Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands
Formations with Juniperus communis of the planar to montane zones of the following facies:
a) grazed or fallow, dry and semi-dry calcareous grassland with juniper scrub, e.g. the southern German "juniper heaths" ("Wacholderheiden").
b) Heaths (Calluna heaths) which have been encroached upon by Juniperus communis (juniper-rich facies of Calluna heaths).
Notes on habitat mapping
The criterion for the delimitation of this habitat type is the presence of juniper formations. Individual bushes or stands with only a few specimens or which are very scattered are excluded and are to be assigned to the relevant heath or dry grassland type (cf. 2310, 4010, 4030, 6110, 6210). Precursors to woodland should not be recorded under this category. Juniperus communis formations on calcareous fen are not included.
Comments
While 'juniper heaths' are quite valuable from a conservation point of view, they are actually a sign of inappropriate grazing practices or of undergrazing of the Calluna heaths or semi-dry calcareous grasslands. In such situations Juniper becomes prevalent as a 'pastoral weed' and commences scrub incursion. In a second stage of this process other scrub species which are sensitive to browsing can persist in the centre of dense juniper scrub and may speed up the succession.