Effects of mowing, grazing and fertilization on soil seed banks in temperate grasslands in Central Europe

Klaus, Valentin H.; Schäfer, Deborah; Prati, Daniel; Busch, Verena; Hamer, Ute; Hoever, Christina J.; Kleinebecker, Till; Mertens, Désirée; Fischer, Markus; Hölzel, Norbert

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2017.11.008

Cited by 30 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…One study within our analysis observed grazing to promote seed dispersal of target species (Baasch et al, 2016). Grazers play an important role in the continuous removal of leaf litter and generate space for new recruitment (Lengyel et al, 2012; Török et al, 2018), which can promote species richness (Klaus et al, 2018; Towne, Hartnett, & Cochran, 2005). Germination of the native North American prairie grass, Nassella pulchra was enhanced by burning and sheep grazing (Dyer, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Forb cover was also observed to increase in Prairie grasslands when exposed to grazing from cattle and bison (Towne et al, 2005). Therefore, grazing intensities should be carefully managed to suit a particular system, particularly during drought periods to promote competition from native perennial grasses (Klaus et al, 2018), and resting paddocks from grazing when natives are emerging, particularly if herbage is sparse, could improve their establishment and survival (Clarke & Davison, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Weed management for landscape scale restoration of global temperate grasslands

et al. 2020

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Globally, temperate grasslands have been significantly degraded as a result of urbanisation, grazing and agriculture. Weeds now dominate most of these ecosystems, resulting in the loss of ecosystem services, reduced carrying capacity for farmers, and reduction of habitat for native plants and animals. This paper reviews the literature relating to temperate grassland restoration efforts across the globe, noting which techniques and combinations have been used successfully to reduce weed dominance and promote native recruitment and establishment. This review concludes that, using a combination of four restoration techniques, provided the highest level of success, with the caveat that, ongoing weed management should be budgeted for in all projects. There is no single optimal method for restoration and weed control, with success depending on specific site conditions and the scope and aims of particular projects. However, any form of target plant transfer was observed to significantly enhance the restoration's success and reduce exotic plant biomass. There is clearly a need for an increase in long‐term monitoring of restoration projects in order to make more confident assumptions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weed management for landscape scale restoration of global temperate grasslands

et al. 2020

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“…Seeds in soil seed banks are composed of the legacies of past vegetation, the present standing species and the dispersed seeds from adjacent communities. Thus, land use history, landscape traits, management regimes, disturbance intensity, standing vegetation type, and seed traits are all potential factors that influence the soil seed bank species composition and density (Bossuyt & Hermy 2001; Andreasen et al 2018; Klaus et al 2018). Seed size generally can influence seed longevity, seed predation, seed dispersal, and the number of seeds that can be produced with a given amount of energy (Gómez 2004; Moles & Westoby 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil seed bank in different vegetation types in the Loess Plateau region and its role in vegetation restoration

Wang

Zhao

et al. 2020

Restoration Ecology

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In the Loess Plateau region, soil erosion is a serious problem. Vegetation restoration is an effective approach to control soil erosion and improve ecosystems. The soil seed bank generally plays an important role in vegetation restoration after disturbance. Thus, we reviewed soil seed bank studies to reveal the soil seed bank characteristics and its role in vegetation restoration in three vegetation types (forest, forest-steppe, and steppe). We selected 38 seed bank studies and analyzed several seed bank characteristics, such as seed density, species composition, and the relationship between seed size and seed bank. We also assessed the role of the soil seed bank in vegetation restoration. The soil seed bank density ranged from 2,331 AE 1,993 to 6,985 AE 4,047 seeds/m 2 among the different vegetation types. In the soil seed bank, perennial herbs and grasses accounted for 51.5% of the total species. Native species that were dominant or common in the standing vegetation usually had relatively high seed bank densities. Moreover, species with smaller seeds generally had higher soil seed bank densities. The present study indicates that the soil seed bank plays a significant role in spontaneous vegetation restoration, especially during the early successional stages in abandoned slope farmlands and grazing-excluded grasslands. However, species with large seeds or transient soil seed banks should be reintroduced through seeding to accelerate target species restoration. More studies on soil seed banks need to be conducted to comprehensively reveal their characteristics.

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“…Furthermore, we found that grazing management increased the number of species in the seed bank and tended to homogenise the species composition between restored and remnant grasslands. A higher number of species, and thus an increased seed diversity in the vegetation in grazed grasslands, means more seeds which can potentially contribute to the seed bank, as long as grazing is not overly intensive so seed may set, and the disturbance and trampling activity of livestock may help these seeds to get integrated into the soil through gaps created on the surface (Jacquemyn et al, 2011; Klaus et al, 2018). Hence, long‐term regular grazing may help create a positive feedback loop through which species are more able to establish initially in gaps created (either via spatial dispersal or from the soil seed bank) and are subsequently more able to regenerate from a more diverse seed bank.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Grubbing, trampling or wallowing creates vital microsites in which dispersed seeds can germinate and possibly establish (Eriksson and Ehrlén, 1992; Pakeman and Small, 2005). These activities can also help seeds to integrate into the soil and to build up a persistent seed bank (Faust et al, 2011; Klaus et al, 2018). Grazing therefore leads to higher species diversity in both the vegetation and the seed bank communities, which enhances the resilience of grasslands.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazing livestock increases both vegetation and seed bank diversity in remnant and restored grasslands

Kapás

Plue

Kimberley

et al. 2020

J Vegetation Science

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Questions Restoring grasslands is of great importance to biodiversity conservation to counteract widespread, ongoing losses of plant species diversity. Using source populations in remnant habitats and increasing functional connectivity mediated by grazing animals within and between habitats can benefit grassland restoration efforts. Here we investigate how grazing contributes to vegetation and seed bank diversity and composition in remnant and restored grassland communities in fragmented landscapes. Location Stockholm archipelago, Sweden. Methods We investigated the effects of the presence or absence of grazing animals as potential elements of functional connectivity on grassland species composition in both the vegetation layer and in the seed bank. Species inventory and seed bank sampling were carried out in 2 m × 2 m plots in remnant grassland habitats and adjacent restored grasslands on former arable fields. Results Species composition varied between remnant and restored grasslands, with management‐dependent species more common in remnant grasslands. Remnant habitats with active grazing management contained a higher number of species in both the vegetation and seed bank compared to restored grasslands, but grazing reduced dispersal limitation from higher distance to source populations for specialist species. Where grazing was absent fewer plant species occurred in both the vegetation and in the seed bank. Conclusion Our results show that grazing livestock play a key role in facilitating both spatial and temporal dispersal in fragmented grasslands. This results in increased species diversity in the vegetation and the seed bank of grazed grasslands compared to those maintained by mowing only. Functional connectivity provided by grazing management increases the possibility for species establishment from both the below‐ground seed bank and the surrounding landscape, thus increasing the resilience of plant communities against disturbances or climatic changes.

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Effects of mowing, grazing and fertilization on soil seed banks in temperate grasslands in Central Europe

Cited by 30 publications

References 42 publications

Weed management for landscape scale restoration of global temperate grasslands

Weed management for landscape scale restoration of global temperate grasslands

Soil seed bank in different vegetation types in the Loess Plateau region and its role in vegetation restoration

Grazing livestock increases both vegetation and seed bank diversity in remnant and restored grasslands

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