HE2E Calluna vulgaris – Trichophorum cespitosum/germanicum heath
Vegetation
Calluna vulgaris tends to dominate this community, accompanied by a mixture of Erica cinerea, Molinia caerulea and Trichophorum cespitosum/germanicum. Potentilla erecta is a constant species, while Erica tetralix is frequent and occasionally there are patches of Nardus stricta, Carex binervis, Carex panicea or Eriophorum angustifolium. Rarely, one may encounter Juniperus communis or Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. The bryophyte layer is not very extensive, with Hypnum jutlandicum the mainstay, although it is frequently joined by the grey-green mounds of Racomitrium lanuginosum. Cladonia portentosa is also often met with here.
Ecology
This is a community of hills and mountains, occurring on the middle slopes (mean altitude = 300 m, n = 46; mean slope = 14.3°, n = 29), primarily occurring as wet heathland. Soils are rather poorly drained, acidic and infertile (mean extent of bare rock = 6.2%, n = 29).
Sub-communities
No sub-communities have been described for this community
Similar communities
Both Trichophorum cespitosum/germanicum and Racomitrium lanuginosum are more frequent here than in the other communities of group HE2. In community BG2F Trichophorum cespitosum/germanicum – Eriophorum angustifolium peatland, Trichophorum is dominant and Eriophorum angustifolium far more plentiful. Furthermore, Erica cinerea is not frequent within communities of the BG division.
Conservation value
Many examples of this vegetation qualify as EU HD Annex I habitat 4010 Wet heath. However, also included here are marginal examples of habitats 7130 Blanket bogs* and 4060 Alpine and subalpine heath. This is on average a community of medium species richness (species/4 m2 = 16.8, n = 81).
Management
These heaths, which often form parts of commonages, may be used as rough grazing land (typically for sheep). Burning may be periodically used across large areas to suppress the dwarf shrubs and encourage grass growth. Overgrazing can also be a problem. Other threats are agricultural improvement and afforestation.