Atlantic coastal Calluna and Ulex heath

Decalcified fixed dunes colonized by relatively low heaths and spiny legumes in the European Atlantic coasts under humid climatic conditions, often with dominance of Calluna vulgaris and/or Erica spp. Soils are coarsely sandy and well drained and under the predomimant hydric regime (high rainfall or ground water) leaching of soluble basic nutrients, particularly calcium, is very active.

Sedges and grasses are common all over the habitat’s range. In the southern sector (southern Portugal) an endemic gorse preferently grows in this habitat (Ulex australis subsp. welwistchianus), while another one is also frequent in North-western Iberia (Ulex europaeus subsp. latebracteatus). Several coastal scrub species occur in the habitat, like Genista triacanthos and Halimium halimifolium. In the northern parts of the Atlantic coast and the Baltics the habitat is replaced by dune heaths dominated by Empetrum nigrum (B1.5a).

This low sized heathland is forming a dense scrub and plays an important role in the dune fixation. Soils are acidic, coarse sandy and have a low water retention capacity.

Indicators of good quality:

An optimal state of this habitat type is a dense scrub formed by heaths, gorses and some herbaceous plants (Carex and grasses) of low size (40 to 80 cm), with no or few open patches and without exotic species, trees or tall shrubs. Indicators of good quality are:

• relatively low, closed structure
• dominance by heaths and gorses
• absence of non-native, invasive species
• absence or low abundance of trees and tall shrubs

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats