One of many examples at the Waldridge site of the diverse plant communities that are supported by lowland heaths. As visible at site S2, assortments of grass species are common, often inter-mixed with a variety of non-heathland natives. Whilst these invaders often have to be placed under strict management to maintain native species dominance, they themselves can often attract a diversity of animals as food sources and add to the overall biodiversity supported by the heathland landscape.

 

The nature of heathland soils can in most cases maintain a balance in the make-up of these communities, as aggressive invaders are constrained by low nutrient availability, to which heath species are well adapted.

 

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