Heather

The moorlands in Drenthe are typically quite humid. This humidity is the result of a deeper horizon of boulder clay, which keeps water from permeating the soil. There is also wet moorland in Holtingerveld. You can find winter heather here, as well as more rare plants such as the marsh gentian and deergrass.

The complex structure of the soil causes wet and dry moorlands to alternate. The dry moorlands mostly harbour common heather and crowberry. Countless other plants can be found in between the heather, such as lichens, mouse-ear hawkweed and petty whin. Varied moorland can only exist if it is managed properly. Grazing animals, either or not combined with mowing and topsoil removal, can prevent that trees and shrubs start growing. This management not only ensures the survival of various plants species, but it also benefits many species of birds, mammals and insects that live on the moorlands. Examples are the common copper, the viper and the European stonechat. In the winter the moorlands are also home to the great grey shrike and the hen harrier.