Mesic heath forest

The soil in mesic heath forests consists of till or fine sand which retains plenty of water and nutrients for the plants to use. Mesic heath forests often comprise cool and shady spruce thickets, where leaves from the birch trees growing here and there cover the ground in the autumn. As a result, the forest litter layer is thicker than in dry heath forests, and decomposers are able to produce new nutrients. A typical shrub found in the field layer is the Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Mesic heath forests have more moss species than dry heaths, and the mosses form a uniform layer on the forest floor. In addition, several grass species are also found in mesic heath forests.