HEATHLAND

Heathland is characterised by a pioneer community of limited diversity, in which the vegetation is dominated by ericaceous species. The habitat is generally sustained which prevent the natural invasion of woodland, but is becoming increasingly rare.

Heathland is defined as vegetation dominated by dwarf shrubs (usually heather Calluna vulgaris), and is found on both sandy mineral soils and peats. Heaths are usually found on acidic soils, and are usually the first community to colonise bare ground. If natural succession is allowed heaths will be invaded by tree and scrub species, and to eventually become woodland. This can be prevented by some form of management, usually by grazing and controlled burning.

Heaths below an altitude of 250m are described as lowland heathland while those above are upland heathland or moorland.
Heathlands are an internationally important habitat; and a large percentage of remaining European heathland is in Britain. They were once widespread, and were often used for common grazing. However, since 1949, 40% of lowland British heath on acid soil has been lost by conversion to arable or intensive grazing, afforestation, building, or succession to scrub due to lack of proper management. There are now 31,000ha of lowland heathland remaining in England. The 1995 Cheshire Heathland Inventory, found 71 heathland sites in the administrative county, 26 (96ha) upland sites, comprising 10ha of wet heath and 86 .1ha of dry heath, and 45 (60ha) sites of lowland heath, comprising 11ha wet heath and 49ha of dry heath. In addition there are approximately 50ha of heathland on the Wirral peninsula.

Upland dry heath occurs mainly in the eastern fringe, together with a small distribution at the southern end of the Central Cheshire Ridge, extending in total to 190ha. Lowland wet heath is recorded at only two sites: at Sound Heath and Lindow Common, totalling only 2.5ha. Lowland dry heath was also recorded with a sparse distribution, extending to 65.2ha. Many heathlands have been lost to development, to agriculture and to secondary woodland encroachment where management has been abandoned. Remaining heathlands are at risk from overgrazing, neglect and recreational pressure.

Heathland can be seen at these Cheshire Wildlife Trust reserves – Cleaver Heath, Knutsford Heath and Rudheath.