M4
Transcaucasian altimontane herb-grass and meadow steppes (Stipa tirsa, Stipa pulcherrima, Festuca ovina, Carex humilis, Poa densa, Bromus variegatus, Onobrychis altissima, Onobrychis transcaucasica, Serratula biebersteiniana, Prangos ferulacea, Aster ibericus) with Medicago papillosa, Astragalus hyalolepis, Linaria kurdica, Salvia armeniaca, alternating with thorn-cushion communities (Astragalus aureus, Astragalus microcephalus, Astragalus lagopoides) and tomillares (Thymus rariflorus, Thymus kotschyanus, Scutellaria orientalis)
Description
The main components of this mapping unit are steppe grasses, the mountain steppe petrophyte Poa densa (a Caucasian-Anatolian-north-Iranian species), and meadow species. The mapping unit is very rich in herbs (120-140 herb species per 100 m2). Together with widespread species (Filipendula vulgaris, Aster linosyris, Peucedanum ruthenicum, Lotus corniculatus amongst others), mountain steppe and steppe species play an important role, as well as bulb geophytes. For the Transcaucasian meadow steppes, Caucasian-Iranian, Armenian-Iranian, Caucasian-Anatolian-Iranian species as well as Caucasian endemics are characteristic.
M4a (steppe):
Occurs in low-lying, comparatively damp areas, particularly along streams
Biome:
Grass mix: grass, kentucky_bluegrass, small_fescue, meadow_fescue, dead_grass, timothy_grass
Scattered throughout: greater_wood_rush, cross_leaved_heath, red_clover_flowers
In at least one location: Tiny birch and fir trees; should appear stunted
M4b (scrub):
Occurs in drier, rocky areas with thin soil
Biome:
Small clumps of bilberry_bush and pine_bush
Can include some patches of common_meadow_grass and maybe others (dead-looking)
M4c (thorn-brush):
Occurs in the driest areas, typically gravel slopes
Biome:
Isolated bilberry_bush, wavy_hair_grass and dead_bush, occasionally forming small clumps
Include yellow and green sphagnum_moss, reindeer_lichen, maritime_sunburst_lichen and wolf_lichen on rocks
Tree Layer
No detail
Shrub Layer
No detail
Lianas
No detail
Herb Layer
M4a meadow steppes: Stipa tirsa (kentucky_bluegrass), Stipa pulcherrima (meadow_fescue), Carex humilis (common_meadow_grass), Festuca ovina (meadow_fescue), Poa angustifolia (meadow_fescue), Phleum pratense (timothy_grass), Dactylis glomerata (meadow_fescue), Campanula glomerata (greater_wood_rush), Trifolium ambiguum (red_clover_flowers), Onobrychis iberica (cross_leaved_heath)
M4b shrubland: Thymus rariflorus (bilberry_bush), Thymus kotschyanus (pine_bush), Scutellaria orientalis (bilberry_bush)
M4c thorn-brush: Astragalus aureus (bilberry_bush), Astragalus microcephalus (bilberry_bush), Astragalus lagopoides (wavy_hair_grass), Astragalus uraniolimneus (bilberry_bush), Acantholimon glumaceum (bilberry_bush)
Moss layer (incl. lichens)
Bryum argenteum, Tortula ruralis, Lecidella anomaloides, Candelariella vitellina, Cladonia chlorophaea
Entirety of the Emyn Muil
