Guidance Heathland and fens: water draw down and acidification

Index section Heathland and fens: water draw down and acidification

• Fen plants and the effects of acidification and water draw-down
• Dragonflies and the effects of water draw-down and of acidification in fens

Introduction

The area of wet heathland is much smaller than that of dry heathland. Schaminée et al. (2001) assume that in 1930-1950 about 10% of the heathland was wet, compared with about 6% in 1990-2000. Wet heathland is very sensitive to the effects of water draw-down, which results in the invasion of purple moor-grass.

The heathland fens are at risk from the effects of water draw-down and eutrophication. This is why there has been massive degradation of the characteristic vegetations. Fortunately, measures can be taken to restore them. Numbers of fen dragonflies are also decreasing.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Eutrophication and acidification: consequences for nature
• Nature and the environment; consequences for nature
• Dunes: drying up and rewetting
• Forest and woodland: water draw down and acidification