species-poor to species-rich natural and semi-natural grasslands as well. The high
nature value (HNV) grassland today represents a very small proportion of European
grassland.
However, round about half of Europe’s area (whole Europe including European
Russia) is estimated as agricultural land, and less than a third of the agricultural land
is covered by permanent grassland (most likely less than 10% of whole Europe;
cf. Hobohm and Bruchmann 2009). Most of the remaining grassland today is very
species-poor and intensively used. Thus, we do not exactly know how large exactly
is the area of Europe covered with species-rich grassland or moderately used halfopen landscapes comprising a mosaic of grassland, scrub vegetation and solitary
trees (Janssen et al. 2016).
All European countries have signed or accepted (Montenegro in succession) the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Together with the Birds Directive and
the Waterframe Directive the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43EEC)
forms the corner stone of Europe’s nature conservation policy. More than 1000
species and 200 habitat types are directly protected, irrespective of the ownership
and even if they may occur in farmland or in a private garden. A network of several
thousands of Natura 2000 areas cover 18% of the EU member countries. This is the
largest network of localities and regions with a focus on conservation and protection
of the nature on Earth.
Nevertheless, the quantity and species richness of European grasslands at local
and landscape scales is still continuously decreasing which theoretically is not
allowed (Habitats Directive, Article 6).
It is a peculiarity that semi-natural grassland in Europe harbours many endemics
and is partially extremely species-rich. Moderately used and mesotrophic grasslands
in general are much richer than natural grasslands or even forests in Europe
(Hobohm 2014). However, highly fertilized, productive and intensively used
meadows are normally rather species-poor as well.
Janssen et al. (2016) distinguish 53 different grassland habitat types in Europe.
Especially dry grasslands, mesic grasslands, saline grasslands and wooded grasslands are threatened. The pressure is a little bit lower on wet and alpine grasslands
and tall-herb fringes.
The meaning of grasslands in Germany for the survival of plant species is
reviewed in Bundesamt für Naturschutz (2014). Almost 40% of the vascular plant
species in Germany are associated with grassland habitats. Most insects live in open
landscapes, many of them associated with grassland. This is typical, and the situation
in other countries of Central Europe is comparable (e.g. Essl et al. 2011).
7.3.1 Loss of Grassland in Central Europe
Despite of intensified nature conservation legislation the area covered with high
nature value grassland in Europe is continuously decreasing, due to intensification,
abandonment or as result of conversion to cropland (Grund and Weiß 2011; Finck
et al. 2017).
350
C. Hobohm et al.
nature value (HNV) grassland today represents a very small proportion of European
grassland.
However, round about half of Europe’s area (whole Europe including European
Russia) is estimated as agricultural land, and less than a third of the agricultural land
is covered by permanent grassland (most likely less than 10% of whole Europe;
cf. Hobohm and Bruchmann 2009). Most of the remaining grassland today is very
species-poor and intensively used. Thus, we do not exactly know how large exactly
is the area of Europe covered with species-rich grassland or moderately used halfopen landscapes comprising a mosaic of grassland, scrub vegetation and solitary
trees (Janssen et al. 2016).
All European countries have signed or accepted (Montenegro in succession) the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Together with the Birds Directive and
the Waterframe Directive the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43EEC)
forms the corner stone of Europe’s nature conservation policy. More than 1000
species and 200 habitat types are directly protected, irrespective of the ownership
and even if they may occur in farmland or in a private garden. A network of several
thousands of Natura 2000 areas cover 18% of the EU member countries. This is the
largest network of localities and regions with a focus on conservation and protection
of the nature on Earth.
Nevertheless, the quantity and species richness of European grasslands at local
and landscape scales is still continuously decreasing which theoretically is not
allowed (Habitats Directive, Article 6).
It is a peculiarity that semi-natural grassland in Europe harbours many endemics
and is partially extremely species-rich. Moderately used and mesotrophic grasslands
in general are much richer than natural grasslands or even forests in Europe
(Hobohm 2014). However, highly fertilized, productive and intensively used
meadows are normally rather species-poor as well.
Janssen et al. (2016) distinguish 53 different grassland habitat types in Europe.
Especially dry grasslands, mesic grasslands, saline grasslands and wooded grasslands are threatened. The pressure is a little bit lower on wet and alpine grasslands
and tall-herb fringes.
The meaning of grasslands in Germany for the survival of plant species is
reviewed in Bundesamt für Naturschutz (2014). Almost 40% of the vascular plant
species in Germany are associated with grassland habitats. Most insects live in open
landscapes, many of them associated with grassland. This is typical, and the situation
in other countries of Central Europe is comparable (e.g. Essl et al. 2011).
7.3.1 Loss of Grassland in Central Europe
Despite of intensified nature conservation legislation the area covered with high
nature value grassland in Europe is continuously decreasing, due to intensification,
abandonment or as result of conversion to cropland (Grund and Weiß 2011; Finck
et al. 2017).
350
C. Hobohm et al.