popular paper; [in Dutch with English summary: ] Terricolous lichens are a characteristic element of Atlantic heathlands. The abundance of species with a predominantly boreo-alpine distribution in Dutch heathlands indicates the affinity with more boreal vegetation types. The lichen diversity is generally highest in small, often accidented sandy enclaves. Attempts to recover the lichen diversity in heathlands which have become depauperate are evaluated. Stripping of the top soil often has good results. Crazing has either no effects (on the recovery of lichens) or a negative effect, especially when cattle densities are high and the area consist of a mosaic of vulnerable, nutrient-poor vegetations and eutrophicated areas.