The Woodland Education Centre
Heathland Project Report
Heather / Bell Heather Distribution on the Project Site
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Mean % Cover of Heather 1997 -1998 |
% Frequency of Heather 1997-1998 |
left: Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) on the Heathland Restoration site.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) both occur in all of sections 5 - 9. While they occur in the same sections, they reach their greatest abundance in quite different areas. Heather is most abundant in section 9 (Figures above), while Bell Heather is most abundant in section 5, the control section (Figures below). The reasons for these different distribution patterns are unclear, and appear to be environmental rather than as a result of differing management techniques.
Mean % cover of Bell Heather. 1997 - 1998 |
% Frequency of Bell Heather. 1997 -1998 |
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Heather is able to grow in a wide range of heathland soil types and conditions and is much more flexible in its requirements than Bell Heather. Bell Heather is generally confined to the driest parts of the heathland because germination and establishment of seedlings is poor in water logged or peaty soils. Sedges are most common in the areas of sections 7 - 9, which may suggest that the soils are less well-drained in this region. This may explain why Bell Heather was rare in section 9. Its rarity in section 6 is possibly a result of the frequent cutting which takes place in this section (management summary). Bell Heather also requires deeper soils than Heather, which may affect its distribution on the project site.
Bell Heather occurs as neat compact plants. It does not form the dense uniform stands which are characteristic of Heather. The stems of Bell Heather are more slender and less woody than those of Heather. When growing amongst Heather, Bell Heather is weaker and more straggly, appearing to rely on the more robust Heather for support (Webb). It is interesting to note that Bell Heather was found growing at heights of approaching 1m in the control section in 1998. The plants were reaching these heights by using Gorse bushes for support.
Continue to heather lifecycles
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Other Lowland Heaths in East Devon