A summary of the characteristics of the eight sites analyzed in this study, including the total area analysed and the area of xeric sand calcareous grassland (Natura 2000 habitat 6120) according to Olsson [32].

Vegetation data comes from a survey in 2004-2005 [9] and includes the total vegetation cover, as well as the cover of specialist species and nationally red-listed species as defined in Olsson and Ödman [55]. In addition, the number of red-listed species per square meter (Nr/m2) is given. Means are displayed (± SD), and N denotes the number of analysed squares (1 m2) at each site. The dominant red-listed and specialist species were Koeleria glauca, Dianthus arenarius ssp arenarius and Alyssum alyssoides.