Abstract
The composition, slope and aspect of pit heaps combine to produce high temperatures in the surface layer in summer. Records show that temperatures above 45[degree] C not uncommonly persist for more than 6 hours daily on bare heaps. The ameliorating effect of the presence of colonizing species such as Agrostis tenuis is demonstrated. A special case is described in which the growth of Holcus mollison a pit heap was accelerated where the surface was covered by an insulating moss-lichen mat.

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