Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia, * important orchid sites)
Dry and semi-dry calcareous grasslands, submediterranean to subcontinental in character. These include primary dry grasslands of the Xerobromion as well as secondary semi-dry grasslands (Mesobromion, Koelerio-Phleion phleoides) formed by extensive grazing or mowing. The latter are mostly orchid-rich and are susceptible to scrub incursion following colonization with saum species after the abandonment of land use activities.
'Important orchid sites' are priority habitats and their definition is based on one or more of the following criteria:
a) The site hosts a high number of orchid species.
b) The site hosts a major (important) population of at least one orchid species that is rare or threatened in Germany.
c) The site hosts a number of rare or very rare orchid species.
Notes on habitat mapping
The criterion for the delimitation of this habitat type is the presence of vegetation of the syntaxa given above. Examples containing considerable proportions of shrubs or dwarf shrubs should, where appropriate, be considered under the habitat type alpine and boreal heaths (4060) or under scrub and krummkolz formations of the subalpine zone with Pinus mugo or Rododendron hirsutum (4070).