The diversity of rare plant and animal species found on lowland heaths is largely due to the structural organization of Calluna, which provides a sheltered habitat for invertebrates and lower plants. Examination of stands of Heather can often reveal an understorey of grass and mosses, which are able to thrive in the exposed environments found on many heaths due to the protection of the dense overlying growth.

 

In this manner many species are able to exist beyond their natural boundaries, with lowland heaths acting as isolated pockets of rare species biodiversity. For example the grass Agrostis setacea (present on Waldridge Fell) and the Mossy Stonecrop (Crassula tillaea) are both able to survive beyond their northern ranges in parts of Britain by surviving in lowland heathland communities. This highlights the importance of the landscape, as these and other species would effectively disappear in those areas where heathland is lost.

 

 

If you accessed this page from a panorama, please select the site code from the menu at the top of the page to return