bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Restoration of species‐rich flood‐plain meadows from abandoned arable fields in NE France
Authors: Vécrin M.P. , van Diggelen R. , Grévilliot F. , Muller S. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. Attempts to restore species‐rich flood‐plain meadows from abandoned arable fields in the valley of the river Meuse, NE France, were studied. The study area was sown with a commercial seed mixture, composed of Phleumpratense, Festuca pratensis, Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens. The above‐ground vegetation in the study area 1, 2 and 3 yr after restoration was compared to (1) the vegetation present during the previous 5‐yr fallow stage and (2) target flood‐plain meadows. Before restoration, the above‐ground fallow vegetation was dominated by ruderal and annual species, while only very few meadow species were present. Sowing led to tall, dense vegetation, mainly dominated by the sown species. Ruderal and annual species had decreased 3 yr after restoration, but target species were still poorly represented. Species richness was significantly lower in the sown site than in the semi‐natural target meadows and the vegetation had a different composition. Analysis of the soil seed bank of the restored meadow showed that only a few meadow species were present and that it was dominated by a few ruderal species.Three years after sowing, the vegetation of our experimental site is moving slowly towards the target communities but impoverished seed sources seem to limit the success of this restoration operation and will lead to under‐saturated communities.
Seedling recruitment of Succisella inflexa in fen meadows: Importance of seed and microsite availability
Authors: Overbeck G. , Kiehl K. , Abs C. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. The effects of different forms of land use on germination and establishment of the rare fen species Succisella inflexa were investigated in seed introduction experiments in a mown and an abandoned fen meadow in SE Germany. Treatments included abandonment, mowing in fall and mowing with creation of gaps in the moss and litter layer. Floating capacity of seeds was tested in order to estimate potential dispersal by water.On the mown meadow, gaps had a slightly positive effect on germination rates, while greatly increasing seedling survival until the next spring. At the abandoned site, litter inhibited germination, whereas mosses had a negative effect on germination and a positive effect on survival rates during the first year after germination. Both germination and seedling establishment were negatively affected by the presence of slug herbivores. On the abandoned site, no seedlings at all survived until the next spring. Even though seeds of Succisella inflexa were capable to float for several weeks and to germinate thereafter, the situation at the field sites indicates that longdistance dispersal is highly unlikely. Our results showed that not only direct effects of abandonment, such as accumulation of litter, may have led to poor germination and poor seedling establishment of the species. Additionally, indirect consequences of changes in land use, such as higher seedling herbivory by slugs and successional vegetation changes due to abandonment, were important in determining habitat quality and availability of microsites for seedling recruitment. Furthermore, early mowing imposed seed limitation on plant populations.
Heathland restoration in The Netherlands: Effects of turf cutting depth on germination of Arnica montana
Authors: van der Berg Leon J.L. , Vergeer Philippine , Roelofs Jan G.M. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. Germination experiments were conducted in a heathland after turf cutting and in a climate chamber to investigate the effects of turf cutting depth, aluminium toxicity and aluminium detoxification by humic acids and base cations on the germination and establishment of Arnica montana. Turfs were cut at three different depths, creating a gradient from organic to mineral soils. Germination and establishment of A. montana were negatively correlated with turf cutting depth. The removal of organic matter resulted in a major decrease in organic fraction of the soil and its nutrients. It also resulted in a considerable decrease in moisture content and humic acids. Additional liming after turf cutting increased germination and establishment in all plots and at all depths.Germination experiments under controlled conditions in a climate chamber revealed a significantly higher germination at low aluminium/calcium (Al:Ca) ratios. High Al:Ca ratios resulted in poor germination, suggesting Al toxicity. Addition of humic acids increased germination, even at high Al:Ca ratios, suggesting immobilization of Al by humic acids.It is concluded that turf cutting can have a marked effect on the success of heathland restoration. It results in the intended removal of the eutrophic layer but also in the unintentional removal of much of the buffering mechanisms and/or Al immobilizing compounds. Additional buffering and/or less deep turf cutting may be necessary to allow germination and establishment of rare herbaceous species such as A. montana.
Restoration of a species‐rich flood meadow by topsoil removal and diaspore transfer with plant material
Authors: Hölzel Norbert , Otte Annette 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. In previous studies, limited dispersal was revealed to be the main obstacle to restoration of species‐rich flood‐meadows along the northern Upper Rhine in Germany. To overcome dispersal limitation we transferred freshly mown plant material from species‐rich sources to a restoration site on a former arable field. Before plant material application, topsoil was removed to accelerate nutrient impoverishment and create favourable conditions for seedling recruitment.Topsoil removal led to a drastic reduction in organic matter and essential mineral nutrients to the level of target communities (P) or even below (N, K). At a removal depth of 30 cm content of the soil seed bank that comprised exclusively of annual arable weeds, ruderals and some common grassland species, declined by 60 ‐ 80%, while at a removal depth of 50 cm the seed bank was almost completely eliminated. With few exceptions, all species recorded in source plant material were found established at the restoration site. However, the overall correlation between seed content in plant material and establishment success was not very high.Vegetation development at the restoration site was characterized by a rapid decline in arable weeds and ruderals, while resident grassland species and species transferred with plant material increased rapidly from the third year onwards. After four years as many as 102 species were established that could be exclusively attributed to plant material transfer, among them many rare and highly endangered plants. Establishment of species from plant material was most successful in regularly flooded plots, due to the suppression of competitors as well as the creation of favourable moisture conditions for seedling emergence.Diaspore transfer with plant material proved to be an extremely successful method in restoring species‐rich grassland. However, high quality of plant material and suitable site conditions with low competition in early stages of succession seem to be essential prerequisites.
Seashore disturbance and management of the clonalArctophila fulva: Modelling patch dynamics
Authors: Rautiainen P. , Laine A.‐L. , Aikio S. , Aspi J. , Siira J. , Hyvärinen M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion:What is the population viability of a critically endangered seashore grass,Arctophila fulvavar.pendulina.Location:Liminka Bay, W Finland, 25°21′70 N, 64°51′90 E.Methods:We constructed a matrix population model based on colonization and disappearance events and patch size changes ofA. fulva.Patches were divided into hydric and non‐hydric zones according to proximity to the seashore and intensity of disturbance. Perturbation analyses were carried out in order to identify transitions critical for population growth. Seed bank and seed germination studies provided background information for the model design.Results:A. fulvapatches observed in the more disturbed hydric zone (closest to the sea) increased in number, as did the total number of patches. However, the number of patches in the less disturbed non‐hydric zone decreased.Conclusions:Short‐term dynamics of theA. fulvapopulation at Liminka Bay seem to be determined by environmental fluctuations, which cause annual variation in transition rates between patch size classes. The long‐term dynamics are probably governed by initiation of primary succession by isostatic land uplift. Increased disturbance at the water's edge may promote persistence ofA. fulvathrough reduced interspecific competition. Our results suggest that shoreline disturbance of the hydric zone is sufficient for maintaining a viable population. Competitive exclusion ofA. fulvain the non‐hydric zone may be delayed by management practices, such as mowing.
Effects of restoration measures on plant communities of wet heathland ecosystems
Authors: Jansen A J.M. , Fresco L.F.M. , Grootjans A.P. , Jalink M.H. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion: Which are the success and failure of restoration measures, particularly sod‐cutting and hydrological measures, in small wetlands on mineral soils in The Netherlands.Location: Twente, in the eastern part of The Netherlands.Methods: Success or failure of restoration measures has been assessed by comparing experimental plots with that in reference plots for (1) species richness, (2) re‐establishment of endangered species and (3) species composition, including life forms and Red List species. In total 119 samples were taken in 42 permanent plots in fen meadows, small‐sedge marshes, wet heathlands, and soft‐water pools. Topsoil samples were analysed for pH, Ca, Mg, Na, K and Cation Exchange Capacity. Gradient analysis was carried out by means of Canonical Correspondence Analysis.Results: Sod‐cutting, in combination with re‐wetting measures (infilling of ditches and drains), led to restoration of communities of soft‐water pools and small sedge marshes within five years. This rapid recovery is probably related to the presence of persistent seed banks of the component species of these communities. Complete restoration of fen meadows took longer (10–15 yr). Apparently, many species of fen meadows have short‐lived seed banks. Sod‐cutting of a degraded wet heathland and a soft‐water pool was only successful temporarily, probably as a consequence of low water tables.Conclusions: To prevent depletion of (persistent) soil seed banks, sod‐cutting in nutrient‐poor wetlands is not recommended in areas where the groundwater regime and the base status of the soil can not be restored to levels required by plant communities of wet heathlands.
The influence of seed addition and cutting regime on the success of grassland restoration on former arable land
Authors: Lawson Clare S. , Ford Martin A. , Mitchley Jonathan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestions: Can seed addition enhance the success of establishing species‐rich grassland on former arable land? Are sowing date and cutting regime important in determining success?Location: Aberdeen and Elgin, northeast Scotland, United Kingdom. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at two sites to assess the effect of seed addition, sowing date and cutting regime on the vegetation developing on former arable land, the aim being to compare the success of different treatments at producing a species‐rich grassland.Results: Sowing a seed mix resulted in the establishment of vegetation very distinct from the species‐poor vegetation dominated by perennial grasses which otherwise developed, though establishment success of the sown grassland species was highly variable between sites. Where establishment of the sown species was poor, sowing date had no significant effect on species composition, whereas the cutting regime was very important. Cutting the vegetation significantly increased both the number and abundance of sown species compared with the uncut control. Conversely, where establishment had been good, the cutting regime in the first year had little effect on species composition. Cutting the vegetation at least twice a year appeared to be the most effective management over the length of the experiment.Conclusions: Sowing a seed mixture significantly reduced the abundance and number of naturally colonising species, effectively controlling problem weed species such as Senecio jacobaea and Cirsium vulgare, highlighting the agronomic value of sowing seed mixtures on fallow farmland. The sowing of a seed mix on former arable land has demonstrated that it is feasible to create vegetation similar in character to that of species‐rich grasslands.
Long‐term compositional responses of a South African mesic grassland to burning and mowing
Authors: Fynn Richard W.S. , Morris Craig D. , Edwards Trevor J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion: What is the long‐term compositional response of grass and forb species to various combinations of burning and mowing? Can these responses be predicted from simple plant traits?Location: Ukulinga research and training farm (24°24′E, 30°24′S), Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa.Methods: Grass species relative abundance in 1996 in various burning and mowing treatments of a long‐term (> 50 a) experiment was calculated from data obtained using a point sampling method, whereas forb species abundance in 1999 was determined using the importance score method. The experiment consisted of different frequencies (annual, biennial and triennial) of burning and mowing in winter or spring in combination with different frequencies of summer mowing (none, early, late or both).Results: Grasses responded to the type of disturbance (burn or mow) and frequency of burning, whereas forbs responded primarily to the presence or absence of any form of disturbance and secondarily to the timing of burning (spring versus winter). Summer mowing and annual or biennial dormant‐period burning maintained communities dominated by short grasses, whereas tall grasses dominated under annual dormant‐period mowing, triennial burning or protection from disturbance. Grass tillering strategy (below‐ or above‐ground) influenced response to burning frequency. Many erect herbaceous dicot species with aerial meristems were reduced in abundance by summer mowing whereas most small creeping herbaceous dicot species appeared to be dependent upon summer mowing.Conclusions: This long‐term experiment demonstrated that: (1) grasses and forbs responded differently to burning and mowing; (2) simple plant traits, such as height, position of tiller initiation, and position of meristems have potential for predicting the response of species to the timing and frequency of burning and mowing.
Modelling the effects of human activity on the vegetation of a northeast Mediterranean island
Authors: Tzanopoulos Joseph , Mitchley Jonathan , Pantis John 
Published: February 2009

Abstract. Question: Which factors affect the spatial variation of maquis and phryganic vegetation and how can the role of human activities be estimated through degradation models.Location: Island of Sifnos, Cyclades, Greece.Methods: Data on woody vegetation, environmental conditions and intensity of human activity were collected by field survey. The vegetation data were analysed using TWINSPAN. Models based on the combination of Canonical Variate Analysis and logistic regressions were used in order to examine and describe the different pathways of maquis degradation.Results: The spatial variation of maquis and phryganic vegetation was related to both environmental and disturbance factors. The replacement of maquis by phryganic vegetation can follow two different pathways which reflect differences on the environmental conditions. However, the pathways themselves are determined by the combinations and levels of disturbance only.Conclusion: Degradation models can provide essential information on the effects of human activities on the vegetation. Maquis vegetation is relatively tolerant of disturbance, however, if disturbance exceeds certain critical thresholds, maquis is replaced by phryganic vegetation. The presence of phryganic vegetation is not always the result of maquis degradation.
Implications of 19th century landscape patterns for the recovery ofFagus crenataforests
Authors: Ohtani Shinya , Koike Fumito 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestions:What is the effect of the 19th century (pre‐industrialization) landscape pattern on the recovery of climax forests in cool‐temperate mountain areas dominated byFagus crenata(Japanese beech)?Location:Secondary forests on Mt. Daisen, western Japan.Methods:Vegetation patterns before and after industrialization were obtained from maps drawn in 1898 and 1979. Tree measurements were made in 12 plots in 1997. Correlation between currentFagus crenatadominance and forest edge in the 19th century was analysed using an S‐shaped regression curve.Fagusjuvenile density was counted in the plots, and distances from each plot to the five nearest mother trees were measured to determine the dispersal kernel.Results:Secondary grassland covered a substantial area in 1898, whereas forest covered most of the area in 1997.Faguswas dominant in places in the interior forest 100 years ago, and matureFagustrees were absent in secondary forests that had been grasslands in 1898. The expected number of juveniles decreased to one individual per 100 m2at 43.5 m from the mother tree.Conclusions:The pre‐industrialization landscape greatly affected recovery ofFagusforest. Forests found on the 1898 vegetation map might have acted as refugia forFagus.The limited dispersal ability ofFagussuggests that it would take many generations (several hundred years) forFagusforests to recover at the centre of what had been grasslands in the 19th century.
Ground vegetation in the Mongolian taiga forest‐steppe ecotone does not offer evidence for the human origin of grasslands
Authors: Dulamsuren Ch. , Hauck M. , Mühlenberg M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion: Is the vegetation of meadow and mountain steppes distinct from the ground vegetation of light taiga forests in the transitional zone between these biomes?Location: Western Khentey Mountains, northern Mongolia.Methods: Vegetation was recorded from 100‐m2 plots from all dominant types of light taiga forest and dry grassland. Distinctness of ground vegetation was studied with Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA).Results: Ground vegetation in the light taiga was significantly different from the herbal vegetation of meadow and mountain steppes. Clear separation was only absent for the Car ex amgunensis meadow steppes that occur in a narrow strip along the forest edge and are partly shaded by trees. Forest and steppe communities followed a moisture gradient according to the DCA ordination with light taiga forests at the moistest sites and steppe communities at the driest sites. Ulmus pumila open woodlands diverged from this pattern, because of their close spatial and phytosociological relationship to mountain steppes.Conclusions: The present results do not support the assumption that grasslands in Mongolia's transitional zone between forest and steppe would generally resemble the ground vegetation of light taiga forests. This contradicts a published hypothesis stating that the vegetation of meadow and mountain steppes would not clearly differ from ground vegetation of light taiga forests in the forest‐steppe transitional zone of Mongolia.
Impact of prescribed burning on the nutrient balance of heathlands with particular reference to nitrogen and phosphorus
Authors: Niemeyer T. , Niemeyer M. , Mohamed A. , Fottner S. , Härdtle W. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion:Can prescribed winter burning compensate atmospheric nutrient loads for dry heathlands? What effects does prescribed burning have on nutrient balances, particularly as regards the limiting nutrients N and P?Location:Lueneburg Heath, NW Germany.Methods:In two burning experiments (in 10/15 year oldCalluna‐stands) nutrient balances (for N, Ca, K, Mg, P) were calculated by analysing nutrient inputs (atmospheric deposition, ash deposition), nutrient stores (above‐ground biomass, organic horizon) and nutrient outputs (biomass combustion, leaching).Results:Atmospheric nutrient deposition amounted to 22.8 kg.ha‐1.a‐1for N and < 0.5 kg.ha‐1.a‐1for P. Nutrient stores in the above‐ground biomass were 95/197 kg.ha‐1for N and 5/13 kg.ha‐1for P (first/second experiment, respectively). From these stores 90/53% (for N) and 25/14% (for P) were removed by burning. Effects of leaching on nutrient balances were low. In the first two years after burning, leaching rates of N increased by about 4/6 kg.ha‐1, whereas leaching rates of P did not change significantly. Input/output‐ratios showed that prescribed burning leads to positive nutrient balances for N, Ca and Mg in the long term. For example, the amounts of N removed by prescribed burning are equivalent to ca. five years of atmospheric inputs. Applied in ten‐year cycles, this measure alone cannot prevent N accumulation in the long term.Conclusion:Regarding 10/15 year oldCalluna‐heaths, we assume that prescribed burning cannot compensate for atmospheric N inputs, thus making long‐term changes in the nutritional state inevitable. Therefore, prescribed burning should be applied in combination with high‐intensity management measures.
Developing a blueprint for conservation of the endangered longleaf pine ecosystem based on centers of Coastal Plain plant endemism
Authors: Sorrie Bruce A. , Weakley Alan S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion: Can the geographic patterning of endemic plant species inform reserve selection in a region of high endemism?Location: The Southeastern Coastal Plain of North America, focusing primarily on the imperiled longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Miller) ecosystem.Methods: We documented the high level of plant endemism in the region, and characterized the endemic taxa into distributional subregions.Results: A total of 1630 plant taxa are endemic to the Coastal Plain, a large proportion of which are endemic to phytogeographical subregions within the Coastal Plain, with particularly large numbers of narrow endemics occurring in the East Gulf Coastal Plain and Florida Peninsula.Conclusions: This pattern of local endemism presents challenges in conserving the full biota of the region: a reserve system focusing on few and large conservation areas has theoretical benefits for long‐term management and viability, but will fail to capture many local endemics. We propose that the dispersed distribution of endemic species will require a mixture of large core reserves and smaller satellite reserves.