Temperate Rubus scrub

Deciduous or sometimes evergreen scrub dominated by bramble (Rubus spp) found in the Atlantic and Sub-Atlantic regions, and outside these regions in sites with a specific cool microclimate. Bramble scrub grows in ‘intermediate’ conditions (on not too wet or too dry soils, in not too warm or too cold climates), in intermediate succession stages or spatial transitions (from low herbaceous vegetation towards forest) and under a relatively stable microclimate. Most bramble species are not resistant towards grazing or mowing and also not towards flooding. The habitat contains – often species-rich – bramble scrubs of the open landscapes (intermediate succession stages), forest edges and some forest clear-cut areas. It also includes semi-natural structures of the cultural landscape dominated by brambles, like hedge rows, road verges and other structures separating parcels of agricultural land. In some cases they form spatial transitions to (higher) scrubs of the habitat F3.1e Temperate and submediterranean thorn scrub.

Within the habitat type, a main division can be made based on soil type. A first subtype contains bramble scrub of poor, sandy soils in north-western Europe, belonging to the class Lonicero-Rubetea plicati, alliance Lonicero-Rubion silvatici. A second subtype includes bramble scrub on nutrient richer or more base-rich soils, with a broader distribution in central and western Europe, and belonging to the class Rhamno-Prunetea, alliance Pruno spinosae-Rubion radulae. The latter subtype forms transitions towards habitat type E3.1e Temperate and submediterranean thorn scrub.

The type relates to inland (in general) long-lasting scrubs, relatively rich in bramble species. Temporary bramble communities on clear-cut forest areas on nutrient-rich or base-rich soils (alliance Athyrio filix-feminae-Rubion idaei) form a short-term succession stage towards Sambuco racemosae-Salicion capreae; both alliances together are considered part of habitat F3.1d Temperate woodland clearing scrub. Bramble scrubs in Atlantic dunes are considered part of type B1.6a Atlantic and Baltic coastal dune scrub. Also excluded from this habitat are the (sub)mediterranean bramble scrubs with Rubus ulmifolius as the main (and often only) species. Rubus ulmifolius has a broad ecology, and vegetation dominated by it in most situations is a mixture of Rubus ulmifolius with thorny shrubs of the class Rhamno-Prunetea (for example Rosa spp.). They are not bramble scrubs in a strict sense, and habitats of this type (alliance Pruno spinosae-Rubion ulmifolii), are considered as part of type F3.1e Temperate and submediterranean thorn scrub. Finally, also bramble scrubs dominated by non-European species, like Rubus armeniacus, are excluded.

Natural bramble scrubs as intermediate succession stages from grassland or heathland towards forest are restricted to Atlantic and Subatlantic lowlands and submontane areas of Central-Europe. Further eastwards (like in eastern Germany and the Czech Republic) brambles are mainly restricted to shaded conditions (forest understorey, forest edges), and the bramble habitat is more scattered in localities with specific conditions. Further northwards the number of brambles decreases quickly, with only a few species in southern Norway and south Sweden. Also southwards few species occur, and species-rich communities become rare. It is plausible that bramble scrubs have increased during the 20th century in parts of the distribution range, as in the 19th century the semi-natural landscape was much more open and more intensively grazed. On the other hand, during the 20th century severe losses will have happened in the cultural landscape, due to increasing parcel sizes (removal of hedges), eutrophication and invasion of non-native species (such as Prunus serotina).

Rubus in Europe is one of the most species-rich (and most complicated) genera in the temperate parts of Europe, with many taxa propagating by apomictic (non-sexual) mechanisms. In total, about 700 species have been described in Atlas Flora Europaeae, while about 1000 species are estimated to exist in Europe. Most of these species are considered to be relatively young, probably originating from a small set of relict species after the Ice Ages. The highest species richness of Rubus is found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, southern Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, northern France and the Czech Republic. Many of the Rubus species are regional endemics, giving this type a high importance from a biodiversity point of view. The most characteristic brambles in this Temperate bramble scrubs habitat are species of the Rubus subsection Rubus , which are deciduous. Especially the series rhamnifolii and discolores within this subsection, some of the most spiny groups of brambles, are well represented.

As well as for endemic bramble species, bramble scrubs are important for fauna, providing nectar for many insect groups when flowering, food for birds and mammals, and important hiding or nesting structures for many animal species.

Indicators of good quality:

• Presence of regional endemic species
• Absence of alien species
• High diversity in Rubus species

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats