FE2D Carex rostrata – Menyanthes trifoliata mire
Vegetation
Carex rostrata is the principal species of this mire community with the only other constants being Equisetum fluviatile, Menyanthes trifoliata and Galium palustre. There is frequently some growth of Agrostis stolonifera and the forbs Mentha aquatica, Cardamine pratensis, Ranunculus flammula and Potentilla palustris. Less often, one may discover some Hydrocotyle vulgaris or Juncus articulatus. Bryophyte cover is only occasional and rather uninspiring, being chiefly composed of Calliergonella cuspidata.
Ecology
This is a wetland community of nutrient-poor, slightly acidic situations, typically occurring as part of lowland fens and bogs, or along lake margins.
Sub-communities
No sub-communities are currently described.
Similar communities
Carex rostrata also dominates in the FW3C Carex rostrata swamp, but that is a far less diverse community in which Menyanthes trifoliata, Mentha aquatica and Potentilla palustris are scarce. Carex rostrata may also occur in the FE2E Menyanthes trifoliata – Sphagnum recurvum agg. mire, but that differs clearly in the abundant cover of Sphagnum.
Conservation value
Examples of this community may correspond with EU HD Annex I habitat 7140 Transition mires. Desmoulin’s whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana), an EU HD Annex II species, has been recorded from this community at several sites. Species diversity is rather poor (species/4 m2 = 15.8, n = 36).
Management
Typically, this is an unmanaged community. The main threats include drainage, reclamation, ground water pollution and peat extraction.