Alpine meadows

Usually located above 2,000 m a.s.l. and up to the level of rocky outcrops and the highest peaks, subject to a rigorous high mountain climate. Herbaceous vegetation is strongly represented, mainly dominated by species of the genus Festuca. Many other plants are also present, with more or less showy flowers depending on the species.

Despite being underrepresented in the CBMS network, alpine meadows are an interesting habitat for butterflies, including a set of high mountain species with a high degree of specialization for this habitat. Nearly twenty species have most of their counts in alpine meadows. Several species from the genera Erebia and Lycaena are clear examples. Aglais urticae is also a common representative, as are certain Boloria species (such as Boloria pales and B. euphrosyne). Among the blues, Cupido minimus is also a very characteristic species of this habitat.

Species that have been found in the habitat within the CBMS network are shown in descending order of preference. The Highlights tab indicates those species with ≥ 5% of their total abundance (standardized to 100 m) concentrated in that habitat. The Species List tab displays a table with the percent density of each species in the habitat (compared to the rest of the CBMS habitat types). Transects shows in descending order the percentage cover of this habitat type for each itinerary in the CBMS network, with the number of botanical characterizations available in the Years column. The Communities tab lists the CORINE codes and names of the plant communities that have been included in this habitat type. This table also gives the area (in m²) occupied by each plant community in the network as a whole.

• Highlights (58)
• Species (88)
• Transects (11)
• CORINE communities (7)

Illustrations by Richard Lewington from Tolman & Lewington (1997) Butterflies of Britain and Europe, translated and published in Spanish by Lynx Edicions.

References

• Bueno, D., Ballesteros, E., Masalles, R.M., Martí, E., 2013. Atles dels Ecosistemes dels Països Catalans. Història Natural dels Països Catalans v.13. Enciclopèdia Catalana