Control of Bracken and the Restoration of Heathland. IV. Effects of Bracken Control and Heathland Restoration Treatments on Nutrient Distribution and Soil Chemistry

Abstract

1. The effects of treatments to control bracken and to restore either Calluna heath or grassland on the amounts of bracken rhizomes, the distribution of nutrients in the vegetation, and selected aspects of soil chemistry, were studied. 2. The effects of the bracken control treatments on bracken rhizomes were similar to those reported earlier for midsummer bracken-frond yields. The most successful treatment was cutting bracken twice yearly for at least 10 years, which reduced frond-bearing rhizomes to 2-4% and storage rhizomes to 8-11% of untreated levels. 3. There were differences in the amounts of nutrients found in the bracken rhizomes and litter in the untreated plots at the two study sites. The maximum potential flux of nutrients to the soil was lower for some elements in plots with maximum heath development or bracken recovery, but for other elements no significant effects were found. 4. There were a few significant differences in soil chemical properties between the different management treatments, but they were difficult to interpret. There was no evidence of any reduction in soil chemical properties in these experiments where Calluna heath and grassland have re-established. If soil fertility is to be reduced during such restoration schemes this problem needs to be addressed further.