Wide open spaces that are often exposed to the elements, healthlands are right on the doorstep for many of us - but it’s likely that we don’t know very much about what these rolling hills and grassy, often close-by habitats do for us on a daily basis. In fact, with a rich tapestry of flora and fauna set against a backdrop of stark and austere beauty, heathlands are some of the modest biodiverse landscapes within our immediate reach.
Heathlands make up some of our wildest, yet most accessible landscapes. They are essential to the maintenance of our lives because, as well as being home to thousands of species of animal (including 5000 types of invertebrate) they are an essential part of the United Kingdom’s rural economy. Livelihoods, fuel and food are all quietly created here.
Although familiar to many of us, these landscapes are not just a feature of the United Kingdom. Across the planet, heathlands have taken on names that reflect their surroundings - from the matagal or mato in northern and central Portugal, to the kwongan in south-western Australia and the fynbos in South Africa.
Working in the background to keep our landscapes protected are shrublands, which store over 15 tonnes of carbon per hectare in areas including Australia and South Africa. In these arid locations, where shrublands have existed uninterrupted for thousands of years, strong ecosystems that support small animals, plants and bird-life are continuing to thrive.
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