heatherdominated

Heather-dominated refers to vegetation communities in which heather shrubs, principally Calluna vulgaris, and to a lesser extent Erica species, form the dominant ground cover. These communities are characteristic of upland heathlands and coastal heaths in temperate regions, especially western and northern Europe.

Heather is a low-growing evergreen shrub that can reach up to about a meter tall under favorable conditions but more commonly forms dense, low- to mid-height scrub. In well-drained, acidic, nutrient-poor soils, it creates a mosaic of microhabitats that support specialized plants and invertebrates. The structure is often maintained by disturbance through managed burning, grazing, or cutting, which promotes new shoots and flowering cycles and helps prevent succession to woodland.

Distribution includes countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Nordic nations, and parts of continental Europe with oceanic climates. Heather-dominated habitats occur on moorlands, bog margins, and coastal dunes where soils remain acidic and nutrient-poor.

Management and conservation efforts aim to maintain open heathland, support habitat for birds and invertebrates, and preserve biodiversity. Practices may include cyclical burning or cutting, rotational grazing, and water management; however, excessive burning, overgrazing, or neglect can alter structure and reduce plant vigor.

Threats to heather-dominated communities include atmospheric nitrogen deposition, afforestation with conifers, drainage, and climate change, which can shift community composition and reduce habitat suitability. Pests such as the heather beetle may cause localized damage.