Corine Land Cover 2000 - Mountain Pines (pino mugo), krummwood, Dwarf Shrubs

The entire krummwood and dwarf shrub belt above the tree line are described in this category. Mountain pines and green alder bushes, as well as the adjoining alpine rose, berry shrubs and dwarf juniper heathland are included. According to the official CORINE-nomenclature the mountain pines belong to class 3.2.2., "Moors and Heathland".

The mountain pine (pinus mugo) is normally found in bush form up to a max. height of 3,5 m. It occurs above the dense forests at between 1500 - 2000 m. Mountain pines are characteristic of chalky soils which is why they are particularly common in the northern and southern Kalkalpen (limestone alps). Their deformed shape is a sign of their excellent adaptation to climatic conditions, as it provides protection from both the wind and also the heavy layers of snow in winter. In wetter conditions, preferably on silicate rocks (also present in the Central Alps), this ecological niche is taken up by green alder bushes.

For people the krummwoodland above all serves as a protective forest. The bushes prevent soil erosion, slow down falling stones and offer a first line of defence against avalanches and mudflows that usually originate above the tree line. However, because of their limited height, the level of protection provided by these bushes is relatively low.

The dwarf shrub heathland forms a closed belt particularly in the Central Alps (on silicate rocks). Furthermore, these dwarf shrubs are the first wooded plants to grow on abandoned mountain pastures. In places where the tree line has been lowered through human intervention, these dwarf shrubs are replaced by larger bushes and then finally by trees.