U9
West and Central European hardwood alluvial forests (Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior, partly Alnus incana) in combination with willow and poplar alluvial forests (Salix alba, Salix fragilis, Populus nigra) as well as pedunculate oak-hornbeam forests (Carpinus betulus, Quercus robur)
Description
Hardwood alluvial forest (U9a): Multi-layered oak-elm or elm-ash hardwood forest alluvial forests (Quercus robur, Ulmus minor, Ulmus laevis, Fraxinus excelsior), rich in woody plants (approx. 40 species), 25-30 m high, with an interspersed tree layer and an irregular canopy. On base-deficient sandy soils there is dominance of Quercus robur. The structure was altered by the elm decline. Bushes and lianas are frequently represented, luxuriant, "jungle-like" regeneration stages. Luxuriant, tall herb-rich herb layer with dominant hemicryptophytes. Geophytes also often present, whereas therophytes have usually been introduced (Impatiens parviflora, Impatiens glandulifera). Mosses are usually sparsely represented.
Softwood alluvial forest (U9b): Multi-layer
Tree Layer
U9a: Quercus robur (Common Oak), Fraxinus excelsior (Common Ash), Ulmus minor (English Elm), Ulmus laevis (English Elm) or Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder), Acer campestre (Field Maple), Malus sylvestris (Crab Apple), partly Alnus incana (Common Alder);
Common Oak, Common Ash, English Elm, Common Alder, Field Maple, Crab Apple
U9b: Populus nigra (Black Poplar), Salix alba (White Willow), Salix fragilis (Crack Willow)
Black Poplar, White Willow and Crack Willow
Shrub Layer
U9a: Cornus sanguinea (Fruiting Dogwood), Sambucus nigra (Elder), Viburnum opulus (Linden Bush), Rubus caesius (blackberry_bush), Acer campestre (Field Maple), Crataegus laevigata (Hawthorn), Corylus avellana (Hazel), and many others
U9b: Salix purpurea (White Willow Bush), Salix triandra (White Willow Bush), Salix viminalis (White Willow Bush), Salix fragilis (Crack Willow) among others
Willow and Downy Willow saplings
Lianas
Humulus lupulus, Clematis vitalba, rarely Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris (Alsace), Calystegia sepium, Solanum dulcamara, Hedera helix
Herb Layer
U9a: Aegopodium podagraria (horse_chestnut_tree_sapling), Lamium maculatum (orpine), Galium aparine (greater_wood_rush), Stachys sylvatica (purple_wolfs_bane), Urtica dioica (wild_overgrown_nettles), Brachypodium sylvaticum (with transillumination and in higher, less flooded locations) (lush_grass), Anemone ranunculoides (ABSENT), Anemone nemorosa (ABSENT), Anthriscus sylvestris (cow_parsley), Ranunculus ficaria (wild_parsley), Galanthus nivalis (ABSENT), Allium ursinum (ABSENT), Corydalis cava (ABSENT), Festuca gigantea (woodland_sedge), Glechoma hederacea (wild_parsley), Gagea lutea (greater_wood_rush), Paris quadrifolia (sweet_woodruff), Polygonatum multiflorum (lily_of_the_valley), Elymus caninus (woodland_sedge), Stellaria nemorum (sweet_woodruff), Circaea lutetiana (sweet_woodruff);
U9b: Phalaris arundinacea (green_meadow_fescue), Aegopodium podagraria (horse_chestnut_tree_sapling), Poa trivialis (kentucky_bluegrass), Phragmites australis (dry_reeds (only along the water)), Galium aparine (greater_wood_rush), Iris pseudacorus (lush_grass), Myosotis scorpioides (sweet_woodruff), Urtica dioica (wild_overgrown_nettles)
Moss layer (incl. lichens)
sparsely, insignificant
Hydrophilius forests in the upper Vale of Anduin and in Rohan
