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Heath plant communities are found on acidic soils or thinner, drained peats. The historical management practices of burning, grazing and drainage have promoted the development of heathland.
Drier heaths are generally species-poor in terms of plants but are rich for some other types of organism. They are usually dominated by heather, but can be dominated by bracken. These species are usually accompanied by a combination of bilberry, cowberry and crowberry.
Wetter heaths are characterised by an abundance of purple moor-grass together with cross-leaved heath, other dwarf scrubs as above and bog mosses (Sphagnum spp.). These wet heaths are rare in the Dales.
To find out more about heathland plant species in the Yorkshire Dales please follow the links provided.
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