Corine Land Cover 2000 - Sparse Vegetation

The CORINE-classification describes this category as "Steppes, Tundra and Barren Land". In high mountain regions this is understood to mean the upper alpine and sub-snow line where a closed grass cover no longer exists. Herb-like, cushion-like plants and grasses in more or less isolated clumps dominate here.

Conditions are extreme, both climatically and geomorphologically. The ground is covered with snow for months on end, there are partly permafrost conditions and there is a very short growing season. Because of the altitude, the plants are exposed to very intensive solar radiation and there are extreme fluctuations in temperature: special protection against cold and evaporation are necessary.

Sparse vegetation is also found as pioneer vegetation in lower lying areas, for example, on scree slopes, after rock falls or in quarries. Bad soil or climatic conditions exclude any agricultural use.