Life Trockenrasen: Xeric Sand Calcareous Grasslands

The xeric sand calcareous grasslands are mainly found in the subcontinental region. Their main occurrence in Germany is in Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. As they are only found in very small areas and are relatively rare in Europe, this habitat type (HT) has been categorised as a priority (*) and particularly worthy of protection.

The sandy soils on which the dry grasslands grow are nutrient-poor, partly loamy and more or less alkaline rich. The plant species that occur are low-growing and sparsely distributed. Many lichens such as the reindeer lichen (Cladionia sp.) like the open and dry sandy sites.

Typical Plant Species 

• cluster-head pink 
• blue hairgrass 
• mountain parsley 
• purple catstail
• Scabiosa canescens
• Spanish catchfly
• prostrate speedwell 

Typical Animal Species

• blue-winged grasshopper
• European mantis 
• brown hare 
• common swallowtail
• hoopoe
• sand lizard