Abstract
SUMMARY (2) The mean number of species per 0.25 m2 was greatest during the first summer after berm excavation. Diversity (H') was consistently greater on batters compared with berms, and in ungrazed compared with grazed sites. (3) Grass species dominated the vegetation in all areas. With the exception of Agrostis stolonifera L. and Alopecurus geniculatus L., invasion by native species was inhibited by cattle grazing. Most of the agriculturally-productive grasses in the seed-mix performed poorly in ungrazed areas. (4) By the third year there were significant floristic differences between ungrazed batters and berms. Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Beauv. ex J. & C. Presl and Dactylis glomerata L. were more abundant on the freely drained batters (P 0.76 m) plants, especially reeds, represented a flood hazard by the third summer because more than 25% of the flood channel was filled with vegetation. In contrast, reeds did not grow on ungrazed berms excavated 0.8-0.9 m above dry-weather water level.
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