Dry sandy grasslands in Southern Germany – a case study of how to re-develop remnants to achieve the former status of a high nature value landscape

Abstract

Dry sandy grasslands occur throughout central Europe and Southern Germany where sand was deposited, during and after the last ice age. Within several grassland types described for Southern Germany four major types are differentiated which are grasslands with annuals such as Aira spp., grasslands with Corynephorus canescens having pioneer characteristics, (3) grasslands with Armeria elongata and Festuca trachyphylla on acidic sand and grasslands with Jurinea cyanoides and Koeleria glauca on calcareous-rich sand, the latter being the most species-rich sandy grassland. All sandy grassland types are protected by the Habitats Directive under the Natura 2000 codes 2330. This chapter highlights the historical development of the dry sandy grasslands in Southern Germany. This is followed by a discussion of the causes as well as the effects of changes, if the grasslands can be restored and what prospects there are to maintain and to develop them into a high nature value landscape.Keywords: Armeria elongata; Corynephorus canescens; dry sandy grasslands; Festuca trachyphylla; Habitats Directive; high nature value landscape; Jurinea cyanoides; Koeleria glauca; Natura 2000 codes; Southern Germany