Dry Grassland Vegetation Research Articles

Soil fertility and landscape surrounding former arable fields drive the ecological resilience of Mediterranean dry grassland plant communities

IntroductionSemi-natural dry grasslands are among the species-richest and most diverse habitats in Europe especially in the Mediterranean Basin. They evolved with long-term severe environmental constraints, either biotic (e.g., grazing or mowing) or abiotic (e.g., dryness or oligotrophy). Their recovery after sever anthropogenic disturbance, such as cultivation is often very slow and incomplete. A deeper understanding of the processes driving the recovery would be of great benefit to better restore or conserve these grasslands. We used the filter model as a framework to assess the relative importance of dispersion, abiotic and biotic filters as drivers of this recovery.MethodsWe studied the medium-term dynamics of 37 Mediterranean dry grassland plant communities after an episode of cultivation in the plain of La Crau (Southern France) by two census: after 25 years of abandonment, and revisited 10 years later (35 years of abandonment). Our aims were to characterize the temporal medium-term dynamics of these communities, to measure their taxonomic resilience and to identify the drivers. We performed structural equation modeling to measure the importance of the various drivers, with cover of remnant dry grasslands surrounding each studied community as a proxy for the dispersion filter, soil pH and phosphorus content as proxies for the abiotic filter and cover of the most dominant species as a proxy for the biotic filter.Results and DiscussionOur results show that former arable field vegetation do not recover after more than 40 years. The three filters drive the recovery of dry grassland vegetation: former arable fields that have lower phosphorus content (abiotic filter) have a lower cover of dominant species (biotic filter), a higher species richness and a higher similarity with remnant dry grassland plant communities, especially if the former arable fields are surrounded by remnant dry grasslands (dispersion filter).

Recovery of grassland after clear-cutting of invasive Robinia pseudoacacia – Long-term study in Prague (Czech Republic)

Invasive species belong to the main threats to dry grassland biodiversity. That́s why nature conservation managers seek the best ways to remove them and to support the restoration process of original natural habitats. We studied the effect of clear-cutting of invasive black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on the recovery of former species rich dry grassland vegetation. Ten permanent plots where R. pseudoacacia was cut down were long-term monitored in nature reserves protecting dry grasslands. The representation of dry grassland plants has been increased four times and the representation of synanthropic plants has been decreased two times during 40 years of succession even though R. pseudoacacia still relatively successfully resisted eradication efforts. During the succession after R. pseudoacacia cutting down, the Ellenberg indicator values for nutrients have decreased significantly, but no decrease in the nitrate content of the soil was observed. The long-term monitoring revealed that the restoration of dry grasslands invaded by R. pseudoacacia is possible but very time consuming.

Seasonal beta‐diversity of dry grassland vegetation: Divergent peaks of above‐ground biomass and species richness

AbstractQuestionTemperate grasslands are known for their high plant diversity and distinct seasonality. However, their intra‐annual community dynamics are still largely overlooked by ecologists. Therefore, we explored the seasonal alpha‐ and beta‐diversity patterns of vascular plants and their relationships to above‐ground biomass in a rocky steppe (Festucion valesiacae).LocationPavlov Hills, SE Czech Republic.MethodsFor one year, we monitored the plant community of the rocky steppe at monthly intervals in 42 permanent plots of 0.25 m2. We examined seasonal changes in above‐ground biomass (estimated from the cover and height of living plant parts) and seasonal beta‐diversity, which we partitioned into turnover and nestedness components and their quantitative counterparts: balanced changes and abundance gradients.ResultsWe identified a pronounced seasonal pattern of above‐ground biomass, species richness and composition. Total above‐ground biomass was highest in June (summer), with a peak representing only 60% of total annual production (sum of individual species' maxima). However, the observed peak in species richness occurred in March (early spring), with 80% of the total species number recorded throughout the year. Accordingly, nestedness and abundance gradient patterns differed in the spring months, while seasonal turnover and balanced changes in abundance were generally congruent. Annual, short‐lived, and perennial species exhibited different seasonal patterns of species richness and biomass production, although a sharp increase in biomass and a peak in species richness in spring were universal across the community.ConclusionsSeasonal climatic constraints on plant growth are key determinants of primary production dynamics. Plants adapt to these constraints by adjusting their life cycles in different ways. In dry grasslands, the complexity of plant responses to climatic seasonality can result in seasonal beta‐diversity patterns with divergent peaks in biomass and species richness.

Positive long-term effects of year-round horse grazing in orchid-rich dry calcareous grasslands–Results of a 12-year study

IntroductionDry calcareous grasslands are among the most species-rich habitats worldwide but strongly endangered by abandonment causing a severe decline of characteristic species such as orchids. To counteract further degradation, economically sustainable restoration tools such as megaherbivore grazing, that aim to substitute extinct wild grazers, should be considered. However, the long-term effects on target species of dry grasslands, and in particular for orchid populations, is still unclear.MethodsTo contribute to this knowledge gap, we applied vegetation surveys (5 m × 5 m), as well as large-scale census-based orchid observation and mapping of habitat structures (50 m × 50 m) in a year-round grazing scheme of a Natura 2000 site in Central Germany over 12 years. The horses and their grazing activity were observed via GPS telemetry. We fitted linear mixed models to evaluate whether Ophrys apifera density was affected by horse feeding frequency, habitat structure variables (bare soil patches, woody plant cover), grassland type or years.ResultsA The main results were that the target dry calcareous grassland vegetation significantly increased in species numbers and cover. The total abundance of O. apifera increased from 1,237 (2013) and 1,893 (2018), to 4,652 (2021) individuals. Ophrys apifera density was positively affected by horse feeding frequency as well as grazing-induced enhanced bare soil patches but underlying mechanisms varied between the three classified grassland types.DiscussionOur results indicate that low-intensity year-round horse grazing as a relatively new restoration tool in dry calcareous grasslands has the potential to enhance floristic biodiversity in general, and particularly O. apifera density in the long run. Furthermore, we showed that highvalue xeric grasslands with outstanding orchid abundances can be integrated into the year-round grazing system and that there is no need of fencing off such sections.

The impact of climate change and wildfire on decadal alpine vegetation dynamics

Context Climate-induced changes of alpine vegetation diversity, cover and composition have been recorded globally, but most insights have been gleaned from field studies over small spatiotemporal scales. Aims We assess dynamics in climate and vegetation of Australia’s highest and most biologically diverse alpine area that surrounds Mount Kosciuszko (~455 km2), as well as recovery following the 2003 wildfires. Methods Climatic changes were analysed using gridded climate data for mean annual temperature (1910–2019) and seasonal precipitation (1900–2019), and changes in snow cover were assessed from snow course records (1954–2021). A vegetation cover time series (1990, 2000, 2010, 2020) was modelled with an optimised random forest classification using recursive feature selection, and the LandTrendr algorithm was used to detect areas burnt during wildfires. Key results Over time, temperatures and summer precipitation increased, whereas snow cover and winter precipitation decreased. Subsequently, vegetation dynamics were dominated by the densification of subalpine woodlands at lower elevations, replacing dry and wet heathlands. There was treeline stasis but upslope advancement of dry and wet shrublines but grassland vegetation types were relatively stable. However, in burnt areas there was suppressed upslope advancement of shrublines, treeline recession and relatively less expansion of subalpine woodlands. Conclusions Alpine vegetation may be impacted by climate change incrementally through relatively gradual changes in climatic conditions, and transformatively through landscape-level disturbance from wildfires. Implications Higher temperatures and altered precipitation regimes increase the frequency and severity of wildfires, which may be amplified by increasing fuel loads and dryness from the proliferation and advance of woody vegetation in alpine areas.

Grazing by semi‐feral cattle and horses supports plant species richness and uniqueness in grasslands

AbstractQuestionHow does naturalistic grazing (trophic rewilding with large herbivores), in contrast to mowing and free succession (no grazing), affect plant community composition and species richness in temperate grassland grazed by semi‐feral cattle and horses?LocationMols Laboratory, Denmark.MethodsWe investigated grazing exclosures in the rewilding area of the Mols Laboratory, four years after its establishment. We focused on moist to dry grassland vegetation, that is, excluding scrub and woodland. Each experimental block consisted of five 5 × 9 m plots, representing four fenced treatments, that is, summer‐only grazing, winter‐only grazing, full exclosure with annual autumn mowing and full exclosure with passive succession. The matrix (the fifth treatment) was grazed by large herbivores at close‐to‐natural densities, that is, regulated bottom‐up by the carrying capacity of the area. Hence, even the seasonal grazing treatments were grazed at close‐to‐natural animal density. Quantitative plant community composition was assessed using the point‐intercept method in 25 × 25 cm quadrats, supplemented with biomass calibration models based on additional quadrats, in which above‐ground plant biomass was harvested after recording and the material sorted to species and weighed. Uniqueness was assessed as the sum of inverse range sizes for constituent species (unicity).ResultsWe found an appreciably higher plant species richness in grazing treatments than under both annual mowing and full exclosure, but only minor differences between seasonal grazing treatments. Uniqueness was highest in year‐round and winter‐only grazing and lowest in summer‐only grazing. The forb:graminoid ratio tended to be high in the winter‐only grazing treatment, whereas annual mowing was associated with dominance of graminoids over forbs. Full‐exclosure plots had accumulation of litter and the lowest species richness. Initial heterogeneity between plots within blocks and a systematic difference between blocks in moist and dry grasslands may have diluted treatment effects at this early point after the onset of the experiment. Data analysis using the biomass estimates derived from the calibration models yielded only minor differences in the patterns described above, when compared to the results obtained using the raw number of intercepts.ConclusionsNaturalistic grazing is a goal in itself in ecological restoration, but also proposed as an efficient management tool to promote conservation of grassland plants and communities. We found both plant species richness and the prevalence of regionally rarer species (uni) to be higher with grazing than mowing or abandonment. Similarly, the tendency for forbs to prevail under grazing may translate into enhanced floral resources for anthophilous insects. Summer‐only grazing at low density of large herbivores was not significantly different from winter‐only and year‐round grazing, but this treatment was much closer to natural grazing than intensive summer grazing typical of agri‐environmental practices.

Phytosociology of Stipa-dominated steppe-like vegetation on the ultramafics of the Central Balkans

Despite the fact that dry grassland vegetation on ultramafics has been the object of continuous research in previous centuries, there remains a knowledge gap in regard to the initial stages of vegetation on ultramafic substrates. The Stipa-dominated dry grasslands of Serbia and Kosovo representing various initial phases in the overgrowth of ultramafic rocks were the object of the present study. A total of 213 relev?s were made in different steppe-like Stipa species-dominated grasslands on ultramafics of Serbia including Kosovo, and were then analysed in the context of Balkan dry grassland vegetation of the Festuco-Brometea class. For cluster analyses, new relev?s were analysed in order to characterize them floristically and sintaxonomically. For describing associations, we used the concept of ?relative fidelity?? allowing us to find the optimum occurrence of a species within a group of floristically similar communities. The threshold of the phi value was selected at 0.1 for new associations. Four new associations were distinguished: Stachyo scardicae-Stipetum tirsae ass. nov., Euphorbio glabriflorae-Stipetum pulcherrimae ass. nov., Alysso serbici-Stipetum pulcherrimae ass. nov. and Thymo striati-Stipetum mayerii ass. nov. Relev?s dominated by Stipa novakii were asigned to previously described Stipetum novaki Kabas et D. Lakusic 2013. The first three new associations were assigned to Potentillion visianii, while the latter was assigned to the Centaureo kosaninii-Bromion fibrosi alliance of the Halacsyetalia sentneri order.

Sheep Grazing and Wildfire: Disturbance Effects on Dry Grassland Vegetation in the Western Italian Alps

Land abandonment represents a major threat to the conservation of European semi-natural dry grasslands. To ensure biodiversity and habitat conservation, in this study, sheep grazing was reintroduced in abandoned Festuco-Brometea dry grasslands of a western Italian alpine valley. The experimental design included three treatments, along a gradient of increasing disturbance: (i) not-grazed, (ii) grazed, and (iii) penning areas. Unexpectedly, two years after grazing reintroduction, a wildfire hit the study area. To investigate the short-term effects of grazing and wildfire disturbances on vegetation, 62 permanent transects were monitored from 2014 to 2018. Vegetation cover, plant diversity, and richness and abundance of three functional groups of species were analyzed through generalized linear mixed models. Grazing caused little changes in vegetation, with the greatest effects observed in penning areas: the pioneer xerothermic species group, including many rare plant species, benefited from the reduction in the litter layer and the opening of gaps in the sward induced by trampling. The wildfire led to an increase in plant diversity and to changes in plant composition: dry grassland species decreased, while pioneer xerothermic and ruderal species increased their abundance. Short-term results suggest that both disturbances may foster the conservation of alpine dry grasslands.

Eastern European Steppe Database

The Eastern European Steppe Database (GIVD ID EU-00-030) includes 6961 vegetation plots of dry grassland vegetation from Eastern Europe (Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones, mountain regions), mainly from Ukraine (4579 relevés), Russia (2403 relevés) and Moldova (203 relevés). 3912 vegetation plots are from different literature sources (66 sources), 219 are from the phytosociological card-index of the M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, NAS of Ukraine, 2830 relevés are authors’ relevés. They were established in 1935-2019 years. The database comprises mainly the vegetation of the class Festuco-Brometea (around 95% of the dataset), and a small proportion of Koelerio-Corynephoretea canescentis, Artemisietea vulgaris, Crataego-Prunetea. The taxonomy of vascular species is given according to Cherepanov (1995) for vascular plants, Ignatov and Afonina (1992) for bryophytes and identification guides of the USSR (1971–1978) and Russia (1996, 1998) for lichens. The database is part of the European Vegetation Archive.

Legacies of past land use challenge grassland recovery – An example from dry grasslands on ancient burial mounds

Due to large-scale agricultural intensification, grasslands are often restricted to habitat islands in human-transformed landscapes. There are approximately half a million ancient burial mounds built by nomadic steppic tribes in the Eurasian steppe and forest steppe zones, which act as habitat islands for dry grassland vegetation. Land use intensification, such as arable farming and afforestation by non-native woody species are amongst the major threats for Eurasian dry grasslands, including grasslands on mounds. After the launch of the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition framework of the European Union, in Hungary there is a tendency for ceasing crop production and cutting non-native woody plantations, in order to conserve these unique landmarks and restore the historical grassland vegetation on the mounds. In this study, restoration prospects of dry grassland habitats were studied on kurgans formerly covered by croplands andRobinia pseudoacaciaplantations. Soil and vegetation characteristics were studied in thespontaneously recovering grasslands. The following questions were addressed: 1; How does site history affect the spontaneous grassland recovery? 2; Do residual soil nutrients play a role in grassland recovery? In former croplands, excess phosphorus, while in formerRobiniaplantations, excess nitrogen was present in the soil even four years after the land use change and grassland vegetation was in an early or mid-successional stage both on the mounds. The results showed that, without proper management measures, recovery of grassland vegetation is slow on mounds formerly used as cropland or black locust plantation. However, restoration efforts, focused on the restoration of mounds formerly covered by croplands, can be more effective compared to the restoration of mounds formerly covered by forest plantations.

Syntaxonomic diversity of dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea: preliminary analysis

The aim of the work is to revise the prodrome and diagnostic species of the classes of natural dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea based on own field studies and modern literature data. Methods. The work is based on the Braun-Blanquet approach to classification of vegetation communities. Higher syntaxonomy units and lists of diagnostic species are given in accordance with “Vegetation of Europe ...” (EuroVegChecklist), nomenclature of syntaxon according to the requirements of the “International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature”, nomenclature of taxon according to the Catalogue of Life and Euro + Med PlantBase international databases. Results. A preliminary version of the prodrome of natural dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea has been compiled. It was established that this vegetation type includes communities of 12 classes: Sedo-Scleranthetea , Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei , Festuco-Brometea , Festuco-Puccinellietea , Kalidietea foliati , Ononido-Rosmarinetea , Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis , Helianthemetea guttati , Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae , Saginetea maritimae , Asplenietea trichomanis , Drypidetea spinosae. There are 14 orders, 14 alliances and 30 associations, three of which need to be validated. The classes of rock and scree vegetation ( Asplenietea trichomanis , Drypidetea spinosae ) are described in most detail. For most classes, a significant part of the classification units has not yet been established. Conclusion. The preliminary prodrome of the natural dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea includes 12 classes, 14 orders, 14 alliances and 30 associations. A great part of syntaxa has not yet been established. The composition of the diagnostic species indicates a significant floristic proximity of the classes Sedo-Scleranthetea - Helianthemetea guttati - Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae , Festuco-Puccinellietea - Kalidietea foliati , Ononido-Rosmarinetea - Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis .

Impact of an invasive herbivore and human trampling on lichen-rich dry grasslands: Soil-dependent response of multiple taxa

Dry grasslands are listed among the habitats of conservation concern in Europe. Here, based on a multitaxon approach including vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens, we explored the effects of small-scale disturbance on lichen-rich dry grassland vegetation by surveying 60 sites across the Po Plain (Northern Italy). In particular, we evaluated the impact of human trampling and fecal pellet deposition by the alien invasive herbivore Sylvilagus floridanus. We found a soil-dependent response of multiple taxa to the impact of the herbivore. For plants, beside a negative effect of trampling, the interaction between fecal pellet amount and soil pH indicates that the negative effect of the invasive herbivore is stronger on acidic soils. Bryophyte cover increased with increasing soil pH, annual rainfall and fecal pellet, while it was not affected by trampling. Lichen richness and cover decreased with increasing soil pH. The marginal interaction between soil pH and amount of fecal pellet indicates that the more negative effects on lichens may be expected on calcareous soils. Trampling did not affect lichen patterns and the rainfall gradient marginally affected lichen cover with a negative effect. Lichen species richness is also negatively affected by increasing vascular plant cover. The main implications of this study for improving conservation are: (1) conservation practices should be tailored to organism and substrate type; (2) bryophyte and lichen diversity patterns are influenced also by climatic conditions, suggesting that the impact on these organisms may be exacerbated by climate change; and (3) strict conservation, even through active exclusion of wild fauna, of the most species-rich sites should be recommended, even if previous literature and the negative plant cover-lichen richness relationship found in this study indicate that moderate mechanical disturbance could be a practical tool to enhance cryptogams.

The ophiolitic communities of Shebenik-Jablanice National Park (Albania)

The Shebenik-Jablanice National Park is located in east central Albania which is characterized by one of the most important outcrops of the Mirdita ophiolitic formation. Ophiolites are often serpentinized and rich in metals, and present therefore a specialized flora and vegetation, which has attracted much research, but which is still incompletely known. In this paper we present the main communities of this vegetation, which encompasses subalpine grasslands, scrub and dry grasslands. Six associations are presented as new (Stachyo scardicae-Buxertum sempervirentis, Daphno oleoidi-Ericetum herbaceae, Carici sempervirentis-Seslerietum coerulantis, Carici macrolepidis-Genistetum hassertianae, Alysso bertolonii subsp. scutarinum-Euphorbietum glabriflorae, Sedo serpentini-Festucopsietum serpentini) and a few others are presented without a formal description (Bornmuellera baldaccii community, Astragalus angustifolius community, Viola magellensis scree vegetation). Serpentinicolous dry grassland vegetation of the Shebenik mountains is compared to other communities of serpentines in Italy, Balkans and Greece and a new alliance is described for this community, Festucopsion serpentini (Halacsyetalia sendtneri) vicariant of the Centaureo-Bromion fibrosi which occurs in northern Albania and Kosovo. The alliance is characterized by a set of species which do not occur or are rare further north and by a relatively dry climate with Mediterranean affinity. We also present a thorny cushion vegetation with Astragalus angustifolius, which grows on limestone but is vicariant to the analogous community with Genista hassertiana. Finally, considering the rarity of these communities at continental scale, and their richness of endemic and rare species, we present the description of a new habitat for future inclusion in the Annex I of the Habitat Directive.

DRY GRASSLAND VEGETATION ON GALIČICA MOUNTAIN (SW MACEDONIA)

This paper presents the dry grassland vegetation (Festuco-Brometea) on the Galičica Mountain. The research un-derlying this study was carried out in the period of 2009–2010 at several localities, on carbonate substrate from Ohrid and Prespa sides. Registered community of this type is subordinate to xerophilous vegetation of the Festuco-Brometea the order Astragalo-Potentilletalia Micevski [1] and alliance Saturejo-Thymion Micevski [2]. From the floristic compo-sition and the detailed phytocoenological analysis of the investigated vegetation it was concluded that it is represented by ass. Siderito montanae-Trifolietum dalmaticae ass. nova subass. erodietosum guicciardii subass. nova.

Traditional forest management practices stop forest succession and bring back rare plant species

Summary Past management practices may continue to influence ecosystem functions and processes for decades, centuries or even longer after they have been abandoned. Until now, few researchers have attempted experiments which test the effects of restoring some of these past management practices on long‐term community developmental trajectories. Strong evidence indicates that the diversity of various taxonomic groups declined in European lowland forests in the second half of the 20th century, following the abandonment of some traditional forest management practices. We carried out a five‐year field trial in a lowland thermophilous oak forest to describe the effects of restoration of litter raking and grass cutting on the long‐term developmental trajectory of species composition and the diversity of understorey vegetation. We used target species groups, that is species specific to thermophilous forests and dry grassland vegetation and plant functional traits to evaluate the restoration success using both compositional and functional outcomes. Dissimilarity in species composition between the managed plots and controls increased significantly during the 5 years of the trial. Litter raking increased the richness and cover of the thermophilous forest and dry grassland species, whereas grass cutting increased the richness and cover of only the dry grassland species. We did not record any overall trends in divergence of functional trait composition between managed and control plots. In the litter raking plots, we recorded increases in community‐weighted means of specific leaf area, in lateral spread and in Ellenberg indicator values for nutrients and soil reaction. In contrast, we found little evidence for predictability of species functional trait composition subjected to grass cutting. Synthesis and applications. Following the restoration of traditional forest management practices, we were able to change the community's developmental trajectory towards higher richness and cover of target species. The evaluation of community developmental trajectories using species and functional trait composition supports the idea that restoration of traditional forest management practices should carefully distinguish among possible interventions.

The role of vernal species in vegetation classification: a case study on deciduous forests and dry grasslands of Central Europe

The very short lifespan of some therophytes and geophytes growing in Central European deciduous forests and dry grasslands may be a source of inconsistencies in vegetation data analyses. Based on data provided by the Czech National Phytosociological Database (CNPD) we identified frequently occurring vernal species, using species life-form strategies and species response curves. We also studied vernal species richness in respect to particular vegetation units. Using two data sets of permanent plots (Deciduous Forests and Dry Grasslands; each recorded in spring and summer), we tested whether partitions of spring releves have a higher similarity to partitions of summer releves if we exclude the vernal species. The same question was addressed using large data sets compiled from the CNPD. We found 21 frequent vernal species in forests and 36 in dry grasslands. Many of them are included in the Red List of the Czech Republic. Richest in vernal species were the phytosociological class of mesic and wet forests (Carpino-Fagetea), pioneer vegetation of the Koelerio-Corynephoretea and dry grassland vegetation of the Festuco-Brometea. When we excluded the vernal species before classification of spring releves, we got a significant increase in partition similarity of the summer data. We conclude that exclusion of vernal species helps to get more consistent and comparable results, except of data analyses focused on the spring period and vernal species as vegetation indicators. Application of intra-seasonal stratification might be a way to obtain more balanced data sets suitable for comparison, analyses and classification.

Goat pasturing—A biological solution to counteract shrub encroachment on abandoned dry grasslands in Central Europe?

Shrub encroachment is one of the main causes of dry grassland loss in Central Europe. Abandoned semi-natural grasslands are often overgrown by thorny or spiny shrubs. Such unpalatable shrubs have frequently established by selective foraging during periods with low grazing pressure, particularly if sheep herding was performed. Feeding behaviour and diet selection vary between different livestock species and especially browsing goats are increasingly recognized for preventing woody encroachment. However, little is known about the appropriate timing of the grazing regime and the selection of woody species on abandoned dry grasslands already dominated by thorny and spiny shrubs.We quantified the foraging behaviour of Boer goats by direct observation on three encroached paddocks in the lower Saale River valley (Central Germany), which were grazed yearly from spring to autumn with a high stocking rate (0.6–0.8 LU/ha/yr). Feeding activities, the proportion of browsed woody species and identity of the browsed species were recorded in five minute intervals during a total of 30days in spring and 30days in summer/autumn. Dry grassland vegetation and woody coverage were observed on grazed and ungrazed 25-m2 plots for seven years.Contrary to other studies on grazing animals, we found that goats frequently browsed on spiny or thorny shrub species, if these species exhibited a high share of the shrub coverage. Altogether we detected a significant relationship between the abundance of woody species and browsing time on the respective species. The goats tended to spend more time browsing in spring than in summer/autumn. As a result of the browsing activity, we observed a significant decrease of woody coverage within pastures from 69.8% to 37.4% over seven years, which was positively related to the frequency of typical and endangered dry grassland species. An opposite trend was recorded on ungrazed plots.Therefore, goat pasturing with high-stocking rates and an early start in spring can be an efficient method for improving shrub-encroached dry grasslands during the restoration phase.

Succession dynamics of vegetation in the Slovak Karst Biosphere Reserve Landscape (Western Carpathians)

Abstract The paper presents results acquired by an ecological analysis of vegetation succession on the field of the Slovak Karst in south-east Slovakia over the past 25 years. The data were collected on permanent research plots etsablished in 1983−1985 on the Plešivská Plateau (part of the Slovak Karst National Park and Biosphere Reserve). Changes in mesic and dry grassland vegetation of permanent field plots were evaluated in the same way both times according to the Central European method. Due to cessation of non-forest vegetationmanagement the majority, permanent plots isgradually overgrownby woody plants. Succession of vegetation runs faster on karst plateaux where the trees and shrubs invasion is accompanied by overgrowing of grassland vegetation with Brachypodium pinnatum and Calamagrostis epigejos, which are completly change their species composition. On the steep limestone slopes and karst rocky fields of the lower altitudes the secondary succession is ongoing slower and is subjected mainly to accumulation of soil. Succession of herb layer is firstly reflected in changes of species abundance and later in exchanges of dominant species and plant communities. It was also evaluated succession in two forest habitats. In the community Fagetum typicum was evaluated succession after the artificial spruce wind calamity.

Vegetation patterns of dry grasslands and rocky grounds on Vidlic Mountain (southeastern Serbia)

This paper studies vegetation patterns of dry grasslands and rocky grounds on the limestone terrain of Mt. Vidlic, which borders the southern edge of the Balkans Mountain in Serbia, known as Stara planina. Having conducted field research, we presented the obtained results in the form of a phytosociological table. Dry grassland and rocky ground vegetation belongs to the familiar alliances of Festucion valesiacae (Festuco-Brometea) and Seslerion rigidae (Festuco-Seslerietea). Phytosociological data were analyzed using cluster analysis and evaluation of biodiversity indices. The stands of dry grasslands and rocky grounds were classified according to their floristic composition. Altitude proved to be the major factor in their grouping by floristic similarity. In other words, there is an increase in biodiversity with an increasing altitude. The importance of dry grasslands and rocky grounds of Mt.Vidlic lies primarily in their role in erosion control, but their diversity makes them an important source of medicinal herbs and grazing land.

Dry Grasslands of Southern Europe: Syntaxonomy, Management and Conservation

Abstract The Mediterranean area is a natural biodiversity hotspot that has also been influenced by humans for millennia. Especially the grasslands of Southern Europe have long been known for their diversity and beauty. However, several gaps remain in our knowledge about these grasslands, e.g. for some regions such as the southern Balkans, or taxonomic groups such as cryptogams. Here we introduce a Special Issue with contributions from the 9th European Dry Grassland Group meeting held in Prespa, Greece, 2012. The topic of this meeting was “Dry grasslands of Europe: grazing and ecosystem services” with special focus on Southern European regions. The Special Issue, apart from this Editorial, consists of eight contributions arranged according to the three major topics: syntaxonomy (5 articles), management (2) and conservation (1). The classification papers include descriptions of four new associations and four subassociations. Data about management practices are provided as well. We conclude that dry grassland vegetation in Southern Europe exhibits transitions between different higher syntaxa and thus requires further studies at broader scales to allow better understanding at the supranational scale.