A twenty-year comparison of epigeic spider communities (Araneae) of Danishcoastal heath habitats

The same epigeic spider communities of North-west Jutland coastal heath hab itats (Denmark, region Thy) initially surveyed by pitfall traps from 1977-7 9 were examined 20 years later (1997-98). The heath plots were open sandy a reas growing into Calluna heath, and the more stable Erica, Calluna/Empetru m, Molinia vegetation types. They have changed vegetatively only a little i n those 20 years from natural succession. Though the spider communities of all areas showed only minor changes from the passage of time, these were la rger than the differences attributable to the different habitat types despi te large differences in soil humidity and vegetation structure.