Soil and plants in the sand steppe

Abstract

Sand steppe is a rare vegetation type on sandy soils in southeastern Sweden with Koeleria glauca and Dianthus arenarius as the most characteristic plant species. The sand steppe areas ill eastern Skane were surveyed during 2004 and 2005. The vegetation composition was monitored and related to die pH and lime content Many sand steppes are close to acidification as indicated by low lime content ill die topsoil. However, places that were subjected to soil pertubation during die last 100 years still have high lime content in the topsoil. In addition to a high pH, repeated vegetation disturbance are needed to maintain die steppe vegetation. It Was found that sand steppe could best be restored ill sonic areas by bringing lime rich sand to the surface, and ill some areas by increasing the vegetation disturbance. The situation for die main sand steppe areas is discussed