Lowland heath
Lowland heathland generally occurs below 300m in altitude. It is a highly diverse habitat characterized by ericaceous dwarf-shrubs such as heather, with associated areas of freshwater pools and bogs, scattered trees and shrubs, bare ground and acid grasslands. This varied mosaic of habitats encourages a wide variety of birds, reptiles, invertebrates, bryophytes and lichens.
Lowland heathland is a national biodiversity priority habitat. It is a rare and threatened habitat, with around 80% of lowland heaths being lost to agricultural improvements, development or lack of management in the last 200 years.
In the Tees Valley, Eston Moor is the only extensive area of Lowland Heath, This area is a Local Nature Reserve and actively managed by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to maintain a mosaic of heathland habitats.
