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CRITICAL CAPE COD HABITATS
Coastal Heathlands
 Coastal
Heathlands consist of low shrub communities dominated by the
heath family of plants. Heathlands may occur as small patches
within pine barrens or grasslands, or they may extend over
large areas and envelop small grasslands and Scrub Oak barrens.
Heathlands are extensive on Nantucket. On Cape Cod they are
abundant from Eastham to Truro. Fire suppression, residential
development and natural succession into woodlands have made
heathlands a rare habitat on Cape Cod. The natural beauty
of heathlands attracts tourism and conserving these areas
insures the economic benefits.
Heathlands provide a habitat to similar species
that are found in sandplain grasslands. Grasslands and heathlands
are home to the Regal Fritillary butterfly.
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