The Forests of the North-Estonian Klint; the North-Easternmost Representatives of the EU Habitat DirectiveTilio—AcerionForests of Slopes, Screes and Ravines

Abstract

Forests growing on talus slopes of the North Estonian Klint were studied. According to the soil-cover properties, the studied sites of the klint can he divided into six soil complexes. Eleven vegetation types were established: (1) Ulmus glabra—Fraxinus excelsior—Aegopodium podagraria, (2) Ulmus glabra—Alnus incana—Matteuccia struthiopteris, (3) Tilia cordata—Hepatica nobilis—Actea spicata, (4) Ulmus glabra- Acer platanoides—Allium ursinum, (5) Ulmus glabra—Mercurialis perennis, (6) Ulmus glabra—Brachythecium rutabulum—Thuidium philibertii, (7) Alnus glutinosa—Athyrium filix-femina—Impatiens noli-tangere, (8) Alnus incana—Urtica. dioica—Dryopteris expansa, (9) Tilia cordata—Picea abies—Oxalis acetosella—Eurhynchium angustirete, (10) Ulmus glabra—Alnus glutinosa—Lunaria rediviva, and (11) Alnus glutinosa—Tilia cordata—Impatiens parviflora. The first type embraces the largest number of communities and is presented along the klint in many sites. The soil variables affecting vegetation variation most, are the ...