Abstract
Low-frequency mowing has been proposed to be an effective strategy for the restoration and management of boreal fens after abandonment of traditional haymaking. This study investigates how mowing affects long-term vegetation change in both oceanic and continental boreal rich-fen vegetation. This will allow evaluation of the effectiveness of mowing as a management and restoration tool in this ecosystem in the face of climate change. At two nature reserves in Central Norway (Tågdalen, 63° 03’ N, 9° 05 E, oceanic climate and Sølendet, 62° 40’ N, 11° 50’ E, continental climate), we used permanent plot data from the two sites to compare plant species composition from the late 1960s to the early 1980s with that recorded in 2012–2015 in abandoned and mown fens. Changes in species composition and frequency were analysed by multivariate and univariate methods in relation to environmental variables and modelled climate and groundwater data. Mowing resulted in a decline in shrub and Molinia caerulea cover at the continental and oceanic sites respectively, and the total cover of specialist fen species had increased to a significantly greater extent in the mown plots than the unmown at the continental site. However, mowing did not have an effect on the cover of specialist bryophyte species, and some specialist species declined regardless of mowing treatment. Temperature sums had increased at both sites, but precipitation had not changed significantly. Mowing was shown to be the most important determinant of plant community composition at both sites, with local environmental conditions being of secondary importance. In conclusion, the abandonment of traditional management practices results in the loss of characteristic fen species. In order to encourage the restoration of typical rich-fen vegetation, particularly in oceanic areas, additional management measures, such as more intensive mowing, may be required.
Highlights
This study used historical botanical and environmental data to highlight the importance of land management in restoring boreal rich-fen vegetation in a changing climate
The changes detected here can be interpreted with confidence, in contrast to multiple short-term studies that may fail to detect important trends [39]
Our results suggest that the effect of mowing is an important factor in determining vegetation composition at these rich fens in Central Norway
Summary
Many ecosystems of high conservation value have been shaped by human activity, and rely heavily on the continuation of traditional management methods, in grasslands. The effect of climate change, and its interaction with management, on boreal rich fen vegetation is currently unclear, interactions between drivers of change can play an important role in determining plant communities [16] Plant species in this region are often sensitive to climatic warming [17, 18], and fen vegetation may be vulnerable to shifting hydrological fluxes [19] and the predicted changes in precipitation [15]. We used a re-survey approach to (1) assess how fen vegetation has changed over this period, both with and without mowing, in terms of species composition and diversity, (2) examine how the impact of mowing varies with climatic and environmental differences between oceanic and continental areas, and (3) provide evidence as to whether mowing is an effective restoration tool for boreal fens
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
