In the past the small heath was a widespread countryside species but now has become a habitat specialist as the amount and quality of its habitat has declined. It is a grass-feeding species preferring fine-leaved species that are quickly lost with intensification of agricultural activity.

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The species is mainly found in unimproved dry and humid grasslands, coastal grey dunes and machair. The small heath is considered near threatened and the conservation assessment of its habitat suggests its decline is likely to continue.

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Image (c) by Sharp Photography, used under Creative Commons License BY-SA 4.0.