Species-rich Hay Meadows Research Articles

Functional rarity of plants in German hay meadows - Patterns on the species level and mismatches with community species richness.

Functional rarity (FR) — a feature combining a species' rarity with the distinctiveness of its traits — is a promising tool to better understand the ecological importance of rare species and consequently to protect functional diversity more efficiently. However, we lack a systematic understanding of FR on both the species level (which species are functionally rare and why) and the community level (how is FR associated with biodiversity and environmental conditions). Here, we quantify FR for 218 plant species from German hay meadows on a local, regional, and national scale by combining data from 6500 vegetation relevés and 15 ecologically relevant traits. We investigate the association between rarity and trait distinctiveness on different spatial scales via correlation measures and show which traits lead to low or high trait distinctiveness via distance‐based redundancy analysis. We test how species richness and FR are correlated, and use boosted regression trees to determine environmental conditions that are driving species richness and FR. On the local scale, only rare species showed high trait distinctiveness while on larger spatial scales rare and common species showed high trait distinctiveness. As infrequent trait attributes (e.g., legumes, low clonality) led to higher trait distinctiveness, we argue that functionally rare species are either specialists or transients. While specialists occupy a particular niche in hay meadows leading to lower rarity on larger spatial scales, transients display distinct but maladaptive traits resulting in high rarity across all spatial scales. More functionally rare species than expected by chance occurred in species‐poor communities indicating that they prefer environmental conditions differing from characteristic conditions of species‐rich hay meadows. Finally, we argue that functionally rare species are not necessarily relevant for nature conservation because many were transients from surrounding habitats. However, FR can facilitate our understanding of why species are rare in a habitat and under which conditions these species occur.

Genetic Variation of Typical Plant Species in Hay Meadows: The Effect of Land Use History, Landscape Structure, and Habitat Quality

Global changes in land use are threatening the diversity of many ecosystems on both the intra- and interspecific levels. Among these ecosystems are the species-rich hay meadows, which have drastically declined in quality and quantity, due to land use intensification or abandonment in recent decades. The remaining genetic resources of their plant species must therefore be protected. To determine the driving forces impacting genetic variation in common hay meadow species (Dactylis glomerata, Heracleum sphondylium, andTrifolium pratense), we used data on the land use history, historic and present landscape structure and habitat quality. Our results showed average genetic diversity within the study sites, with low differentiation levels and a high gene flow among grasslands. Land use history, landscape structure and habitat quality were found to be related to the distribution of genetic diversity in the studied species, highlighting the complex forces acting in these ecosystems and showing the specific impact of litter accumulation on genetic diversity. Both historic and current environmental variables influence genetic diversity, demonstrating the importance of the land use history of a habitat. The most important group of variables impacting genetic variation in all three species was the landscape structure (e.g., distance to the nearest-located urban area or grassland). Also important was the influence of litter cover on genetic diversity inD. glomerata, which provides an interesting starting point for further research.

Harvest Time Determines Quality and Usability of Biomass from Lowland Hay Meadows

Species-rich hay meadows are usually managed extensively to maintain their biodiversity, with the harvested biomass traditionally being fed to ruminants for milk or meat production. The quality of the biomass is, however, variable, difficult to predict and often does not fulfil today’s requirements. This study established a field trial at two species-rich hay meadows to investigate the combined effect of fertilisation (none, phosphorus and potassium (PK), nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK)) and date of first cut (at different phenological stages) on biomass quality and quantity. In addition, the most suitable uses of the biomass were explored, including the alternatives biogas and combustion. After four years of the field trial, the stage of maturity at the time of first cut had a greater influence than extensive fertilisation on biomass quality. Dry matter yield (DMY) of the first cut was about 40%–60% of annual DMY (53.99 ± 12.51 dt ha−1 a−1) depending on site, fertilisation and harvest time. Fertilisation had a stronger effect than harvest time on DMY and annual methane yield. In most cases, there was no significant difference in chemical composition between biomass harvested at the end of the grass-flowering stage and at the seed-ripening stage. Thus, a late cut for hay proved to be the most flexible option.

Management effects on botanical composition of species-rich meadows within the Natura 2000 network

Species-rich hay meadows have evolved through traditional management. They are important habitats for plant and animal species and therefore protected by the EU Habitats Directive. The maintenance of these meadows requires regular cutting, but this can only be guaranteed if farmers benefit in some way. Both agricultural productivity and botanical composition are fundamentally affected by management practices. For this reason, a management that balances productivity and conservation goals is necessary. The purpose of this study is to determine the site-specific influence of extensive fertilisation and date of first cut on the botanical composition of species-rich hay meadows. Three fertilisation variants (none, PK and NPK) and four cutting-date variants (based on phenological stage: first cut before, at beginning of, at end of and after flowering of main grasses) were tested on lowland hay meadows at two sites. However, after the 3 years of the trial, the date of first cut had still not significantly influenced botanical composition at the first site. By contrast, annual fertilisation was found to have a significant effect on botanical composition. The conservation status of the species-rich meadows was downgraded (grades given according to assessment parameters) mainly through the application of NPK fertiliser (35 kg P2O5, 120 kg K2O and 35 kg N ha−1) each year. At one site, cutting before flowering led to declining proportions of annuals and biennials. Surprisingly, at the other site, the date of first cut had still not significantly influenced botanical composition by the end of the 3-year trial.

Niche construction, entanglement and landscape domestication in Scandinavian infield systems

Domesticated landscapes are formed by complex social and ecological interactions. We study present-day remnants of species-rich hay meadows and pastures in Scandinavia, with historical roots in former ‘infield systems’, initially developed during the first centuries AD and maintained until the modernisation of agriculture during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Infield systems include infields, enclosed areas near farms incorporating hay meadows and crop fields, and surrounding outlying land used mainly for grazing. We interpret the development of Scandinavian infield systems and their relationship to vegetation and human culture using concepts of niche construction and entanglement. A key issue revolves around spatio-temporal stabilisation of managed grasslands, in turn related to a complex of interactions between cultural development (e.g. perceptions of land ownership and management practices) and ecological patterns (e.g. species richness). We propose that niche construction and entanglement are useful concepts bridging studies in social history and ecology, and for developing conservation programmes in cultural landscapes.

Land-use abandonment owing to irrigation cessation affects the biodiversity of hay meadows in an arid mountain region

In arid regions, irrigation is required to secure agricultural production including the production of hay. The Valais, a dry inner alpine valley of Switzerland, has a long tradition of meadow irrigation. However, in the 20th century irrigation was stopped on marginal, poorly accessible areas usually accompanied by the entire abandonment of these meadows. The aim of this study was to examine the consequences of land-use abandonment resulting from the cessation of irrigation for the biodiversity of species-rich hay meadows in the Valais. We compared soil characteristics and species richness and composition, habitat specificity and functional traits of plants and gastropods of three serial stages of succession (each five hay meadows, early abandoned meadows and young forests). Soil moisture was lower in young forests than in the other two stages. Soil nitrogen content decreased following abandonment, which was due to the cessation of fertilization. The three successional stages did not differ in plant species richness but harboured distinct plant communities. Gastropod richness increased with progressive succession and species composition of hay meadows differed from those of the two other stages. The proportion of grassland (plants) and open-land (gastropods) species decreased following abandonment. Furthermore, meadow abandonment led to an increase in the height of non-woody plant species, a later start of seed shedding, a change in the type of plant reproduction and an increase in the shell size of gastropods. In conclusion, this study showed that extensive land-use, which is strongly linked to irrigation, is required for the characteristic species-rich hay meadows of this arid mountain region.

Effects of different irrigation systems on the biodiversity of species-rich hay meadows

The maintenance of traditional management practices is essential for the conservation of the biodiversity of semi-natural grasslands including species-rich hay meadows. In the canton Valais (Switzerland), hay meadows are traditionally irrigated using open water channels. However, since the 1980s, this labour intensive irrigation technique has been increasingly replaced by sprinkler irrigation. This study examined whether the different irrigation techniques (traditional vs. sprinkler) influence the local biodiversity of species-rich hay meadows. In particular, the diversity and composition of plant and gastropod species of eight traditionally irrigated meadows were compared with those of eight sprinkler-irrigated meadows. It was also assessed whether the species of either meadow type differed in functional traits. A high plant species richness was found in the meadows investigated. The study showed that the diversity and composition of plant and gastropod species of hay meadows were not affected by the change in irrigation technique 8–18 years ago. However, a lower grass/forb-ratio was observed in traditionally than in sprinkler-irrigated meadows. Furthermore, irrigation technique affected the leaf distribution and the onset of seed shedding in plants. Thus, the change in the irrigation technique altered only some aspects of biodiversity. Therefore, irrigation system alone does not represent the major factor affecting the biodiversity of hay meadows investigated.

Assessing long-term land-use legacies in subalpine grasslands by using a plant trait-based generic modelling framework

Background: In European mountains, where semi-natural grasslands have high cultural and nature conservation value, land-use legacies from past ploughing are associated with distinct floristic compositions and ecosystem properties. It remains unknown if these differences are stable or if post-arable grasslands are only transient states that eventually follow a predictable successional pathway. Aims: We use a generic vegetation dynamics model based on plant traits to test these alternative hypotheses in subalpine grasslands of the central French Alps. Methods: We classified dominant graminoids into trait-based Plant Functional Types (PFTs) and simulated their long-term response to fertility, annual mowing and past ploughing. Results: Simulations demonstrated that a temporary dispersal limitation of long-lived tussock grasses could have allowed species-rich hay meadows to develop as alternative communities. We also show that when they are regularly mown, meadows are resistant to colonisation by long-lived tussock grasses. Conclusions: Our results thus support traditional management based on regular mowing, but also highlight the key role of landscape history through its effects on dispersal. Our study also demonstrates the usefulness of easy-to-measure plant traits and a widely applicable generic modelling framework for testing hypotheses on the long-term interactions of multiple drivers of vegetation dynamics.

Available soil phosphorus in semi-natural grasslands: Assessment methods and community tolerances

Restoration of diverse semi-natural grasslands is potentially limited by high availability of soil phosphorus (P). Successful targeting of restoration effort requires a knowledge of plant community tolerances to soil P availability. Many extraction methods for P availability have been developed but most are calibrated against the growth and P uptake of crop species grown in monoculture. To test which methods are most suitable for measuring available P in soils of mesotrophic grasslands, a bioassay experiment was undertaken to compare seven extraction methods with the growth and P uptake of grassland species. Five species were grown together on a soil treated to create a range of conditions of pH, mycorrhizal infection and P availability. Olsen P and Bray P were found to be significantly correlated with P uptake in plant growth across the range of soil treatments whilst ion exchange membrane P and resin P were significantly correlated with P uptake in plant growth in all but the calcareous soils. The acid extractions of Truog, acetic acid and EDTA–ammonium acetate were found to be less correlated with P uptake in plant growth. All extraction methods correlated more strongly with P uptake in the sterilised treatments than in those inoculated with mycorrhizal spores. The method of Olsen was therefore selected to analyse P availability in soils supporting a range of mesotrophic grassland communities from eleven sites across England. At each sampling location, the species composition of the vegetation was assessed and classified using the British National Vegetation Classification (NVC). Species-rich hay meadows across a range of alliances were found to occur on soils with low phosphorus availability. Species-poor communities, such as inundation grassland, were found to occur on soils with higher phosphorus availability. Pasture communities, of intermediate species richness, tended to occur on soils of intermediate phosphorus availability. Olsen’s method of P extraction is recommended for analysing soils of areas identified for habitat creation; values of less than 10 mg kg −1 will give the greatest potential for the restoration of species-rich mesotrophic grassland.

Thick moss layers and high cover of grasses: Potential threats to herb diversity in hay meadows in Norway

In an old, species-rich hay meadow in Varaldsøy in Hardanger, the only known remaining managed site of its kind in West Norway, the moss layer is increasing in thickness in some places. Thick moss is associated with a high cover of monocotyledons, while a low cover of monocotyledons is associated with high numbers of herbs, including vulnerable species, which mainly occur in herb-rich areas. The increase in moss is probably caused by a reduction in both traditional means of moss removal and in sheep trampling and it may represent a potential threat to plant species diversity in traditionally managed hay meadows in the region. In order to increase the area of open, species-rich hay meadows, and thus the potential population sizes for indicator species of traditional management, increased grazing intensity (back to traditional levels) and removal of mosses during haymaking is recommended. The study demonstrates that, for conservation purposes, it is not easy to replicate past conditions unless the details of traditional management practices are known and understood, and these are now passing from general knowledge.

Effects of local factors on plant species richness and composition of Alpine meadows

The determinants of plant species richness and composition of meadows are often mutually related, showing joint effects on plant diversity. Thus, the specific objective of this paper was to evaluate the relative importance of soil, topography, and field management explanatory variables on plant species richness and composition of mown meadows in an area of the Southern Alps. The data consisted of 159 taxa sampled during the summer of 2003 in 56 10 × 10 m2 sampling plots. For each plot, 25 explanatory variables were recorded. The variation in species richness and composition was divided into the three sets of explanatory variables using a variation partitioning method. Species richness was mostly controlled both by the short-term effect of nitrogen fertilisation, and, as stressed by studies in other landscape contexts in Europe, by the long-term effect of soil phosphorus accumulation. The decrease of plant species number on the most fertile meadows was the consequence of the dominance of few competitors or ruderals, which prevented the establishment of small stress-tolerant species. In contrast to species richness, plant species composition presented an important pure effect of topography (altitude and slope). Species composition depended on several topography, soil, and field management factors. Thus, for both conservation and restoration of species-rich hay meadows, it is necessary to maintain a low level of soil P content, and to prevent the abandonment of parcels on steep slopes and in marginal areas, because these hosted the highest level of plant diversity.

Species introduction through seeds from an old, species-rich hay meadow: Effects of management

Abstract. A local seed mixture from plants growing in a species-rich, traditionally managed hay meadow site at Varaldsoy, Hardanger, western Norway, where many endangered hay meadow species of the region are growing, was sown in a newly harrowed experimental field 1 km from the source meadow in order to increase the habitat area for the endangered species. Of 25 endangered species recorded in the source meadow, only one (Holcus lanatus) was present in the target meadow. After sowing, 16 of the endangered species in addition to Holcus lanatus were recorded in the new site. Six species were only present in sown plots and seven others were more frequent there, while three species might have arrived by chance or originated from the seed bank. Replacing the traditional management regime, including one late cut and grazing in spring and in autumn, with three cutting times and the creation of gaps in the sward, resulted in a higher number of endangered species in plots which were only cut, possibly because the grazing was too intensive in the small enclosures.

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

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.

Application of the British National Vegetation Classification to the communities of the Park Grass Experiment through time

The Park Grass Experiment at Rothamsted consists of a series of fertilizer treatments which have been applied to a species-rich hay meadow annually since 1856. Detailed botanical analyses of the plots between 1862 and 1992 were classified to one of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) communities using the similarity measured by Czekanowski coefficient using computer program MATCH. Results indicated that “control” unfertilized plots were a relatively stableCynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra dicotyledon-rich grassland. However mineral fertilized plots moved towards a species-richArrhenatherum elatius grassland MG1e after 50–80 years and remained there. Plots receiving nitrogen fertilizer moved first to MG1e then on to aLolium perenne-Alopecurus pratensis grassland MG7D. Perhaps the most interesting plot was one which received a low rate of the soil acidifying ammonium sulphate fertilizer; the species composition changed towards a MG7D (Lolium perenne-Alopecurus pratensis) community between 1856 and 1903 but since then a liming treatment has been applied to part of the plot and the species composition on that part has recovered to a MG5 community resembling the control plots, taking 70–90 years to do so.

The Effects of Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus Addition on the Vegetation of a Somerset Peat Moor Under Cutting Management

1. A range of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer treatments was applied for 4 years in a randomized block experiment to a species-rich hay meadow on peat soil, within the Somerset Moors and Levels Environmentally Sensitive Area. 2. The percentage composition of each species present was recorded in May and October each year on plots cut for hay, followed by further cuts of aftermath growth. The effects on species richness, diversity and dominance were analysed, and ordination techniques were used to investigate the effects of fertilizers on plant community composition. Data for mean annual biomass production are also presented. 3. Botanical results were compared with those of a concurrent experiment where aftermath growth was grazed. 4. P was more important than N in determining both biomass production and botanical change. In both cases, the effects were small when substantial amounts of N and K were applied without P, but when high rates of P were included biomass increased very significantly and species diversity was severely reduced, with Holcus lanatus, Rumex acetosa and Lolium perenne dominating. 5. Lolium perenne was not increased by N and modest rates of P in the absence of aftermath grazing, but dominated all fertilized plots when aftermath grazing was maintained. Agrostis canina came to dominate plots receiving 200 kg ha -1 of N with modest rates of P and K in the absence of aftermath grazing, but was negatively associated with N where the aftermath was grazed. 6. Trifolium pratense became very abundant where P and K were applied with nil or 25 kg ha -1 of N each year, both with and without aftermath grazing, but all legumes were suppressed at high rates of N, particularly in conjunction with high P. 7. Substantial botanical change occurred on unfertilized plots as a result of the cessation of aftermath grazing. These plots became dominated by Plantago lanceolata, with significant increases in Leontodon hispidus and L. autumnalis.

Application of the British national vegetation classification to the communities of the park grass experiment through time

The Park Grass Experiment at Rothamsted consists of a series of fertilizer treatments which have been applied to a species-rich hay meadow annually since 1856. Detailed botanical analyses of the plots between 1862 and 1992 were classified to one of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) communities using the similarity measured by Czekanowski coefficient using computer program MATCH. Results indicated that “control” unfertilized plots were a relatively stableCynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra dicotyledon-rich grassland. However mineral fertilized plots moved towards a species-richArrhenatherum elatius grassland MG1e after 50–80 years and remained there. Plots receiving nitrogen fertilizer moved first to MG1e then on to aLolium perenne-Alopecurus pratensis grassland MG7D. Perhaps the most interesting plot was one which received a low rate of the soil acidifying ammonium sulphate fertilizer; the species composition changed towards a MG7D (Lolium perenne-Alopecurus pratensis) community between 1856 and 1903 but since then a liming treatment has been applied to part of the plot and the species composition on that part has recovered to a MG5 community resembling the control plots, taking 70–90 years to do so.

Continuous, R-F induction selective hardening equipment

Restoration of diverse semi-natural grasslands is potentially limited by high availability of soil phosphorus (P). Successful targeting of restoration effort requires a knowledge of plant community tolerances to soil P availability. Many extraction methods for P availability have been developed but most are calibrated against the growth and P uptake of crop species grown in monoculture.To test which methods are most suitable for measuring available P in soils of mesotrophic grasslands, a bioassay experiment was undertaken to compare seven extraction methods with the growth and P uptake of grassland species. Five species were grown together on a soil treated to create a range of conditions of pH, mycorrhizal infection and P availability.Olsen P and Bray P were found to be significantly correlated with P uptake in plant growth across the range of soil treatments whilst ion exchange membrane P and resin P were significantly correlated with P uptake in plant growth in all but the calcareous soils. The acid extractions of Truog, acetic acid and EDTA–ammonium acetate were found to be less correlated with P uptake in plant growth. All extraction methods correlated more strongly with P uptake in the sterilised treatments than in those inoculated with mycorrhizal spores.The method of Olsen was therefore selected to analyse P availability in soils supporting a range of mesotrophic grassland communities from eleven sites across England. At each sampling location, the species composition of the vegetation was assessed and classified using the British National Vegetation Classification (NVC). Species-rich hay meadows across a range of alliances were found to occur on soils with low phosphorus availability. Species-poor communities, such as inundation grassland, were found to occur on soils with higher phosphorus availability. Pasture communities, of intermediate species richness, tended to occur on soils of intermediate phosphorus availability.Olsen’s method of P extraction is recommended for analysing soils of areas identified for habitat creation; values of less than 10 mg kg−1 will give the greatest potential for the restoration of species-rich mesotrophic grassland.