Semi-arid grassland biotope

The Wachtelbergkuppe is a heat-favoured, sparsely vegetated open land area with small-scale changing biotopes, including the biotope type ‘semi-arid grassland’. This habitat is characterised by a thin and nutrient-poor soil layer above the massive volcanic porphyry rock layer. Sandy grasslands can be found on top, some with open rock formations.

Plants such as the bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum), the crested hair grass (Koeleria macrantha), the spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) and the burnet saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga) find ideal growing conditions here. These plants are true survival artists in these warm, favoured locations.

Semi-arid grasslands are valuable habitats for diverse, sometimes rare and endangered animal species that prefer high temperatures (thermophilic species), such as sand lizards and heath grasshoppers. Many of the animal species native to the Wachtelberg have complex habitat requirements. The close interlocking of the semi-arid grassland areas with scrub, fringe and field structures in a confined space plays a key functional role in their occurrence.

The scrub encroachment on the Wachtelberg hilltop caused by the introduction of seeds and changes in use jeopardises the long-term survival of the low-competitive, light-requiring and low-growing plants of the semi-arid grasslands and the animal species that depend on them. The annual plant species grass carnation and early oatgrass as well as the bedstraw-grass semi-arid grassland are particularly sensitive.

Landscape management measures are therefore necessary to permanently preserve the semi-arid grassland biotope type. Without maintenance, semi-arid grasslands would become overgrown with shrubs and the rare animals and plants would disappear. Grazing with animals such as sheep or goats or regular mowing is therefore necessary.

Today, semi-arid grasslands are particularly endangered by nutrient inputs from the air and agriculture and by the immigration of invasive plant species.

Infobox

Did you know that semi-arid grasslands are among the most species-rich vegetation units in Central Europe?  You will often find 50 – 70 vascular plant species and a very species-rich insect fauna of at least 2,000 – 3,000 insect species on such grasslands. The semi-arid grassland habitat is particularly important for low-competitive and numerous rare, highly endangered thermophilic species.