Moorland
The uplands of Scotland fall into two broad classes: above the former tree-line lies montane, or high mountain habitat; below this, down to the upper reaches of enclosed farmland, sub-montane land consists of moorland, rough grassland and bog. Moorland is dominated by dwarf shrubs, principally Calluna vulgaris.
Moorland is semi-natural, composed mainly of native plants which, though much changed in abundance, have been present since the early holocene (post glacial period of the past 10,000 years).
The distribution of moorland in Scotland has been defined by the census of the Land Cover of Scotland 1988. Recently published figures indicate that 8.7 per cent of Scotland is covered by heather moorland; 8.4 per cent by peatland; a further 15.7 per cent by heather moorland and peatland mosaics; and 14.5 per cent by rough grassland and moorland mosaics.