Wet heath

Typical Atlantic to sub-Atlantic heathland, dominated by Erica tetralix, is found on moist to wet, nutrient-poor acidic soils and shallow peats in sandy and rocky landscapes of Southwestern Norway, the northwest-European plain and the warmer Atlantic regions of France and northern Iberia, becoming rare southwards and eastwards with some scattered localities in the Baltic States. In many cases, the habitat exists due to human activities, like grazing, sod cutting or mowing and continuation of traditional management is needed for its maintenance. In other situations it forms a natural succession stage towards woodlands.

In its heartland, Erica tetralix is accompanied by Carex panicea, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Drosera rotundifolia, Gentiana pneumonanthe, Lycopodiella inundata, Sphagnum compactum, S. tenellum, S. molle and Narthecium ossifragum, typical Ericion tetralicis. Such vegetation may also be found on the margins of bogs where the peat cover thins, on drained peatlands and on the shores of oligotrophic waters and in seepage areas on the edge of brook valleys.  In the last situation, Molinietalia species such as Dactylorhiza maculata and Pedicularis sylvatica occur. Molinia caerulea is itself a common species of the habitat and may become dominant if there is some strong water table fluctuation during the year, either natural or through anthropogenic deterioration of the hydrology, or after burning.  Much more rarely, Erica tetralix-dominated wet heath is found in fen areas in the Northwestern plain (Netherlands, Germany, Poland), where it forms a late succession stage in the development of transitional mires (alliance Oxycocco-Ericion) when accompanying species can include Phragmites australis, Sphagnum palustre, Drosera rotundifolia, Molinia caerulea and Aulacomnium palustre.

In the warmer and more humid oceanic climate of south-west England, Brittany and south-west France wet heath can also include Erica vagans, E. ciliaris, E. mackaiana and Ulex minor and in the foothills of northern Iberia Erica tetralix is accompanied by Genista micrantha, Genista anglica, Potentilla erecta and Thymelaea dendryobryum. 

In landscapes which include drier acidic soils the habitat forms mosaics with F4.2 Dry heath where Calluna vulgaris usually dominates but where Erica tetralix may remain abundant on intermediate soils and on north-facing slopes or become dominant where a thickening humus layer maintains a moister surface or where moisture collects in depressions left by sod cutting. In dunes, Erica tetralix vegetation may be part of B1.5a Empetrum heathlands or B1.8a Wet dune slacks.

Indicators of good quality

• Dominance of Erica tetralix
• No overwhelming encroachment of grasses (notably Molinia caerulea), shrubs (for example, Myrica gale) or trees (for example, Betula pubescens).
• Occurring as part of a wider heath landscape, forming mosaics with drier heath, mires and water bodies.
• Long continuation of management (grazing, mowing, sod-cutting or combinations of these).

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats