Short-Term Abandonment versus Mowing in a Mediterranean-Temperate Meadow: Effects on Floristic Composition, Plant Functionality, and Soil Properties—A Case Study

Francesca Vannucchi,Francesca Bretzel,Valerio Lazzeri,Irene Rosellini,Claudia Caudai,Manuele Scatena

doi:10.3390/agriculture12010078

Francesca Vannucchi, Francesca Bretzel + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12010078

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Abstract

Hay meadows are secondary grasslands maintained by mowing, and their ecological importance resides in the inherent biodiversity and carbon stocking. We investigated the plant community and soil properties of a sub humid acid grassland near the Fucecchio marshes (Italy), managed as a hay meadow, mowed once a year, and not fertilized. Part of the meadow had been abandoned for three years. We analysed the soil properties (i.e., organic carbon and total nitrogen content, available phosphorus, pH, cation-exchange capacity, texture, and conductibility) and the plant community structure (composition, functionality, and species richness) of the two sides of the meadow (mowed and abandoned). Our aim was to highlight the changes in soil properties and vegetation community, and to find out to what extent abandonment can affect those dynamics. Our results showed that after short-term abandonment, soil pH, C and N increased; litter biomass and perennial forbs increased; and annual forbs decreased. New species colonising after abandonment, thus enriching the flora, may keep spreading and eventually hinder the growth of the specialists if mowing is not resumed. Certain valuable meadow habitats need constant human intervention to maintain their peculiar vegetation, most especially if they are a buffer zone in the proximity of natural protected areas.

Highlights

Semi-natural grasslands are considered as species-rich plant communities [1] and agro-pastoral activities, such as mowing or grazing, have been reported as positive drivers for biodiversity in terms of the total number of species, but not for rare species [2]
Twenty-seven species were common, 18 species were exclusive to the abandoned meadow, and nine were found just in the hay meadow
In terms of plant functionality (PFT), perennial forbs showed statistically significant differences, and were higher in AM compared to HM (p = 0.004), while annual forbs were higher in HM (p = 0.046)

Summary

Introduction

Semi-natural (secondary) grasslands are considered as species-rich plant communities [1] and agro-pastoral activities, such as mowing or grazing, have been reported as positive drivers for biodiversity in terms of the total number of species, but not for rare species [2]. In addition to the botanical and ecological importance of the hay meadows, economic aspects inform these communities, as plant composition and richness are some of the key factors that affect forage quality [4]. As a result of land use change and abandonment, grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems and are being studied in order to find ways to conserve nature as well as to create economic opportunities [8]. Conservation projects on grasslands and meadows with high botanical value vegetation require constant investigation since changes in soil properties due to management and climate can modify plant composition [9]

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