In the last decade, the nature conservation practice has started to use the narrowed version of the term dry and fresh grasslands, which more or less includes treeless boreo-nemoral grasslands, boreal grasslands and boreal heath grasslands. Alvars (Natura code 6280 and 8240), wooded meadows (Natura 6530) and wooded pastures (Natura 9070) have been excluded. This is the result of a practical need to stress the different management techniques applied to wooded dry and fresh grasslands, alvars and sparse dry and fresh grasslands, and the financial organisation of their management and restoration. 4. Dry and Fresh Grasslands in the List of Habitat Types of the Habitats Directive Among other communities, the European Union Habitats Directive requires the protection of valuable semi-natural habitat types within the Natura 2000 framework. Estonian classification of grasslands does not match 100% with the Habitats Directive’s (Natura) list of habitat types. For further information see table 1 in the original document- the division of boreal heath grasslands, boreal grasslands and boreo-nemoral grasslands between the habitat types of the Habitats Directive. 5. The Distribution and Protection of Dry and Fresh Grasslands in Estonia The distribution map of the listed dry and fresh grasslands (figure 1) shows that some areas, for instance, Raplamaa and Läänemaa counties in West-Estonia, but also Lahemaa and Karula national park, and Haanja and Otepää nature reserve areas, have more dry and fresh grasslands than other regions. ■ Boreo-nemoral grasslands ■ Boreal heath grasslands ■Boreal grasslands Figure 1. Listed dry and fresh grasslands in Estonia 1999–2011. Unfortunately, this mapping does not give an adequate overview of the distribution of dry and fresh grasslands, since acceptable lists have only been compiled in Läänemaa and Raplamaa county in West-Estonia, Ida- and Lääne-Virumaa in North-East Estonia and Pärnumaa in South-West Estonia. The surface area of the listed dry and fresh grasslands is approximately 22,000 hectares.
Figure 4. The plant community of a fresh lime-poor boreo-nemoral grassland in Lahemaa, partly in transition to a paludified community. Abundant species: globe-flower, northern bedstraw, common tormentil, water avens. Boreo-nemoral grasslands also vary due to the influence of cultivation. Figure 5. Boreo-nemoral grassland influenced by cultivation in Lahemaa. Meadow foxtail and ground elder are abundant within the community. 6.1.1. Protected Vascular Plants on Boreo-nemoral Grasslands Boreo-nemoral grasslands are a suitable environment for many protected vascular plants. Some rare and very rare orchids as: burnt-tip orchid, early purple orchid, fly orchid, orchid, sword-leaved helleborine, red helleborine, dark red helleborine; rare species are the frog orchid, pyramidal orchid and green-winged orchid can grow here. In addition to Orchidaceae, around 20 other protected vascular plants can be found on boreo-nemoral grasslands, the most numerous of which are for instance large pink, bractless bastard toadflax, Siberian iris, marsh angelica, sea pink etc. 6.1.2. Bryophyta The bryophyte flora of dry and fresh grasslands varies greatly depending on the depth of soil, nutrient conditions and moisture. Lime-rich areas are richer in species (the most diverse grasslands may be a habitat for up to 20 species). Bryophyte layer is the only habitat for many invertebrates and it provides food for many insect species.