N18 Atlantic and Baltic coastal Empetrum heath
Heath on stable, decalcified dune sands along the cooler north Atlantic and Baltic coasts of Europe, dominated by Empetrum nigrum, with or without Calluna vulgaris, or occurring in dune slacks where Erica tetralix may also be abundant or even replace Empetrum with the same suite of associates. Persistent where wind-exposure or light grazing prevent succession to scrub or woodland. Dry Empetrum heaths are probably threatened by increased temperature and less precipitation during spring and summer.
Chytrý M., Tichý L., Hennekens S.M., Knollová I., Janssen J.A.M., Rodwell J.S. … Schaminée J.H.J. (2020) EUNIS Habitat Classification: expert system, characteristic species combinations and distribution maps of European habitats. Applied Vegetation Science 23: 648–675. https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12519
Version 2021-06-01, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4812736.
For the official presentation of the EUNIS Habitat Classification from the European Environment Agency, please see: EUNIS Terrestrial Habitat Classification 2021. The FloraVeg.EU presentation may show modifications and partial updates to the habitat classification.