Western Mediterranean base-rich scree

Calcareous and ultrabasic scree, with boulders, rock debris and riverine gravel derived from sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, ultramafics and basic volcanics occurring through the western Mediterranean, from lowlands to the high mountains. Epilithic bryophytes and lichens may be very diverse, particularly in the mountains, where they are mostly found in crevices and other shady and humid microsites of immobile boulders. The vascular plant vegetation comprises hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes adapted to the mechanical disturbance caused by scree movements, shortages in water supply and lack of fine-grained soil. The habitat becomes scarcer and more scattered in the foothills and lowlands and more prone to be affected by human disturbances, such as quarrying and infrastructure development. Nevertheless, high mountain screes are usually well preserved in a very natural state.

Código Eunis 2021: U28