Phytosociology and long-term succession of a 1500 year old coastal heathland pasture in Lofoten, northern Norway

A combined plant sociological and vegetation historical investigation of a semi-natural coastal heathland in the mid-north boreal transition zone of northern Norway is presented. The site is at the northern limit of the EU-protected anthropogenic Atlantic coastal heath complex. This study documents woodland clearing and grazing as the main regulating anthropogenic impact, forming the vegetation of the heathland and confirms the status as a semi-natural ecosystem. Detailed survey of flora and soil parameters in permanent plots was performed in 1993 and 1994, following a stratified random sampling design. Analysis of grazed and ungrazed parallels after enclosure from sheep grazing in 1991, did not render significant results related to grazing impact. The results from this study may thus be a base for future monitoring of the heathland. The heathland is classified as a Vaccinium myrtillus / Empetrum nigrum -heath with two main units; Alchemilla alpina / Anthoxanthum odoratum - and Calluna vulgaris / Cladonia arbuscula -type. A central minerotrophic mire under ombrotrophy development is classified in a Tricophorum - and a Carex rostrata -type with hummocks containing dwarf shrubs and shrubs. Pollen analysis of this mire reveals an incipient possibly anthropogenic, opening of the local birch woodland from c. 2500 cal. BP. Clearing of birch woodland and intensified grazing 1500–1400 cal. BP imposed erosion and a hydrological change in the mire. The heathland has remained open until modern time, with a period of regrowth c. 750–350 cal. BP, in the aftermath of the Black Death. The anthropogenic influence is compliant with other archaeological and palaeoecological studies from the region.