Turf beds develop in swampy soils where organic material is partially decomposed giving origin to peat. Sphagnum mosses (Sphagnum sp.) are common and fundamental in the ecological equilibrium of this community since they create and maintain an acidic environment that Turf beds develop in swampy soils where organic material is partially decomposed giving origin to peat. Sphagnum mosses (Sphagnum sp.) are common and fundamental in the ecological equilibrium of this community since they create and maintain an acidic environment that is poor in nutrients. Only sphagnum and some specialised plants are able to grow in this highly specific environment. Around the turf beds are generally found turfaceous scrub with cross- leaved heather (Erica tetralix) and the humid gorse heath dominated by cross-leaved heather (Erica tetralix) and heather (Erica ciliaris). These habitats are more frequently found in the planaltos of Castro Laboreiro and Mourela and are very valuable because of their fauna (birds and amphibians) and flora. Overgrazing, fires and drainage are the principal threats to these rare and vulnerable habitats.?These are low, dry scrub areas dominated by Portuguese heather (Erica umbellata), yellow gorse (E. australis), prickled broom (Pterospartum tridentatum) or dwarf gorse (Ulex minor). This habitat, as already seen, is normally associated with an abundance of acidic rocks, high levels of precipitation and the disruption caused by flash burning. This habitat is rich in fauna because of its open areas that are used for feeding, it is possible to see various animals here, whether mammals, birds or reptiles. ?The thyme beds that here form a patchwork of vegetation mixed with gorses are dominated by thyme (Thymus caespititius), grass Agrostis truncatula subsp. commista, by one or more species of the perennial stonecrop or Sedum and by various bulb geophytes (Narcissus bulbocodium, Scilla monophyllos, etc.). They colonise granitic or schistose soils and are common on slopes and shallow hollows.is poor in nutrients. Only sphagnum and some specialised plants are able to grow in this highly specific environment. Around the turf beds are generally found turfaceous scrub with cross- leaved heather (Erica tetralix) and the humid gorse heath dominated by cross-leaved heather (Erica tetralix) and heather (Erica ciliaris). These habitats are more frequently found in the planaltos of Castro Laboreiro and Mourela and are very valuable because of their fauna (birds and amphibians) and flora. Overgrazing, fires and drainage are the principal threats to these rare and vulnerable habitats.
These are low, dry scrub areas dominated by Portuguese heather (Erica umbellata), yellow gorse (E. australis), prickled broom (Pterospartum tridentatum) or dwarf gorse (Ulex minor). This habitat, as already seen, is normally associated with an abundance of acidic rocks, high levels of precipitation and the disruption caused by flash burning. This habitat is rich in fauna because of its open areas that are used for feeding, it is possible to see various animals here, whether mammals, birds or reptiles. The thyme beds that here form a patchwork of vegetation mixed with gorses are dominated by thyme (Thymus caespititius), grass Agrostis truncatula subsp. commista, by one or more species of the perennial stonecrop or Sedum and by various bulb geophytes (Narcissus bulbocodium, Scilla monophyllos, etc.). They colonise granitic or schistose soils and are common on slopes and shallow hollows.