54.58 - Sphagnum and cottonsedge rafts

Classification des habitats du Paléarctique (2001)

Description

Transition mire communities of the Palaearctic domaine formed by floating, sometimes drifting, carpets of sphagna, in particular, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum recurvum, Sphagnum auriculatum (Sphagnum obesum) or of sphagna and Eriophorum angustifolium. They may constitute fairly large transition mire communities in permanent heath pools, periglacial palsas, large raised bog and blanket bog pools and in former peat extraction holes. They often succeed the communities of unit 54.59 in the colonization process. They have an appearance that ranges from low, barely emerging sphagnum mats to fairly dense cottonsedge beds. Drosera rotundifolia is often abundant. The sphagnum and common cottongrass communities are an important habitat for the threatened Hammarbya paludosa.

Correspondances phytosociologiques

Sphagno-Eriophoretum angustifoliae, Eriophoro angustifolii-Sphagnetum recurvi, i.a.

Bibliographie

Devillers P., Devillers-Terschuren J. & Vander Linden C., 2001. PHYSIS Palaearctic Habitat Classification Database. Updated to 10 December 2001. Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles. (Source)

Westhoff and den Held, 1975: 210-211; Willems & al., 1975; Nordiska ministerradet, 1984; Ochyra, 1985; Rodwell, 1991b: units M1 [p.], M2 [p.], M3 [p.]; Pott, 1992: 176; Dyduch-Falniowska, 1992; Meshinev and Apostolova, 1994; Påhlsson, 1994: units 3.2.4.2 [p.], 3.3.3.4d [p.], [i.a.]; Schubert & al., 1995: 244.