Nørholm Hede - Denmark

Nørholm Hede (Heath) is situated in the southwestern part of Denmark (8º 37´ E, 55º 41´ N). The 350 ha heath was abandoned and left for free succession since 1895. It was legally protected in 1913 and succession from heather dominated heath over crowberry heath or grass dominated heath towards forest has continued without human interference for about 120 years. Already in 1921, the first survey of tree colonization and development of flora was conducted in permanent grid and plots. Since 1921 a total of 10 surveys have been conducted. The soil is fluvioglacial sand covered by shifting sand in the eastern part. The soil is a sandy podzol but especially in areas with cultivated fields, the profile includes an Ap horizon of 15 to 30 ...