Change of Composition and Diversity of Species and Grassland Management Between Different Grazing Intensity in Pannonian Dry and Wet Grasslands

Abstract

+36-76-517-613, fax: +36-76-517-601) 2 Szent István University, Department of Natural Conservation and Landscape Ecology H-2103 Gödöllő, Páter Károly u. 1. (phone: +36-28-410-200; fax: +36-28-410-804) Abstract. Investigations were carried out in wet and dry pasture. Coenological recordings were taken in three zones. The first zone ("A") located 0-50 m near the stable, second zone ("B") located 50-150 m from the stable, while the third zone ("C") located farther than 150 m. We have carried out analyses of ecological and environmental factors and life form types. Based on our results for both dry and wet grasslands, quadrates of "A" zone were well isolated from the rest of the zones. Overgrazing, which involves considerable trampling, vanishes differences among vegetations, thereby promotes weed and disturbance tolerant rich vegetation. The lowest species number and diversity could be found here. Due to the nitrogen enrichment due to the constant presence of livestock, drier and less heat demanding habitat developed in the "A" zones, according to the environmental indicators. Because of the change in management, conservation and diversity values of "C" zone increased, however, according to nature protection values it underperformed compared to "B" zone. According to the sample area, wet grasslands from the sandy areas of Kiskunság, preserve nature protection values and grass composition better moving away from stables, due to less grazing pressure. Drier backgrounds tolerate stronger grazing pressure.

The Impact of the Lesser Blind Mole Rat [ Nannospalax ( Superspecies Leucodon )] on the Species Composition and Diversity of a Loess Steppe in Hungary

“…To maintain the high diversity of dry grasslands, in particular loess steppes, it is essential to ensure proper management mainly by grazing and mowing (Illyés and Bölöni, 2007;Kiss et al, 2011). Grazing and other natural disturbances help for sustaining high diversity (Olff and Ritchie, 1998;Hickman et al, 2004).…”

Grazed Pannonian grassland beta-diversity changes due to C4 yellow bluestem

“…Marginal and transitional habitats are especially vulnerable to threatening factors [5,6]. In the Pannonian biogeographical region most of the natural and seminatural grasslands have been maintained in dry, nutrient poor environments or in secondary habitats after forest clearing and cropland abandonment [7][8][9][10].…”

Impact of the Occurrence of Taraxacum Officinale F.H.WIGG. On Floristic Diversity and Utilisation Values of Meadow-Pasture Communities

“…7, which confirms that an increasing share of dandelion in the sward is positively correlated with values of R and N. In turn, an increase in the share of Taraxacum officinale is accompanied by a greater share of segetal and ruderal species, which is connected with a greater insolation of the area. These factors contribute to the poorer floristic structure of phytocoenoses, as manifested by a lower number of recorded species (Kiss et al 2011;Beck et al 2014). It needs to be stressed that the absence of dandelion in the sward is frequently connected with a greater share of species representing the class of Phragmitetea, and thus greater natural values.…”