Title
West Norwegian fjord vegetation complex with mixed broad-leaved forests (Ulmus glabra, Fraxinus excelsior, Corylus avellana, Tilia cordata, Quercus robur), birch and pine forests (Betula pubescens s. l., Pinus sylvestris), locally with grey and black alder forests (Alnus incana, Alnus glutinosa
Geographical distribution
Country/territory
Norway: west coast
area frequency
62 polygons.
Scientific names of main plant communities and their most common synonyms (with author citation)
a) Primulo-Ulmetum Blom 1982 in vstedal 1985, type 2.2.3.8. Påhlsson; b) Eurhynchio-Fraxinetum Blom 1982 in vstedal 1985, type 2.2.3.4. Påhlsson; c) Hylocomio brevirostre-Alnetum glutinosae Blom 1982, type 2.2.3.7. Påhlsson; d) Corno- and Melico-Betuletum Aune 1973; e) Bazzanio-Pinetum Kielland-Lund 1967.
Structural feature of the main community(ies) (layers, life-forms, etc.)
Complex of mixed deciduous forests in which Ulmus glabra (a), Fraxinus excelsior (b) or Alnus-species (c) dominate in the tree layer. The shrub layer is moderately to weakly developed, and often dominated by Corylus avellana. The herb layer is mostly species-rich, in (b) with tall growing grasses and herbs. On shallow to rocky slopes at higher altitudes there are birch and pine forests.
Dominant and most frequent species in different layers
Tree layer
a) Ulmus glabra, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia cordata;
b) Fraxinus excelsior, Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Prunus padus, Ulmus glabra;
c) Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior
Shrub layer
a) Corylus avellana, Ilex aquifolium, Taxus baccata;
b) Ribes spicatum;
c) Ribes spicatum, Ilex aquifolium
Lianas
Lonicera periclymenum, Hedera helix
Herb layer
a) Primula acaulis, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Sanicula europaea, Orchis mascula, Polystichum aculeatum, Hedera helix, Conopodium majus, Allium ursinum, Festuca altissima, Circaea intermedia, Stachys sylvatica;
b) Aegopodium podagraria, Anemone nemorosa, Crepis paludosa, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Gagea lutea, (Stellaria nemorum), Ranunculus auricomus, Ranunculus ficaria, Cardamine flexuosa, Conopodium majus, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Circaea intermedia, Carex sylvatica;
c) Carex remota, Ranunculus repens, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Caltha palustris, Glyceria fluitans, Filipendula ulmaria, Cardamine flexuosa
Moss layer (incl. lichens)
a) Fissidens taxifolius, Hylocomium brevirostre, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium undulatum;
b) Hylocomium brevirostre, Plagiomnium undulatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Eurhynchium spp.;
c) Hylocomium brevirostre (opt.), Trichocolea tomentella, Plagiomnium elatum, Brachythecium rivulare, Thuidium tamariscinum, Mnium hornum
Diagnostically important species
a) Ulmus glabra; Corylus avellana; Primula acaulis, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Sanicula europaea; b) Fraxinus excelsior; Ribes spicatum; Aegopodium podagraria, Anemone nemorosa, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Gagea lutea; c) Alnus glutinosa; Carex remota, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Caltha palustris
Ecological variants
See complex units under 'Scientific names’.
Geographical variants (geogr. differential species)
In southern Norway a variant with numerous Equisetum species.
Natural accompanying vegetation (most important units in complex with the name giving mapping unit, scientific names)
Corno-Betuletum, Melico-Betuletum, Bazzanio-Pinetum, Populo-Quercetum, Melico-Quercetum, Carici nigrae-Alnetum glutinosae.
Adjoining climax and permanent vegetation (with numbers of mapping units)
alpine vegetation (B40, B41, B42), birch forests (C9, C13, C14, C15), spruce forests (D4), pine forests (D45).
Land use, substitute communities
forestry (substitute communities, plantations of economic tree-species, scrub)
Spruce plantations with an altered herb layer compared to natural Querco-Fagetea communities.
grassland (meadows, pastures, herb-rich communities)
Pastures and colourful flower meadows with traditional forms of cultivation, sometimes intensively cultivated grassland.
arable land (characteristic weed communities)
Usually small-sized crop fields with species-deficient weed communities.
settlements (typical ruderal vegetation)
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Site conditions of the mapping unit
Landscape type, geomorphology
a) on deep to shallow soils above block debris and gravel, usually steep southeast to southwest exposed slopes;
b) on similar sites under the influence of seeping water;
c) in ravines, along small brooks and on spring sites, flat to slightly sloping land
Altitudinal belt and/or altitudinal range
lowland-colline; up to 300 m
Geology (bedrock)
siliceous rock (Palaeozoic, Precambrian)
soil type, also the depth of fine textured earth (soil), stone content; (international nomenclature)
mull-brown soils (podzoles below birch and pine forests), parabrown soils, gleys; (eutric cambisols; orthic luvisols; eutric gleysols; orthic podzols)
soil texture
stony, sandy, loamy; clayey
soil moisture, water balance
fresh, moist to wet
soil reaction
weakly acidic, moderately acidic (pH 5,7-6)
soil fertility
eutrophic, locally oligo- to mesotrophic (below birch and pine forest)
Climate incl. local climate
climate type (following Walter & Lieth)
VI3
average annual temperature
4-8 EC
average annual precipitation
1000-2000 mm
average temperature of the warmest month
14-16 EC
average temperature of the coldest month
>-3 EC
local climate or other climatic peculiarities
Temperate rain climate with a minimum of precipitation in autumn.
Importance for nature protection
Present state and development trend of natural vegetation (degree of endangerment)
Severely decimated; greatly endangered.
endangered communities, species worthy of protection in natural vegetation
No details
causes of endangerment
Forestry, particularly spruce plantations.
required measures for protection and restitution
Protection of representative stands.
Localities of representative stands (loci typici) with state of protection
of the natural vegetation
Loci typici are not protected.
of characteristic substitute communities worthy of protection
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Most important references (author, year)
Aarrestad 1985; Aune 1973; Bakkevig 1974; Blom 1982; Blom, Røsberg & Skjolddal 1982; Fremstad 1983; Kielland-Lund 1967b; Kielland-Lund 1973; Øvstedal 1985; Påhlsson (Ed.) 1994
Compiled by
O. Vevle; completed by J.R. Cross based on documents by L. Påhlsson
