Heath

Lowland heath is a fascinating paradox: it is not a natural habitat, yet it holds international protection status. These landscapes were created approximately 4,000 years ago during the Bronze and Iron Ages when early inhabitants cleared "wild wood" to create grazing land for livestock.

Why Heathland is Unique

The defining characteristic of heathland is its acidic, nutrient-poor soil. Because most common plants cannot thrive in these harsh, low-pH conditions, a niche environment is created for specialists.

• The Soil: Predominantly sandy or gravelly with a low pH.

• The Vegetation: Dominated by low-growing shrubs, specifically gorse and various heather species.

• The Specialists: These unique plant communities support rare animals specifically adapted to the heathland environment.

Types of Heath Habitats

Variations in heathland are largely determined by soil moisture levels. Under the Phase 1 Classification system, we recognise several distinct types:

• Dry Heath: Occupies higher, sandy areas that rarely flood - Ling Heather, Bell Heather, Bilberry.

• Wet Heath: Lower, water-retentive areas that may dry out in summer - Cross-leaved Heath.

• Valley Mire / Bog: Permanently waterlogged and potentially dangerous - Mosses and Rushes.

Heathland in Sidmouth

In the Sidmouth area, heath habitats thrive specifically where the upper greensand geology is present. While vast swathes of British heathland have been lost to forestry, agriculture, and housing, two primary sites remain in our region:

• Fire Beacon: Characterized by dry dwarf shrub heath.

• Muttersmoor: Another significant area of dry dwarf shrub heath.

• Potential Heath: Sites like Greystone Hill and Bulverton Hill would naturally be heathland if they were not currently covered by conifer plantations.

The Biodiversity of the "Pebblebed Heaths"

Though these sites sit on hills, they are much lower in elevation than the moorland of Dartmoor or Exmoor. The survey recorded 59 species of flora and various insects, though the true numbers are likely higher as many species are hidden within the impenetrable gorse or are active only at night.