Challenges for the conservation of calcareous grasslands in northwestern Europe: integrating the requirements of flora and fauna

Abstract

The conservation of biological diversity requires an integrated approach covering the ecological demands of a multitude of species. Integration may be achieved by focusing on a careful selection of target species, which is rare in practice. Calcareous grasslands offer a case in point. Although they harbour a high diversity of both plant and insect species, in management the emphasis is placed on the flora. This results in an underestimation of, notably, the importance of structural heterogeneity in the vegetation. As an apparent consequence, conservation management in the Netherlands has been much more successful for the flora than for butterflies. In contrast, Germany shows promising efforts to integrate both plant and animal species in conservation management and landscape planning. The main constraints for a successfully integrated conservation management presently consist of a limited availability and exchange of information, and an insufficient organisation of research and management at an international level.