In Central Europe the mechanisation of mowing with early cuts and the introduction of industrial fertiliser has led to an equalisation of the grassland habitats and to a reduction of biodiversity of grassland.
The border region was partly excluded from this development. So the extensively used or fallow meadows along the Green Belt ,especially on dry or wet subsoils, house a variety of species and provide beautiful natural sceneries. The Green Belt often was mowed every two or three years to keep an open view for border guards. As a result, partially fallow grassland developed with songposts for Whinchat and Red-backed Shrike. Many rare insects feel at home there like the Dusky Large Blue or the Bushcricket. In pine and spruce forests numerous strips of heathland could develop housing rare species like the woodlark.
Images: 1 Meadow near Sandl (AU), 2 Corncrake, both Josef Limberger, 3 Meadow near Koprivnica (HR), David Reeder, Grey Cattle, IUCN