Mountain hay meadows
Species-rich extensively managed mesophilic meadows of the montane (normally above 600 m) to subalpine zones with vegetation of the Polygono-Trisetion (meadows of well-drained, relatively fertile mineral soils in montane regions) in all its regional facies and variants.
Notes on habitat mapping
The main criterion for the delimitation of this habitat type is the character of the vegetation which must allow for a clear assignment to the communities of the Polygono-Trisetion or the Poion alpinae respectively. Mountain hay meadows are taken to be species-rich if they are typical of the relevant plant community and contain a high number of characteristic species. The presence of species alien to the syntaxonomic unit e.g. in fallows should not be considered as adding to species-richness. If the sites contain typical species suites meadows with aftergrass or early fallow stages may be considered for inclusion.
Comments
Montane extensively managed pastures of the Alchemillo-Cynosuretum should be annexed as well as the more species-rich occurrences of rich alpine pastures of the Poion alpinae.