Assesment of the Impact of Habitat Conditions and Land Use on the Floristic Diversity of Selected Rush Communities

Mieczysław Grzelak,Leszek Majchrzak,Eliza Gaweł

doi:10.2478/ceer-2021-0012

Abstract

This study concerned the assessment of the effect of various habitat conditions and land use on the habitat diversity of rush communities classified as <i>Phragmitetea.</i> The investigations were conducted in the years 2015-2019 in an area particularly interesting in terms of its nature value and abundant in localities of diverse plant communities, located in ecological areas of permanent grassland in the river valleys of the Noteć Leniwa and the Noteć Bystra, as well as the interlevee floodplain of the Warta in the area of Rakowo. The study area covered 228 ha. Soil moisture content resulting from the habitat mosaic and intensity of land use had a significant effect on the formation of rush communities, their richness and floristic diversity as well as nature and agricultural value. Most communities of nature value were characterised by a mediocre economic value and low fodder value (FVS ranging from 1.1 to 6.9), while some were barren lands. The calculated floristic diversity index (H’) varied and ranged from 1.9 to 3.5, while the harvested dry matter yields ranged from 2.7 to 16.6 t.ha<sup>−1</sup>. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of habitat conditions and land use on the formation and diversity of rush communities in the Noteć and the Warta river valleys.

Highlights

Grasses and herbs are components of economically valuable plant communities found in river valleys
They play an important and advantageous role in the fodder production process as well as nature and landscape protection, while being indispensable for biodiversity. Their species richness depends on the habitat mosaic [14], soil moisture content, trophic level and land use [10]
Among the many habitat factors water plays the primary role, as it influences soil processes and yields, and fodder and nature value, it affects the diversity of meadow habitats and the plant species composition [4, 11]

Summary

Introduction

Grasses and herbs are components of economically valuable plant communities found in river valleys They play an important and advantageous role in the fodder production process as well as nature and landscape protection, while being indispensable for biodiversity. Diversity of species found in viable associations is of significant practical importance, thanks to which large numbers of grasses, sedges, legumes and herbs in meadow or pasture swards have a positive effect on the quality of hay and products of its processing. Such a diversity of the species composition facilitates optimal habitat utilisation by meadow and pasture communities. Thanks to the knowledge and appropriate utilisation of plants as indicators of changes in habitat conditions it is possible to rapidly hinder adverse changes in the habitat, which are aggravated by inappropriate land use and fertilisation

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion