This alliance includes semi-dry grasslands of suboceanic distribution which lack several species of submediterranean or continental distribution. It occurs mainly in the western part of Central Europe and in areas of western Europe with subcontinental climate. The Bromion erecti grasslands form secondary vegetation types at sites of potential beech or oak-hornbeam forests. The dominating species of these mostly closed grasslands are usually Brachypodium pinnatum or Bromus erectus, the former being favoured by grazing or short-term abandonment, the latter by mowing, respectively. The stands that have been lightly grazed or mown can be very rich in species, however, they can be quickly invaded by shrubs and trees after abandonment.