Steppe is among the most endangered biomes of the world, especially in Eastern Europe,
where more than 90% of original steppes have been destroyed due to conversion into …

Palaearctic semi-natural grasslands are known to host an extraordinarily high plant diversity
(Kull & Zobel 1991; Hobohm 1998; Janišová et al. 2011; Michalcová et al. 2014). Some …

Aims Understanding fine‐grain diversity patterns across large spatial extents is fundamental
for macroecological research and biodiversity conservation. Using the GrassPlot database …

In transformed landscapes, many populations of grassland specialist plant and animal
species live outside the few protected areas and are often preserved on'small natural …

Land use changes have resulted in the loss and isolation of semi-natural habitats
worldwide. In intensively used agricultural landscapes the remnants of natural flora only …

Palaearctic steppes are primary grasslands dominating the landscape of the Eurasian
Grassland Belt from Central and Eastern Europe to Northern China across the temperate …

Linking the conservation of cultural heritage and natural values provides a unique
opportunity for preserving traditional landscapes and receives an increased awareness from …

Palaearctic grasslands encompass a diverse variety of habitats, many of high nature value
and vulnerability. The main challenges are climate-change, land-use change, agricultural …

Questions Steppes are among the most transformed and fragmented biomes in the world,
but studies on the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation on these zonal grasslands are …

Background: Burial mounds (kurgans) of Eurasian steppes are man-made habitat islands
that have the potential to harbour rich plant diversity due to micro-habitats associated with …