Title
Pinus uncinata-forests with Juniperus communis subsp. alpina, Cotoneaster integerrimus, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi on siliceous rocks in the west Alps
Geographical distribution
Country/territory
France: west Alps (Savoy Alps, Graian Alps, Dauphiné)
area frequency
8 polygons.
Scientific names of main plant communities and their most common synonyms (with author citation)
Huperzio selagi-Pinetum uncinatae (Moor 1954) J.L. Richard 1961 (Syn.: Rhododendro-Pinetum uncinatae Faure 1968).
Structural feature of the main community(ies) (layers, life-forms, etc.)
Multi-layered scattered to moderately dense shrub forests with a dense undergrowth of dwarf shrubs, occasional dwarf shrub communities.
Dominant and most frequent species in different layers
Tree layer
Pinus uncinata dominating, isolated stunted-grown Picea abies
Shrub layer
Juniperus communis subsp. alpina, Rhododendron ferrugineum, Cotoneaster integerrimus
Herb layer
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arctostaphylos alpinus, Empetrum nigrum agg., Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium uliginosum, Huperzia selago, Homogyne alpina, Deschampsia flexuosa, Moneses uniflora, Listera cordata
Moss layer (incl. lichens)
Cetraria islandica, Cladonia gracilis, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium
Diagnostically important species
Pinus uncinata; Juniperus communis subsp. alpina; Empetrum nigrum agg., Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arctostaphylos alpinus, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Moneses uniflora, Listera cordata
Ecological variants
Site-dependent variants, e.g. on block slopes, on wind exposed arêtes.
Geographical variants (geogr. differential species)
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Natural accompanying vegetation (most important units in complex with the name giving mapping unit, scientific names)
Subalpine rock communities and grasslands.
Adjoining climax and permanent vegetation (with numbers of mapping units)
alpine vegetation (A5), alpine grsslands (B43, B44), subalpine vegetation (C19), fir and mixed fir forests (D29), species-poor and species-rich beech forests (F95, F132), pine forests (K1).
Land use, substitute communities
forestry (substitute communities, plantations of economic tree-species, scrub)
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grassland (meadows, pastures, herb-rich communities)
Subalpine pasture grounds.
arable land (characteristic weed communities)
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settlements (typical ruderal vegetation)
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Site conditions of the mapping unit
Landscape type, geomorphology
High-mountain regions (ridges, rock slopes, block slopes)
Altitudinal belt and/or altitudinal range
subalpine; 1500-2000 m
Geology (bedrock)
siliceous rock: granite, gneiss (Palaeozoic, Precambrian)
soil type, also the depth of fine textured earth (soil), stone content; (international nomenclature)
ranker, acidic, base-deficient brown soils with mull-like mor or raw humus layer; (stony dystric cambisols; dystric leptosols)
soil texture
stony, grouany, loamy, partly rocky
soil moisture, water balance
fresh to moderately dry
soil reaction
stark to moderately acidic
soil fertility
oligotrophic
Climate incl. local climate
climate type (following Walter & Lieth)
X(IV), X(VI)
average annual temperature
5-7 °C
average annual precipitation
700-1400 mm
average temperature of the warmest month
14-16 °C
average temperature of the coldest month
-5 to -2 °C
local climate or other climatic peculiarities
partly wind-exposed and poor of snow, partly cold air locations with a long remaining snow cover.
Importance for nature protection
Present state and development trend of natural vegetation (degree of endangerment)
No details
endangered communities, species worthy of protection in natural vegetation
No details
causes of endangerment
Tourism, ski sports.
required measures for protection and restitution
Protection of all preserved stands.
Localities of representative stands (loci typici) with state of protection
of the natural vegetation
No details
of characteristic substitute communities worthy of protection
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Most important references (author, year)
Baudiere, Salanon & Serve 1975; Cadel & Gilot 1963; Faure 1968; Rameau 1996a
Compiled by
U. Bohn based on documents by Faure (1968) and Rameau (1996, Tome 4)
