Wet heath
Description (English)
Heath with prominent Erica tetralix on shallow, acid, nutrient-poor peats and peaty mineral soils, kept moist for much of the year and often seasonally waterlogged, through the Atlantic and subatlantic lowlands and foothills of Europe. It typically occurs in wet depressions and seepage areas within dry heaths or as a marginal zone around bogs where drainage of deeper peats can increase its extent. In milder oceanic climates, other Erica and Ulex spp. occur in richer humid heath. The habitat is frequently influenced by grazing and sod-cutting.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code S41 |
|---|---|
| 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
Flowering Plants
Erica tetralix
Flowering Plants
Juncus squarrosus
Flowering Plants
Molinia caerulea
Flowering Plants
Calluna vulgaris
Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum compactum
Flowering Plants
Gentiana pneumonanthe
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erica tetralix | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus squarrosus | Flowering Plants | |
| Molinia caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
| Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
| Sphagnum compactum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Gentiana pneumonanthe | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Erica tetralix
Flowering Plants
Calluna vulgaris
Flowering Plants
Molinia caerulea
Flowering Plants
Potentilla erecta
Flowering Plants
Juncus squarrosus
Flowering Plants
Eriophorum angustifolium
Flowering Plants
Drosera rotundifolia
Flowering Plants
Carex panicea
Flowering Plants
Narthecium ossifragum
Flowering Plants
Nardus stricta
Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum compactum
Mosses & Liverworts
Pleurozium schreberi
Fungi
Cladonia portentosa
Flowering Plants
Eriophorum vaginatum
Mosses & Liverworts
Dicranum scoparium
Flowering Plants
Betula pubescens
Conifers
Pinus sylvestris
Flowering Plants
Carex nigra
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erica tetralix | Flowering Plants | |
| Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
| Molinia caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
| Potentilla erecta | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus squarrosus | Flowering Plants | |
| Eriophorum angustifolium | Flowering Plants | |
| Drosera rotundifolia | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex panicea | Flowering Plants | |
| Narthecium ossifragum | Flowering Plants | |
| Nardus stricta | Flowering Plants | |
| Sphagnum compactum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Pleurozium schreberi | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Cladonia portentosa | Fungi | |
| Eriophorum vaginatum | Flowering Plants | |
| Dicranum scoparium | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Betula pubescens | Flowering Plants | |
| Pinus sylvestris | Conifers | |
| Carex nigra | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Erica tetralix
Flowering Plants
Calluna vulgaris
Flowering Plants
Molinia caerulea
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erica tetralix | Flowering Plants | |
| Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
| Molinia caerulea | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | F4.1 | Wet heaths | same |
| European Red List of Habitats | F4.1 | Wet heath | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | F4.1 | Wet heaths | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | F4.1 | Wet heaths | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | F4.1 | Wet heaths | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | F4.1 | Wet heaths | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | F4.1 | Wet heaths | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | F4.1 | Wet heaths | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 31.1 | European wet heaths | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 31.1 | European wet heaths | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 31.1 | same | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 31.1 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 31.1 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 31.1 | same |
