Lowland heath is defined as vegetation in which dwarf-shrubs such as heather, bell heather and western gorse are a prominent component. Generally lowland heath communities occur below the 300 metre contour, though in practice, there is considerable overlap with communities considered more typical of upland situations. The presence of lowland heath vegetation communities (eg. NVC types H4 and H8) and species such as dartford warbler, nightjar and heath fritillary is the most reliable indicator.
In addition to a distinctive plant community, there are also an important range of animals that are very characteristic of upland heath. This is an internationally rare community, for which Britain holds a major part of the world resource. Despite this, there have been major losses of upland heathland to agricultural improvement and afforestation, with approximately 30% of moorland in Britain having been lost between 1950 and 1980.
