Barren Icelandic lava flows
Common name:
Barren Icelandic lava flows
Habitat code:
H6.241
Description:
Lava flows, fields, dykes, necks, domes, cones of Iceland devoid of vegetation or sparsely vegetated by algae, lichens and mosses, which constitute the first stage of colonisation, with covers of up to 20-40%. The main constituents of the vegetation are the lichens [Stereocaulon vesubianum], [Stereocaulon alpinum], [Stereocaulon arcticum], [Alectoria ochroleuca], [Cladonia pyxidata], [Lecidea] spp., [Lecanora] spp. and the mosses [Grimmia] spp., [Andreaea rupestris], [Andreaea obovata], [Racomitrium canescens], [Polytrichum] spp. accompanied by a very few vascular plants, including [Festuca richardsonii], [Thymus praecox ssp. arcticus], [Poa subcaerulea].
| Important species scientific name | Corresponding species comments |
|---|---|
| Thymus praecox ssp. arcticus (Durand) Jalas | Subspecies mentioned in habitat definition as characterising |
| Festuca richardsonii Hook. | Species mentioned in habitat definition as characterising |
| Poa subcaerulea Sm. | Species mentioned in habitat definition as characterising |
| Andreaea rupestris Hedw. | Species mentioned in habitat definition as characterising |
| Racomitrium canescens (Hedw.) Brid. | Species mentioned in habitat definition as characterising |