Nature management experiments in a derelict reedmarsh. II: Effects of summer mowing

Abstract

Lowering of the summer water table, eutrophication and dereliction have caused severe ruderalisation of the marsh vegetation of the Belgian wetland site, The Blankaart. Management experiments, based on an annual summer mowing regime, have shown that the ruderalised mixed-fen vegetation with dominance of competitive species such as Calamagrostis canescens and Glyceria maxima, which has completely lost its reedland character, can develop into a more diverse hayfield vegetation. However, the high nutrient status of the marsh and difficulties with the invasion of seed of hayfield species, due to the changed environment, discourages further distinct changes of the vegetation.