Life Continental Dry Tender

Start Date 01012019End Date 31122026Total Budget 6339079 EU Contribution 4754309 PROJECT DESCRIPTIONBACKGROUNDThough the federal state of Brandenburg in Germany is home to numerous large areas of dry grasslands the ecological status of Xeric sand calcareous grasslands 6120 and Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands 6240 two priority habitats for conservation under the Habitats Directive has deteriorated seriously over the past few decades. This is mainly due to succession resulting from the abandonment of traditional management or inappropriate land use. This has also negatively affecting a range of other habitats listed in the Directive including Dry sand heaths with Calluna und Genista 2310 Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands 2330 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition -type vegetation 3150 and European dry heaths 4030. Associated with the lack of targeted site management invasive alien species have established in these habitats and threaten indigenous and endangered species.OBJECTIVESThe LIFE Trockenrasen project aims to improve the conservation status of the Habitats Directive priority habitat types Xeric sand calcareous grasslands and Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands along with dry sand heaths inland dunes natural eutrophic lakes and dry heaths habitats. The project also aims to restore and improve the conservation status of the priority plant species Jurinea cyanoides which has recently reappeared in a project site. Further objectives are improving the conditions for sustainable land use systems reducing the negative impacts of tourism activities in Natura 2000 network sites and disseminating the results of the restoration of dry grassland habitats to the scientific community and the general public. The project aims to conduct restoration work in 29 designated SCIs that are of major importance for the integrity of the Natura 2000 network in Brandenburg Germany.Expected results LIFE Trockenrasen will implement concrete conservation actions in 29 Natura 2000 network sites SCIs on a total area of 310 ha. In particularRestoration and stabilisation of the priority habitat type Xeric sand calcareous grasslands on a total area of 90 haRestoration and stabilisation of the priority habitat type Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands on a total area of 5 haStabilisation of 40 geographically-isolated sites of Xeric sand calcareous grasslands and at least 5 isolated sites of Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslandsRestoration and stabilisation of dry sand heaths inland dunes and European dry heaths habitats on a total area of 35 haRestoration and stabilisation of natural eutrophic lakes habitat on a total area of 15 haKEYWORDSgrassland ecosystem