Heather in England and Wales

In response to widespread concern over heather decline, this project aimed to give a rapid assessment of the distribution and status of heather, the historical changes that had occurred and the potential for its restoration.

The results were obtained over a six-week period in summer 1988, partly using remote satellite imagery. The main agents of change in both upland and lowland areas are identified and it is noted that lowland heaths (such as those in East Anglia) have suffered a proportionally greater loss of heather.

The study concludes with a call for more research and long-term monitoring into the dynamics of heather moorlands.