Background Dry, semi-natural habitats are among the most species-rich habitat types of Central Europe. They are endangered by changes in land use (intensification, abandonment), atmospheric nitrogen deposition (in connection with the switch from shepherding to paddocks) and climate change (e.g. increased periods of drought in spring-time). These threats have led to a severe loss of habitat area, of coherence, of habitat quality and, in consequence, of biodiversity. In north-west Germany these dry, calcareous grasslands occur primarily in the Weser Uplands (Weserbergland), a low mountain range, the location of the Natura 2000 sites targeted by this project. Furthermore, the region’s characteristic semi-natural dry grasslands rich in orchids and Juniperus communi scrub are important habitats, especially from a biogeographic point of view i.e. this is an area where plants with Atlantic, Continental and Mediterranean distribution converge in a unique combination. Within the district of Höxter some 250 ha of these dry grassland habitat types can still be found. These play an important part in maintaining a favourable conservation status of these habitats across the entire state of North-Rhine-Westphalia. Other valuable habitat types occur in close vicinity: lowland hay meadows, rupicolous calcareous grasslands, calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation, calcareous scree of hill and montane levels and limestone beech forests. For most of these habitat types the conservation status for the continental region of Germany is unfavourable. Only rocky and beech forests habitat types have a favourable conservation status, and locally the situation may differ considerably. This is especially true in the case of limestone beech forests, which depend on management measures in order to provide optimum conditions for the herb layer. Objectives The project’s overall aim is to improve the conservation status and coherence of habitat types and species found in the Natura 2000 sites located in the Weser Uplands. Since most of the main important habitats of the region are to be targeted by the project, it offers the chance of sustainable conservation over the entire region (Lower Saxony, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia). Expected results: The proposed management measures for the semi-natural dry grasslands and the accompanying woodlands and shrubland will greatly enhance the habitat quality and thus species diversity. The aim is to create 15 ha of new semi-natural dry grasslands, following the removal of trees and shrubs; Other deliverables include the improvement of conservation status and the coherence of these often isolated Natura 2000 sites. This will facilitate their sustainable management. For species susceptible to the effects of climate change, suitable alternative habitats will also be developed; The rejuvenation of old juniper heaths and their enlargement by approximately 4 ha through management measures will secure a favourable conservation status of the Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands in the project area; The management of the lowland hay meadows in the project area will lead to a favourable conservation status, while increasing its area by some 13 ha. The meadows, which are closely related to the semi-natural dry grasslands, constitute important stepping stones towards the establishment of a network of calcareous dry habitats of the region; Habitat quality of rupicolous calcarerous grasslands, calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation, and calcareous scree of hill and montane levels will also be considerably improved on an area of 2.7 ha. Furthermore, the conservation status of limestone beech forests in the project area will improve. Through the removal of inappropriate species, the total area will be enlarged by approximately 4.8 ha; The population of lady’s slipper orchid will be enhanced by the propagation of 320 individuals at 17 different sites. Thus the threat to the population of the Weser Uplands from thefts will be significantly reduced; and Other species, including the smooth snake, sand lizard and large blue butterfly, will also benefit from the establishment of a coherent network of habitats of suitable size. It is also hoped that the stag beetle and the Birds Directive-listed species, red-backed shrike and grey-headed woodpecker, all of which have important populations in the project area, will indirectly benefit from the proposed management measures of the target habitats and species./li>