Natura 2000 : Habitat type name present in the Interpretation Manual of EU Habitats EUR28 (European Commission, 2013).

Type : Three possible cases of proposals are reported: i) new habitat type proposal; ii) new subtypes in a pre-existing habitat type; iii) recognition of priority criterion for habitat types or subtypes.

Authors : List of authors who contributed to the proposal. The first name is the coordinator, followed by collaborators.

Macrotype : Macrotype code according to European Commission (2013); when the habitat type or subtype is new, the proposed code is consistent with the structure designated in Annex I of the Habitats Directive.

EEA Biogeographical region : Biogeographical region according to EEA (2022a).

Region : Italian administrative regions (in alphabetic order).

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : CORINE Biotopes and PALAEARCTIC classification codes according to Devillers et al. (1991) and Devillers and Devillers-Terschuren (1996), respectively.

EUNIS 2012 : EUNIS 2012 classification code (EEA, 2012), based on Davies et al. (2004) and updated in 2012.

EUNIS 2021 : EUNIS 2021 classification code (EEA, 2021), based on Chytrý et al. (2020).

European Red List of Habitats : European Red List of Habitats according to Janssen et al. (2016).

Bern convention : Bern Convention Resolution 4 habitat types (Evans and Roekaerts, 2019).

Motivation : Scientific reason of the proposal.

Diagnostic sentence : Description of the new habitat type, subtype or priority criteria.

Reference list of typical species : Typical species, typically ten, in addition to and/or comprising those already listed in the Interpretation Manual of EU Habitats EUR28 (European Commission, 2013); new list of species if a new habitat type/subtype is proposed, comprising the species already reported in the Italian Interpretation Manual of habitat types (Biondi et al., 2009); typical species are meant as a combination of literature, expert evaluation, and, if present, local or regional habitat interpretation manuals.

Syntaxonomic reference : Syntaxonomic reference to the alliance level, followed by classification to high-ranking syntaxa. If not specified, syntaxonomic nomenclature of alliances, orders, and classes follows Mucina et al. (2016, v. 2, 2022-06-30). Where necessary, the syntaxonomic level of association is specified.

Dynamics and contacts : Vegetation dynamics and contacts.

Nomenclature of vascular plants follows Bartolucci et al. (2018) and subsequent updates available on Portal to the Flora of Italy v. 2022.1 (Portal to the Flora of Italy, 2022) and for bryophytes Aleffi et al. (2020).

Freshwater large sedges

Natura 2000 : Not yet included in any Annex I habitat type. The vegetation dominated by Cladium mariscus (7210*) is classified within the class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea Klika in Klika and Novak 1941 but can also develop adjacent to sedge vegetation attributable to the alliance Caricion davallianae Klika 1934 or with other types of helophytic vegetation (Phragmition communis Koch 1926) or large sedges (Magnocaricion elatae Koch 1926).

Type : New habitat type.

Authors : Selvaggi A., Lasen C., Mainetti A., Lonati M.

Macrotype : 3 "Freshwater habitats"; 31 "Standing water".

EEA Biogeographical region : Continental (Alpine).

Region : Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto.

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : 53.21.

EUNIS 2012 : C3.29, D5.21.

EUNIS 2021 : Q53.

European Red List of Habitats : VU (C5.2).

Bern convention : D5.2, C3.2.

Motivation : Habitat very sensitive to land reclamation, water regulation, eutrophication, pollution by phytosanitary products, and deterioration due to the invasion of alien species (Casavecchia et al., 2021). Chytrý et al. (2020) highlighted that the main threats are the expansion of agricultural, industrial, and urban areas, and changes in the level of groundwater and its pollution. In many places, the habitat is totally transformed, and strong intervention is needed for recovery. Tall-sedge beds are assessed as VU (Vulnerable) in the European Red List of Habitats (Janssen et al., 2016) and included in the list of natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures under the Bern Convention (Evans and Roekaerts, 2019). Some regions, such as the Aosta Valley in Italy, have already included the habitat within regional nature conservation laws (Aosta Valley Regional Law no. 8/2007). It hosts rare or threatened species of Italian vascular flora as Carex buekii and C. vulpina, listed as Endangered, Thelypteris palustris, listed as VU (Rossi et al., 2020). The Red List of vascular flora of Veneto (Buffa et al., 2016) includes the typical species Carex appropinquata, C. elongata, C. vulpina and Ranunculus lingua, listed as Critically Endangered, and C. randalpina as VU. The habitat hosts the threatened snails Vertigo moulinsiana and V. angustior, listed in Annex II of Habitats Directive.

Diagnostic sentence : Terrestrial stands or water-fringing stands vegetation by lakes, rivers and brooks. It includes stands of Carex species growing on waterlogged ground, usually species-poor, from plain to montane (subalpine) level. Tall-sedge communities are often dominated by one species with dense tussocks, accompanied by few characteristic species growing among the tussocks.

Reference list of typical species : Carex acuta, C. acutiformis, C. appropinquata, C. buekii, C. elata subsp. elata, C. elongata, C. lasiocarpa, C. paniculata, C. pseudocyperus, C. randalpina, C. riparia, C. rostrata, C. vesicaria, C. vulpina, Galium palustre, Lycopus europaeus, Lythrum salicaria, Mentha aquatica, Phalaris arundinacea, Ranunculus lingua, Scutellaria galericulata, Stachys palustris, Thelypteris palustris, Thysselinum palustre.

Mosses : Calliergonella cuspidata, Climacium dendroides, Plagiomnium ellipticum.

: The habitat includes the alliances Magnocaricion elatae Koch 1926, Magnocaricion gracilis Géhu 1961, Carici-Rumicion hydrolapathi Passarge 1964) (order Magnocaricetalia Pignatti 1953, class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea Klika in Klika et Novák 1941). In northern Italy, reedbeds (alliance Phragmition communis Koch 1926, order Phragmitetalia Koch 1926) are not included, in contrast to the previous proposals for central and southern Italy, and Sicily (Casavecchia et al., 2021; Guarino et al., 2021; Spampinato et al., 2023).

Dynamics and contacts : The habitat often occurs at the transition from submerged to emerged areas, placing between the classes Phragmito-Magnocaricetea Klika in Klika et Novák 1941 and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Tx. 1937 (Biondi et al., 2014); the habitat is adjacent or in transition mainly with the alliance Phragmition communis Koch 1926 and Carici-Rumicion hydrolapathi Passarge 1964; dynamic relationships are observed with the alliance Calthion palustris Tx. 1937 by reduction of soil moisture, and with the class Epilobietea angustifolii Tx. et Preising ex von Rochow 1951 (habitat type 6430) at marsh margins on eutrophic to mesotrophic soils. Further moisture reduction or water drainage can lead to dynamic transformation towards alliance Arrhenatherion elatioris Koch 1926 (habitat type 6510) or Triseto flavescentis-Polygonion bistortae Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Marschall 1947 (habitat type 6520). The habitat can be colonized by pre-forest willow carr (alliance Salicion cinereae T. Müller et Görs ex Passarge 1961) which are a prelude to the formation of marshy woods of the alliance Alnion glutinosae Malcuit 1929 (habitat type 91E0*). Contacts can be observed with the Bidention tripartitae Nordhagen ex Klika et Hadač 1944 alliance (habitat type 3270), with tall-herb humid meadows (habitat type 6410), and with fens, mires and bogs belonging to alliances Caricion fuscae Koch 1926 nom. conserv. propos., Caricion davallianae Klika 1934, Scheuchzerion palustris Nordhagen ex Tx. 1937, Sphagno-Caricion canescentis Passarge (1964) 1978 nom. conserv. propos., Sphagno warnstorfii-Tomentypnion nitentis Dahl 1957, Sphagnion medii Kästner et Flössner 1933 (habitat types 7110*, 7120, 7140, 7150, and 7230).

Grey willow carrs

Natura 2000 : Not included in any Annex I habitat type.

Type : New habitat type.

Authors : Selvaggi A., Oriolo G.

Macrotype : 4 “Temperate heath and scrub”.

EEA Biogeographical region : Continental, (Alpine).

Region : Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto.

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : 44.921.

EUNIS 2012 : F9.21.

EUNIS 2021 : S9.21.

European Red List of Habitats : NT (F9.2).

Bern convention : -

Motivation : This habitat type plays an important role in the conservation of diversified riparial and alluvial ecocomplexes consisting mostly of mosaics of wet and swampy woods, swamps and tall sedges wetlands.

Salix fen scrub (EUNIS 2012 F9.2) are assessed as NT (Near threatened) in the “European Red List of Habitats” (Janssen et al., 2016). In alpine countries the habitat type is considered in low decline in France (Villaret et al., 2019) and in Switzerland is assessed as NT (Delarze et al., 2016). It can host rare and threatened plant species (Rossi et al., 2020) like Thelypteris palustris (VU) and Osmunda regalis (NT), or amphibians like Hyla arborea, Rana latastei, R. dalmatina, Pelobates fuscus subsp. insubricus. Furthermore, this habitat suits many bird species, especially for the nesting of the herons Ardeola ralloides and Nycticorax nycticorax.

Diagnostic sentence : Large or medium sized shrubby willows, generally dominated by Salix cinerea, alone or in association with Alnus glutinosa and Frangula alnus subsp. alnus. The herb layer is usually sparse due to shading by shrub species; presence of species of marshes, wet meadows or beds of large sedges.

Reference list of typical species : Alnus glutinosa, A. incana, Carex acutiformis, C. elata, C. elongata, C. pseudocyperus, Calamagrostis canescens subsp. canescens, Frangula alnus subsp. alnus, Galium palustre s.l., Lycopus europaeus, Lysimachia vulgaris, Osmunda regalis, Phragmites australis, Salix cinerea, S. myrsinifolia, Scutellaria galericulata, Solanum dulcamara, Thelypteris palustris.

Syntaxonomic reference : Alliance Salicion cinereae T. Müller et Görs ex Passarge 1961 (order Salicetalia auritae Doing 1962, class Franguletea Doing ex Westhoff in Westhoff et Den Held 1969) according to Mucina et al. (2016). Biondi et al. (2014) considered class Franguletea as syntaxonomic synonym of Alnetea glutinosae Br.-Bl. et Tüxen ex Westhoff, Dijk et Passchier 1946.

Dynamics and contacts : The fringes of lakes and ponds in the silting phase (e.g. meander lakes), marshy floodplains or fens where maintenance or mowing interventions are interrupted can evolve into permanently flooded sedges and common reed beds. They can be colonized by pre-forest willow carr of Salix cinerea which are a prelude to the formation of marshy woods with Alnus glutinosa (habitat type 91E0*).

Acidic fens

Natura 2000 : Not yet included in any Annex I habitat type.

Type : New habitat type.

Authors : Selvaggi A., Lasen C., Miserere L.

Macrotype : 7 “Raised bogs and mires and fens”.

EEA Biogeographical region : Alpine, Continental.

Region : Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto.

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : 54.41, 54.42.

EUNIS 2012 : D2.21, D2.22.

EUNIS 2021 : Q22, Q24.

European Red List of Habitats : VU (D2.2a, D2.2c).

Bern convention : -

Motivation : Very rare habitat type in the plains and in reduction on the montane belt. It is frequent in the subalpine-alpine belt of the Alps but limited to small surfaces. It plays a very important functional role in the conservation of diversified wetland eco-complexes, mostly consisting of mosaics of habitat types. The wettest and more peaty communities are the most interesting from a biological point of view. As all mires, ranging from fens to bogs, they are threatened by multiple impacts, like intensive cattle grazing (overgrazing and trampling), draining (Spitale, 2021), and climate change (Essl et al., 2012). Acidic fens (Poor fens and intermediate fens listed with codes D2.2a and D2.2c) are considered VU in European Red List of Habitats (Janssen et al., 2016). In the Alps, the habitat is considered in decline in France (Villaret et al., 2019), and in Switzerland is assessed as VU (Delarze et al., 2016). Some Italian regions, such as the Aosta Valley, have already included the habitat within regional nature conservation laws (Aosta Valley Regional Law no. 8/2007). It is the habitat of some rare or specialised odonates like Aeshna juncea, Leucorrhinia dubia, Somatochlora alpestris, and Sympetrum danae (Delarze and Gonseth, 2008; Villaret et al., 2019).

Diagnostic sentence : Fen communities associated with acidic lithological substrates with low values of conductivity and high average values of annual precipitation, dominated by small sedges and mosses, associated with a reduced number of other vascular plants. The moss layer is made up of brown mosses, Sphagnum spp., or both. On the montane-alpine belt, they occupy wet gentle slopes and plateaus where snow meltwater remains or encircle lakesides with Eriophorum scheuchzeri or Carex rostrata.

Reference list of typical species : Agrostis canina, Carex canescens subsp. canescens, C. demissa subsp. demissa, C. echinata subsp. echinata, C. lachenalii subsp. lachenalii, C. magellanica subsp. irrigua, C. nigra, Drosera rotundifolia, Epilobium palustre, Eriophorum angustifolium subsp. angustifolium, E. scheuchzeri, Juncus filiformis, Trichophorum caespitosum subsp. cespitosum, Viola palustris.

Mosses and liverworts : Aulacomnium palustre, Drepanocladus aduncus, Gymnocolea inflata, Sarmentypnum exannulatum, S. sarmentosum, Scapania paludosa, Sphagnum compactum, S. fallax, S. palustre, S. subsecundum, S. warnstorfii, Straminergon stramineum.

Syntaxonomic reference : Alliances: Caricion fuscae Koch 1926 nom. conserv. propos., Sphagno-Caricion canescentis Passarge (1964) 1978 nom. conserv. propos., Drepanocladion exannulati Krajina 1933 (order Caricetalia fuscae Koch 1926, class Scheuchzerio palustris-Caricetea fuscae Tx. 1937). Mucina et al. (2016) proposed to conserve the name Caricion fuscae Koch 1926 “in order to use this well-established name for moderate to lowly calcium-rich slightly acidic fens dominated by calcifuge brown-mosses or nutrient-demanding peat-mosses of Europe” while Biondi et al. (2014) used the name Caricion nigrae Koch 1926 em. Klika 1934 nom. mut. propos.

Dynamics and contacts : Acidic fens are characterized by the presence of a regular and permanent or semi-permanent oligotrophic water table. Evolution is slow and leads to the formation of hydromorphic, peaty, acidic, and poorly oxygenated soils. In a peaty context, local topographical conditions, evolution, and current or historical use, can create mosaics of habitat type including flat areas, reliefs, and depressions (pools and hummocks). The reliefs (hummocks) can host vegetation of the alliance Sphagnion medii Kästner et Flössner 1933 (habitat type 7110*), while depressions (pools) can be occupied by transitional communities classified into the alliances Caricion lasiocarpae Vanden Berghen in Lebrun et al. 1949 (habitat type 7140) and Rhynchosporion albae Koch 1926 by some authors (Biondi et al., 2014), but included in Caricion fuscae Koch 1926 nom. conserv. propos. by others (Mucina et al., 2016; Peterka et al., 2017; Preislerová et al., 2022). If the fen is fed by spring waters, there may be contact with the spring and runoff vegetation belonging to the alliance Cardamino-Montion Br.-Bl. 1926 (EUNIS 2012 D2.2C1), characterized by the presence of a compact layer of specialized bryophytes.

In the driest part of the acidic fens, often raised and/or at the edge of the wetland, there is an increase in the coverage of Trichophorum caespitosum, which, with Nardus stricta, highlights the transition to pastures of Nardion strictae Br.-Bl. 1926. The mosaics with the pasture vegetation belonging to alliance Nardion strictae Br.-Bl. 1926 or Poion alpinae Gams ex Oberd. 1950 are also influenced by the intensity and type of grazing.

Scots pine forests of the Italian Alps

Natura 2000 : Not yet included in any Annex I habitat type. The subtype E is geographically contiguous and ecologically similar to the habitat type 91R0 “Dinaric dolomite Scots pine forests (Genisto januensis-Pinetum)” to which it can be associated. The Pinus sylvestris mire woods (CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC 44.A2) belonging to the associations Vaccinio uliginosi-Pinetum sylvestris Kleist 1929 and Molinio coeruleae-Pinetum sylvestris (Hofm.) Passarge 1978 em. Minghetti et Pedrotti 2000, recorded and described in Trentino-South Tyrol (Minghetti, 2003) are included in Annex I habitat 91D0* "Bog woodland" (Biondi et al., 2009).

Type : New habitat type with subtypes.

Authors : Caccianiga M., Armiraglio S., Bonari G., Dalle Fratte M., Lasen C., Selvaggi A.

Macrotype : 94XX “Temperate mountainous coniferous forests”.

EEA Biogeographical region : Alpine, Continental, Mediterranean.

Region : Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto.

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : A) 42.53; B) 42.54, 42.58 (SW- Alps); C) 42.55 (W-Alps, Inner alpine); 42.525 (E-Alps); D) 42.53 p.p. (W-Alps); 42.5 p.p., 42.541 p.p. (E-Alps); E) 42.5 p.p.

EUNIS2012 : A) G3.43; B) G3.441, G3.48 (SW- Alps); C) G3.45 (W- Alps, Inner alpine), G3.425 (E-Alps); D) G3.43 p.p. (W-Alps); G3.4C p.p., G3.441 p.p. (E-Alps) E) G3.4C.

EUNIS2021 : A) T353; B) T3541, T358 (SW- Alps); C) T355 (W-Alps, Inner alpine), T3525 (E-Alps); D*) T353 p.p. (W-Alps), T361 p.p. (E-Alps); E) T361.

European Red List of Habitats : A) NT (G3.4a); B) NT (G3.4a); C) NT (G3.4a); D) NT (G3.4a) (W-Alps), LC (G3.4b) (E-Alps); E) LC (G3.4b).

Bern convention : A) G3.43; B) G3.44; C) -; D) G3.43 p.p. (W-Alps), G3.44 p.p. (E-Alps); E) G3.44.

Motivation : Pinus sylvestris forests in northern Italy host floristically relevant species and represent a valuable forest type from the landscape point of view (Minghetti, 2003; Armiraglio et al., 2006; Lasen, 2006; Lasen, 2014). They occur in different environmental conditions due to the high ecological amplitude and genetic variability of P. sylvestris (Del Favero, 2004), also reflected in its wide geographic distribution (Euroasiatic). In the Alps, the habitat is threatened by forest decay (Vacchiano et al., 2008). Most subtypes are considered NT in the European Red List of Habitats (Janssen et al., 2016) and the subtypes (A, B, D, E) are listed in Resolution No. 4 1996 listing endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures under Bern convention (Evans and Roekaerts, 2019). However, in spite of their relevance throughout the Italian Alps, no habitat type specifically includes P. sylvestris-dominated forests.

Diagnostic sentence : Forests of the Italian Alps dominated by P. sylvestris. Different subtypes can be distinguished, mainly corresponding to syntaxa identifiable on the basis of the ecological characteristics of the substrate (pH, soil, water), elevation, climate, internal or external position with respect to the Alpine Arch.

Subtypes : A*) Inner-Alpine Ononis steppe P. sylvestris forests; B) Alpine spring heath Pinus sylvestris forests; C) Alpine acidophilous P. sylvestris forests; D*) Montane P. sylvestris forests on gravel beds; E) P. sylvestris forests of dolomites and dolomite rendzinas of the eastern Alps and Pre-Alps, with a predominantly suboceanic climate.

The subtypes A and D are proposed as priority habitat types sensu Habitats Directive.

Reference list of typical species : Pinus sylvestris A) Amelanchier ovalis subsp. ovalis, Astragalus austriacus, A. exscapus subsp. exscapus, A. monspessulanus s.l., A. onobrychis, A. hypoglottis s.l., Berberis vulgaris, Calamagrostis varia, Carex digitata, Coronilla minima subsp. minima, Daphne alpina s.l., Hieracium symphytaceum subsp. symphytaceum, Juniperus communis, J. sabina, Ononis natrix subsp. natrix, O. pusilla subsp. pusilla, O. rotundifolia, O. spinosa subsp. procurrens, Onobrychis saxatilis, Oxytropis xerophila, Prunus mahaleb subsp. mahaleb, Rosa rubiginosa, Silene otites subsp. otites, Thalictrum foetidum subsp. foetidum, Viburnum lantana, Viscum album subsp. austriacum; B) Achnatherum calamagrostis, Amelanchier ovalis subsp. ovalis, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Berberis vulgaris, Buxus sempervirens, Calamagrostis varia, Carex alba, C. ornithopoda, C. humilis, C. flacca s.l., Centaurea scabiosa s.l., Cytisophyllum sessilifolium, Cytisus nigricans s.l., Epipactis atrorubens, Erica carnea subsp. carnea, Goodyera repens, Juniperus communis, Laserpitium halleri subsp. halleri, Melampyrum pratense s.l., M. sylvaticum subsp. sylvaticum, Molinia caerulea, Monotropa hypopitys, Neottia nidus-avis, Phyteuma betonicifolium, Polygaloides chamaebuxus, Pyrola chlorantha, Quercus pubescens, Sesleria caerulea subsp. caerulea, Sorbus aria, Tolpis staticifolia; C) Avenella flexuosa subsp. flexuosa, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Calluna vulgaris, Dianthus seguieri subsp. seguieri, Festuca acuminata, Genista germanica, Lathyrus linifolius, Luzula nivea, L. pedemontana, Melampyrum pratense s.l., Minuartia laricifolia subsp. laricifolia, Molinia arundinacea, Rhododendron ferrugineum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea; D) Alnus incana, Calamagrostis epigejos subsp. epigejos, C. pseudophragmites subsp. pseudophragmites, Hippophae fluviatilis, Salix eleagnos, S. purpurea subsp. purpurea; E) Brachypodium rupestre, Carex alba, Cytisus purpureus, Erica carnea subsp. carnea, Euphorbia kerneri, E. variabilis, Fraxinus ornus, Ostrya carpinifolia, Sesleria caerulea subsp. caerulea, Thliphthisa purpurea subsp. purpurea.

Syntaxonomic reference : A) alliance Ononido rotundifoliae-Pinion sylvestris Br.-Bl. 1950, order Astragalo monspessulani-Pinetalia sylvestris Oberd. in Theurillat et al. 1995, class Pyrolo-Pinetea sylvestris Korneck 1974; B) alliance Erico carneae-Pinion Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et al. 1939 nom. invers. propos., order Erico-Pinetalia Horvat 1959 nom. conserv. propos., class Erico-Pinetea Horvat 1959; C) alliance Dicrano-Pinion sylvestris (Libbert 1933) W. Matuszkiewicz 1962 nom. conserv. propos.; order Pinetalia sylvestris Oberd. 1957, class Vaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et al. 1939; D) W-Alps: association Calamagrostio pseudophragmitae-Pinetum sylvestris Mondino 1963 ex Poldini 1984, alliance Ononido rotundifoliae-Pinion sylvestris Br.-Bl. 1950, order Astragalo monspessulani-Pinetalia sylvestris Oberd. in Theurillat et al. 1995, class Pyrolo-Pinetea sylvestris Korneck 1974; Eastern Alps: association Alno incanae-Pinetum sylvestris Poldini 1984, alliance Erico-Fraxinion orni Horvat 1959 nom. invers. propos., class Erico-Pinetea Horvat 1959; association Salici eleagni-Pinetum sylvestris Oberd. 1957, alliance Erico carneae-Pinion Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et al. 1939 nom. invers. propos., order Erico-Pinetalia Horvat 1959 nom. conserv. propos., class Erico-Pinetea Horvat 1959; E) alliance Erico-Fraxinion orni Horvat 1959, order Erico-Pinetalia Horvat 1959, class Erico-Pinetea Horvat 1959.

The alliance Deschampsio-Pinion sylvestris Br.-Bl. 1961, previously attributed to acidophilous alpine P. sylvestris communities, geographically vicariant of the central European alliance Dicrano-Pinion sylvestris (Libbert 1933) W. Matuszkiewicz 1962, is currently considered its syntaxonomic synonym.

Dynamics and contacts : Subtype D has dynamic relationships with habitat types 3220, 3230, 3240, of which they represent the final successional stage.

Green alder scrub with tall herbs

Natura 2000 : 4060 “Alpine and Boreal heaths”.

Type : New habitat subtype.

Authors : Lasen C., Mainetti A.

Macrotype : 4 “Temperate heath and scrub”.

EEA Biogeographical region : Alpine.

Region : Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto.

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : 31.611.

EUNIS 2012 : F2.3111.

EUNIS 2021 : S25111.

European Red List of Habitats : LC (F9.2).

Bern convention : -

Motivation : The lack in the Interpretation Manual of EU Habitats EUR28 of valuable green alder scrubs deserves attention. In view of the considerable heterogeneity of the formations that can be included in the habitat type 4060, an extension is proposed here. Scrubs of the sub-alpine belt are generally zonal communities and, except for basiphilous P. mugo scrub (habitat type 4070*) and Salix spp. scrub (habitat type 4080), are grouped under the code 4060. The Interpretation Manual of EU Habitats EUR28 (European Commission, 2013) gives examples, with multiple subtypes, that allow Rhododendron spp. scrub to be easily referred to this code, also with Juniperus communis. These communities are a zonal expression of the vegetation enclosed between the upper limit of the forest and the primary grasslands or other types of scrubs such those dominated by Ericaceae, suffruticose dwarf-shrubs, Genista spp. and other thermophilous formations of the forest margins, located on average at lower elevations. However, Alnus alnobetula formations (Alnetum viridis s.l.) are not mentioned in the Interpretation Manual of EU Habitats EUR28 although they host, in the entire Alpine Arch, well characterised communities both floristically (herbaceous layer with elements of habitat 6430 with tall herbs) and ecologically (extensive slopes with long snowfall or even avalanche-prone slopes) on soils derived from both siliceous and calcareous-terrigenous substrates, capable of retaining humidity even in periods of relatively low precipitation. Moreover, Alnus alnobetula formations belonging to the Alnetum viridis characterise the alpine landscape in various sectors and are communities of naturalistic value for the species they can host, also with respect to the fauna. The alliance Alnion viridis includes also more trivial communities developing on abandoned pastures on subacidophilous soils. These communities are to be referred to the Rhododendron ferruginei-Alnetum viridis association (Boscutti et al., 2014), which are not to be considered habitats of community interest.

Diagnostic sentence : Scrubs dominated by Alnus alnobetula, widespread in the subalpine belt and at lower elevations on avalanche-prone slopes. Together with a few other shrub species, the herbaceous layer is characterised by extensive tall-herbs cover, favoured by the site conditions typically characterised by long snowfall and high humidity, as also indicated by the presence of high bryophyte cover.

Reference list of typical species : Achillea macrophylla, Adenostyles alliariae, Alchemilla spp., Alnus alnobetula, Chaerophyllum hirsutum, Cicerbita alpina, Descurainia tanacetifolia, Doronicum austriacum, Dryopteris dilatata, Geranium sylvaticum, Milium effusum subsp. effusum, Poa hybrida, Primula matthioli, Rumex arifolius, Salix appendiculata, Saxifraga rotundifolia, Sorbus chamaemespilus, Stellaria nemorum subsp. nemorum, Streptopus amplexifolius, Tozzia alpina, Viola biflora.

Syntaxonomic reference : The proposed subtype corresponds to the association Alnetum viridis Berger 1922 (alliance Alnion viridis Schnyder 1930, order Alnetalia viridis Rübel ex Karner et Willner in Willner et Grabherr 2007, class Betulo carpaticae-Alnetea viridis Rejmánek ex Bœuf, Theurillat, Willner, Mucina et Simler in Bœuf et al. 2014).

Dynamics and contacts : Alnus alnobetula formations are in contact with other subalpine communities, in particular with various types of willow scrubs (habitat type 4080, in which the distinction derives from the dominance relationship, but also from the herbaceous tall herb layer that is much less widespread or completely absent in willow groves). Transitional situations are often observed with P. mugo scrubs (also basiphile in habitat type 4070) and Rhododendron scrubs. Contacts of a serial nature are known with communities of Salix appendiculata or Sorbus aucuparia subsp. aucuparia in which the tall herb layer is diminished. Within formations dominated by Alnus alnobetula, small springs frequently occur and furrows are formed. Here, elements of class Montio-Cardaminetea occur. An elevational/serial sequence occurs in dolomitic areas with volcanic substrate, starting from pure Alnus alnobetula formations, which becomes enriched by Sorbus aucuparia subsp. aucuparia and then by Acer psuedoplatanus, revealing possible contacts with the habitat type 9140. Contacts with different types of Fagus sylvatica forests can be observed in correspondence of impluvia conditioned by snow discharge.

Ultramafic grasslands of northwestern Italy

Natura 2000 : 6130 “Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae”.

Type : New habitat subtypes.

Authors : Selvaggi A., Lonati M.

Macrotype : 61 “Natural grasslands”.

EEA Biogeographical region : Alpine, Continental, Mediterranean.

Region : Aosta Valley, Piedmont.

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : 36.44.

EUNIS 2012 : E1.B5.

EUNIS 2021 : R1S5.

European Red List of Habitats : EN (E1.B).

Bern convention : E1.B.

Motivation : As suggested by Casavecchia et al. (2021), herbaceous and dwarf shrub-suffrutescent plant communities typical of Italian ultramafic soils have been generally referred to the habitat type 6130 based on broad ecological similarity, rather than on syntaxonomic evidence (Mucina et al., 2016), limiting the vegetation of the Violetalia calaminariae only to communities on screes and the “heavy-metal tolerant vegetation on mining spoil heaps of cool-temperate Europe”. On the contrary, the Interpretation Manual of EU Habitats EUR28 (European Commission, 2013) explicitly highlights that this habitat type includes open natural or semi-natural grasslands on natural rock outcrops rich in heavy metals and cites the reference to the PALAEARCTIC codes 34.2 (Lowland heavy metal grasslands) and 36.44 (Alpine heavy metal communities). For these reasons we propose here, in agreement with Casavecchia et al. (2021), to adopt a more inclusive concept and diagnostic sentence for the habitat type 6130, and to include all the communities present in northern Italy on ultramafic soils. We consider necessary to better define their attribution to subtypes. These open grasslands are characterized by a highly specialized flora with the presence, mainly among the nickel hyperaccumulator taxa, of threatened endemic taxa and species, subspecies, and ecotypes adapted to heavy metals. Baker et al. (2010) highlighted the rarity and fragmentation of primary sites of metallophytes, often forming small geographically isolated ‘islands’ in areas characterized by background vegetation with non-elevated metal concentrations. Because of their restricted geographical distribution and very limited ecological amplitude, metallophytes are prone to extinction due to habitat destruction, genetic drift, demographic stochasticity, and inbreeding.

Diagnostic sentence : Herbaceous or herbaceous-suffrutescent formations with sparse cover, natural or semi-natural, on shallow soils often with rocky or gravelly outcrops, rich in heavy metals (e.g. nickel, zinc, chromium, copper), mostly of ultramafic nature, locally in mining districts. The flora is highly specialized, with taxa adapted to heavy metals and often Ni-hyperaccumulators. Variants are recognized based on geographical distribution, floristic composition and nature of the substrate.

We propose to better define, in Piedmont and Aosta Valley, two of the five subtypes described by Casavecchia et al. (2021), and we highlight the need for further analysis to delimit other subtypes proposed by the same authors in northwestern Italy.

Subtypes : A) Herbaceous or herbaceous-suffrutescent communities on the subalpine-alpine belt of the Italian western Alps, developed on serpentine rocks; B) Northern Apennines garrigue communities growing on ophiolitic substrates.

Communities strictly found on ultramafic cliffs and screes deposits (chasmophytic, comophytic and glareicolous) should be referred to other habitat types.

Reference list of typical species : A) Carex fimbriata; B) Alyssoides utriculata subsp. utriculata, Cerastium utriense, Euphorbia spinosa subsp. spinosa, Centaurea aplolepa subsp. aplolepa, Cherleria laricifolia subsp. ophiolitica, Linaria supina subsp. supina, Linum campanulatum, Potentilla pedata, Sesamoides interrupta, Viola bertolonii.

Syntaxonomic reference : A) association Caricetum fimbriatae Richard, alliance Oxytropido-Elynion myosuroidis Br.-Bl. 1950, order Oxytropido-Elynetalia Albrecht 1969, class Carici rupestris-Kobresietea bellardii Ohba 1974; B) Community with Cerastium utriense and Alyssoides utriculata, order Rosmarinetalia officinalis Br.-Bl. Ex Molinier 1934, class Ononido-Rosmarinetea Br.-Bl. in A. Bolòs y Vayreda 1950.

Mucina et al. (2016) considered the alliance Alyssion bertolonii E. Pignatti et Pignatti 1977 included in order Erysimo-Jurineetalia bocconei S. Brullo 1984, class Festuco hystricis-Ononidetea striatae Rivas-Mart. et al. 2002; according to the Italian literature (Biondi et al., 2014; Casavecchia et al., 2021), we adopted the syntaxonomic treatment within the class Rosmarinetea officinalis.

The association Campanulo bertolae-Alyssoidetum utriculatae Montacchini et al. 1982, described for Susa Valley (Piedmont) on ophiolitic rocky habitats, would be attributed to the alliance Potentillion caulescentis by the authors (Montacchini et al., 1982); therefore, it seems appropriate to associate it with the habitat type 8210, waiting for further analyses.

Communities consisting only of chasmophytes of serpentine rocks (alliance Asplenion serpentinii Br.-Bl. Et Tüxen 1943) (PALAEARCTIC 62.213, EUNIS 2012 H3.113) are included in the habitat type 8220 (Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation), according with European Commission (2013).

The alliance Galio anisophylli-Minuartion vernae Ernst 1965, with the association Violetum dubyanae Ernst 1965 described on the basis of surveys carried out in the Bergamo Alps, are indicated by Ernst (1965) as typical herbaceous communities of heavy metal substrates belonging to order Violetalia calaminariae Br.-Bl. Et Tx. Ex Ernst 1965. As also reported by other authors (Baker et al., 2010), they should be excluded and must be traced back to the alliance Thlaspion rotundifolii Jenny-Lips 1930 (Punz and Mucina, 1997; Mucina et al., 2016).

Dynamics and contacts : The community of the subtype A mainly contacts the association Caricetum fimbriatae and is at the crossroad of three orders (Richard, 1985) characterized by acidophilous species of Caricetalia curvulae Br.-Bl. In Br.-Bl. et Jenny 1926, neutrophilous species of Seslerietalia caeruleae Br.-Bl. In Br.-Bl. et Jenny 1926, and indicator species of windy ridge vegetation (Oxytropido-Elynetalia Albrecht 1969). Consequently, contacts can be identified with habitat types 6150, 6170, and 6130. Cavallero et al. (2007) highlighted contacts with: 1) Nardus stricta and Carex sempervirens with Trifolium alpinum grasslands (habitat type 6150); 2) grasslands belonging to the alliance Festucion variae (habitat type 6150), in more rocky areas; 3) with Festuca violacea grasslands (association Trifolio thalii-Festucetum nigricantis, alliance Caricion ferrugineae, habitat type 6170), where the slope decreases and the soil improves; 4) with basiphilous formations with Onobrychys montana and Helianthemum nummularium subsp. grandiflorum (alliance Seslerion variae, habitat type 6170).

Vegetation dynamics of the subtype B are very slow as underlined by Casavecchia et al. (2021). There are contacts with meso-xeric grasslands (habitat type 6210) with Bromopsis erecta, Brachypodium genuense and Sesleria pichiana, and stable stages dominated locally by Erica cinerea or Erica scoparia (habitat 4030), or Juniperus communis matorral (habitat 5130). The vegetation on screes (habitat 8130) and cliffs (habitat type 8210) partially shares the floristic composition and hosts also other serpentinophytes species like Asplenium cuneifolium, Paragymnopteris marantae subsp. marantae.

Species-rich Nardus grasslands on siliceous substrates of the Alps

Natura 2000 : 6230* “Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe)”.

Type : New habitat subtypes.

Authors : Dalle Fratte M., Barcella M., Caccianiga M., Oriolo G., Cerabolini B.E.L.

Macrotype : 62 “Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies”.

EEA Biogeographical region : Alpine, Continental.

Region : Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto.

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : A-B) 35.11, C) 37.32, D) 36.311.

EUNIS 2012 : A-B) E1.71, C) E3.52, D) E4.311.

EUNIS 2021 : A-B) R1M1, C) R372, D) R4311.

European Red List of Habitats : A-B) VU (1.7), C) EN (E3.5), D) LC (E4.3a).

Bern convention : A-B) E1.71, C) E3.5, D) E4.3.

Motivation : Nardus grasslands (6230*) represent a priority importance habitat type largely widespread in the EU (Galvánek and Janák, 2008). Italy is the country with the greatest surface of the habitat 6230* within the Natura 2000 sites (Galvánek and Janák, 2008), mostly located in the Alpine biogeographical region (EEA, 2022b).

The definition of this habitat type determines critically important features that are mandatory for its identification, specifically relating to substrate, elevation, and number of species. However, the habitat definition has been extended to cover wider ecological conditions, specifically to substrates not strictly siliceous (e.g. Biondi et al., 2009; Gennai et al., 2014; Lüth et al., 2011; Bensettiti et al., 2005), likely including communities with higher plant diversity (e.g. Pittarello et al., 2017). Furthermore, over the years there have been changes in the syntaxonomic classification of Nardus grasslands in northern Italy that have increased the possibility of confusion in the interpretation of this habitat type. The identification of habitat subtypes seems thus necessary to disentangle all the facets of this habitat type in northern Italy.

Diagnostic sentence : Closed, dry or mesophile, perennial Nardus grasslands occupying siliceous soils in Atlantic or sub-Atlantic or boreal lowland, hill and montane regions of middle and northern Europe and western Iberia. Vegetation highly varied, but the variation is characterised by continuity. Species-rich sites should be interpreted as sites which are remarkable for a high number of species. In general, habitats irreversibly degraded by overgrazing should be excluded.

The following habitat subtypes can be identified in northern Italy: A) Meso-subxerophytic oligotrophic grasslands in the lowland to submontane belt of the sub-Atlantic regions of western and central Europe, subject to grazing or regular mowing without fertilization (Violion caninae); B) Dry and oligotrophic pastures in the montane belt of the Alps (Nardo-Agrostion tenuis and Nardo-Agrostion caninae); C) Hygrophilous oligotrophic meadows on peaty soils in the montane belt of the subatlantic regions of western and central Europe (Nardo-Juncion squarrosi); D) Chionophilous grasslands in the subalpine belt of the Alps, usually subject to grazing (Nardion strictae).

Reference list of typical species : Nardus stricta, A) Agrostis capillaris subsp. capillaris, Avenella flexuosa subsp. flexuosa, Campanula rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia, Centaurea jacea s.l., Danthonia decumbens subsp. decumbens, Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides, Euphrasia officinalis s.l., Galium pumilum, Genista sagittalis, G. tinctoria, Hypericum maculatum subsp. maculatum, Leontodon hispidus subsp. hispidus, Pimpinella saxifraga, Potentilla erecta, Thesium pyrenaicum subsp. pyrenaicum, Thymus gr. serpyllum, Viola canina subsp. canina; B) Agrostis canina subsp. canina, Asphodelus albus subsp. subalpinus, Bromopsis caprina, Carex pilulifera subsp. pilulifera, C. repens, Cerastium tomentosum, Festuca ovina agg., Filipendula vulgaris, Geranium austroapenninum, Helianthemum oelandicum subsp. incanum, Laserpitium latifolium, Luzula sylvatica subsp. sieberi, Polygala alpestris subsp. alpestris, Rhinanthus minor, Tragopogon crocifolius subsp. crocifolius, Tragopogon pratensis, Viola cassinensis subsp. pseudogracilis; C) Agrostis canina subsp. canina, Carex echinata subsp. echinata, C. nigra subsp. nigra, C. panicea, Erica tetralix, Festuca ovina agg., Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp. pneumonanthe, Juncus squarrosus, Lysimachia europaea, Molinia caerulea, Sphagnum spp., Trichophorum cespitosum subsp. cespitosum; D) Antennaria dioica, Arnica montana subsp. montana, Bellardiochloa variegata subsp. variegata, Carex pilulifera, Gentiana acaulis, Geum montanum, Patzkea subsp. paniculata, Pilosella lactucella subsp. lactucella, Pilosella officinarum, Polygala vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, Potentilla aurea subsp. aurea, Pseudorchis albida, Scorzoneroides helvetica, Veronica officinalis.

Syntaxonomic reference : In northern Italy, this habitat type includes the alliances (A) Violion caninae Schwickerath 1944, (B) Nardo-Agrostion tenuis Sillinger 1933, Nardo-Agrostion caninae Cortini-Pedrotti et al. 1973, (C) Nardo-Juncion squarrosi (Oberd. 1957) Passarge 1964 belonging to the order Nardetalia strictae Preising 1950 (class Nardetea strictae Rivas Goday et Borja Carbonell in Rivas Goday et Mayor López 1966 nom. conserv. propos.), and the alliance (D) Nardion strictae Br.-Bl. 1926 of the order Festucetalia spadiceae Barbero 1970 (class Juncetea trifidi Hadač in Klika et Hadač 1944). The Nardion strictae alliance shows a strong regional differentiation, that in the Alps and Pyrenees can be referred to the Sieversio-Nardetum strictae Lüdi 1948 association (European Commission, 2013) but limited to the montane-subalpine belt.

Dynamics and contacts : Nardus grasslands are mainly in contact with beech forests on siliceous substrates (habitat types 9110 and 9120) in the montane belt or spruce forests (habitat type 9410) at higher elevations. This habitat type is in contact with different scrubs, ranging from alpine and boreal heaths (habitat type 4060) to dry heaths (habitat type 4030) or Juniperus communis formations (habitat type 5130). Nardus grasslands are in contact also with hay meadows (habitat type 6520) mainly in the montane belt, grasslands of primary origin (habitat type 6150), and cenosis of the Agrostion schraderianae Grabherr 1993 in the subalpine belt. On wetter soils, they contact Molinia meadows (habitat type 6410), or even transitional peat bogs (habitat type 7140). Sometimes this habitat type can be in contact with subnival aspects of the alliance Arabidion caeruleae Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et Jenny 1926. In absence of management, Nardus grasslands tend to be invaded by shrubs (e.g. Calluna vulgaris, Juniperus spp., Vaccinium spp.) or trees (e.g. Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Pinus sylvestris, Populus tremula, and sometimes Larix decidua, Picea abies, and Pinus cembra). In cooler and wetter sites, they can be invaded by Deschampsia caespitosa.

Italian lowland, colline and sub-montane permanent pastures of Cynosurion cristati

Natura 2000 : 6510 “Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)”

Type : New habitat subtype.

Authors : Lonati M., Selvaggi A., Mainetti A.

Macrotype : 6 "Natural and semi-natural grassland formations"; 65 "Mesophile grasslands".

EEA Biogeographical region : Alpine, Continental, Mediterranean.

Region : Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto.

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : 38.1.

EUNIS 2012 : E2.1.

EUNIS 2021 : R2.1.

European Red List of Habitats : VU (E2.1).

Bern convention : -

Motivation : In Italy these semi-natural pastures have a peculiar floristic richness and host many species (Casavecchia et al., 2021). Like other semi-natural pastures, these communities in northern Italy are strongly dependent on grazing and are threatened by the intensification of agricultural practices or by undergrazing and abandonment. The floristic richness of these communities is strongly dependent by the mechanical action of grazing animals: grazing and trampling create a heterogeneous grass cover compared to mown grasslands, which favour the coexistence of different plant species (annual, thorny, sub-nitrophilous, reptant) (Buffa et al., 1988-89). Animal droppings (dung, urine) are also important, ensuring regular fertilisation of the soil (Delarze and Gonseth, 2008).

Diagnostic sentence : Mesic permanent grassland of lowlands, hills and sub-mountain areas of northern Italy.

Reference list of typical species : Bellis perennis, Crepis capillaris, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra s.l., Hypochoeris radicata, Lolium perenne, Lolium pratense, Phleum pratense subsp. pratense, Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis, P. trivialis, Prunella vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officinale sect. Taraxacum, Trifolium repens, Veronica serpyllifolia.

Syntaxonomic reference : Alliance Cynosurion cristati Tx. 1947 (order Arrhenatheretalia elatioris Tx. 1931, class Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Tx. 1937). This proposal includes permanent communities associated with an agricultural use of grasslands. On the contrary, communities resulting from the temporary abandonment of cultivation (e.g. communities with Lolium multiflorum; Poldini and Oriolo, 1994) or turf relegated to archaeological sites and/or public parks (e.g. communities with Plantago major and Trifolium repens) are excluded. However, this is in contrast with Delarze and Gonseth (2008). In their view, grass carpets in parks and sport grounds constitute a very impoverished variant of Cynosurion cristati.

Dynamics and contacts : The maintenance of this habitat is strongly linked to regular grazing. In the lowlands, abandonment leads to rapid invasion by alien herbaceous species (Artemisia verlotiorum, Solidago spp.). The habitat is dynamically linked to scrubs of the class Crataego-Prunetea Tx. 1962 nom. conserv. propos. A change in agricultural practices, from grazing to mowing, favours tall grasses (Arrhenatherum elatius, Trisetaria flavescens subsp. flavescens) with progressive transformation of the community towards hay meadows (Habitat 6510 in lowland, Habitat 6520 in sub-montane area). Overgrazing could favour ruderal and nitrophilous species typical of heavily grazed zoo-anthropogenic nutrient-rich grasslands, belonging to the order Potentillo-Polygonetalia avicularis Tx 1947. Catenal contacts with semi-natural dry grasslands dominated by Bromopsis erecta (Habitat 6210) and acidophitic grasslands dominated by Nardus stricta (Habitat 6230*) occur.

Xeric and meso-xeric grasslands of the eastern submediterranean zones of the southern Pre-Alps

Natura 2000 : 62A0* “Eastern sub-mediterranean dry grasslands (Scorzoneretalia villosae) (* important orchid sites)”.

Type : New priority criteria for a pre-existing habitat type.

Authors : Armiraglio S., Buffa G., Caccianiga M., Cerabolini B.E.L., Dalle Fratte M., Oriolo G.

Macrotype : 6 “Natural and semi-natural grassland formations”.; 62 “Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies”.

EEA Biogeographical region : Mainly Continental, partially Alpine.

Region : Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Veneto.

CORINE Biotopes/PALAEARCTIC : 34.1, 34.75, 38.6.

EUNIS 2012 : E1.1, E1.5524, E2.5.

EUNIS 2021 : R19, R1A, R1K24.

European Red List of Habitats : VU (E1.1j, E1.2).

Bern convention : E1.55.

Motivation : Eastern submediterranean dry grasslands (62A0) are present along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, the southern Pre-Alps, and the southeastern coastal districts of the Italian Peninsula (Feoli Chiappella and Poldini, 1993; Lasen, 1995; Poldini, 1995; Sburlino et al., 2008). In Italy, the conservation status of these grasslands is Unfavourable-Bad in the alpine and continental biogeographical regions, and they show a decreasing trend (Angelini et al., 2021). Along the southern Prealps, the floristic composition of these plant communities is often rich in Orchidaceae (Meyer, 1977; Lasen, 1989; Poldini, 1995; Frisinghelli et al., 1996; Perazza and Lorenz, 2013), some of which (e.g. Himantoglossum adriaticum) are also protected species according to the Habitats Directive.

The habitat type 62A0 has been included in Annex I of the Habitats Directive to define the Illyrian-submediterranean localities in northeastern Italy and the Adriatic. However, the same community has been more likely attributed to the habitat type 6210(*) "Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrate (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)" (Olmeda et al., 2019). Similarly to habitat type 6210(*), the xeric grasslands of 62A0 might be rich in orchids, as well as in rare and endemic species (Biondi et al., 2009). Therefore, habitat type 62A0 would deserve to be considered of priority importance when it meets the same priority criteria attributed to the grasslands of habitat type 6210(*) (Oriolo and Tomasella, 2014).

Diagnostic sentence : Xeric and meso-xeric grasslands of the submediterranean zones of the southern Pre-Alps, Istria, and Balkan peninsula, where they coexist with steppic grasslands of the Festucetalia valesiacae (6210), developing in areas of lesser continentality than the latter and incorporating a greater number of Mediterranean elements. They are also found in the southeastern coastal districts of the Italian Peninsula. These grasslands in northern Italy should be interpreted as priority sites on the basis of one or more of the following three criteria:

(a) the site hosts many orchid species;

(b) the site hosts an important population of at least one orchid species considered not very common on the national territory;

(c) the site hosts one or several orchid species considered to be rare, very rare, or exceptional on the national territory.

Reference list of typical species : Achillea virescens, Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. polyphylla, Brassica glabrescens, Bromopsis condensata, Bupleurum veronense, Centaurea dichroantha, Centaurea scabiosa subsp. fritschii, C. rupestris, Cirsium pannonicum, Crepis chondrilloides, Cytisus pseudoprocumbens, Dianthus sylvestris subsp. tergestinus, Eryngium amethystinum, Euphorbia fragifera, E. kerneri, Gelasia villosa, Genista holopetala, G. sericea, G. sylvestris, Iris cengialti, Gentiana verna subsp. tergestina, Jurinea mollis subsp. mollis, Knautia ressmannii, K. illyrica, Leucanthemum platylepis, Linum tommasinii, Matthiola fruticulosa subsp. valesiaca, Muscari tenuiflorum, Noccaea praecox, Onosma echioides subsp. dalmatica, Ophrys sphegodes, Ornithogalum kochii, Pentanema ensifolium, Plantago argentea, P. holosteum, Polygala forojulensis subsp. carniolica, Potentilla tommasiniana, P. cinerea, P. heptaphylla subsp. australis, Pulsatilla montana subsp. montana, Rhinanthus pampaninii, Satureja subspicata, S. montana subsp. variegata, Senecio scopolii, Seseli kochii, S. tommasinii, Sesleria juncifolia subsp. juncifolia, Stipa veneta, Teucrium capitatum subsp. capitatum, Trinia glauca, Veronica barrelieri subsp. nitens.

Syntaxonomic reference : In northern Italy, in agreement with Mucina et al. (2016), this habitat type includes the alliances, Scorzonerion villosae Horvatić ex Kovačević 1959 (prealpic and Illyrian meso-xerophytic submediterranean grasslands on deep and partly decalcified soils), Saturejion subspicatae Tomić-Stanković 1970 (Dinaric submediterranean montane calcareous rocky grasslands on shallow soils), Centaureion dichroanthae Pignatti 1952 (Prealpic submediterranean montane calcareous rocky grasslands on shallow soils), and Chrysopogono grylli-Koelerion splendentis Horvatić 1973 (Illyrian submediterranean rocky grasslands on shallow calcareous soils), while in southern Italy it includes the alliance Hippocrepido glaucae-Stipion austroitalicae Forte et Terzi in Forte et al. 2005 (submediterranean xeric pastures on rocky calcareous soils of Apulia (southern Italy), belonging to the order Scorzoneretalia villosae Kovačević 1959 (class Festuco-Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Soó 1947).

Dynamics and contacts : In the southeastern Pre-Alps, the habitat type 62A0 is mostly in contact with oak forests on basic substrates (91H0*, Pannonian woods with Quercus pubescens) sometimes with Carpinus orientalis, or locally in contact with Fagus sylvatica forests in the internal Pre-Alps, or evergreen forests dominated by Quercus ilex (habitat type 9340) in the northern coast of Adriatic Sea. This habitat type is in contact with different scrubs, ranging from submediterranean bushes with Cotinus coggygria, Pistacia terebinthus, Prunus spinosa, Rhamnus catharticus, and Juniperus communis formations (5130). In southern Italy, these grasslands are mostly in contact with Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia forests (9340), with eastern white oak woods (91AA*) and Quercus trojana woods (9250).

In northeastern Italy, primary situations and cliff edges can be considered stable or long lasting. Here these grasslands are in contact mainly with rupicolous grasslands of the Alysso alyssoidis-Sedion Oberd. et T. Müller in T. Müller 1961 (6110) and submediterranean screes with Achnatherum calamagrostis along the riverbanks. In the Mediterranean region, they are also in contact with the scrubland with Salvia officinalis and with arid pioneer communities of annual plants (6220), other than with grasslands of the habitat type 6210(*), as also stated in the habitat type definition.

Freshwater large sedges

Formations of the alliance Magnocaricion elatae Koch 1926 represent habitat types of unquestionable conservation value. They are relatively easy to identify and map. As a typical community of humid environments, it is particularly affected by pressures as periods of drought which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

Compared to the proposal of Casavecchia et al. (2021), which also includes the vegetation dominated by Phragmites australis, for northern Italy it was agreed here to consider only the communities belonging to the Magnocaricion elatae Koch 1926, as they are generally of higher conservation value.

The conservation of this habitat type requires regular management, which in the past was implemented by mowing (and subsequent use of sedges for chair stuffing) and/or fire (Lonati and Lonati, 2005). The abandonment of such management practices saw the following emergence of tall caespitose Poaceae typical of fluctuating watershed (e.g. Molinia arundinacea, Deschampsia caespitosa) and then of hygrophilous woody species, with progressive deterioration of the quality of this habitat type. In perifluvial areas, Magnocaricion elatae Koch 1926 is highly dependent on river dynamics (flooding, bank erosion, creation of temporary ponds) and it often constitutes a short-term habitat.

Grey willow carrs

This habitat type must be distinguished from wet hedgerows and shrubby dynamical stages with Frangula alnus and Salix cinerea that are common in lowland wet areas. They present a richer floristic composition with several mesic shrub species (i.e Cornus sanguinea s.l., Viburnum opulus, Prunus spinosa subsp. spinosa, Euonymus europaea). In the dynamical stages, herb species like Molinia caerulea, Filipendula ulmaria, Carex spp. are often present. These communities are referred to the alliance Salicion cinereae T. Müller et Görs ex Passarge 1961 (order Salicetalia auritae Doing 1962, class Crataego-Prunetea Tx. 1962). A correspondence can be established between this habitat type and the forest type (“tipologia forestale”) “Formazioni di Salix cinerea” by Del Favero (2004).

Acidic fens

Belts of Eriophorum scheuchzeri (EUNIS 2012 D2.21) are included in the proposal, according to the interpretation given by Delarze and Gonseth (2008). Alkaline fens dominated by Carex nigra (EUNIS 2012 D4.16) must be excluded and referred to habitat 7230.

From an ecological perspective, acidic fens communities could be referred to communities identified by some dominant bryophytes. More precisely, in the western Alps, they are characterized by Sphagnum subsecundum, S. compactum and S. girgensohnii altogether, and S. fallax, Sarmentypnum exannulatum, Sphagnum warnstorfii, Eriophorum angustifolium and Sarmentypnum sarmentosum altogether (Miserere et al., 2003). Similarly, the same species have been found in the rest of Southern Alps (Bragazza and Gerdol, 1996) and more broadly together with vascular plants in Europe (Peterka et al., 2016).

Miserere et al. (2003) highlighted that many vascular plants (e.g. Carex nigra, C. echinata, Viola palustris, Potentilla erecta, Nardus stricta and Eriophorum angustifolium subsp. angustifolium) that are frequently found with significant cover values in fens, mires and bogs, should not be easily used to classify and characterize homogeneous communities, particularly on the Italian side of the Alps, where the limited size of the wetlands, causes an overlapping in the composition of species in the individual communities. Meanwhile, bryophytes play an important role in identifying plant communities, owing to both their high cover values and to their greater sensitivity to changes in water chemistry and to the depth of the water table. A pan-european study on fen vegetation (Peterka et al., 2017) recognizes as a major compositional gradient within fens at continental scale the base richness gradient and consider the bryophytes in the delimitation of alliances, recognising that bryophytes indicate habitat conditions and have a crucial importance for the functioning of mire habitat types. That study did not support the classification at alliance level based on dominance of selected vascular plants along with hydrological characteristics (i.e. water table depth). Accordingly, the alliances Caricion lasiocarpae Vanden Berghen in Lebrun et al. 1949 (Annex I: 7140) and Rhynchosporion albae Koch 1926 (Annex I: 7150) are not supported and mainly included in Caricion fuscae Koch 1926 nom. conserv. propos. Caricion fuscae, within this interpretation, overlaps with the interpretation given to habitat types 7140 and 7150. Peterka et al. (2017) and Preislerová et al. (2022) also recognized the presence in the Italian Alps of the alliance Drepanocladion exannulati Krajina 1933 and of the alliance Sphagno-Caricion canescentis Passarge (1964) 1978. The presence and the boundaries between Caricion fuscae and Drepanocladion exannulati or Sphagno-Caricion canescentis in the Italian Alps must be better investigated and defined. At the same time would be necessary re-evaluate the boundaries between the descriptions and interpretations of bogs, mires, and fens habitat types (especially 7140, 7150) in the light of the pan-european works provided by Mucina et al. (2016), Peterka et al. (2017) and Preislerová et al. (2022). In Italian Alps the vegetation of acidic fens has been studied and described mainly by the works of Gerdol and Piccoli (1980), Balátová-Tulácková and Venanzoni (1990), Würz (1992), Gerdol (1994), Lasen and Argenti (1996), Gerdol and Tomaselli (1997), Pascal and Varese (1999), Gerdol and Bragazza (2001), Miserere et al. (2003).

Scots pine forests of the Italian Alps

The diversity of P. sylvestris communities within the Italian Alps and northern Italy is described and testified in numerous works. The main contributions derive from the work by: Mondino (1963), Montacchini (1982), Demas et al. (1990), Poldini (1984), Varese (1996), Mondino et al. (1997), Del Favero et al. (2000), Minghetti (2003), Del Favero (2004), Armiraglio et al. (2006; 2011), Lasen (2006), Camerano et al. (2007; 2008), Caccianiga and Armiraglio (2011), Lasen (2014). The importance of Pinus sylvestris forests has been highlighted also beyond the Alps (Hemp et al., 2022). Remarkably, Scots pine forests of the Italian Alps have already been proposed for inclusion in Annex I of the Habitats Directive by Lasen (2014) and Lasen et al. (2016). Within the subtype B, the southwestern Alps communities (EUNIS 2021: T358) includes elements of order Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae Klika 1933 and order Brachypodietalia pinnati Korneck 1974 nom. conserv. propos. In northern Italy, outside of the Alps, further P. sylvestris communities deserve to be cited: the Po terraces with P. sylvestris forests (EUNIS 2021: T362) and the supramediterranean P. sylvestris forests of the inland hills of Piedmont (EUNIS 2021: T364). Subtype A include the basophiles steppic P. sylvestris woods of the inner western Alps, included in the list of endangered natural habitat types requiring specific conservation measures under Bern Convention (Evans and Roekaerts, 2019). Subtype D includes the mountain P. sylvestris woods on gravel beds, described in the Alps with three different associations. Although classified in different alliances, these communities are conditioned by a strong determinism linked to the river dynamics and the ecology of the gravel beds, regardless of the associated species composition. For this reason, they have been included in a separate subtype, which we proposed as a priority, because of its rarity and vulnerability.

A correspondence can be established between the proposed subtypes and the forest types (“tipologie forestali”) proposed by Del Favero (2004). However, a specific forest type for highly continental steppe forests has not been established. Thus, Subtype A may be partially included into different forest types linked to the inner Alpine areas (“Pineta di pino silvestre dei substrati carbonatici mesalpica e/o endalpica, Pineta a pino silvestre dei substrati silicatici montana”) as well as to specific edaphic conditions such as rocky outcrops (“Pineta a pino silvestre primitive di rupe”) and moraines (“Pineta di pino silvestre dei substrati silicatici mesalpica e/o endalpica su morena”).

A more straightforward correspondence can be established between Subtype B and the type “Pineta di pino silvestre dei substrati carbonatici mesalpica e/o endalpica tipica” and “con abete rosso”, as well as between Subtype C with “Pineta di pino silvestre dei substrati silicatici montana” and “Pineta di pino silvestre dei substrati silicatici submontana”. Subtype D corresponds to “Pineta di pino silvestre primitiva di falda detritica” and Subtype E can be rather easily ascribed to the types “Pineta di pino silvestre dei substrati carbonatici esalpica tipica” and “con faggio”.

Green alder scrub with tall herbs

Notably, there is a lack of a specific code for Alnus alnobetula scrubs, being this plant community quite characteristic and well distributed across the Alps with peculiar vegetation characteristics. The community is a scrub where the dominant species Alnus alnobetula is a shrub. Therefore, the code 6430 ´Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels´ has to be rejected, notwithstanding a similar ecology and sometall herb species in common. Within 4xxx there are only two other possibilities: when Alnus alnobetula is admixed with Salix spp., the code 4080 ´Sub-Arctic Salix spp. scrub´ can be used, while in presence of abundant Rhododendron ferrugineum, the code 4060 ´Alpine and Boreal heaths´ can be alternatively used. This latter case can be adopted also for pure Alnus alnobetula formations, aware of not being an optimal solution. However, it has to be recalled, that including Alnus alnobetula formations within the code 4060 ´Alpine and Boreal heaths´ should be done carefully and only when Alnus viridis formations are truly admixed to other woody species and on hygro-nitrophilous soils along avalanche gullies and moderately steep slopes.

At the phytosociological level, the alliance Alnion viridis Schnyder 1930 is not sufficient to characterise the subtype proposed under habitat code 4060 because it comprises several associations including the Rhododendron ferruginei-Alnetum viridis association (Boscutti et al., 2014) which develops on species-poor abandoned pastures on subacidophilous soils where tall herbs are not present. The subtype proposed must be referred to the Alnetum viridis association which is well defined from a vegetation and ecological perspective and is also easy to recognise physiognomically directly in the field (Boscutti et al., 2014). Also relevant is the ecological homogeneity that finds its highest expression (as dominance and continuity) in the inner alpine sectors with siliceous substrate. Biodiversity is highest in the outer sectors and carbonate (albeit terrigenous) substrates. The weak ecological value of the Rhododendron ferruginei-Alnetum viridis association is also outlined by Bühlmann et al. (2014) which considered these formations too homogeneous, of little naturalistic and landscape value, and fundamentally linked to the abandonment of pasture use (see also Anthelme et al., 2001; David, 2010; Svensk et al., 2021; 2022). In the Dolomites area, these formations are among the most favoured by the black grouse (Tetrao tetrix).

Formations of Alnus alnobetula can be considered long-lived, although they are not climax vegetation. They occur in the subalpine belt in which the Rhododendron ferrugineum scrub can be considered the head of the series. In the alpine area they occupy cool sites conditioned by prolonged snowfall and in avalanche furrows even at elevations below the potential forest limit. The persistence of such conditions considerably slows down the evolution towards tree formations (in this case mainly Larix decidua or Larix decidua-Pinus cembra woodlands, habitat 9420, more rarely Picea abies woodlands, habitat 9410). Generally, these communities are highly natural formations that should not be seen as disruptive. Transition stages and mosaics can still be observed in which Alnus alnobetula does not yet form compact, well-structured communities. The nitrogen-fixing action of Alnus alnobetula leads to an increase in nitrogen that favours nitrophilous aspects and the development of an interesting species composition. Green alder scrub can be classified to the forest type (“tipologia forestale”) “Alneto di ontano verde” by Del Favero (2004).

Ultramafic grasslands of northwestern Italy

In the subalpine-alpine belt of the western and southern Alps (Cottian, Graian, Pennine, Lepontine, and Rhetian), in Italy, France, and Switzerland, on slopes of intermediate exposure and the cracks of rocks rich in fine soil, a remarkable association, specific to serpentine outcrops and dominated by Carex fimbriata, develops. The association Caricetum fimbriatae was first described by Guyot (1925) in the South of the Aosta valley, then found and specified by Verger (1983; 1987) in the North of Aosta Valley, close to Monte Rosa, and formerly described by Richard (1985), who also detailed the phytosociological and ecological characteristics. Further studies were conducted in Piedmont, Aosta Valley, and Queyras (Verger, 1993a; Verger, 1993b; Verger et al., 1993; 1998; D’Amico et al., 2009; D’Amico and Previtali, 2012) outlining and identifying limits between the Caricetum fimbriatae and other communities that develop on ultrabasic and serpentine substrates in different environments (rocks, debris, woods, scrubs and heaths, windy ridges, grasslands), combining vegetation, pedological and ecological analysis.

Communities of Caricetum fibriatae are dynamically relatively stable, limited not only by elevation and slope but also by the presence of high levels of phytotoxic heavy metals; the suffruticose species (e.g. Vaccinium uliginosum subsp. microphyllum) can however develop. When the slope is reduced and the dynamics more accelerated the extensive grazing of beef cattle favors maintenance (the animals seek above all the few palatable species present, e.g. Trifolium alpinum, Carex sempervirens).

The presence of the subtype B (alliance Alyssion bertolonii) is underlined by Vagge (2001), Barberis et al. (2004), Marsili and Barberis (2012) in Piedmont in the northern Appennines at SAC/SPA IT1180026 – Capanne di Marcarolo.

In the western Alps, we consider that other subtypes, such as those suggested by Casavecchia et al. (2021), can be better described and clearly separated from 6210 and 6240 habitats only by further analysis. In particular, we consider necessary to better investigate the: 1) serpentine sub-steppes of Piedmont and Aosta Valley, dominated by perennial grasses; 2) herbaceous-suffrutescent communities on the montane belt in the western Alps on serpentine and ophiolitic bedrocks.

We highlight that CORINE Biotopes and PALAEARCTIC habitats classifications (Devillers et al., 1991; Devillers and Devillers-Terschuren, 1996) consider as heavy metal alpine communities only the alliance Galio anisophylli-Minuartion vernae Ernst 1965, with the association Violetum dubyanae Ernst 1965. As previously argued these syntaxa must be included in alliance Thlaspietea rotundifolii and excluded from the interpretation of the habitat 6130; therefore, more appropriately the PALAEARCTIC code 36.44, EUNIS 2012 code E1.B5 and EUNIS 2021 code R1S5 must be traced back to alpine serpentine communities here described. New codes and descriptions of the EUNIS classification will have to be designed to include the northern Apennine and Mediterranean serpentine and ophiolitic communities.

Species-rich Nardus grasslands on siliceous substrates of the Alps

The phytosociological classification of Nardus grasslands has long been somewhat problematic (Gennai et al., 2014; Lüth et al., 2011). Difficulties arise because Nardus grasslands are anthropogenic communities that originate in different ways inside their geographical and elevational range while preserving floristic traces of their original natural composition.

Traditionally, Nardus grasslands were all included in the unique order Nardetalia within the class Nardo-Callunetea (Oberdorfer, 1959; Peppler-Lisbach and Petersen, 2001; Lüth et al., 2011). Other authors partitioned the Nardus grasslands into two different classes (Calluno-Ulicetea and Caricetea curvulae) (Ellmauer, 1993; Foucault, 1994; Grabherr, 1993; Poldini and Oriolo, 1997), considering their syngenetic evolution and thus their chorological pattern (Krahulec, 1985). More recently, other authors recognized the class Nardetea strictae, which includes all Nardus grasslands while excluding scrubs (Molina Abril, 1993; Biondi et al., 1999; Rivas-Martínez, 2002). This class also includes alliances Nardo-juncion squarrosi (Oberd. 1957) Passarge 1964, typical of humid and peaty soils, indicated in Italy only for the western Alps (Lonati, 2009), and Cirsio vallis-demoni-Nardion Giacomini et Gentile ex Di Pietro et Theurillat in Di Pietro et al. 2015, which is referred to supramediterranean grasslands of southern Italy (Di Pietro et al., 2015).

Depending on the elevation, continentality of the climate, and soil humidity, we identified three subtypes within the class Nardetea strictae Rivas Goday et Borja Carbonell in Rivas Goday et Mayor López 1966 nom. conserv. propos. (subtypes A, B, C). However, this scheme hardly classifies the subalpine Nardus grasslands of the alliance Nardion strictae Br.-Bl. 1926. They cannot be easily incorporated into the class Nardetea strictae Rivas Goday et Borja Carbonell in Rivas Goday et Mayor López 1966 nom. conserv. propos. owing to their strict similarities in floristic and environmental relationships with the primary grasslands of Juncetea trifidi Hadač in Klika et Hadač 1944. In the suggested classification, we included these grasslands into the subtype D, which comprises subalpine grasslands belonging to the Nardion strictae Br.-Bl. 1926.

Nardus grasslands are typical semi-natural grasslands on acidic soils in large part of temperate Europe (Damgaard et al., 2011; Dupré et al., 2010). However, in some countries (e.g. France, Slovakia) the habitat is also found on calcareous substrates where the calcium content is highly decreased in the upper layers of the soil because of high precipitation (Bensettiti et al., 2005; Galvánek and Janák 2008; Stanová and Valachovič, 2002). The same interpretation could be used also in northern Italy, provided that calcareous soils are leached and that only subalpine situations are considered.

One of the contacts that can cause major problems of interpretation is between subalpine Nardus grasslands (subtype D) and higher elevation grasslands of primary origin of the lower alpine level. In these grasslands, Nardus stricta can often determine the physiognomy of the vegetation, often following grazing (e.g. Dakskobler et al., 2022). Here we suggest that such grasslands of primary origin above the timber line should be referred to as natural grasslands (group 61, habitat type 6150 or 6170, respectively on siliceous or calcareous substrates).

In general, it is extremely important to avoid the inclusion of Nardus grasslands at its ecological extremes (e.g. on carbonatic substrates, in the alpine belt, or overgrazed pastures) since they would require different thresholds of conservation values, lowering the conservation value assessment.

Italian lowland, colline and sub-montane permanent pastures of Cynosurion cristati

In northern Italy, these communities are extensively grazed by means of rotational grazing systems. The adaptation of the species to frequent trampling and grazing results in a physiognomy dominated by small species with stolons (epigeal or hypogean) and/or rosettes with leaves appressed to the soil surface (Delarze and Gonseth, 2008). They differ from the typical mowing grasslands (habitat types 6510 and 6520) not only in their floristic composition but also in their heterogeneous appearance, due to the presence of heads not consumed by livestock. In lowland environments, the main threat is the transformation from permanent pasture to arable land and improved temporary grasslands; in hilly and low-mountain environments this habitat type is threatened by the abandonment of traditional grazing practices.

Xeric and meso-xeric grasslands of the eastern submediterranean zones of the southern Pre-Alps

Dry and semi-dry grasslands are among the species-rich plant communities of Europe but their conservation status in Europe and even more in Italy is of conservation concern. In both the EU28 and EU28+, the 3 Critically Endangered habitat types are two types of dry grasslands, while four types are endangered, and more types are vulnerable. The greatest threat is the abandonment of traditional management which led to different forms of degradation and a reversion to scrub and woodland (Jansen et al., 2016). Fringe species, shrubs and trees tend to invade dry grasslands of habitat type 62A0. These dynamical processes are very common in several areas where successional stages can be more spread than the grasslands themselves.

Although some of the communities belonging to this habitat type are of primary origin, and can therefore be considered stable or long-lasting, most of these communities are secondary grasslands of anthropogenic origin, mainly related to pastoral and mowing activity. These grasslands in southeastern Europe are indeed the result of a long time of human influence, but they have been progressively abandoned after the Second World War, starting from the less productive ones. Nowadays, a mosaic with various stages of scrub encroachment can be found (Tryfon, 2016).

Due to the imprecise definitions in the Interpretation Manual of EU Habitats EUR28, some very similar types of grasslands in certain countries have been included in other priority habitat types despite they belong to E1.2a (Semi-dry perennial calcareous grassland), as a subtype of 6210(*) from a floristic-ecological point of view (Olmeda et al., 2019). In particular, this refers to the mesoxeric and base-rich facies of habitat type 6270 (northern countries), the mesoxeric facies of habitat type 6240* (eastern central Europe) and mesoxeric facies of habitat type 62A0 (Illyrian region). Therefore, Olmeda et al. (2019) suggested to include in the habitat type 6210(*) all the mesoxeric basiphilous grasslands of Europe to avoid misunderstandings between the countries.

In northern Italy, the boundary between the communities of habitats 6210 and 62A0 is often very difficult to establish. As a rule of thumb, the limit between these two complex vegetation communities falls on the hydrographic right of lake Iseo, a region in which the calcareous and dolomitic substrates of the central-eastern Pre-Alps are replaced by marly arenaceous rocks. Furthermore, in correspondence with this limit, the average annual rainfall increases progressively towards west (Armiraglio et al., 2010).

Finally, it is relevant to note that in southeastern Italy, the communities belonging to the habitat type 62A0 are well differentiated from a floristic-ecological perspective and indeed refer to an endemic alliance (Hippocrepido glaucae-Stipion austroitalicae Forte et Terzi in Forte et al. 2005). This alliance includes xeric grasslands of the class Festuco-Brometea with accentuated Mediterranean characteristics which, although presenting affinities with those trans-Adriatic or North Adriatic, differ from these grasslands for their own endemic species pool and for the presence of species that seem to find their synecological optimum here. Due to this peculiarity, it would be appropriate for southeastern Italy to identify this habitat as always of priority importance (*).