Alluvial grasslands along the northern upper Rhine – nature conservation value vs. agricultural value under non-intensive management

Abstract

Semi-natural non-intensively managed grasslands are among the most species-rich and threatened ecosystems in Central Europe. Alluvial meadows along large European rivers are part of the European Union's Habitats Directive, and therefore part of conservation and restoration efforts. Sustainable management of these meadows should aim to reconcile the interests of both nature conservationists and farmers. In this context, we conducted a two-year comparative study in alluvial meadows of high and low nature conservation value, belonging to the alliances Arrhenatherion and Cnidion. Firstly, we aimed to assess how differences in fodder yield and quality are linked to abiotic and biotic factors. Secondly, we addressed the possibility of incorporating fodder from these meadows into livestock farming. Our results revealed that while yield tended to be higher in meadows of low nature conservation value, fodder quality (e.g. energy content) showed the reverse trend. These differences are most likely caused by differences in vegetation composition and soil fertility. In addition, the response seemed to be closely linked to the precipitation pattern. In 2006, when precipitation was evenly distributed, fodder quantity seemed to be mainly related to site conditions. In 2007, when a drought occurred in April, differences in the proportion of functional groups were additionally related to differences in yield. The degree to which this fodder can be integrated into farming systems depends on the intensity of livestock farming and marginal economic conditions. The present study confirms that under non-intensive management, meadows of high and low nature conservation value yield similar fodder qualities.