In Dutch forests the species density of vascular plants ranges from 1
to 61 species per 300 m(2). The vascular plant species density is high
in the coastal dunes, southern Limburg, river valleys, and fen areas.
With the exception of southern Limburg, these areas constitute the Ho
locene part of the Netherlands. Low species densities occur in the san
dy centre of the country. To a large extent, the areas of high species
density of vascular plants follow the main river valleys. The bryophy
te species densities range from 0 to 21 species per 300 m(2). High bry
ophyte species densities occur mainly in the sandy centre and in the n
orth-eastern part of the Netherlands. The highest species densities oc
cur in fen woodlands and derelict coppices. Bryophyte species density
is low in the coastal dunes and the very young woodlands in the recent
ly reclaimed areas (polders). The species density contour maps of vasc
ular plants and bryophytes in the Netherlands have little in common.