Life Trockenrasen: European Dry Heaths

The dry European heaths occur throughout the entirety of Germany and are particularly well developed in the north-east and north-west as well as in the low mountain ranges (see habitat distribution map of Germany). In Brandenburg, this habitat type (HT) can be found everywhere.

The heaths have mostly developed on glacial erratic sediments. The mostly sandy soil has poor alkaline, nutrient and water conditions. For this reason, the plant species found there are very low-growing and are accompanied by many lichen species. Broom, juniper and above all heather dominate the European heathlands, most of which are found on former military training areas. Birch and pine trees are migrating into the habitat through natural succession.

Typical Plant Species 

• heather
• Scottish broom
• juniper
• grey hairgrass
• sheep's fescue
• Festuca psammophila
•  

Typical Animal Species

• common ant lion
• blue-winged grasshopper
• Italian locust
• brown hare 
• wood lark 
• hoopoe
• Coccinula quatuordecimpustulata
• sand lizard