Variations in species richness in hay-meadow vegetation at Voss, west Norway, in relation to long-term management practices

Abstract

Because of its species-rich hay meadows and old pollards that are traditionally managed, Ulvund in Myrkdalen, Voss, is one of 14 areas in Hordaland county that are considered to be of special interest for cultural landscape conservation. The spatial patterns of species richness were investigated in hay meadows at Ulvund. Two main types of vegetation were recognised in managed meadows. Unfertilised and species-rich areas with a rather short field layer were situated in the steep parts of the meadows. Fertilised and species-poor areas with a high field layer were situated on flat or gently sloping areas. This spatial pattern is recognised in other west Norwegian hay meadows as well and is very likely linked to historical differences in land management; the flatter areas were formerly used as heavily fertilised permanent tilled fields for grain production, while the steep areas were used for hay production. As the conservation value largely lies in small, localized parts of the farms, conservation management actions can also be localized and thus feasible under modern conditions.