Atlantic and Baltic coastal Empetrum heath

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

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats