat-grass swards on nutrient-poor soils and heathlands on acidic and humus-rich soils. Towards the Mediterranean region, fringes on acidic and neutral and bedrock can be similar to fringes on basic soils (e.g. in the Lathyro laxiflori-Trifolion velenovskyi). 
To prevent colonisation by shrubs and trees, the vegetation needs to be occasionally mown (for example, every second year) or extensively grazed.
The following characteristics may be considered as indicators of good quality:
Absence of complete shade of shrubs and trees
Relative richness in apomictic species of Hieracium
Irregularly grazed and/or mown
Absence of invasive species
Low input of nutrients

Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Agrostis capillaris, Avenella flexuosa, Betonica officinalis, Campanula rapunculus, Centaurea nigra, Clinopodium vulgare, Conopodium majus, Digitalis purpurea, Hieracium lachenalii, Hieracium murorum, Hieracium sabaudum, Hieracium umbellatum, Holcus mollis, Hypericum perforatum, Hypericum pulchrum, Jasione montana, Lathyrus linifolius, Linaria repens, Lonicera periclimenum, Melampyrum pratense, Origanum virescens, Poa nemoralis, Potetilla erecta, Potentilla sterilis, Pulmonaria longifolia, Rumex acetosella, Serratula tinctoria, Solidago virgaurea, Stellaria holostea, Teucrium scorodonia, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica officinalis, Viola riviniana.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E5.2: Thermophile woodland fringes
EuroVegChecklist :
Melampyrion pratensis Passarge 1979          
Violo rivinianae-Stellarion holosteae Passarge 1994         
Poion nemoralis Dengler et al. 2006   
Teucrion scorodoniae de Foucault et al. 1983        
Linarion triornithophorae Rivas-Mart. et al. 1984    
Origanion virentis Rivas-Mart. et O. de Bolòs in Rivas-Mart. et al. 1984
Annex 1:
---
Emerald:
-
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate Grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
Although reaching its optimal development in the Atlantic and subatlantic parts of Europe, the habitat is widely distributed, being recorded from 26 countries.

Map Description:
The map is incomplete depending on data avialability. It underestimates occurreces, particularly in Great Britain, Ireland and southern parts of Scadinavia.Data sources: EVA, GBIF.

Comment EU28:
So few quantitative data are suppplied that it is misleading to provide a figure

Comment EU28+:
So few quantitative data are supplied that it is misleading to provide a figure

Trends in Quantity:
Only 5 out of 16 EU-countries that have sent in territorial data sheets (plus 2 additional EU+ countries) provided quatitative data, so the data reliablility is low. Nevertheless, the general conclusion may be drawn that the trend in quantity of the habitat type is stable or increasing. The data provided by the two EU28+ countries (30-50 % decrease) are difficult to value and may allow misinterpretation. The extent in Portugal seems unusually large.

Trends in Quality:
According to the calculations, about 24% of the extent in the EU28 countries is degraded with a weighted severity of 20%. Within the EU28+ countries these figures are 31% and 37% respectively. The small amount of data, however, from only 6 out of 16 reporting EU28 countries (plus 3 EU28+ countries), indicates that the results must be treated with care. Neverteless the overall Red List Status for both EU28 and EU28+ could be defined as Least Concern, although the data reliablility is low.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat type has a wide distribution thorughout Europe, with the centre of distribution in the atlantic and subatlantic regions; occurrences have been recorded from 26 countries. The surface of the sites are generally small.

Pressures and Threats:
Fringe communities are dependent on temporal gradients in the landscape, and therefore by definition vulnerable and the extent and quality of this habitat type are strongly affected by changes in land use, with agricultural intensification as the major threat. To a lesser extent, urbanisation and related changes in infrastructure also have a negative impact. Abandonment of management of neighbouring habitats may also allow encroachment of shrubs and trees.

Conservation and Management:
Compared to the woodland fringes on basiphilous soils, these acidophilous fringes house a lower number of endangered and rare species, with the clear exception of the (many) apomicts of the genus Hieracium.  However, they can provide a valuable transitional habitat for invertebrates, small passerine birds and small mammals, also interconnecting suitable areas for colonisation.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Extensive grazing and - to a lower extent - mowing are prerequisites for safeguarding this habitat type and both intensification and abandonment may disturb the rather subtle balance. When management ceases, succession will lead to the development of shrubland and woodland, with the ultimate loss of these fringe communities.When overgrown with shrubs and trees, cutting of the woody plants and subsequent grazing offers a good chance of recovery of the target communities, within a reasonable time-span.

Summary:
This habitat is especially characteristic of semi-shaded forest margins and similar situations on acidic, nutrient-poor soils in the cooler Atlantic and Subatlantic regions of Europe, becoming rare and more species-poor further east. It is generally dominated by bulky grasses and tall herbs and being a semi-natural habitat, it is ultimately dependent on human activity, more particularly extensive grazing or occasional mowing to prevent encroachment by shrubs and trees that threaten denser shade. It is thus sensitive to changes in land use, most particularly abandonment of such interventions as well as agricultural intensification with attendant fertiliser drift and infrastructure development, by urbanisation and construction of roads. Although the quality of the habitat has declined in recent historic time, the extent is stable or even increasing.

References:
De Foucault, B., Rameau, J.-C., Royer, J.-M. 1979. Essai de synthese syntaxonomique sur les groupements des Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei Müller 1961 en Europe central et occidentale. Colloques phytosociologiques 8: 445-461.
Dengler, J., Eisenberg, M. & Schröder, J. 2006. Die grundwasserfernen Saumgesellschaften Nordostniedersachsens im europäischen Kontext–Teil I: Säume magerer Standorte (Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei). Tuexenia 26: 51-94.

Criterion A Text:
Although the data reliability is low, the overall conclusion that the extent of the habitat type is (at least) stable seems to be justified.

Criterion B Text:
The EOO and AOO are above thresholds for evaluating criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
The values for C/D1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets, which were obtained from 18 countries (out of 26 countries where the habitat is presumed to occur), although only a limited number of respondees provided quantititave data. No data are available for C/D2 and C/D3. The degradation in quality refers to both biotic features and abiotic cicumstances.

Criterion E Text:
There is no quanititative analysis available that estimates the probability of collapse of this habitat type

Synthesis:
On the basis of available quantitative data and general expert opinion, this habitat is not endangered in either EU28 and EU28+.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
No sub-types in need of further examination.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: A. ÄŒarni & J. Schaminée
Assessors: E. Agrillo, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, F. Attore, C. Bita-Nicolae, J. Bölöni, G. Buffa,J. Capelo,L. Casella, M. Chytrý, J.M. Couvreur, R. Delarze, M. Dimitrov, D. Espírito-Santo, D. Gigante, P. Finck, M. Janišová, Z. KÄ…cki, J. Loidi, A. Mikolajczak, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, F. Millaku, D. Paelinckx, D. Paternoster, G. Pezzi, U. Raths, U. Riecken, V. RašomaviÄius, S. Rusina, A. Ssymank, D. Viciani, E. Weeda
Other members of the Habitat Working Group: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Description:
Oceanic valley bogs are essentially topogenous systems of permanently waterlogged, oligotrophic acid peats, maintained by a high ground water table seeping from impervious bedrocks or superficial deposits in low-relief landscapes of the oceanic parts of Europe, topographically completely isolated from other mire systems, though often embedded within landscapes of wet heath. The hydrological regime can be quite complex, with percolating waters sometimes channeled to a central soakway and outflow which has a more obviously soligenous character. The peat sustaining the valley bog habitat itself is usually thin, often less than 1.5m.
Although the valley mire flora may show some localised soligenous influence where water flow becomes more obvious, a poor-fen flora is typically sparse on the active surface and the usual dominants are peat-building Sphagnum species, which form a luxuriant carpet with a gentle hummock-hollow surface and bog pools in lower places. Compared with ombrogenous bogs, Eriophorum vaginatum and Scirpus cespitosus are very scarce and the usual monocotyledons are Eriophorum angustifolium and Molinia caerulea, both sometimes abundant, with Rhynchospora alba occurring around the pools. Erica tetralix and, on the gentle hummocks, Calluna vulgaris form a patchy canopy up to 3 dm tall and Myrica gale is locally abundant.
Among the associates, the most characteristic are Narthecium ossifragum, Drosera rotundifolia with, less commonly D. intermedia and D. anglica, Potentilla erecta and Vaccinium oxycoccos. Associated soakways may have vegetation resembling D2.3a Quaking mires with, for example, Menyanthes trifoliata, Potamogeton polygonifolius and Hypericum elodes or small sedges. Where valley mires occur within stretches of wet heath, grazing and burning often occur in the mire surrounds, but the high water table of healthy mires offers some protection against trespass of bigger herbivores .
Indicators of good quality:
Water-table close to surface with wetter depressions and open pools.

Absence of man-made ditches or gullies

No patterns of erosion and drying

(Relatively high) species richness (in flora and fauna)

No indicators of ground-water eutrophication.


Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Calluna vulgaris, Drosera rotundifolia, Drosera intermedia, D. anglica, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Molinia caerulea, Myrica gale, Narthecium ossifragum, Pinguicula lusitanica, Rhynchospora alba, Vaccinium oxycoccos and in associated soakways Menyanthes trifoliata. Potamogeton polygonifolius and Hypericum elodes.
Mosses: Sphagnum capillifolium, S. papillosum with S. magellanicum and S. pulchrum local, S. auriculatum, S. cuspidatum and S. recurvum in pools.
Liverworts:  Cephalozia connivens, C. macrostachya, C. bicuspidata, Cladopodiella fluitans, Kurzia pauciflora, Odontoschisma sphagni.
Lichens:  Cladonia arbuscula, C. impexa, C. uncialis.

Classification:
EUNIS:
D2.1 Valley mires
EuroVegChecklist:
Oxycocco-Ericion tetralicis Nordhagen ex Tüxen 1937
Rhynchosporion albae Koch 1926 nom. ambig. propos.
and in localised soligenous areas: Caricion fuscae Koch 1926 (= Caricion nigrae) and Hyperico elodis-Sparganion Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Oberd. 1957.
Annex 1:
No clear relationship, but it can include 7150 Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion. It may also be considered as 7110 or partly 7140 in some countries.
Emerald:
-
MAES:
Wetlands
IUCN:
5.4 Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The habitat is especially concentrated in areas of oceanic climate with very small extent in locally suitable conditions elsewhere in Europe, although this character is reflected in the species composition mostly by the absence of some important dominants of circumpolar ombrogenous mires.

Map Description:
Within the EU28, this habitat is reported as most extensive in Great Britain, with far-flung small occurrences in locally suitable parts of mainland Europe. It is surprising that there are no responses for Belgium or Brittany from where the vegetation of this habitat was first reported. Outside the EU28, by far the largest area has been reported from Norway (1000 km2). The reliability and completeness of the map are unclear. Maybe it overestimates at some points (France, Spain) the distribution, and underestimated it in other countries, for example in Norway. Data sources; EVA.

Trends in Quantity:
Ireland reported unknown extent and unknown current trends. The current situation in the UK, where most of this habitat in the EU28 occurs, is stable in England, unknown in Wales. In other parts of Europe, there is a decrease in Germany, Portugal and the Czech Republic and a stable situation in The Netherlands. The habitat has been totally lost from Hungary. In Norway a decrease of 20% over the last 50 years was reported.

Trends in Quality:
Almost everywhere the quality of this habitat is reported as decreasing.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
The habitat is restricted to the EU28+, but the largest area has been reported from Norway. This is interpolated data, so there is some uncertainty in it. Therefore it is estimated that baout 10%-50% occurs in the EU28.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
There has been some loss of suitable sites at the limits of occurrence in mainland Europe but the EOO does not seem to have shrunk to a great extent.

Justification of Restricted Area:
Most of the habitat occurs in the more oceanic parts of Atlantic Europe, related to the combination of oceanic climate and suitable lowland terrain. The area of the habitat is limited due to geologic and hydrologic conditions, except maybe in Norway, w

Pressures and Threats:
The most important threats to this habitat are various modifications of the ground water:  height of the water table and the strength of soligenous input which are affected by drainage schemes and water abstraction; and also changes in the water quality, where input of nutrients from fertilising of surrounding farmland and contamination from settlements can occur. Increased frequency and intensity of drought and input of atmospheric nitrogen are also concerns. Surrounding landscapes are often grazed by farm stock and deer and, though larger herbivores cannot readily trespass on the wet mire surface, they may be important in limiting the encroachment of shrubs and trees on the neighbouring wet heaths. Recreation can cause problems of trespass by horses and people.

Conservation and Management:
The conservation of this habitat depends upon landscape-scale control of the underlying water table and of water quality, together with an ability to influence local farming (the predation of stock) and tourism (trespass of people and horses).

Conservation Status:
No clearly related Annex I type. Small parts may qualify for 7150, and locally the habitat may have been assigned under Annex I type 7110.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
This habitat probably needs careful and lengthy interventions to control the flow and quality of ground water which are likely to be the most damaging threats. There is little evidence of how well restoration can work.

Summary:
Oceanic valley bogs are essentially topogenous systems of shallow, permanently waterlogged, oligotrophic acid peats. They are maintained by a high ground water table seeping from impervious bedrocks or superficial deposits in low-relief landscapes. The habitat is mostly found in the oceanic parts of Europe, with isolated occurrences in locally suitable places within the Continental zone. With a waterlogged surface dominated by Sphagnum spp., often with a gentle hummock-hollow patterning and pools, the habitat is dependent on the maintainance of a high ground water table and some modest throughput, so abstraction or contamination of waters, together with droughts, pose the most important threats. Grazing of the heaths, which normally surround the habitat, can be important in limiting encroachment of shading scrub or woodland, though the active mire surface is generally itself too wet for shrubs or trees to thrive. Losses in extent and deterioration in quality have probably been substantial, reducing the overall range where damaged sites are marginal. The restoration of the habitat is problematic, dependent on landscape-scale interventions and continuing control.

References:
Dierssen, K. 1982.  Die wichtigsten Pflanzengesellscahften der Moore NW-Europeas. Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques, Geneve.
Dierssen, K. 1996. Vegetation Nordeuropas. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart.
Duvigneaud, P. 1949. Classification phytosociologiques des toubieres de l'Europe. Bulletin de la Societe Royale de Botanique de Belgique 81, 59-129.
Moore, J.J. 1968. A Classification of the Bogs and Wet Heaths of Northern Europe. In Pfanzensoziologische Systematik, ed. R. Tuzen, pp. 306-320, Junk, Den Haag.
Newbould, P. 1960. The ecology of Cransemoor, a New Forest valley bog. Journal of Ecology 48, 361-383. 
Rodwell, J.S. editor 1991. British Plant Communities, Volume 2  Mires & Heaths. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Criterion A Text:
It is difficult to derive a reliable average for recent past losses. Ireland made no assessment of present or past extent, though reports that decrease was likely. The UK, where most of the remaining extent occurs, made no assessment of past extent or reduction. The calculation is dominated by the German data, where a range of 50-80% loss is reported on what is actually ca. only 26% of the current extent. Germany alone reports any figure for long-term historical loss, at >90% but this is unlikely to be matched in the UK where most of the surviving extent occurs. For the EU28+ average trends are lower, due to large areas in Norway, from which a -20% decline was reported.

Criterion B Text:
EOO, AOO and number of locations are larger than the thresholds for criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
Thuis calculation is dominated by the results from the UK and Germany where the bulk of the remaining extent of this habitat occurs, and Germany reports a range of severity.

Synthesis:
Although the calculation for A1 reduction in extent over recent past time gives a range which extends into the Endangered (EN) category, the fragmentary nature of the data makes an assessment of Vulnerable (VU) for the EU28 the more reliable conclusion. For the EU28+ the habitat is Near Threatened (NT), because of degradation of quality, with values close to the thresholds for Vulnerable.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: J. Rodwell
Territorial data: C. Bita-Nicolae, J. Capelo, I. Diack, D. Espirito-Santo, P. Finck, M. Hajek, J. Janssen, P. Jones, G. Kiraly, P. Perrin, U. Raths, U. Riecken, A. Ssymank, E. Weeda
Working Group Mires & bogs: C. Bita-Nicolae, M. Hájek, F. Jansen, T. Tahvanainen


Habitat Type Name:
D2.2c Intermediate fen and soft-water spring mire

Habitat Description:
These are weakly acidic (pH 5-6) minerotrophic mires with a plant species composition intermediate between D2.2a Poor fens and D4.1a Short-sedge rich fens and calcareous spring fens. Intermediate fens occur on sodden peats fed from upper catchments by diffuse seepage of non-calcareous ground water discharged via springs with an influence typically confined to soaks or small brooks.  They have unidirectional slope and lateral water flow but the kind of hummock-string patterning typical to D3.2 Aapa mires is missing or very limited. Intermediate fen vegetation can represent the general character of the main mire surfaces or be confined to more or less distinct patterns.  True rich fen indicator species (e.g. Campylium stellatum, Philonotis calcarea, Scorpidium cossoni, Tomentypnum nitens) are missing or very scarce, one distinction from calcareous types. Since the transition between poor and rich fen characters differs across the extensive range through temperate Europe, variations in species composition in different regions can be seen.
Intermediate fens are characterized by abundance of mainly short-sedges like Carex canescens, C. echinata, C. nigra, C. panicea, Eriophorum scheuchzeri, Trichophorum alpinum, while also poor fen species like T. cespitosum and C. lasiocarpa are found. Other vascular plants include Cardamine pratensis, Dactylorhiza maculata, Molinia caerulea, Parnassia palustris, Potentilla erecta, Selaginella selaginoides, Tofieldia pusilla and Viola palustris. Common mire species like Andromeda polifolia, Eriophorum vaginatum and Vaccinium oxycoccos are also abundant. The ground layer may have Sphagnum contortum, S. subfulvum, S. subnitens, S. subsecundum, S. obtusum, S. teres or S. warnstorfii, also poor fen Sphagnum species can be found, and species composition varies between regions. Characteristically, brown mosses are abundant, but calciphilous species are absent. Characteristic species include Loeskypnum badium and Warnstorfia sarmentosa. Also Paludella squarrosa and Scorpidium revolvens are sometimes found. Especially in soft-water springs, Brachythecium rivulare, Bryum weigelii, Calliergon giganteum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium spp., Rhizomnium spp. and Warnstorfia exannulata are characteristic mosses and Cardamine amara and Montia fontana may characterize the spring influence among vascular plants. Hummocks with, for example, Sphagnum fuscum, Polytrichum strictum, Calluna vulgaris and Empetrum nigrum are sometimes found, with Salix spp., Rhamnus frangula, Betula pubescens or individual cranked Pinus sylvestris.
Indicators of good quality:
Under natural conditions, the water table is close to the peat surface (5-20 cm)
carpets of mosses prevail with abundant short-sedges
Species diversity of vegetation is high reflecting transition between poor fens and rich fens
There are no ditches that drain or disconnect seepage or spring flow from the upper drainage area to the mire
Tree growth is limited to scattered individuals on hummocks or margins
Overgrowth by acidophilic Sphagnum spp. or by generalist tall sedges.

Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Agrostis canina, A. capillaris, Allium sibiricum, Andromeda polifolia, Betula nana, Calamagrostis stricta, Cardamine pratensis, Carex canescens, C. diandra, C. dioica, C. lasiocarpa, C. magellanica ssp. irrigua, Crepis paludosa, Dactylorhiza incarnata, D. maculata, D. traunsteinerii, Drosera rotundifolia, D. longifolia, Epilobium alsinifolium, E. palustre, Eriophorum angustifolium, E. scheuchzeri,  Equisetum palustre, Hammarbya paludosa, Huperzia selago, Juncus filiformis, Parnassia palustris, Pedicularis palustris, Potentilla erecta, Rhynchospora fusca, Salix herbacea, Selaginella selaginoides, Trichophorum  alpinum, T. cespitosum, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Viola palustris
Mosses: Aulacomnium palustre, Brachythecium rivulare, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, B. weigelii, Calliergon cordifolium, C. giganteum, Calliergonella cuspidata, Chiloskyphus polyanthos, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Helodium blandowii, Hypnum pratense, Loeskypnum badium, Marchantia polyanthos, Mniobryum wahlenbergii, Paludella squarrosa, Plagiomnium medium, P. ellipticum, P. undulatum, Philonotis fontana, P. seriata, Pseudobryum cinclioides, Rhizomnium magnifolium, R. pseudopunctatum, Scapania paludicola, Scorpidium revolvens, Sphagnum aongstroemii, S. flexuosum, S. magellanicum, S. obtusum, S. papillosum, S. subnitens, S. subsecundum, S. teres, S. warnstorfii, Straminergon stramineum, Trichocolea tomentella, Warnstorfia fluitans, W. exannulata, W. sarmentosa

Classification:
EUNIS:
D2.2 Poor fens and soft-water spring mires
EuroVegChecklist:
Caricion fuscae Koch 1926
Caricion remotae Kastner 1941z
Cardamino-Montion Br.-Bl. 1926
Annex 1:
7140 Transition mires and quaking bogs
7150 Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion
7160 Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and springfens
Emerald:
D2.226 Peri-Danubian black-white-star sedge fens
D2.3 Transition mires and quaking bogs
MAES-2:
Wetlands
IUCN:
5.4 Bogs, marshes, swamps, fens, peatlands.

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
This is a widespread and very variable type that is mainly dependent on local hydrology like the recharge of non-calcareous ground water but it includes certain subtypes that are outstanding examples of biogeographic regions, e.g. boreal-alpine intermediate fens.

Map Description:
The habitat is quite widespread in Europe, being most common in Scandinavia and in cold non-calcareous mountains of temperate Europe. It further occurs in lowe altitudes of Central (Germany, Czech Republic, the Alps, Massif Central) and Southern (Bulgaria, Spaain), where a more species-rich type with grassland species does occur. The map is rather incomplete (a.o. in Romania and Norway), but the potential distribution is given for the EU28 based on HT7140 distribution. Data sources: EVA, ART17.

Trends in Quantity:
The general trend is decreasing. The data indicates recent trend of decline by 28% and, though the historic trend cannot be reliably assessed, it has probably been a remarkable decrease, since these habitats have been cleared for agricultural land and drained for forestry, as they provide more fertile soils than bogs. The total area is governed by Finland and Sweden, where decline is estimated between 20-40%.

Trends in Quality:
Slight to moderate decrease of quality is reported over more than one third of the assessed total area. The Finnish and Swedish data dominate the assessment and input is missing from several countries with stronger general quality decrease of mires. Already historic decline may have been significant but data is insufficient.

Pressures and Threats:
Main pressures and threats are different types of hydrological modifications like canalizations, ditchings and ground water abstraction. Increase of nutrients due to fertilisation and nitrogen deposition and connected succession are other main threat factors. Few minor threats are mentioned: overgrazing and peat extraction.

Conservation and Management:
Establishing protected areas and restoration by improving hydrological regime of disturbed sites are the main approaches.

Conservation Status:
7140  ALP FV, ATL U2, BOR, U1, CON U1, PAN U2
7150  ALP U2, ATL U2, BOR U1, CON U2, MED U1
7160  ALP FV, BOR U2, CON U2

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
When severely damaged in terms of hydrological disturbance, restoration by blocking and damming ditches can be effective in habitat recovery. Problems may arise if the hydrological connection to ground water supply from the catchment is not regained or if nutrient mineralisation causes eutrophication. If loss of key species like characteristic mosses has taken place, reintroduction by transplantatiing should be considered, as well as active measures to suppress overgrowing by unwanted plant cover.

Summary:
These weakly acidic minerotrophic mires occur on peats fed from upper catchments by diffuse seepage of non-calcareous ground water discharged via springs and they occur widely through temperate Europe, though at higher altitudes in the warmer south. The vegetation is typically dominated by a carpet of brown mosses and Sphagna of more minerotrophic situations, small sedges and associated herbs, though generally without rich- fen indicators, and sometimes with drier hummocks on which sub-shrubs and occasional trees can be found. Dependent on constant flow of uncontaminated ground water, they are vulnerable to interruptions of hydrological conditions, pollution/eutrophication and peat extraction and have declined widely over the past 50 years, probably much more in longer historic time, with widespread loss of quality. Conservation depends on maintenance or restoration of the underlying hydrological system and control of throughput of contaminated waters.

References:
Barthelmes A, Couwenberg J, Risager M, Tegetmeyer C and Joosten H 2015. Peatlands and Climate in a Ramsar context A Nordic-Baltic Perspective. TemaNord 2015: 544.
European Environment Agency. Habitats Directive Article 17 Reporting. 7140 : Transition mires and quaking bogs.
European Environment Agency. Habitats Directive Article 17 Reporting. 7150 Depressions on peat surface of the Rhynchosporion.
European Environment Agency. Habitats Directive Article 17 Reporting. 7160 Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and springfens .
Fremstad E 1997. Vegetatsjonstyper in Norge. NINA Temahafte 12: 1-279.
Gunnarsson, U & Löfroth, M 2009. Våtmarksinventeringen – resultat från 25 års inventeringar. Nationell slutrapport  för våtmarksinventeringen (VMI) i Sverige. NATURVÅRDSVERKET Rapport 5925.
Jeglum, J, Sandring, S, Christensen, P, Glimskär, A, Allard, A, Nilsson, L & Svensson, J 2014. Main ecosystem characteristics and distribution of wetlands in boreal and alpine landscapes in the northern Sweden under climate change. In Grillo, O & Venora, G (eds.) Ecosystem Biodiversity, Intech, pp. 193-218.

Criterion A Text:
An area decline of 28% is indicated in recent 50 years in EU28. A1 limits are estimated to be 22-42% based on ranges of values given in data entries. Since data of area decline are missing from several countries (e.g. Latvia, Ireland, Denmark) with presumably stronger declines than in the Nordic countries that dominate total area, the decline may be underestimated. It is considered that better data availability would rise the estimated decline and passing the threshold of greater than 30% recent area decline is likely. This is supported by the estimated upper bound to A1. Therefore the habitat type is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) in EU28 based on criterion A1. In Norway, a substantial area of this type is reported with 15% recent decline in area, which lowers the estimated area decline to 24% in EU28+ and Near Threatened (NT) assessment is therefore concluded for EU28+, as the lack of data from many countries with stronger decline affects also the EU28+ assessment.

Criterion B Text:
Ongoing decrease is indicated by most data entries and threatening processes are expected to continue. Geographic distribution is very large, however, and the assessment under B criteria is hence Least Concern (LC).

Criterion C/D Text:
The criterion C/D1 is the only quality-criterion with sufficient data for assessment. European extent of 39% for quality decline of 45% severity was indicated by average calculation from the data, indicating Near Threatened (NT) status. The extent of degradation is very uncertain and the VU-threshold might be crossed with better data. Data was lacking of quality trends from Norway, which has significant area of the habitat, and therefore EU28+ assessment was not possible under C/D criteria.

Synthesis:
The habitat type is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) in EU28 and Near Threatened in EU28+ based on declines in area over the last 50 years (criterion A1). In the case of EU28+, the assessment is corrected for a considered and likely underestimation of the calculated 28% decline of area during past 50 years. The criterion C/D1 indicated Near Threatened (NT) but it is also quite close to the Vulnerable threshold. The data provide quite good cover over Europe but many entries lacked details. The Swedish data were especially influencial and these were combined with literature sources, since this habitat is not separated in Swedish national inventories.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
There are many subtypes that would call for separate assessments on a more local level. The subtypes mainly concern different vegetation types as depicted by the range of fen alliances included under the EuroVegChecklist classification.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: T. Tahvanainen
Territorial data:  M. Hájek, L. AuniÅ†a, R. Delarze, J. Janssen, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, J.Capelo & D. Espírito-Santo, P. Perrin, D.  Paelinckx, P. Frankard, J.Paal, E. Leibak, Alexis Mikolajczak, D. Paternoster, T. Kontula, A. Ssymank, P. Finck, U. Raths, U. Riecken, E. Agrillo, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini,F. Attorre, G. Buffa, L. Casella, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, C. Marcenò, G. Pezzi, R. Venanzoni, D. Viciani, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, G. Buffa, J. Šibík, Z. KÄ…cki, B. Nygaard, V. RašomaviÄius, ÄŒarni/Juvan, J.A.Molina, P Ivanov, T. Tahvanainen, E. Weeda
Working Group Mires & bogs: C. Bita-Nicholae, F. Jansen, M. Hájek & T. Tahvanainen


Habitat Type Name:
E1.F Azorean open dry, acid to neutral grassland

Habitat Description:
Non-grazed perennial grasslands of rocky outcrops and slopes dominated by strictly Azorean endemic grasses, hemicryptophytes and dwarf chamaephytic forbs. The majority of the non-woody vascular Azorean endemics are found in this habitat. The habitat can be divided in subtypes that are different in substrate, geomorphology and bioclimate, and thus in species composition, vegetation structure and dominance.  It spans from the thermomediterranean (Santa Maria and SW of São Miguel Islands only) and thermotemperate to the supratemperate belts of the Azorean biogeographical Province. Two main subtypes can be distinguished:
Subtype #1. Open grasslands with scattered megaphorbs dominated or co-dominated by combinations of Deschampsia foliosa, Festuca francoi (=F. jubata), Holcus rigidus, Agrostis azorica, Leontodon rigens and Leontodon filii. They grow in meso-supratemperate climate (i.e. in altitudes above 300 m.), in nutrient-poor, acid soils, either in steep earthy or rocky slopes subject to gravitational disturbance, slope deposits with peat formation or under the permanent influence of gusting winds. Pioneer versions can be found colonizing former biotopes, like blanket bogs that were removed by catastrophic mass movements. The subtype contacts with vegetation of Azorean Juniperus woodland (G3.9c) and Azorean heath (F4.3).
Subtype #2. Low-altitude (thermomediterranean and thermotemperate) open grasslands of cliffs and landslide scarps, either in rock outcrops or earthy platforms between rocks, dominated by combinations of Agrostis congestiflora subsp. congestiflora, Festuca petraea, Holcus rigidus and Brachypodium gaditanum. The main contacts are woody vegetation of Picconia azorica and/or Pittosporum undulatum (alliance Myrico fayae-Pittosporion, habitat G2.3) and Azorean heath (F4.3).
The enormous extent of zooanthropic swards of introduced grasses in the Azores, used for dairy production, is a severe threat to the endemic grasslands. Soil tilling followed by cattle grazing causes immediate destruction of the endemic habitat type and its permanent substitution by alien-dominated swards. Also, even if endemic grasslands are preserved well in sites far from artificial swards, alien flora tends to invade them by seed dispersal, leading to invasion of endemic grassland by alien grasses with similar ecological requirements and genetic contamination of Azorean endemics by taxonomically close relatives (i.e. aliens of the same genus). The main alien grasses of artificial swards are Anthoxantum odoratum, Holcus lanatus, Dactylis glomerata and Agrostis castellana. Some other frequent aliens are Lotus pedunculatus, Rumex conglomeratuss, Crepis lampsanoides and Hypochaeris glabra. Ecological integrity of Azorean endemic grasslands is beste maintained by exclusion of man-induced disturbances and keeping distance to zooanthropogenic swards.
Indicators of good quality:
absence of alien plant species
no human disturbances

Characteristic species:
Flora, Vascular plants:
Common to both subtypes:  Agrostis azorica (dom.), Brachypodium gaditanum (dom.), Carex guthnickiana, Carex vulcani, Centaurium scilloides, Holcus rigidus (dom.), Luzula purpureo-splendens, Lysimachia azorica, Scabiosa nitens and Tolpis azorica.
Characteristic of subtype #1: Deschampsia foliosa (dom.), Festuca francoi (=F. jubata sensu auct. az. non Lowe) (dom.), Leontodon rigens, Holcus rigidus (dom.), Leontodon filii, Agrostis botelhoi, Agrostis congestiflora subsp. oreophylla, Carex punctata, Euphrasia azorica, Euphrasia grandiflora, Myosotis azorica and Veronica dabneyi.
Characteristic of subtype #2: Agrostis congestiflora subsp. congestiflora (dom.), Agrostis gracililaxa, Carex hochstetterana, Daucus carota subsp. azoricus, Euphorbia azorica, Festuca petraea (dom.) and Tolpis succulenta.

Classification:
EUNIS:
- (No clear correspondence to any of the types of EUNIS classification level 3)
EuroVegChecklist:
Festucion francoi
Tolpido succulentae-Agrostion congestiflorae
Annex 1:
6180 Macaronesian mesophile grasslands
Emerald:
E2.15 Macaronesian mesic grassland
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
This habitat type is restricted to the Azores archipelago, being dominated and characterized by strictly Azorean endemic species.

Map Description:
The map is likely to be complete. Data sources: Art17.

Trends in Quantity:
Although no accurate data on historical reduction are available it is estimated that a severe reduction (more than 50%) has taken place since the colonization of settlers in the 15th century. The reduction was caused because of the intensification of grazing which led to the replacement of endemic flora by the introduced continental flora. In the last 50 years a high reduction has also taken place due to macroeconomic settings and policies that favored the enormous increase of dairy products and cow husbandry. These policies led to the increase of the area of intensive swards with very heavy nitrogen mineral fertilization which are composed of semi-nitrophyllous species (e.g. Hocus lanatus, Mentha suaveolens) and some alien grasses (e.g. Sporobolus africanus, Dactylis glomerata). The extent of reduction in quantity from 1974 is estimated at - 53 % on the basis of agricultural statistics. Present habitat’s area is expected not to be reduced because of the conservation measures that have been implemented.

Trends in Quality:
No quantitative data are available on the quality of habitat. However, it is estimated that a reduction higher than 30% has been taken place because of the deterioration of the composition and structure of the original meadows that has been altered by the invasion of alien species. Decrease in quality is estimated to have continued during the last 50 years. Current and future trends in quality may be considered as stable because of the conservation measures that have been implemented from the one hand, and the lack of the ability of endemic species to over-compete the alien species and thus to regain their distribution in areas where have been replaced, on the other hand.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
100% of the habitat area lies whithin the EU28.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The range of the habitat (EOO) is smaller than 50.000 Km2 (the threshold for criterion B1) and the area has highly been reduced (-53%) during the last 50 years. Nowadays, the reduction has probably a small rate due to the conservation polici

Justification of Restricted Area:
The range is small as the habitat is geographically restricted to the archipelago of the Azores.

Pressures and Threats:
The most serious threats are replacement by alien continental flora and land-use convertion of natural meadows to intensive nitrogen-driven swards with cattle. Even if replacement ceases, alien flora has competitive habitity to overcome azorean endemics. Even natural disturbance, like gravitational disturbance (landslide and solifluction) might favour alien grasses (e.g. Sporobolus africanus, Agrostis castellana).

Conservation and Management:
Most important management approaches are:
Conservation of meadow habitats that will be designated as reserves, with strict protection.
Restoring of marginal, less intensive swards, which still host endemic species by ceasing cattle grazing and fertilization.
Implementation of a monitoring scheme.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Ceasing of grazing and fertilization in marginal areas that still host endemic species may help the gradual restoration of the habitat. The time period needed for the full restoration of characteristic species composition and structure is estimated to be long.

Summary:
This habitat of ungrazed grasslands, with mixtures of grasses, herbs and mat-formers, including and dominated by many endemics, is confined to the Azores where it is characteristic of rocky slopes, ledges and landslips with nutrient-poor acid soils. The species composition varies according to the altitude and climate, rock type and stability of the terrain. Introduction of cattle and a recent increase in dairying threatens the habitat by reducing its extent and stimulating invasion of aliens and protection is needed for the small scattered localities.

References:
Costa, J.C., Neto, C., Aguiar, C. Capelo, J., Espirito-Santo, M.D., Honrado, J. Pinto-Gomes, C., Monteiro-Henriques, T., Sequira, M. and Lousã, M. 2012. Vascular Plant Communities in Portugal (continental, Azores & Madeira). Global Geobotany 2: 1 -180.

Criterion A Text:
Reduction in quantity is estimated on the basis of agricultural statistics since 1974 and the evidence of changes in cultural practices from semi-extensive cattle grazing to heavy nitrogen-driven swards. Future trends are considered as stable because of the conservation policies that have been already implemented.

Criterion B Text:
The EOO and AOO are both below the thresholds for criterion B1 and B2, respectively. Slight further decreases in quality and quantity may be expected due to the everywhere presence of alien species in the region of the habitat. As far as conservation measures start to be implemented the actual and future trends are expected to become stable. The combination of small geographical distribution (both for EOO and AOO) and continuing negative trends, lead to the category Vulnerable (VU) for both B1 and B2. The number of locations is unknown.

Criterion C/D Text:
Altgough a proportion of marginal (less intensive) grazing land where endemic species could have coexisted with aliens, a value for the extent is not possible to evaluate.

Synthesis:
A large extent of reduction in the last 50 years was estimated (-53%), yielding criterion A1 applying to the Endangered (EN) status. This decline was a result of large expansion of nitrogen-driven intensive swards grazed by cattle. Historical reduction (criterion A3) was estimated to be at least 50%, resulting in a Vulnerable (VU) status. The same category (VU) results from a restricted distribution (EOO=39000 km2, AOO=23 grid cells) in combination with a continuing decline. Conservation actions were taken and trends are estimated to stabilise in the future.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
The sub-habitats referred to in the description would be worth to consider in the future.

Contributors:
Description: J. Capelo
Territorial data: J. Capelo, D. Espírito-Santo, with collaboration of C. Aguiar
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E3.1a Mediterranean tall humid inland grassland

Habitat Description:
Mediterranean humid herb communities dominated by rushes (Scirpus holoschoenus) and tall grasses, common in depressions with wet soils, on both siliceous and calcareous terrain. The water table remains permanently near to the surface but is subject to strong seasonal fluctuations, experiencing a lower level during summer and a higher in the rainy season, although the habitat is never or very rarely flooded. It is more frequent in areas under a predominantly stock-rearing system, being thus more abundant in siliceous regions. It is widespread in the entire Mediterranean basin, extending as far as the coasts of the Black Sea and the Balkans, north to Romania. This habitat has been traditionally grazed in the areas where summer pastures dry out and cattle and sheep have to graze humid pastures in the dry season. However, it is not dependent on grazing and its sustainability can be assured without this intervention.
Indicators of good quality:
Domination by a complete and dense cover of reeds (Scirpus holoschoenus) and grasses

High plant species diversity

Absence of shrubs, particularly willows, ashes or poplars, indicating initial stages of succession towards forest

No signs of heavy grazing.


Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis reuteri, Alopecurus arundinaceus subsp. castellanus, Blackstonia perfoliata, Carex mairii, Centaurea jacea subsp. vinyalsii, Cirsium monspessulanum, Cirsium pyreanicum subsp. micranthum, Cirsium pyrenaicum subsp. pyrenaicum, Cochlearia glastifolia, Cochlearia megalosperma, Cyperus eragrostis, Dorycnium rectum, Erica erigena, Euphorbia hirsuta, Festuca arundinacea subsp. mediterranea, Festuca fenas, Galium debile, Genista tinctoria, Hypericum caprifolium, Hypericum hircinum subsp. cambessedesii, Hypericum pubescens, Hypericum tetrapterum, Hypericum tomentosum, Juncus striatus, Linum tenue, Lysimachia ephemerum, Melilotus indicus, Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea, Oenanthe lachenalii, Oenanthe pimpinelloides, Peucedanum hispanicum, Phalaris aquatica, Prunella vulgaris, Pulicaria dysenterica var. ramossisima, Ranunculus bulbosus subsp. aleae, Ranunculus granatensis, Ranunculus macrophyllus, Senecio doria, Sonchus aquatilis, Schoenus nigricans, Scirpus holoschoenus (Holoschoenus vulgaris),Scrophularia balbisii subsp. valentina, Serapias vomeracea, Sonchus maritimus subsp. aquatilis, Succisella andreae-molinae, Tetragonolobus maritimus var. hirsutus, Thalictrum flavum, Thalictrum minus subsp. matritense, Thalictrum speciosissimum.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E3.1 Mediterranean tall humid grassland
EuroVegChecklist:
Molinio-Holoschoenion Br.-Bl. ex Tchou 1948
Annex 1:
6420 Mediterranean tall humid grasslands
6460 Peat grasslands of Troodos
Emerald:
E3.1 Mediterranean tall humid grassland
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate Grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The distribution is strongly related to the distinctive Mediterranean climate, in particular the effects of seasonal rainfall on fluctuations in the soil water table.

Map Description:
The map is largely complete for EU, but with with data gaps along the eastern Adriatic coast, and probably overestimation in coastal dune sites. Sources: EVA, Art17.

Comment EU28:
Most of this habitat is in Italy and Spain

Trends in Quantity:
Where an assessment has been made, the recent historical trend is for a decrease of less than 30% and, in Bulgaria and Romania, there is evidence that this has been a longer term shift.  Only these countries and Spain make a qualitative assessment of likely future change and that is for a continuing decrease in extent.

Trends in Quality:
In recent historical time, there has been a slight-severe decline in the biotic and abiotic quality of this habitat over part up to a high proportion of its extent.  Longer term historical data are lacking and no assessments of future change are provided.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
There has been a reduction in extent but the overall range is probably largely unchanged.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat is widespread through the entire Mediterranean basin.

Pressures and Threats:
The main threats to this habitat are from development of settlements, associated infrastructure and the consequences of habitation such as pollution, together with, in some places, intensification of farming.  The impact has been patchy, locally intensive but overall moderate.  In some localities, the pressures will remain.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1 types:
6420: ALP U1, ATL U1, BLS U2, CON U1, MAC FV, MED U1
6460: MED FV

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Recovery depends greatly on the feasibility of restoring the distinctive hydrological conditions.

Summary:
This habitat comprises rush- and grass-dominated vegetation of seasonally water-logged soils, both base-rich and acidic, throughout the Mediterranean basin.  Though not dependent on grazing, it can be a valuable source of fodder for cattle and sheep during summer when other pastures are dried up.  Intensification of farming and conversion to arable cropping can threaten this habitat but more widespread is loss to increased human settlements and their associated infrastructure, including changes to the distinctive hydrology on which the habitat depends.  Reduction in extent is not substantial, though likely to continue, and the biotic and abiotic habitat quality is declining.

References:
Assini, S., Filipponi, F., and Zucca, F., 2014. Land cover changes in an abandoned agricultural land in the Northern Apennine (Italy) between 1954 and 2008: Spatio-temporal dynamics. Plant Biosystems. doi: 10.1080/11263504.2014.983202
Biondi, E., and Bagella, S., 2005. Vegetazione e paesaggio vegetale dell’arcipelago di La Maddalena (Sardegna nord-orientale). Fitosociologia 42(2) suppl.1: 1-99.
Biondi, E., Blasi, C., Burrascano, S., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Galdenzi, D., Gigante, D., Lasen, C., Spampinato, G., Venanzoni, R., and Zivkovic, L. 2009. Manuale Italiano di interpretazione degli habitat della Direttiva 92/43/CEE. Società Botanica Italiana. Ministero dell’Ambiente e della tutela del territorio e del mare, D.P.N. http://vnr.unipg.it/habitat/
Biondi, E., Burrascano, S., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Galdenzi, D., Gigante, D., Lasen, C., Spampinato, G., Venanzoni, R., Zivkovic, L., and Blasi, C. 2012. Diagnosis and syntaxonomic interpretation of Annex I Habitats (Dir. 92/43/EEC) in Italy at the alliance level. Plant Sociology 49: 5-37.
Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, 2012 - N2000 Sites Management Plans; http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/it/eu/art17/envupyjhw; ftp://ftp.dpn.minambiente.it/Natura2000/TrasmissioneCE_2014/
Rivas-Martínez, S. and coauthors 2011. Mapa de series, geoseries y geopermaseries de vegetación de España [Memoria del mapa de vegetación potencial de España]. Parte II. Itinera Geobotanica 18 (1 and 2): 5-800.Gussev (2011).

Criterion A Text:
Quantitative estimates of loss have been calculated based on data from only Italy and Portugal.

Criterion B Text:
The EOO and probably the AOO do not come close to the thresholds for B1/2, although there is a continuing decline in extent (B1/2Ai) and biotic/abiotic quality (B1/2Aii & iii) due to ongoing agricultural change and modification of drainage, threats which remain (B1/2b). Also the number of location is large (B3).

Criterion C/D Text:
Quantitative data are available only for Bulgaria and Italy and there the threshold for VU is not closely approached.

Synthesis:
The small amount of available quantitative data supports an evaluation of Least Concern (LC), despite a continuing decline in quantity and quality and of several threats the habitat faces.

Contributors:
Type description: J. Loidi
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, O. Aragnon, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, F. Attorre, S. Bagella, G. Buffa, C. Bita-Nicolae, J. Capelo, L. Casella, P. Dimopoulos, D. Espírito-Santo, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, G. Pezzi, S. Sciandrello, D. Viciani
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E3.2a Mediterranean short moist grassland of lowlands

Habitat Description:
These humid meadows occur in the Mediterranean region on clayey soils, often vertisols which experience a strong oscillatory regime in the water table level, with sharp seasonal dry-wet cycles. Winter flood is followed by summer drought and the swelling clay expands and contracts until it splits apart in narrow cracks, the typical appearance in summer. Historically, they have been intensively grazed.
The habitat can be considered a western vicariant of habitat E3.3 Submediterranean moist grassland.
Indicators of good quality:
A medium to short grassy sward with associated herbs irregularly scattered, sometimes forming an open cover over the cracked soil surface

High species richness with even distribution and abundance

Absence of species related to intense grazing

No visible anthropogenic disturbances due to intensive trampling


Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Achillea ageratum, Agrostis stolonifera var. gaditana, Festuca asperifolia, Centaurea jacea subsp. approximata, Cirsium rosulatum, Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. subtriflora, Deschampsia media, Festuca arundinacea subsp. atlantigena, Gaudiniafragilios var. verticicola, Gentianella hispanica, Hordeum bulbosum , Jasonia tuberosa, Leucanthemum aligulatum, Phalaris coerulescens, Plantago serpentina, Prunella hyssopifolia, Sanguisorba lateriflora, Senecio carpetanus, Seseli elatum, Trifolium lappaceum

Classification:
EUNIS:
E3.2 Mediterranean short humid grassland
EuroVegChecklist:
Deschampsion mediae Br.-Bl. et al. 1952 nom. conserv. propos.
Gaudinio fragilis-Hordeion bulbosi Galán de Mera et al. 1997
Annex 1:
- (a vicariant habitat has been described under 6540 for south-eastern Europe)
Emerald:
-
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate Grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The distribution is strongly related to the distinctive Mediterranean climate.

Map Description:
The map is complete for Spain, but with data gaps in Portugal and France. Data: NAT, EVA.

Trends in Quantity:
Figures are lacking but the estimate is of a slight decrease in extent in recent historical time which is expected to continue into the future.

Trends in Quality:
There has been a slight decrease in abiotic and/or biotic quality across some of this habitat in the recent past, continuing now and expected to continue into the future.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
There may have been a reduction in extent but the overall range is probably largely unchanged.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat is widespread through the western Mediterranean basin.

Pressures and Threats:
The threats of development of settlements and associated infrastructures, together with shifts in farming practice, have had only small or localized impacts on the quantity and quality of this habitat which is somewhat protected by its association with wet situations and uncongenial soils.

Conservation and Management:
Most important is the continudation of traditional mowing and grazing regimes.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Restoration depends greatly on the feasibility of restoring the distinctive hydrological conditions.

Summary:
This habitat comprises short species-rich grassy swards, traditionally sustained by heavy grazing, on clay soils which, in the Mediterranean climate, experience seasonal waterlogging with distinctive surface cracking in the dry summer. Shifts in farming practice and the spread of human settlements appear to have had only local effects on the extent and quality of the habitat which is somewhat protected by the uncongenial terrain.

References:
Biondi, E., Blasi, C., Allegrezza, M., Anzellotti, I., Azzella, M.M., Carli, E., Casavecchia, S., Copiz, R., Del Vico, E., Facioni, L., Galdenzi, D., Gasparri, R., Lasen, C., Pesaresi, S., Poldini, L., Sburlino, G., Taffetani, F., Vagge, I., Zitti, S., and Zivkovic, L. 2014. Plant communities of Italy: The Vegetation Prodrome. Plant Biosystems 148(4): 728-814. doi: 10.1080/11263504.2014.948527
LaTorre, P., Andres, V., Casimirio-Sorigner Solanas, F. & Cabezido, B. 2014. Pradaeras hygrófiles de Deschampsion mediae en el subsector Torcalense (sector Antequerrano, Malága, España). Acta Botanica Malacitana 39: 270-274.
Rivas-Martínez, S. et al. 2011. Mapa de series, geoseries y geopermaseries de vegetación de España [Memoria del mapa de vegetación potencial de España]. Parte II. Itinera Geobotanica 18 (1 and 2): 5-800.
Torres, J.A., Garcia-Fuentes, A., Salazar, C., Melendo, M., & Cano, A. 2000. Contribuciones al conocimiento de la alianza Deschampsion mediae Br.-Bl. In Br.-Bl. et al 1952 en la Sierras Subbéticas del Sur de la Península Ibérica.  Acta Botanica Malacitana 25: 219-227.

Criterion A Text:
There is insufficient data to calculate average trends in Europe, but slight decreases have been reported from Spain, Portugal and France, and decreases from Italy. Such data do not seem to meet the thresholds for Vulnerable ot Near Threatened.

Criterion B Text:
EOO, AOO and number of locations exceed the thresholds for criteria B1 B2 and B3.

Criterion C/D Text:
There is insufficient data to make any kind of calculation, but the few indicated trends in quality are 'not severe' and 'slight to moderate'. The conclusion is Data Deficient, but a Least Concern average value is likely.

Synthesis:
There is insufficient information to calculate average trends for Europe, but the widespread distribution, and reported slight declines in area are arguments for an assessment Least Concern (LC).

Contributors:
Type description: J. Loidi
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, O. Argagnon, F. Attore, L. Casella, D. Gigante, J. Loidi, F. Viciani
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E3.2b Mediterranean short moist grassland of mountains

Habitat Description:
High mountain evergreen pastures of the western Mediterranean dominated by tussocky grasses such as Nardus stricta and Festuca microphylla (= Festuca nigrescens subsp. microphylla), located in moist places such as depressions experiencing long-lasting snow cover and even a certain water stagnation. The vegetation cover is near to closed with the grasses forming a continuous sward.  As they remain green and productive during summer, those meadows constitute an important resource for the transhumant flocks of sheep and cows which spend the summer at high altitudes.  In the Sierra Nevada these grasslands are called borreguiles, derived from borrego, sheep, while in the rest of the areas receive the name of cervunales. This name is derived from the pasto cervuno or cebruno, the Spanish name of Nardus stricta, as it was the main grass which was the pasture of an extint Iberian endemic equidae, called Zebro (Equus hydruntinus).
The grasslands occur in the central and southern Iberian siliceous mountains of the Cordillera Central, Sierra Nevada and northern Iberian System, extending to the neighboring North African mountains of the Rif and Atlas.  They also occur in the high mountains of Corsica on slightly drier sites than the D2.2b Relict mires of Medi-terranean mountains dominated by Carex intricata.
Indicators of good quality:
Closed carpet-like sward without open soil patches due to intensive grazing or trampling

Dominance of grasses, such as Nardus or Festuca, combined with an even representation of the other herbaceous species

Absence of nitrophilous species indicative of very heavy grazing pressure


Characteristic species:
Vascular plants in the Iberian Peninsula:  Nardus stricta, Agrostis nevadensis, Allium schoenoprasum subsp. gredense, Allium schoenoprasum subsp. latiorifolium, Armeria splendens, Campanula herminii, Carex furva, Cirsium gregarium, Dactylis juncinella, Deschampsia refracta subsp. gredensis, Dianthus langeanus subsp. gredensis, Dianthus lusitanus subsp. legionensis, Erodium carvifolium, Festuca henriquesii, Festuca iberica, Festuca microphylla, Festuca rothmaleri, Galium saxatile, Gentiana boryi, Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp. depressa, Gentiana verna subsp. sierrae, Hieracium pilosela subsp. tricholepium, Jasione laevis subsp. carpetana, Jasione laevis subsp. gredensis, Juncus squarrosus, Leontodon carpetanus subsp. carpetanus, Leontodon carpetanus subsp. nevadensis, Lotus glacialis, Lotus glareosus, Luzula campestris subsp. carpetana, Luzula hispanica subsp. nevadensis, Meum athamanticum subsp. nevadense, Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. graellsii, Narcissus bulbocodium subsp. nivalis, Phleum abbreviatum, Plantago alpina subsp. penyalarensis, Plantago nivalis, Plantago radicata subsp. granatensis, Poa alpina subsp. legionensis, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla nevadensis subsp. condensata, Potentilla recta subsp. asturica, Potentilla reuteri, Ranunculus abnormis, Ranunculus acetosellifolius, Ranunculus bulbosus subsp. castellanus, Ranunculus cacuminalis, Ranunculus demissus var. hispanicus, Sagina nevadensis, Sedum melanantherum, Trifolium nevadense.
Vascular plants in Corsica:  Anthoxanthum odoratum, Bellium bellidioides, Botrychium matricariifolium, Botrychium simplex, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flava subsp. nevadensis, Carex nigra ssp. intricata, Carex ovalis, Carex pallescens, Colchicum alpinum subsp. parvulum, Cynosurus cristatus, Danthonia decumbens, Luzula spicata subsp. italica, Potentilla anglica subsp. nesogenes, Ophioglossum azoricum, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Plantago subulata var. insularis (=Plantago sarda var. alpinoides), Polygala serpyllifolia, Sagina pilifera, Potentilla anglica subsp. nesogenes, Potentilla erecta, Poa supina, Veronica serpyllifolia subsp. repens

Classification:
EUNIS:
E3.2 Mediterranean short humid grassland
EuroVegChecklist:
Plantaginion nivalis Quézel 1953 (Sierra Nevada)
Sieglingion decumbentis Gamisans 1976 (Corsica)
Campanulo hermini-Nardion strictae Rivas-Mart. 1964 (Central Iberian mountains)
Annex 1:
(In France possibly included under 6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands)
Emerald:
E1.83 Mediterraneo-montane Nardus stricta swards
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4 Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The distribution is strongly related to the distinctive western Mediterranean climate and the particular transhumance pastoralism of the region, being the summer pastures for the sheep flocks spending the dry period in the high mountain.

Map Description:
The map is complete for Spain and Corsica, but with data gaps for Portugal. Data: NAT, EVA.

Comment EU28:
Over 95% of this habitat is in Spain and we have no data from Corsica.

Trends in Quantity:
Long-term historical trend is unknown but in more recent time, the habitat has been stable in Spain and has increased modestly in extent in Portugal. In future, the situation is expected to be stable.

Trends in Quality:
Apart from an assessment of present stability, no information is available about past or likely future changes in quality.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Likely 95% of the habitat is within the EU28, but a certain representation is also in the northern Moroccan mountains of Rif and Atlas.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The limited range is related to the combination of distinctive climate and regional pastoral tradition.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The limited range is related to the combination of distinctive climate and regional pastoral tradition.

Pressures and Threats:
Most important threat is the abandonment of traditional grazing.

Conservation and Management:
Continuation of traditional grazing is the most important conservation activity.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Restoration depends greatly on the feasibility of restoring the distinctive hydrological conditions at high altitude in the face of a changing climate.

Summary:
This habitat comprises grass-dominated vegetation typical of moist ground at high altitudes in the west Mediterranean. Remaining green through the summer, these pastures provide valuable grazing for transhumant cattle and sheep. Abandonment of traditional pastoral systems, as well as off-piste skiing and climate change, threaten their sustainability. However, at present, extent and quality appear still stable.

References:
Gamisans, J. 1999. La Végétation de la Corse. Réédition. Édisud, Aix-en-Provence.
Rivas Goday, S. & Rivas-Martínez, S. 1963. Estudio y clasificación de los pastizales españoles. Publicaciones del Ministerio de Agricultura. Madrid. 269 pp.
Rivas-Martínez, S. and coauthors 2011. Mapa de series, geoseries y geopermaseries de vegetación de España [Memoria del mapa de vegetación potencial de España]. Parte II. Itinera Geobotanica 18 (1 and 2): 5-800.

Criterion A Text:
The situation is stable in Spain and there has been a modest increase in recent times in Portugal.  Data on present and past extent are lacking from Corsica. Overall, as the area is Corsica seems relatively small, the trend is stable.

Criterion C/D Text:
The trend in quality over the last 50 years is stable in Spain and unknown in Portugal. Data from Corsica are lacking. As Spain is likely to have the largest area of this type, it is unlikely that the thresholds for criteria C/D1 are met.

Synthesis:
What little detailed information is available suggests that this habitat is stable in both quantity and quality.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
No sub-habitats have been distinguished for further analysis, but certainly the species composition on the Iberian island differs from that in Corsica.

Contributors:
Type description: J. Loidi
Territorial data: J. Capelo, D. Espirito-Santo, J. Loidi
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Description:
In the humid regions of Europe bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) may form species-poor 1 to 2 meter high stands on deeper, acidic to neutral, well drained, well aerated and poor to relatively fertile soils. The associated species assemblage may vary depending on the context in which the bracken stands develop, particularly with the acidity and fertility of the soil and the density of the cover of fronds. On less acid soils, the herbaceous associates may be those of mesotrophic grasslands and it may be mixed with bramble species (Rubus), scattered scrubs (Crataegus, Prunus) or trees (Fraxinus, Quercus) , forming transitions towards Red List scrubs F3.1b and F3.1e. In other cases it may contain components of heath or acidic grassland, for example Vaccinium myrtillus, Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta or Anthoxanthum odoratum.
Bracken is probably naturally a forest fern held in check by the shade of a canopy of trees and shrubs but it is found as this habitat in forest gaps and clearings, along forest margins, in heathlands, in drained bog areas, on burnt sites, being a component of agricultural or heathland areas and rarely occurring also in coastal dunes. Bracken can colonise open ground in such habitats by spore dispersal, but this is a relatively rare phenomenon. More usually the species expands from existing populations by vegetative rhizome spread, slowly forming larger clonal stands. Once established the species creates a hostile environment for other plants, by producing dense summer shade and large amounts of slowly-rotting litter. The result is a relatively species-poor habitat, not considered of high value from a nature conservation point-of-view. In many cases it is rather considered as a threat to other habitats, like grasslands and heathlands, developing as a result of abandonment of traditional management in which it was often cut and used as bedding for farm animals and also held in check by trampling of cattle.
The main distribution covers the Atlantic and Subatlantic lowlands and mountains of Europe, being most widespread in Ireland, the British Isles and Brittany (France). Further eastwards Pteridium aquilinum is mainly restricted to the humid microclimate of forests. More species-rich tall herb stands dominated by this species are widespread but not very common, and mostly confined to temperate mountains. In boreal and warm Mediterranean regions the conditions are less optimal for the habitat to develop.
Indicators of good quality:
Being part of a landscape mosaic with heathlands, forests and grasslands
No co-dominance of trees and shrubs

Characteristic species:
Flora: Vascular plants: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactyis glomerata, Festuca ovina agg., Galium saxatile, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Potentilla erecta, Pteridium aquilinum, Rosa spp., Rubus idaeus, Rubus ulmifolius, Rubus sect. Rubus, Sarothamnus scoparius, Teucrium scorodium, Ulex europaeus, Vaccinium myrtillus.

Classification:
EUNIS:
No relationship
EuroVegChecklist:
The habitat comprises basal communities of several classes and alliances, including:
Violion caninae Schwickerath 1944 (marginal)
Genisto pilosae-Vaccinion Br.-Bl. 1926 (marginal)
Epilobion angustifolii Oberd. 1957 (marginal)
Lonicero-Rubion silvatici Tx. et Neumann ex Wittig 1977 (marginal)
Pruno spinosae-Rubion ulmifolii O. de Bolòs 1954 (marginal)
Molinio-Quercion roboris Scamoni et Passarge 1959 (marginal)
Annex I:
No relationship
Emerald:
No relationship
MAES-2:
Heathland and shrub
IUCN:
3.4 Temperate shrub

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The type has a wide distribution throughout Europe, with its optimum in the Atlantic regions, recorded from 33 countries.

Map Description:
Map is incomplete in many sites but potential distribution is given for Scandinavia. Data sources: EVA, GBIF.

Trends in Quantity:
The largest area of this habitat type is found in Great Britain, where active management by chemical spraying is carried out to reduce the occupied surface. In other countries the area of the type is stable or increasing and the average trend is EU28: +5.1%, EU28+: +5.4% The calculations are strongly influenced by the data for the UK and France. These two countries are showing an opposite trend, from 10% decrease (UK) to 50% increase (France) over the last 50 years. Future trend (EU28 and EU28+) is probably more or less stable, partly depending on management activities in the Atlantic regions.

Trends in Quality:
The overall quality in the various regions seems to be stable.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Pteridium aquilinum has a worldwide distribution, but it is unknown to what extent outside Europe the species is able to develop Pteridium fields in the sense of the habitat type. Within Europe, more than 90% of the current distribution is situated within EU28. Outside EU28 the habitat type is found, for instance, in Norway.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The types has a wide distribution throughout Europe (it has been recorded from 33 countries). The surface of the sites can be quite large (up to several hectares).

Pressures and Threats:
Pteridium fields are more a problem than a habitat type that needs protection and careful management. Without traditional management, especially in the Atlantic region, bracken is able to overrun other plant communties, like heathlands and grasslands, that are considered more important from a conservation point of view.

Conservation and Management:
When established, Pteridium aquilinum is able to overwhelm the surrounding vegetation, even at the landscape level. This is happening at a large scale in the Atlantic regions of Europe, where measures are being taken to remove the stands of this habitat type instead of supporting it.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The habitat type is generally favoured by human interaction like overgrazing, mining and other disturbances that offers free space to Pteridium aquilinum. When Pteridium fields are damaged, they are able to recover the lost terrain rather easily and quickly,

Summary:
Pteridium aquilinum is naturally a forest fern held in check by the shade of shrubs and trees but, without this cover, and lacking the traditional management of cutting and trampling by cattle, it readily establishes itself as dominant in these bracken stands, overwhelming other vegetation. Spreading vigorously by rhizome extension, the dense shade of the fronds and thick accumulating litter inhibit associated floras, a feature now of many pastoral landscapes less traditionally managed than before. As a consequence of these features, the habitat type is not considered to be of high conservation value. On the contrary, especially in the Atlantic and Subatlantic region of Europe, it can be a threat to other habitats and is sometimes actively controlled by chemical spraying.

References:
Marrs, R.H. and  A.S. Watt, 2006. Biological Flora of the British Isles 245: Pteridium auilinum (L.) Kuhn. Journal of Ecology 94: 1272–1321.
Rodwell, J.S. 1991 (ed.). British Plant Communities. Volume 1, Woodlands and scrub. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Rodwell, J.S. 1992 (ed.). British Plant Communities. Volume 3, Grasslands and montane communities. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Stewart, G., Cox, E., Le Duc, M., Pakeman, R., Pullin, A., Marrs, R. 2008. Control of Pteridium aquilinum: Meta-analysis of a Multi-site Study in the UK. Ann Bot. 101: 957–970.

Criterion B Text:
EOO, AOO and number of locations are above thresholds for evaluating Criterion B.

Synthesis:
This habitat type is not endangered in either EU28 or EU28+.

Contributors:
Type description: J. Janssen
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, F. Attore, S. Bagella, Z. Barina, G. Buffa, J. Capelo, L. Casella, M. Chytrý, J.M. Couvreur, R. Delarze, D. Espírito-Santo, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, P. Finck, J. Janssen, Z. KÄ…cki, M. KoÄí, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, J.R. Martin, V. Matevski, A. Mikolajczak, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, D. Paternoster, D. Paelinckx, G. Pezzi, V. RašomaviÄius, U. Raths, U. Riecken, J. Rodwell, E. Roosaluste, V. RašomaviÄius, S. Rusina, V. Rusakova, S. Sciandrello, Z. Škvorc, A. Ssymank, D. Viciani
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E5.4 Lowland moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringe

Habitat Description:
Tall-herb and fern communities of this habitat type are widespread in the nemoral, boreal and submediterranean parts of Europe. These include stands of tall herbs and ferns in the lowlands, hills and low mountain ranges up to the subalpine zone. In general, this refers to areas below 1,000 meters of  altitude. Such tall herb communities are mostly found along watercourses, in wet meadows and in the shade at the edge of woodlands. The rather species-rich vegetation is dominated by 1 to 1.5 m (sometimes even more than 2 m), tall forbs and grasses, sometimes mixed with lianes such as Calystegia sepium and Cuscuta europaea. Usually the stands cover narrow strips (up to 2–3 m, often narrower). The communities are generally rich in flowers, attracting lots of insects, especially butterflies. The side conditions are moist to wet and generally nitrogen-rich; the substrates are often seasonally or even permanently submerged. As a result, many of the prevailing species may grow both in the water (shallow water 0.10–0.20 m deep) and on over-wet soils. The species composition is diverse, depending on the altitude and location in the landscape, reflecting the composition of the surrounding communities. In floodplains and along running water streams in more hilly regions, mostly on clay and gravel grounds, the communities are characterized by species like Althaea officinalis, Epilobium hirsutum, Eupatorium cannabinum, Symphytum officinale and various species of the genus Angelica, representing alliances of the order Convolvuletalia sepium. As such communities are found widespread over Europe, floristic differences may be observed in line with the geographic distribution (atlantic, subatlantic, boreal, submediterranean and central European). In abandoned meadows and places of secondary origin, e.g. along canals and ponds, ruderal species and neophytes (such as Impatiens glandulifera and Solidago gigantea) are frequent companions. The vegetation here is often assigned to the order Molinietalia. In the shade of the edge of woodlands, in forest clearings on wet soils, and in humid ravines, tall forb communities may develop that show quite some similarity with fringe communities of habitat type E5.2a. Such communities are assigned to the order Circaeo lutetianae-Stachyetalia sylvaticae and may include species like Aegopodium podagraria, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Circaea lutetiana, and Stachys sylvatica. In spite of all this variation, it is not easy and therefore not recommended to define subtypes.
Indicators of good quality:
Lack of invasive species
Dominance of tall-herbs and lianes
Absence of shrubs and trees
No dominance of nitrophilous species like Urtica dioica and Galium aparine
High species richness

Characteristic species:
Flora, Vascular plants: Achillea ptarmica, Aegopodium podagraria, Agrostis stolonifera, Alliaria petiolata, Althaea officinalis, Angelica archangelica, Angelica heterocarpa, Angelica sylvestris, Anthriscus sylvestris, Aristolochia clematitis, Artemisia vulgaris, Aruncus vulgaris, Atriplex sagittata, Ballota nigra, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Calystegia sepium, Calystegia sylvatica, Carduus crispus, Carex pendula, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Chaerophyllum aromaticum, Chaerophyllum hirsutum, Circaea lutetiana, Conyza primulifolia, Crepis paludosa, Cucubalus baccifer, Cuscuta europaea, Cynanchum acutum, Dipsacus fullonum, Dipsacus laciniatus, Dorycnium rectum, Dryopteris filix-mas, Echinochloa crus-galli, Echinocystis lobata, Epilobium hirsutum, Eupatorium cannabinum, Euphorbia lucida, Equisetum ramosissimum, Equisetum telmateia, Fallopia dumetorum, Festuca gigantea, Filipendula ulmaria, Fragaria vesca, Galeopsis speciosa, Galium aparine, Geranium palustre, Geranium phaeum, Geranium robertianum, Geum rivale, Geum urbanum, Glechoma hederacea, Glycyrrhiza echinata, Heracleum sibiricum, Humulus lupulus, Impatiens balfourii, Impatiens glandulifera, Impatiens noli-tangere, Inula helenium, Inula viscosa, Ipomoea sagittata, Lamium maculatum, Lapsana communis, Leersia oryzoides, Leonurus cardiaca, Lycopus europaeus, Lythrum salicaria, Lysimachia vulgaris, Lunaria rediviva, Mentha longifolia, Mycelis muralis, Myosoton aquaticum, Parietaria officinalis, Petasites albus, Petasites hybridus, Phalaris arundinacea, Physalis alkekengi, Poa nemoralis, Poa sylvicola, Pseudolysimachion longifolium, Pulicaria dysenterica, Rubus caesius, Rumex conglomeratus, Salvia glutinosa, Scrophularia umbrosa, Silene dioica, Smyrnium perfoliatum, Solidago gigantea, Stachys sylvatica, Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, Symphytum officinale, Tanacetum vulgare, Telekia speciosa, Trollius europaeus, Urtica dioica, Valeriana sambucifolia, Viola alba. Only in Madeira: Ageratina adenophora, Asparagus asparagoides, Bidens pilosa, Cardiospermum grandifolium, Ipomoea acuminata, Rubus ulmifolius, Tropaeolum majus. 
Bryophytes: Brachythecium rivulare, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Plagiomnium elatum, Plagiomnium undulatum.
Fauna
Invertebrates: Larinioides cornutus, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, Calopteryx virgo, Amara sp.pl.
Vertebrates: Neomys anomalus, Crocidura leucodon.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E5.4 Moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringes of the lowlands
EuroVegChecklist:
Impatienti noli-tangere-Stachyion sylvaticae Görs ex Mucina 1993
Aegopodion podagrariae Tx. 1967 nom. conserv. propos.    
Senecionion fluviatilis Tx. ex Moor 1958   
Archangelicion litoralis Scamoni et Passarge 1963      
Nardosmion laevigatae Klotz et Köck 1986       
Cynancho-Convolvulion sepium Rivas Goday et Rivas-Mart. ex Rivas-Mart. 1977
Dorycnio recti-Rumicion conglomerati Gradstein et Schmittenberg 1977 
Ipomoeo acuminatae-Ageratinion adenophorae Espírito-Santo et al. 2004
Filipendulo-Petasition Br.-Bl. ex Duvigneaud 1949         
Conioselinion tatarici Golub et al. 2003  
Althaeion officinalis Golub et Mirkin in Golub 1995      
Euphorbion palustris Ageleulov et Golub in Golub 1995         
Lythro-Euphorbion Mirkin et Naumova 1986
Annex I:
6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels (pro parte)
Emerald:
E5.4 Moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringes and meadows
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN:
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The habitat type has a wide distribution throughout Europe. Its occurrence has been reported from 36 countries (25 territoria data sheets have been sent in).

Map Description:
Map is incomplete in many sites (a.o. Poland, Iceland, Balkan) but potential distribution is given for the EU. Data sources: EVA, Art17.

Trends in Quantity:
The total area that has been reported by the territorial data providers is 2,800 km2 for EU28 and 2,850 km2  for EU28+.  We received quantitative data from 18 EU28 countries, covering > 95% of the reported area, plus from 2 additional EU28+ countries. The data are strongly dominated by France, reporting about 50% of the total area. The average trend for EU28 is -32.8%, the average trend for EU28+ is -32.6%.

Trends in Quality:
Quantitative data were provided by 16 EU28 countries and 3 additional EU28+ countries, covering about 90% of the reported area (for EU28 and EU28+). Data are strongly dominated by France. Within the EU28 countries 46% is declining (with 52 % severity). For the EU28+ countries similar average values have been reported.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
About 60% of the current distribution of the habitat type lies within EU28. The distribution of this habitat types reaches into Asia.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat type has a wide distribution througout Europe (it has been reported from 36 countries). The surface of the sites is generally quite small, although the communities may occur in bands over rather long distances (along water courses)&nbs

Pressures and Threats:
The main threats are changes in water regimes of the major river systems and tributaries in Europe as well as agricultural intensification; the latter concerns fertilisation as well as draining practices. Other major losses are due to direct habitat destruction (e.g. as a consequence of urbanisation and infrasructural works). The habitat may temporarily benefit from abandoning of mowing (and to a lesser extent grazing), but further succession generally leads within rather short periods to shrubland and woodlands.

Conservation and Management:
Although these tall forb communities are still occurring over large areas in Europe, there are ongoing risks for further degradation. This applies particularly to the (more or less) natural communtiies of this type, for which appropriate measurements are needed to safeguard the relevant hydrological conditions. In addition, further intensification of agricultural practices (fertilisation, drainage) has to be called to an end.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1 type:
6430: ALP U1, ATL U2, BLS U1, BOR U1, CON U1, MED U1, PAN U2, STE FV (only applying to lowlands and montane areas up to max. 1,000 m altitude).

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Depending on the type of damage, restoration may be possible. Relatively easy is to lower the amount of fertilisation, as for as the abiotic conditions are still intact. Most problematic is restoring the hydrologic regime, as these tall forb communities easily transform into dense stands that are dominated by Urtica dioica, Galium aparine and other nitrophilous competitors.

Summary:
This habitat comprises tall-herb and fern-dominated communities of moist, sometimes flooded, nutrient-rich soils in the lowlands and lower mountain areas of Europe, up to the subalpine zone, through the nemoral, boreal and submediterranean regions. The relatively species-rich vegetation may be found in river floodplains, along smaller watercourses, in the shade at the edge of woodlands, often as narrow strips, and, as secondary vegetation after the abandonment of pastures and especially meadows. The species composition is quite diverse, depending on the altitude, geographic distribution and location in the landscape, reflecting the composition of the surrounding communities or previous stages in succession. Major threats are changes in the hydrological conditions, both on the landscape and site level, and agricultural intensification, especially eutrophication; and also urbanisation and ongoing infrastructural developmentsl.  Losses in extent and quality have been widespread and substantial.

References:
Dierschke, H. (1996). Syntaxonomische Stellung von Hochstauden-Ge­sellschaften, insbesondere aus der Klasse Molinio-Arrhenateretea (Filipen­dulion). Berichte der Reinhold-Tüxen-Gesellschaft 8: 145-157.

Criterion A Text:
The values for A1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets. No data are available for applying Criteria A2a, A2b and A3.

Criterion B Text:
EOO and AOO are above thresholds for applying Criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
The values for C/D1 are calculated from the territoral data sheets that we obtained from 19 countries, covering about 90% of the reported area (for EU28 and EU28+); data are strongly dominated by figures provided for France. No data are available for applying Criteria C/D2 and C/D3. The degradation in quality refers to both biotic features and abiotic circumstances.

Synthesis:
Based on a reduction in quantity over the past 50 years, this habitat type has received the Red List status Vulnerable (VU) in both EU28 and EU28+. Furthermore, a substantial reduction in biotic and abiotic quality has resulted in a Near Threatened status (NT).

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
Although the habitat type is showing a large variation in floristic composition, it is rather difficult to divide it in overall sub-types, whereas the effects on quality and quantity probably refer to the whole range of the habitat type. In c

Contributors:
Habitat definition: R. Tzonev & J. Schaminée
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, F. Attore, C. Bita-Nicolae, J. Bölöni, G. Buffa, J. Capelo, A. ÄŒarni,  L. Casella, J.M. Couvreur, R. Delarze, D. Espírito-Santo, D. Gigante, G. Giusso Del Galdo, P. Finck, M. Janišová, Juvan, Z. KÄ…cki, T. Kontula, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, J.R. Martin, V. Matevski, A. Mikolajczak, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, D. Paelinckx, D. Paternoster, G. Pezzi, U. Raths, U. Riecken, V. RašomaviÄius, E. Roosaluste, S. Rusina, Z. Škvorc, A. Ssymank, K. Šumberová, R. Tzonev, D. Viciani, E. Weeda
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Type Name:
E5.5 Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern fringe

Habitat Description:
The tall forb communities of Habitat type E5.5 are found at relatively cool and humid places in low and high mountain ranges throughout Europe, with their optimum in the subalpine zone; moreover, they can be found in the arctic regions of Scandinavia. They can be seen as a vicariant of the communities of habitat type E5.4, occurring at lower altitudes. In the mountains of Central Europe, the communities usually occur above 1,000 m altitude, but in Southern Europe they often don’t grow below 1,600 m. The stands occur along streams, between large rocks, under scrub (mainly of Sorbus aucuparia), in mosaic with Alnus and Salix scrub, and on the edge of forests. In spite of the high atmospheric humidity, bryophytes do not play an important role in the vegetation. At all these places, snow may accumulate during winter and the vegetation is unmistakeably chionophilous. Along streams, the communities may form long strips of hundreds of meters, mostly just a few meters wide, at other places they occur in the form of patches.  The height of the – generally one-layered – stand reaches up to 1.5-2 m, with tall herbs and grasses as dominants, sometimes with a high cover of ferns. The cover of the vegetation is almost always 100%. The species composition of the plant communities is very diverse, with a high number of endemic species, reflecting the isolated position of these ecosystems, similar to other high-mountain vegetation types. The endemic species belong to genera like Aconitum, Alchemilla, Angelica, Cirsium, Geum and Ranunculus. From a historic-geographic point of view, the occurrence of a number of species that nowadays dominate lowland meadows is interesting, like Arrhenatherum elatius. Widespread species in these conspicuous mountain communities are Adenostyles alliariae, Veratrum album, Lilium martagon and Cicerbita alpina, among others. The plant diversity is reflected in the distinction of various alliances, but they all belong to the class Mulgedio-Aconitetea. Most of the communities are natural, but also the semi-ruderal and eutrophic tall-forb communities near resting places of cattle (assigned to the alliance Rumicion alpini) belong to this habitat type.
Indicators of good quality:
High species richness
Richness of regional endemics and rare species
Lacking of invasive and/or ruderal species
Dominance of tall-herbs, tall grasses or ferns

Characteristic species:
Vascular plants: Achillea distans, Achillea grandifolia, Aconitum lamarkii, Aconitum  lycoctonum subsp. vulparia, Aconitum napellus, Aconitum nevadense, Aconitum tauricum, Aconitum vulparia, Aconogonon alpinum, Adenostyles alliariae, Adenostyles briquetii, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla glaucescens, Alchemilla obtusa, Alchemilla plicatula, Allium schoenoprasum, Allium victorialis, Angelica pancicii, Aquilegia bernardii, Aquilegia pyrenaica subsp. cazorlensis, Athyrium distentifolium, Athyrium filix-femina, Aruncus dioicus, Atropa baetica, Betonica jacquinii, Blechnum spicant, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Campanula serrata, Campanula trachelium subsp. athoa, Cardamine raphanifolia subsp. acris, Cardamine rivularis, Carduus personata, Carex frigida, Carex vulpina, Carum carvi, Chaerophyllum byzantinum, Chaerophyllum villarsii, Cerinthe glabra, Cicerbita alpina, Cicerbita plumieri, Cicerbita pancicii, Cirsium appendiculatum, Cirsium erisithales, Cirsium helenioides, Cirsium flavispina, Cirsium spinosissimum, Cirsium tymphaeum, Chaerophyllum aureum, Crepis paludosa, Dactylorhiza cordigera, Dactyorhiza saccifera, Delphinium elatum, Digitalis grandiflora, Doronicum austriacum, Doronicum columnae, Doronicum corsicum, Doronocum grandiflorum, Draba nemorosa, Dryopteris dilatata, Epilobium alpinum, Epilobium montanum, Erica terminalis, Eryngium alpinum, Heracleum elegans, Heracleum pyrenaicum, Heracleum ternatum, Heracleum transsilvanicum, Heracleum verticillatum, Hypericum corsicum, Hypericum tetrapterum, Festuca carpatica, Gagea fragifera, Gentiana asclepiadea, Gentiana lutea, Gentiana punctata, Geranium asphodeloides, Geranium palustre, Geranium phaeum, Geranium sylvaticum, Geum coccineum, Geum rivale, Lactuca alpina, Laserpitium latifolium, Laserpitium longiradium, Leucanthemum waldsteinii, Leuzea rhapontica, Lilium martagon, Lunaria rediviva, Molopospermum peloponesiacum, Myositis alpestris, Myosotis soleirolii, Narcissus nevadensis, Narthecium reverchonii, Oreopteris limbosperma, Pedicularis foliosa, Peucedanum ostruthium, Pinguicula balcanica, Pinguicula corsica, Phleum alpinum, Phyteuma ovatum, Poa supina, Polygonatum verticillatum, Prenanthes purpurea, Ranunculus aconitifolius, Ranunculus lanuginosus, Ranunculus platanifolius, Rhodiola rosea, Rumex alpinus, Rumex arifolius, Rumex pseudoalpinus, Salix helvetica, Salix lapponum, Saxifraga rotundifolia, Scrophularia auriculata, Scrophularia scopolii, Senecio alpinus, Senecio elodes, Senecio nemorensis, Senecio subalpinus, Telekia speciosa, Thalictrum aquilegifolium, Tozzia alpina, Trichophorum cespitosum, Trisetum fuscum, Trollius europaeus, Valeriana pyrenaica, Valeriana rotundifolia, Veratrum album, Viola biflora.

Classification:
EUNIS:
E5.5 Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern stands
EuroVegChecklist (alliances):
Adenostylion alliariae Br.-Bl. 1926 nom. conserv. propos.             
Dryopterido-Athyrion distentifolii (Holub ex Sýkora et Štursa 1973) Jeník et al. 1980
Delphinion elati Hadac ex Hadac et al. 1969         
Cirsion flavispinae Quézel 1953
Doronicion corsici Gamisans 1975             
Cirsion appendiculati Horvat et al. 1937
Calamagrostion villosae Pawlowski et al. 1928   
Trisetion fusci Krajina 1933          
Calamagrostion arundinaceae (Luquet 1926) Oberd. 1957           
Petasition officinalis Sillinger 1933           
Arunco-Petasition albae Br.-Bl. et Sutter 1977   
Senecionion samniti Bonin 1978                
Rumicion alpini Rübel ex Scharfetter 1938           
Mulgedion alpini Nordhagen 1943           
Polemonio acutiflori-Veratrion lobeliani Telyatnikov 2012             
Triseto sibiricae-Aconition septentrionalis Ermakov et al. 2000    
Annex I:
6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels
Emerald:
E5.5 Subalpine moist or wet tall-herb and fern stands
MAES:
Grassland
IUCN: 
4.4. Temperate grassland

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
The habitat is widespread, but restricted to mountain ranges, with main occurrences in the Alps but also widespread in other mountain ranges.

Map Description:
Map is rather complete except for the Balkan and possibly Iceland. Data sources: EVA, Art17, GBIF.

Trends in Quantity:
The total area that has been reported by the territorial data providers is 1,453 km2 for EU28 and 2,725 km2 for EU28+. Quantitative data were provided by 14 EU countries, covering > 95% of reported area, and by 3 additional EU+ countries. Data dominated strongly by France and (for EU28+) Switzerland, who reported the largest areas. The average trend fot EU28 is 8.0%, for EU28+ it is -4.2 %.

Trends in Quality:
We received quantitative data from 13 EU28 countries and 4 additional EU28+ countries, covering more than 95% of reported area for EU28 and EU28+. The trends are mostly affected by France and Switzerland, accounting for the largest areas. The averages values of decline are 4.3% (severity 35%) for EU28 and 2.3% (severity 35%) for EU28+.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
About 80% of the current distribution of the habitat type lies within EU28. The habitat type is probably also found in the Kaukasus and Russian mountains.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat type has a wide distrubution througout Europe (it has been reported from all together 25 countries). The size and form of the surfaces vary from long, small bands to (in size vary variable) patches.

Pressures and Threats:
These more or less natural communities are rather stable in extent and quality, hardly suffering from any threats. The only factor that may cause some problems is overgrazing. This concerns both the low and high mountains in Central Europe and the arctic vegetation in the north, where local changes have been reported due to overgrazing by reindeer. However, it is assumed that the overall quality of the habitat type has remained stable. At local level, mountaineering and the construction of facilities for tourism (ski pistes, houses) may result in some losses.

Conservation and Management:
The natural conditions under which these eye-catching and species-rich communities occur are hardly effected by human interaction. Locally, the effects of mountaineering and construction of buildings and ski pistes for tourism may rise some concern, but overall the habitat type is well-preserved.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1 type:
6430: ALP U1, ATL U2, BLS U1, BOR U1, CON U1, MED U1, PAN U2, STE FV (only applying to mountainous areas, generally 1,000 m altitude, and arctic regions in Scandinavia).

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
These natural communities are well protected. Only at a local level and at low scale, direct destrucion of the habitat by the construction of tourist facilities may take place, whereas - more generally - overgrazing may lead to some losses in quality. In that case, lowering the intensity of grazing may lead the habitat restoration within a reasonable time-span.

Summary:
This habitat includes tall forb and fern communities of moist, fertile soils in relatively cool and humid situations through high levels of the mountain ranges of  Europe, having their optimum in the subalpine zone but also occurring in the arctic lowlands of Scandinavia. Typically they are found as strips along streams and on the edges of forests, in the shelter of large rocks, on mountain ledges and under scrub, sometimes also fringing snowbeds where they benefit from protection from winter frosts. These communities are often very rich in species and host many local and regional endemics, as well as widespread montane plants. Although vulnerable to grazing by wild herbivores and stock, the habitat is often protected by its remoteness. However, also included here are the rather weedy and eutrophic tall-forb communities near resting places of cattle. Only small losses in extent and quality have been reported.

References:
Carbiener, R. (1969). Subalpiene primären Hochgrasprärien im herzynischen Gebirgsraum Europas, mit besonderer Berücksichtiging der Vogesen uns des Massif Central. Mitt. Florist-Soziol. Arbeitsgem. N.F. 14: 322-345.
Schaminée, J.H.J., J. Jansen & S.M. Hennekens (1992). Scrub communities dominated by Sorbus species in the subalpine zone of the Monts du Forez (Massif Central, France). Procee­dings of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akade­mie van Wetenschappen C 95 (4): 473-497.
Wörz, A. (1989). Zur geographischen Gliederung hovhmantaner und subalpinen Hochstaudenfluren und Goldhaferwiesen. Tuexenia 9: 317-340.

Criterion A Text:
The values for applying Criterion A1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets. We obtained quantitative data from 14 EU countries, covering > 95% of the reported area, plus from 3 additional EU+ countries; data are strongly dominated by France and (for EU28+) Switzerland, who reported the largest areas. No data available for applying Criteria A2a, A2b and A3.

Criterion C/D Text:
The values for C/D1 are calculated from the territorial data sheets. We obtained quantitative data from 13 EU28 countries and 4 additional EU28+ countries, covering more than 95% of the reported area for EU28 and EU28+; the trends are mostly affected by France (EU28) and Switzerland (EU28+), accounting for the largest areas.

Synthesis:
This habitat type is not threatened in both EU28 and EU28+.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
There are no sub-types in need for further examination.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: R. Tzonev & J. Schaminée
Territorial data: E. Agrillo, S. Armiraglio, S. Assini, F. Attore, A.B.G. Averis, A.M. Averis, Z. Barina, C. Bita-Nicolae, J. Bölöni, G. Buffa, A. ÄŒarni,  L. Casella, R. Delarze, D. Gigante, P. Finck, M. Janišová, Juvan, Z. KÄ…cki, M. KoÄí, T. Kontula, J. Loidi, C. Marcenò, V. Matevski, A. Mikolajczak, Ä. MilanoviÄ‡, F. Millaku, D. Paternoster, P. Perrin, G. Pezzi, U. Raths, U. Riecken, V. Rusakova, Z. Škvorc, A. Ssymank, D. Viciani
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnar, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


Habitat Description:
Salt steppes (also called alkali steppes) occur on plains in the Eurasian steppe and forest-steppe zones from the Great Hungarian Plain and adjacent areas through the Danube Lowland in Romania and Bulgaria to Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The matrix of the salt steppe is formed of steppe grassland dominated by Festuca pseudovina and Artemisia santonicum and grassland of Puccinellia distans agg. at muddy sites that are wet or shallowly flooded in spring but dry out for long periods in summer. Often these grasslands are open and species-poor. On less saline soils, generalist halo-tolerant species are common, including Bromus hordeaceus, Elymus repens, Inula britannica, Plantago lanceolata and Poa bulbosa. With increasing salt concentration, these species become rarer while obligate or facultative halophytes increase in frequency, for example Cerastium dubium, Plantago maritima, Scorzonera cana and Tripolium pannonicum.
Within this saline grassland matrix, patches of one to few square metres with different saline vegetation occur, reflecting small differences in microtopographic position and salt concentration: (1) species-poor to single-species stands of the annual chenopod Camphorosma annua are found in small depressions with very high salt concentration and nearly bare soil in Hungary and adjacent countries; (2) stands of perennial Camphorosma monspeliaca are found in similar habitats in Macedonia and Bulgaria, however, this vegetation can also be found on steep slopes and slope bases; (3) patches of open vegetation with Pholiurus pannonicus and Plantago tenuiflora are found in erosion troughs that are flooded in spring, but dry out for a long period in summer. Finally, species-poor stands of annual grasses Crypsis aculeata and Heleochloa schoenoides occur on bottoms of shallow saline lakes that are subject to slow draining in late spring and summer, but such communities are considered under habitat C3.5c.
This habitat occurs on Solonetz soils, which are characterized by high concentration of easily soluble salts, especially sodium and potassium carbonates. These soils are wet in spring and can be locally shallowly flooded, however they are dry in summer when polygonal cracks often appear on the surface. The columnar structure of the Solonetz soils and erosion by floods causes the development of complex microtopography of the salt steppe.
Salt steppes have traditionally been used as livestock pastures and this management continues in many areas until the present. They are less sensitive to overgrazing or abandonment than other types of lowland grasslands, because on the one hand they are well-adapted to disturbance and have a high resilience, and on the other hand competitive species have reduced ability to spread in saline habitats.
Large areas of salt steppe were destroyed or strongly altered by attempts of their agricultural improvement such as ploughing, fertilizing or drainage. On drained habitats salt concentration decreases and competitive non-halophytic grasses and dicots can spread. If this is combined with cessation of grazing, the salt steppe can change into closed grasslands composed of generalist non-halophytic species. On the other hand, some floodplain meadows changed into salt steppe after artificial drainage. These secondary salt steppes lack the microtopography typical of primary salt steppes and contain some species of floodplain meadows.
Indicators of good quality:
Presence of obligate halophytic species
Presence of typical microtopography of the salt steppe
Existence in the grassland matrix of small patches with extreme ecology (spring flooding or very high salt concentration) and occurrence of specialist species
Moisture regime with wet soils in spring that dry out in summer
No spread of ruderal or competitive generalist herb species
Absence of the species of floodplain meadows
Absence of strong overgrazing
Large continuous area of this habitat

Characteristic species:
Flora, Vascular plants: Artemisia santonicum, Bupleurum tenuissimum, Camphorosma annua, C. monspeliaca, Carex stenophylla, Cerastium dubium, Festuca pseudovina, Galatella sedifolia, Peucedanum officinale, Pholiurus pannonicus, Plantago coronopus, P. maritima, P. tenuiflora, Puccinellia distans agg., P. festuciformis subsp. convoluta, Ranunculus pedatus, Scorzonera cana, Trifolium retusum, Tripolium (=Aster) pannonicum

Classification:
EUNIS:
D6.1 Inland saltmarshes
E6.2 Continental inland salt steppes
EuroVegChecklist (alliances):
Cypero-Spergularion salinae SlavniÄ‡ 1948
Festucion pseudovinae Soó 1933
Peucedano officinalis-Asterion sedifolii Borhidi 1996
Puccinellion limosae Soó 1933
Artemision maritimae Micevski 1970
Thero-Camphorosmion annuae Vicherek 1973
Annex 1:
1530 Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes
Emerald:
E6.2 Continental inland salt steppes
MAES-2:
Grassland
IUCN ecosystems:
5.16. Permanent Saline, Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
Salt steppes are one of the most typical representatives of the Eurasian steppes in Central Europe. In some regions extensive areas survived agricultural intensification with typical wildlife (steppe birds and steppe mammals) and often with (semi-)traditional, extensive grazing regimes.The habitat is an outstanding example for the Pannonian Biogeographic region. The vegetation is rich in local and regional endemic species and endemic plant communities. This habitat may have been existing in this region for ten thousands of years.

Map Description:
The map is likely to be complete for EU28, but has data gaps in Balkan countries outside the EU28. Data sources: Art17, LIT.

Trends in Quantity:
The decrease in the last 50 years is about 31 % for the EU28 and EU28+. In most countries the trend is still a decrease. The large stands in Hungary are mostly protected in National Parks (and in local protected areas and Natura 2000-sites). Decrease is partly caused by ploughing, but leaching of salts from the upper soil layers (as a consequence of soil water lowering and surface water drainage) is more widespread and acting in the long term. In some areas drainage canals are being abolished (financed by LIFE projects) which help prevent leaching and restore more natural hydrologic conditions. The habitat tolerates overgrazing, but undergrazing can result in litter accummulation, improvement of soil, thus causing loss of habitat area.

Trends in Quality:
The remaining part of the habitat has suffered a decline in area. The extent of degradation covers about 33% of the area, and the severity of degradation is 36%. These averages were calculated based on data from 5 countries (out of 7 that reported the occurrence of this habitat).

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
10-20%. The habitat is dispersed further eastwards to Ukraine, Russia and Kazachstan.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The habitat is widespread in the Pannonian region and more eastwards.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat may occur in relativey large patches.

Pressures and Threats:
A main threat is ploughing, but leaching of salts from the upper soil layers (as a consequence of soil water lowering and surface water drainage) is more widespread and acting in a long term. In some areas (e.g. Hortobágy National Park, Hungary) drainage canals are being abolished (financed by LIFE projects) which prevents leaching and restores more natural hydrologic conditions. The habitat tolerates overgrazing, but undergrazing can result in litter accummulation, improvement of soil, thus loss of habitat area and quality. Agricultural intensification was an important threat in the past, but it is decreasing inside protected areas. In leached areas succession leads to other (less/non-halophytic) habitats. Invasive species are usually rare. Urbanisation affects areas near settlements. Abandonment of military use may also result in undermanagement. Climate change can result in further water loss and leaching.

Conservation and Management:
The most important is to improve hydrological conditions (abolish drainage canals), maintain a proper management by grazing (or mowing in some cases), and to prevent conversion to other land-uses. In Romania and Serbia more effective site conservation may be needed.

Conservation Status:
Annex I:
1530: BLS U1, CON U1, PAN U1, STE FV

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The habitat has some capacity to recover naturally, but it is dependent on soil quality (the soil should be salty enough). It could be restored in some areas where local propagule sources are present and soils are suitable.

Summary:
The habitat is an outstanding example of the Pannonian biogeographic region, characteristic of solonetz soils, saturated, even shallow flooded, by soluble carbonates in spring, then drying in summer with surface cracking. According to variations in salinity, slope and erosion by spring floods, the steppe vegetation is a complex mosaic of grasslands and more halophytic herb communities, rich in endemic species and plant communities. Traditionally sustaining older breeds of cattle, the habitat is rather resilient to their disturbance but widespread losses have occurred with attempts to convert to more intensive agriculture, through ploughing and changes in hydrology with drainage. The large stands in Hungary are now mostly protected in National Parks, local protected areas and Natura 2000-sites and the most important conservation measures are to restore hydrological conditions, maintain a proper management by grazing (or by mowing in some cases), and to prevent conversion to other land-uses.

References:
Eliáš, P., Sopotlieva, D., DítÄ›, D., Hájková, P., Apostolova, I., Senko, D., MeleÄková, Z. & Hájek, M. 2013. Vegetation diversity of salt-rich grasslands in Southeast Europe. Applied Vegetation Science 16: 521–537.
Molnár, Z. & Borhidi, A. 2003. Hungarian alkali vegetation: Origins, landscape history, syntaxonomy, conservation. Phytocoenologia 33: 377–408.
Tzonev, R., Lysenko, T., Gusev, C. & Zhelev, P. 2008. The halophytic vegetation in South-East Bulgaria and along the Black Sea Coast. Hacquetia 7: 95–121.
Vicherek, J. 1973. Die Pflanzengesellschaften der Halophyten- und Subhalophytenvegetation der Tschechoslowakei. Academia, Praha.

Criterion A Text:
The habitat has decreased on average 31%, based on quantitative data from six EU28 countries and two EU28+ countries. The trend value is about the same for EU28 and EU28+ countries. The historical decline is larger, and estimated to be more than 50%. Both values lead to the category Vulnerable. Further decrease is expected.

Criterion B Text:
Although there are continuing declines and threats, the habitat is assessed least concern, as AOO, EOO and number of locations are much higher than the thresholds for criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
An average decline in quality was calculated of 33% affected area with about 36% severity. The valus for the EU28+ are the same, as the calculation is dominated by data from Hungary, where the largest amount of the habitat is found. This decline refers both to abiotic and biotic degradation. These values are not close to the Vulnerable thresholds, and lead to the category Least Concern.

Synthesis:
The habitat is assessed to be Vulnerable (VU) because of a decline of more than 30% of the area over the last 50 years (criterion A1), both in the EU28 and EU28+.  The long-term historical estimated decline is even larger, more than 50%, which leads to the same category for criterion A3. Over the last 50 years also a decline in quality took place, but not large enough to meet any of the Red List category thresholds.

Sub-habitats in Need of Examination:
There are no specific subhabitats to be assessed in more detail.

Contributors:
Habitat definition: M. Chytrý
Territorial data: C. Bita-Nicolae, M. Janišová, V. Matevski, Zs. Molnár, D. Paternoster, K. Šumberová, R. Tzonev, and Klára Szabados provided some Serbian data
Working Group Grasslands: I. Biurrun, J. Capelo, J. Dengler, D. Gigante, Z. Molnár, D. Paternoster, J. Rodwell, J. Schaminée, R. Tzonev


