hidden europe 65

European heathlands

by hidden europe

Picture above: Herds of Heidschnucken are a common sight on the Lüneburg Heath (photo © hidden europe).

Summary

Dedicated teams of scientists and conservationists are working to preserve Europe’s lowland heaths. The threats to these endangered habitats are many: creeping urbanization, the conversion of traditional heathland to cropland and the planting of conifers.

The extensive heath at Lüneburg is a fine example of the kind of lowland heath that was once so common across northern Europe and the continent’s Atlantic littoral. There is a rich mosaic of heathland habitats, generally characterized by dwarf shrubs like heathers and gorses. England has in the Breckland region of East Anglia and the New Forest two especially rich lowland heaths.

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