The nature reserve ‘Itterbecker Heide’ in the west of the County of Bentheim was placed under protection back in 1939 and has also been designated as SAC. Old aerial photographs bear witness to the much more open sand heaths of that time. In addition to the dry sand heaths (habitat type 4030), inland dunes are hidden on areas that at first glance appear to be normal pine forest. (...) Brought to light: Dry sand heaths with Calluna and Empetrum nigrum in the nature reserve ‘Itterbecker Heide’