The lichen-rich coastal heath vegetation on the isle of Anholt, Denmark — description, history and development

Abstract

The marine foreland called Orkenen (=the desert) at Anholt is covered by lichen-richEmpetrum nigrum-Corynephorus canescens heath vegetation on beach ridg e systems formed during the elevation of land after the Weichsel ice age andStereocaulon saxatile-richAmmophila arenaria-Corynephorus canescens vegetation on semi-fixed aeolic dunes. The development of the vegetation at Orkenen is the result of various kinds of human exploitation, with its maximum in the 16th and 17th century. After the cessation of human use, a slow succession towards closed vegetation with mainlyEmpetrum nigrum andCorynephorus canescens began. The present heath ecosystem, developed on sandy substrate with very little organic matter and a small nutrient supply, is a high priority habitat in Europe.