The same epigeic spider communities of North-west Jutland coastal heath habitats (Denmark, region Thy) initially surveyed by pitfall traps from 1977–79 were examined 20 years later (1997–98). The heath plots were open sandy areas growing into Calluna heath, and the more stable Erica, Calluna/Empetrum, Molinia vegetation types. They have changed vegetatively only a little in those 20 years from natural succession. Though the spider communities of all areas showed only minor changes from the passage of time, these were larger than the differences attributable to the different habitat types despite large differences in soil humidity and vegetation structure.