FW3G Equisetum fluviatile – Eleocharis palustris swamp


  • Freshwater habitats (FW)
  • FW3 Phragmites australis – Cladium mariscus group
  • FW3G Equisetum fluviatile – Eleocharis palustris swamp
Scientific name:
Equisetum fluviatile – Eleocharis palustris swamp
Common name:
Water Horsetail – Common Spike-rush swamp
Community code:
FW3G
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FW3G map: Equisetum fluviatile – Eleocharis palustris swamp
FW3G: Equisetum fluviatile – Eleocharis palustris swamp

FW3G Equisetum fluviatile – Eleocharis palustris swamp

Vegetation

The community comprises rather variables stands united by the presence of Equisetum fluviatile, whose cover tends to be rather low, due in part to the narrow and erect nature of the plant, but nevertheless this is the sole constant species. Only Eleocharis palustris is also frequent here. Occasionally, one may only find some Sparganium erectum, Caltha palustris, Persicaria amphibia or Mentha aquatica growing here and these can each be plentiful. Floating patches of Lemna minor may also occur amongst the horsetails.

Ecology

This swamp community is found in fairly basic and mildly eutrophic waters fringing lakes.

Sub-communities

No sub-communities are currently described.

Similar communities

The high frequency of Equisetum fluviatile and scarcity of Phragmites australis help separate this vegetation type from the other communities in group FW3. From the FE2A Equisetum fluviatile – Menyanthes trifoliata mire the present community differs in the lesser presence of Menyanthes trifoliata and Carex rostrata.

Conservation value

This is a swamp community of medium species richness (species/4 m2 = 7.3, n = 27) and is a naturally occuring feature of lake margins.

Management

These swamp stands are essentially unmanaged. The main threats to them are through lake eutrophication and drainage.

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