EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > S - Heathland, scrub and tundra > S4 - Temperate shrub heathland > S42 - Dry heath

Dry heath

Description (English)

Heath dominated by various ericaceous sub-shrubs on free-draining, nutrient-poor, acid sands and siliceous soils through the lowlands and foothills of Western and Central Europe, extending northwards in more oceanic situations and into continental regions in precipitation-rich areas at higher altitudes. Very often influenced by grazing and burning and frequently a secondary vegetation type derived by clearance of acidophilous forest and maintained anthropogenically.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code S42
Relation to	Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Legal text	Annex	Name in legal text	Code in legal text	Habitat type relationship	More information
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Dry sand heaths with Calluna and Genista	2310	Wider	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Dry sand heaths with Calluna and Empetrum nigrum	2320	Wider	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	European dry heaths	4030	Wider	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	* Dry Atlantic coastal heaths with Erica vagans	4040	Wider	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Dry heaths	F4.2	Same	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Indicator species

Diagnostic species

Constant species

Dominant species

Flowering Plants Calluna vulgaris

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
Calluna vulgaris		Flowering Plants

Flowering Plants Calluna vulgaris

Flowering Plants Avenella flexuosa

Flowering Plants Vaccinium myrtillus

Mosses & Liverworts Pleurozium schreberi

Mosses & Liverworts Hypnum cupressiforme

Flowering Plants Potentilla erecta

Flowering Plants Agrostis capillaris

Mosses & Liverworts Dicranum scoparium

Flowering Plants Festuca ovina

Flowering Plants Nardus stricta

Flowering Plants Genista pilosa

Flowering Plants Danthonia decumbens

Flowering Plants Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Conifers Pinus sylvestris

Flowering Plants Pilosella officinarum

Flowering Plants Luzula campestris

Flowering Plants Carex pilulifera

Flowering Plants Anthoxanthum odoratum

Ferns Pteridium aquilinum

Flowering Plants Festuca rubra

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
Calluna vulgaris		Flowering Plants
Avenella flexuosa		Flowering Plants
Vaccinium myrtillus		Flowering Plants
Pleurozium schreberi		Mosses & Liverworts
Hypnum cupressiforme		Mosses & Liverworts
Potentilla erecta		Flowering Plants
Agrostis capillaris		Flowering Plants
Dicranum scoparium		Mosses & Liverworts
Festuca ovina		Flowering Plants
Nardus stricta		Flowering Plants
Genista pilosa		Flowering Plants
Danthonia decumbens		Flowering Plants
Vaccinium vitis-idaea		Flowering Plants
Pinus sylvestris		Conifers
Pilosella officinarum		Flowering Plants
Luzula campestris		Flowering Plants
Carex pilulifera		Flowering Plants
Anthoxanthum odoratum		Flowering Plants
Pteridium aquilinum		Ferns
Festuca rubra		Flowering Plants

Flowering Plants Calluna vulgaris

Flowering Plants Vaccinium myrtillus

Mosses & Liverworts Pleurozium schreberi

Mosses & Liverworts Hypnum cupressiforme

Flowering Plants Genista pilosa

Flowering Plants Erica vagans

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
Calluna vulgaris		Flowering Plants
Vaccinium myrtillus		Flowering Plants
Pleurozium schreberi		Mosses & Liverworts
Hypnum cupressiforme		Mosses & Liverworts
Genista pilosa		Flowering Plants
Erica vagans		Flowering Plants

Please note that a maximum of 20 species of each indicator category is shown.

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	F4.2	Dry heaths	same
European Red List of Habitats	F4.2	Dry heath	same

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	F4.2	Dry heaths	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	F4.2	Dry heaths	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	F4.2	Dry heaths	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	F4.2	Dry heaths	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	F4.2	Dry heaths	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	F4.2	Dry heaths	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	31.2	European dry heaths	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	31.2	European dry heaths	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	31.2		same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	31.2		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991	31.2		same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989	31.2		same

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Dry heath

Description (English)

Quick facts

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Indicator species

Other classifications

History