The survey and assessment of heathland in Dorset, England, for conservation

The heathlands of south-east Dorset were surveyed in 1978 using a 200 × 200 m recording square. For each square definable attributes for the vegetation types, rare species, topography and land use were recorded and stored in a computerised database. The areas of the different vegetation types comprising heathland were calculated and by using defined levels of cover the fragmentation and continuity of the heathland vegetation were examined. A floristic index was developed to assess the vegetation. The survey is discussed in relation to the need to define survey criteria and the assessment of heathland for conservation.