Dorset’s lowland heath is one of the UK’s most threatened landscapes, home to a mix of rare plants, reptiles, insects, birds and mammals.
The fragile ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, which can damage sensitive species and alter natural plant communities, says Dorset Council.
The findings revealed that heaths near the A338, A35 and Alderney/Wallisdown roads experienced the highest levels of traffic pollution.
All the data collected will also be used to risk assess the impact of traffic generated by new developments, informing the councils where schemes to minimise air pollution could be implemented.
Mitigation projects have already started, with Avon Heath, Upton Heath and Matchams View, the first to be delivered.
Projects will be delivered annually, focussing on the high and medium priority heaths to start with.