U4-3 - Glaciers rocheux et moraines à dominance de glace non végétalisées

Rock glacier and unvegetated ice-dominated moraine

Classification des habitats EUNIS 2022

Descriptif de l'habitat

Rock glaciers are a mixture of frozen rock detritus and ice of glacial or periglacial origin, forming a tongue-like mass which can flow very slowly under gravity found in extremely cold areas at high latitudes and altitudes in Europe. Ice-dominated moraines are masses of unconsolidated mineral debris found in the vicinity of retreating glaciers. Few organisms have the ability to colonize these particular habitats, because of the low temperatures and the mobility of the substrate, so the flora is limited to pioneer plants and lichens, occurring principally on the lateral and terminal borders of the detritus. Invertebrates increase with the developing vegetation cover.

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)