Atlantic and Baltic coastal Empetrum heath
Description (English)
Heath on stable, decalcified dune sands along the cooler north Atlantic and Baltic coasts of Europe, dominated by Empetrum nigrum, with or without Calluna vulgaris, or occurring in dune slacks where Erica tetralix may also be abundant or even replace Empetrum with the same suite of associates. Persistent where wind-exposure or light grazing prevent succession to scrub or woodland. Dry Empetrum heaths are probably threatened by increased temperature and less precipitation during spring and summer.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code N18 |
---|---|
Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableIndicator species
Diagnostic species occur concentrated in the habitat in question, but are absent or rare in other habitats. They are good positive indicators of the habitat, but they do not need to occur in every location of the habitat.
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Hieracium umbellatum | Flowering Plants | |
Carex arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Empetrum nigrum | Flowering Plants | |
Salix repens | Flowering Plants | |
Hypnum cupressiforme | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Ammophila arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Dicranum scoparium | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Cladonia fimbriata | Fungi | |
Cladonia portentosa | Fungi |
Constant species occur frequently in the habitat, but they may include generalist species that are also frequent in other habitats.
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Empetrum nigrum | Flowering Plants | |
Carex arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Hypnum cupressiforme | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Hieracium umbellatum | Flowering Plants | |
Dicranum scoparium | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
Salix repens | Flowering Plants | |
Ammophila arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Pleurozium schreberi | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Calamagrostis epigejos | Flowering Plants | |
Polypodium vulgare | Ferns | |
Cladonia portentosa | Fungi | |
Cladonia arbuscula | Fungi | |
Lotus corniculatus | Flowering Plants | |
Festuca rubra | Flowering Plants | |
Luzula campestris | Flowering Plants | |
Pseudoscleropodium purum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Avenella flexuosa | Flowering Plants | |
Viola canina | Flowering Plants |
Dominant species are those that often reach high cover in the habitat, thus determining the habitat physiognomy.
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Empetrum nigrum | Flowering Plants | |
Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
Hypnum cupressiforme | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Pleurozium schreberi | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Dicranum scoparium | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Cladonia arbuscula | Fungi |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B1.5 | Coastal dune heaths | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B1.51 | Empetrum brown dunes | same |
European Red List of Habitats | B1.5a | Atlantic and Baltic coastal Empetrum heath | same |