Ein Hauch von Mittelmeer im Herzen Europas. Exkursion: Saarland und Lothringen

Excursion: Saarland and Lorraine The semi‐arid grasslands in the Muschelkalk areas of the Saarland are embedded in the cultural landscapes of the Bliesgau biosphere reserve and the nature park Saar‐Hunsrück. The number of thermophilic species with a (sub‐) Mediterranean center of dispersion is remarkably high in these habitats. The arid grasslands on the Jurassic limes near the city of Metz (Lorraine) actually have a strong Mediterranean character. They document that the Moselle valley is a good passageway from the south to the stratified terraced landscape of the Saarland and Lorraine. The diversity of orchids, butterflies and grasshoppers is amazing in these territories. Some of the Mediterranean species are currently expanding into new areas.