U3-8 - Falaises continentales méditerranéennes riches en bases

Mediterranean base-rich inland cliff

Classification des habitats EUNIS 2022

Descriptif de l'habitat

Cliffs of limestone, calcareous conglomerates and other base-rich rocks in the lowlands to high mountains throughout the Mediterranean basin (excluding salt-sprayed coastal situations). They are characterized by a diverse flora of calcicole perennial vascular plants, often of rosulate, prostrate, succulent and cushion form, tussock grasses, small ferns, dwarf shrubs, shrubs and sometimes woody climbers and small trees, rooted in fissures and crevices. There are also bryophytes, lichens and epi- and endolithic micro-organisms. Towards the foothills and lowlands, the habitat is more prone to be affected by human disturbances, especially its species composition. High-mountain cliffs are usually well preserved, with a high degree of naturalness.

Espèces diagnostiques

Asplenium ceterach, Sarcocapnos enneaphylla, Asplenium petrarchae, Asplenium fontanum, Sedum creticum, Phagnalon sordidum, Hormathophylla ligustica

Espèces constantes

Asplenium trichomanes, Asplenium ceterach, Asplenium ruta-muraria, Sedum dasyphyllum, Campanula rotundifolia, Thymus vulgaris, Sanguisorba minor aggr.

Bibliography

 European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity, 2021. EUNIS terrestrial habitat classification 2021 including crosswalks. ETC/BD-EEA. Table Excel transmise par S. Hennekens (Alterra) le 14/02/2022. (Source)