Screes and Rock Walls – Habitats Important for Biodiversity

Růžička V., Zacharda M.

The long-time cooling of the basal part along with the winter heating of the cen¬tral and upper parts of the scree are the most specific microclimatic phenomena of the phonolite scree slope on Mt. Klíč, North Bohemia. Generally, the seepage of cold air from the permanently frozen (or undercooled) core can cause the formation of a very narrow strip or spots of a relict arctic microclimate at the lower margin of the scree slope. Such scree slopes can host geographically isolated populations of northern species and/or mountain invertebrate species. On the other hand, sun-exposed rocks create one of the warmest habitats within the landscape and can harbour isolated populations of thermophilous species at higher altitudes and latitudes.

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