Atlantic and Baltic coastal Empetrum heath
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code RLB1.5a |
---|---|
Threat status | |
Europe | Vulnerable |
EU | Vulnerable |
Relation to |
|
Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
This habitat comprises decalcified fixed dunes dominated by relatively low Empetrum nigrum heaths along the cooler parts of the northern Atlantic and Baltic coasts, south to the mainland Dutch dunes, north to northern Norway (Finnmark) and Iceland. It includes both dry dunes as well as moist dune slacks with dominant Empetrum nigrum, both of which are late succession stages in the development of stable dunes and dune slacks, and which may be long maintained under light grazing pressure or other factors (like salt spray) which limit the development of scrub and woodland. In northern Estonia, and possibly also in Iceland, some sites of the habitat are dominated by Empetrum hermaphroditum.
In the dry dune subtype Calluna vulgaris may co-dominate, but Calluna-heath without Empetrum nigrum is considered under B1.5b Atlantic coastal Calluna and Ulex heath. Especially in the Wadden Sea area and the Baltics it may be difficult to distinguish between these two types but the presence of Empetrum may be considered to assign communities to this habitat B1.5a. Within this geographical range Calluna vulgaris-dominated heathlands without Empetrum nigrum occur often more locally on dunes, as in relatively old grey dunes, where cover of Calluna can slowly increase. Empetrum nigrum in general is able to outcompete Calluna on slightly deeper and better soils and on more moist sites such as north-facing slopes. In dry dunes, mosses and lichens form an important part of the plant diversity.
In the wet dune slack subtype, Erica tetralix may grow as a co-dominant and Empetrum nigrum may actually be absent, but in such cases these heathlands can still be included here, as the complete species composition is not very different. In some situations, the non-native cranberry Oxycoccus macrocarpus (=Vaccinium macrocarpon) may become dominant, providing an important food source for man and animals. In relatively stable hydrological conditions, Sphagnum spp. may reach high cover. In dune slack heathlands Carex trinervis is a common associate, within the small range of its distribution.
Indicators of good quality:
An optimal state of this habitat type is a low scrub formed by heaths, sedges and grasses, and mosses and lichens, with few open patches and without non-native species, trees or tall shrubs. Indicators of good quality are:
- relatively low, closed structure
- dominance by heath sub-shrubs
- presence of high diversity of mosses and lichens
- absence of non-native, invasive species
- absence or low abundance of trees and tall shrubs
- occurring both in dry dunes and dune slacks
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Vulnerable | A3, C/D1 |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Vulnerable | A3, C/D1 |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Agriculture
- Abandonment of pastoral systems, lack of grazing
- Urbanisation, residential and commercial development
- Urbanised areas, human habitation
- Human intrusions and disturbances
- Outdoor sports and leisure activities, recreational activities
- Invasive, other problematic species and genes
- Invasive non-native species
- Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)
- Biocenotic evolution, succession
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Decreasing ![]() |
Decreasing ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Decreasing ![]() |
Decreasing ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Conservation and management needs
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to agriculture and open habitats
- Maintaining grasslands and other open habitats
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Establish protected areas/sites
Distribution
Geographic occurrence and trends
EU28 | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Denmark | Present | 238 | Stable | Decreasing |
Estonia | Present | 0.6 | Stable | Stable |
Finland mainland | Present | 0.4 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Aland Islands | Uncertain | 0.4 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Germany | Present | 15 | Stable | Decreasing |
Ireland | Present | 0.01 | Stable | Unknown |
Latvia | Present | 0.7 | Decreasing | Stable |
Lithuania | Present | 0.2 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Netherlands | Present | 25 | Stable | Increasing |
Poland | Present | 0.1 | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Sweden | Present | 3 | Decreasing | Unknown |
United Kingdom | Present | 3.2 | Unknown | Unknown |
Northern Island | Uncertain | 3.2 | Unknown | Unknown |
EU28 + | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Iceland | Uncertain | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Kaliningrad | Uncertain | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Norway Mainland | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 1821000 | 286 | 285 | |
EU28+ | 289 | 290 |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).
Characteristic species
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Polypodium vulgare | Ferns | |
Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
Carex arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Carex trinervis | Flowering Plants | |
Empetrum hermaphroditum | Flowering Plants | |
Empetrum nigrum | Flowering Plants | |
Erica tetralix | Flowering Plants | |
Genista tinctoria | Flowering Plants | |
Hieracium umbellatum | Flowering Plants | |
Pyrola minor | Flowering Plants | |
Pyrola rotundifolia | Flowering Plants | |
Salix repens | Flowering Plants | |
Vaccinium macrocarpon | Flowering Plants | |
Vaccinium uliginosum | Flowering Plants | |
Vaccinium vitis-idaea | Flowering Plants | |
Dicranum scoparium | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Hypnum jutlandicum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Pleurozium schreberi | Mosses & Liverworts |