Heaths are anthropogenic habitats found primarily in northern and western Europe, where they have been created by thousands of years of human clearance of natural forest vegetation by grazing and burning on mainly infertile acidic soils. They subdivide into two broad categories depending on climate, with true heathland developing in warm, dry conditions, and moorland developing in cooler, wetter conditions. As they have developed over a long period, a unique assemblage of plants and animals has adapted to thrive in these habitats. Until recently, modern techniques of agriculture threatened some of this habitat, by ploughing, fertilising and planting with arable crops, or in particular, conversion to commercial forestry plantations. In recent years their value has become much more appreciated and consequently, most Heathlands are protected. However they are also threatened by forest growth as a result of the discontinuation of traditional farming techniques such as grazing and burning that kept the cultural landscapes intact. Some are also threatened by urban sprawl. Anthropogenic effects or processes are derived from human activities, as opposed to effects or processes that occur in the natural environment without human influences. ... Habitat (from the Latin for it inhabits) is the place where a particular species lives and grows. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 Subspecies Homo sapiens idaltu  (extinct) Homo sapiens sapiens Homo (genus). ... FOREST, which describes itself as the voice and friend of the smoker, is a United Kingdom political pressure group that campaigns for the right of people to smoke tobacco and opposes attempts to ban or reduce tobacco consumption, as well as casting doubt on medical claims of the health risks... Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover provided by plants, and is, by far, the most abundant biotic element of the biosphere. ... The Old Fire burning in the San Bernardino Mountains (image taken from the International Space Station) A wildfire, also known as a forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, brush fire, or bushfire (in Australasia), is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wildland areas, but which can also consume houses or... For other uses, see Acid (disambiguation). ... Divisions Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta - liverworts Anthocerotophyta - hornworts Bryophyta - mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) Lycopodiophyta - clubmosses Equisetophyta - horsetails Pteridophyta - true ferns Psilotophyta - whisk ferns Ophioglossophyta - adderstongues Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta - seed ferns Pinophyta - conifers Cycadophyta - cycads Ginkgophyta - ginkgo Gnetophyta - gnetae Magnoliophyta - flowering plants Adiantum pedatum (a fern... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria (coral, jellyfish, anenomes) Placozoa (trichoplax) Subregnum Bilateria (bilateral symmetry) Acoelomorpha (basal) Orthonectida (parasitic to flatworms, echinoderms, etc. ... A farmer works the land in the traditional way with a horse and plough The plough (American spelling: plow) is a tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting. ... Fertilizers are chemicals given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil or by foliar spraying. ... In geography, arable land is a form of agricultural land use, meaning land that can be (and is) used for growing crops. ... A farmer in Germany working the land in the traditional way, with horse and plough Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). ... A decidous beech forest in Slovenia. ... A plantation is an intentional planting of a crop, on a larger scale, usually for uses other than cereal production or pasture. ... Urban sprawl is a term for the expansive, rapid, and sometimes reckless, growth of a greater metropolitan area, traditionally suburbs (or exurbs) over a large area. ...

Heathland

Heathland at Woodbury Common, Devon (England). Purple flowers of Calluna vulgaris and yellow flowers of Ulex gallii

Heathland is a lowland habitat, and is favoured where climatic conditions are typically warm and dry, particularly in summer, and soils acidic, of low fertility, and often sandy and very free-draining; bogs do occur where drainage is poor, but are usually only small in extent. It is dominated by low shrubs, 0.2-2 m tall, particularly heather (Calluna vulgaris), heath (Erica species) and gorse (Ulex species). It is noted for the brilliant colours when these species flower in late summer (see photo, left). The habitat is maintained artificially by a combination of grazing and periodic burning, or (rarely) mowing; if not so maintained, it is rapidly re-colonised by forest, mainly of pine (Pinus species) and Silver birch (Betula pendula). Any re-colonising tree species will depend on the local seed source, and may not reflect the natural vegetation before the Heathland became established. Heath (habitat) at Woodbury Common, Devon, England - photo User:MPF File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Heath (habitat) at Woodbury Common, Devon, England - photo User:MPF File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The inner harbour, Brixham, south Devon, at low tide Devon is a large county in South West England, bordering on Cornwall to the west, Dorset and Somerset to the east. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the British Isles Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK... Summer is a season, defined by convention in meteorology as the whole months of June, July, and August, in the Northern hemisphere, and the whole months of December, January, and February, in the Southern hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Acid (disambiguation). ... Patterns in the sand Sand is an example of a class of materials called granular matter. ... Bog detail Lütt-Witt Moor, a bog in Henstedt-Ulzburg, northern Germany. ... A broom shrub in flower A shrub or bush is a horticultural rather than strictly botanical category of woody plant, distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and lower height, usually less than 6 m tall. ... Binomial name Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull Calluna vulgaris is the sole species in the genus Calluna in the family Ericaceae. ... Species Over 700 species, including: Erica arborea Erica caffra Erica carnea Erica ciliaris Erica cinerea Erica erigena Erica mackaiana Erica scoparia Erica tetralix Erica vagans Erica is a genus of over 700 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae; the English names, both shared with some other closely related... Species Ulex argenteus Ulex boivinii Ulex borgiae Ulex cantabricus Ulex densus Ulex europaeus - Common Gorse Ulex gallii - Western Gorse Ulex genistoides Ulex micranthus Ulex minor - Dwarf Gorse Ulex parviflorus Ref: ILDIS Version 6. ... Summer is a season, defined by convention in meteorology as the whole months of June, July, and August, in the Northern hemisphere, and the whole months of December, January, and February, in the Southern hemisphere. ... FOREST, which describes itself as the voice and friend of the smoker, is a United Kingdom political pressure group that campaigns for the right of people to smoke tobacco and opposes attempts to ban or reduce tobacco consumption, as well as casting doubt on medical claims of the health risks... Species About 115. ... Binomial name Betula pendula Roth. ...

Heathlands have a very typical associated bird fauna, notably Montagu's Harrier, Eurasian Hobby, European Nightjar, Wood Lark, Tree Pipit, European Stonechat and Dartford Warbler; where there are scattered trees, Green Woodpecker is also characteristic. Some reptiles are also largely confined to healthland, notably the Sand Lizard and the Smooth Snake, and one amphibian, the Natterjack Toad. It is also an excellent habitat for ants with many species being restricted entirely to it. Orders Many - see section below. ... Fauna is a collective term for animal life. ... Binomial name Circus pygargus Linnaeus, 1758 The Montagus Harrier (Circus pygargus) is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. ... Binomial name Falco subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758 The Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), or just simply Hobby, is a medium-sized falcon. ... Binomial name Caprimulgus europaeus Linnaeus, 1758 The European Nightjar, or just Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus, is the only representative of the nightjar family of birds in most of Europe and temperate Asia. ... Binomial name Lullula arborea (Linnaeus, 1758) The Woodlark (Lullula arborea) is the only lark in the genus Lullula (Kaup, 1829). ... Binomial name Anthus trivialis (Linnaeus, 1758) Tree Pipit, Anthus trivialis, is a small passerine bird which breeds across most of Europe and temperate western and central Asia. ... Binomial name Saxicola rubicola (Linnaeus, 1766) The European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, family Muscicapidae. ... Binomial name Sylvia undata (Boddaert, 1783) The Dartford Warbler, Sylvia undata, is an Old World warbler which breeds in the warmer parts of south west Europe and northwest Africa. ... Binomial name Picus viridis Linnaeus, 1758 The Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis, sometimes called Yaffle) is a member of the woodpecker family Picidae. ... Orders See text. ... Binomial name Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758 The Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis is a lizard. ... Binomial name Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768 The Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) is a non-venomous snake. ... For other uses, see Amphibian (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Bufo calamita Laurenti, 1768 The Natterjack Toad (Bufo calamita) is a toad native to sandy and heathland areas of Northern Europe. ... Subfamilies Dorylomorph subfamilies Apomyrminae Cerapachyinae Dorylinae Ecitoninae Formicomorph subfamilies: Aneuretinae Dolichoderinae Formicinae - e. ...

One of the biggest heathlands is the Lüneburger Heide in northern Germany. Other notable heaths include large parts of the New Forest and the Breckland in southern and eastern England respectively, and the Veluwe in the Netherlands, and smaller areas in Dorset, Devon and Surrey in southern England. Heathland habitats are also found in parts of Denmark, France, Spain and along the Norwegian coastline. The Lüneburg Heath (German: Lüneburger Heide) is a region in Lower Saxony in Germany. ... Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River The New Forest is an area of southern England which includes the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and old-growth forest in the heavily-populated south east of England. ... The Breckland is a gorse covered sandy heath and unusual natural habitat that exists in North Suffolk and South Norfolk. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the British Isles Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK... The Veluwe is a forest-rich area in the middle of the Netherlands. ... Dorset (pronounced Dorsit, sometimes in the past called Dorsetshire) is a county in the southwest of England, on the English Channel coast. ... The inner harbour, Brixham, south Devon, at low tide Devon is a large county in South West England, bordering on Cornwall to the west, Dorset and Somerset to the east. ... Surrey is a county in southern England, part of the South East England region and one of the Home Counties. ...

Moorland

Moorland in the Pennines (England); Coarse grasses and bracken tend to dominate especially in high rainfall areas.

Upland moorland habitats occur mainly in northern and western Britain and Ireland, and are similar in also often being dominated by heather, but differ from typical heathland in being colder and much wetter, often with extensive bogs, giving rise to a different mix of associated fauna, such as Red Grouse, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Golden Plover, Curlew, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Whinchat, Ring Ouzel and Twite. Reptiles are fewer due to the cooler conditions, with only the Common Viper being frequent. When moorland is overgrazed by excessive numbers of sheep or deer, most of the heather is lost, being replaced by coarse, unpalatable grasses and bracken, with a greatly reduced fauna. Typical pennine scenery, taken on the Pennine Way south of Marsden in West Yorkshire. ... Typical pennine scenery, taken on the Pennine Way south of Marsden in West Yorkshire. ... Binomial name Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull Calluna vulgaris is the sole species in the genus Calluna in the family Ericaceae. ... Bog detail Lütt-Witt Moor, a bog in Henstedt-Ulzburg, northern Germany. ... Binomial name Lagopus lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Willow Grouse (Lagopus lagopus) is a medium-sized bird in the grouse family. ... Binomial name Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus, 1766) The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a bird of prey of the harrier family. ... Binomial name Falco columbarius (Linnaeus, 1758) Merlin (Falco columbarius) is a falcon that breeds in northern North America, Europe and Asia. ... Binomial name Pluvialis apricaria (Linnaeus, 1758) The Eurasian Golden Plover, Pluvialis apricaria, is a largish plover. ... Binomial name Numenius arquata (Linnaeus, 1758) The Eurasian Curlew, or in Europe just Curlew, Numenius arquata, is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. ... Binomial name Alauda arvensis Linnaeus, 1758 The Skylark (Alauda arvensis) breeds across most of Europe and Asia and in the mountains of north Africa. ... Binomial name Anthus pratensis (Linnaeus, 1758) The Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, is a small passerine bird which breeds in much of the northern half of Europe and Asia. ... Binomial name Saxicola rubetra (Linnaeus, 1758) The Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra, is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae. ... Binomial name Turdus torquatus Linnaeus, 1758 The Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) is a European member of the thrush family Turdidae. ... Binomial name Carduelis flavirostris (Linnaeus,, 1758) The Twite, Carduelis flavirostris, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. ... Binomial name Vipera berus The Crossed Viper, also known as the Common Viper and the European Adder (Vipera berus) lives further north than any other snake and is known for being remarkably resistant to low temperatures. ... Species See text. ... Subfamilies Capreolinae Cervinae Hydropotinae Muntiacinae A deer is a ruminant mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. ... Subfamilies There are 7 subfamilies: Subfamily Arundinoideae Subfamily Bambusoideae Subfamily Centothecoideae Subfamily Chloridoideae Subfamily Panicoideae Subfamily Pooideae Subfamily Stipoideae The true grasses are monocotyledonous plants (Class Liliopsida) in the Family Poaceae, also known as Gramineae. ... Species Pteridium aquilinum Pteridium caudatum Pteridium latiusculum and about 7-8 other species Brackens (Pteridium) are a genus of about ten species of large, coarse ferns, in the family Hypolepidaceae. ...

Notable areas of upland moorland in Britain include Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor (see also Dartmoor wildlife), Exmoor, the Dark Peak, the North York Moors, the Forest of Bowland, the Lake District, the Pennines, Mid Wales, the Southern Uplands of Scotland, the Scottish Highlands and a very small pockets in the Shropshire Hills and western Herefordshire. The Cheeswring, a granite tor on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor (Photo by Mick Knapton) Bodmin Moor is a granite moorland in northeastern Cornwall, England, 208 km² in size, dating from the Carboniferous period of geological history. ... Dartmoor is a National Park in the centre of the English county of Devon. ... The remoteness of Dartmoor and the fact that a great deal of it is undisturbed for much of the year is an encouragement to the wildlife. ... Dunster Yarn Market (a covered market for the sale of local cloth, built in 1609) and Dunster Castle, Exmoor Exmoor National Park is a national park situated on the Bristol Channel coast of Devon and Somerset in South West England. ... The Dark Peak is the higher, northern part of the Peak District in England. ... North York Moors National Park is a National Park in the north of England. ... The Hills in the Forest of Bowland The area known as the Forest of Bowland occupies most of the north east of the county of Lancashire in England. ... The panorama across Eskdale from Ill Crag. ... Typical Pennine scenery. ... The Desert of Wales is a large area in central Wales so called because of its lack of roads and towns and its general inaccessibility. ... The Southern Uplands is the southernmost of Scotlands three major geographic areas (the others being the Central Belt and the Highlands). ... The Scottish Highlands are the mountainous regions of Scotland north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault. ... The Shropshire Hills area is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). ... Herefordshire is a traditional and ceremonial county and unitary district in the West Midlands region of England in the United Kingdom. ...

In more northerly latitudes, moorland is also found in lowland areas in the Scottish Highlands, Iceland and Norway; in the far north where trees do not grow naturally, moorland grades into natural tundra. In physical geography, tundra is an area where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and OMFG. The term tundra comes from Kildin Sami tū̄ndra, the genitive of tundar, treeless plain. There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, Antarctic tundra, and alpine tundra. ...

See also

• Bolster heath

Bolster heath describes a patchwork of very low growing, tightly packed plants found at the limits of some alpine environments. ...

External links

• The Countryside Agency information on types of open land