U8
French hardwood alluvial forests (Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. angustifolia, Fraxinus excelsior, Salix atrocinerea, Ulmus laevis, Quercus robur) in combination with willow and poplar alluvial forests (Salix alba, Salix fragilis, Populus nigra)
Description
Multi-layered oak-ash, oak-elm or elm-ash alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa, rarely also Populus nigra in the moist wing as well as Carpinus betulus and Acer campestre in the drier wing. This mapping unit resembles the Central European U9; it is distinguished however by the frequent incidence of Fraxinus angustifolia and Ulmus laevis in the tree and shrub layer (in the tree layer often reaching dominance) and the absence of Tilia cordata. The tree layer is very species-rich and features the greatest variety amongst all floodplain forests. In the herb layer some hygrophilous species play an important role that are frequent in Central European alluvial forests, particularly in Alnenion glutinoso-incanae communities. Some hygrophilous meadow species as well as elements of tall sedge communities are often present. Primula elatior is the most important species of the spring aspect; Arum maculatum or Paris quadrifolia are present more rarely. The occurrence of (sub)atlantic species is typical. Of the lianas, only Hedera helix is found occasionally. The moss layer is dominated by Thamnobryum alopecurum, which often forms large carpets.
U8a: Hardwood alluvial forest
U8b: Softwood alluvial forest
Tree Layer
U8a: Quercus robur (Common Oak), Ulmus laevis (English Elm), Fraxinus angustifolia (Ash), Fraxinus angustifolia x Fraxinus excelsior (Common Ash), Fraxinus excelsior (Common Ash), more rarely Ulmus minor (English Elm), Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder), rarely also Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam), Acer campestre (Field Maple)
Common Oak, English Elm, Common Ash, Hornbeam, Field Maple
U8b: softwood alluvial forests: Salix alba (White Willow), Populus nigra (Black Poplar), Salix fragilis (Crack Willow)
White Willow, Black Poplar, Crack Willow
Shrub Layer
species of tree-layer; Ribes rubrum (wild_shrub), Ilex aquifolium (Holly)
U8a: Gorse Tree, Birch, Willow, Oak and Alder Tree saplings
U8b: Downy Willow, Willow and Gorse Tree saplings
Lianas
very rarely, often missing; Hedera helix, Lonicera periclymenum
Herb Layer
U8a: Carex remota (bottle_sedge), Carex strigosa (common_meadow_grass), Rumex sanguineus (greater_wood_rush), Circaea lutetiana (sweet_woodruff), Carex sylvatica (woodland_sedge), Primula elatior (wild_parsley), Veronica montana (wild_parsley); Deschampsia cespitosa (bottle_sedge), Filipendula ulmaria (cotton_grass), Valeriana procurrens (greater_wood_rush); Carex riparia (rushes), Carex acutiformis (bottle_sedge), Arum maculatum (sweet_woodruff), Paris quadrifolia (sweet_woodruff);
U8b: Narcissus pseudonarcissus (ABSENT), Carex strigosa (ABSENT), Pulmonaria montana (sweet_woodruff), Osmunda regalis (bracken)
Moss layer (incl. lichens)
Thamnobryum alopecurum
Mouth of the river Isen
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