Fen grassland vegetation under different land uses (Biebrza National Park, Poland)

Sienkiewicz-Paderewska, D.; Paderewski, Jakub; Suwara, I.; Kwasowski, Wojciech

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01188

Cited by 11 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Historically in Europe, such changes have been prevented by anthropogenic disturbances, such as hand mowing (Middleton et al, 2006; Rowell, 1986; Sienkiewicz‐Paderewska et al, 2020), litter and peat moss raking for bedding, or the creation of small pools for hemp retting or other purposes. These activities have now been largely abandoned, but they are sometimes successfully implemented as key components of habitat conservation strategies (Záleská et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Sphagnum removal reverse the undesired succession of rich fens under different alkalinity and fertility levels?

Singh

Hájková

Jiroušek

et al. 2022

Ecological Applications

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An undesired succession of rich fens leads to the formation of dense Sphagnum carpets that outcompete brown mosses and some vascular plants, resulting in biodiversity loss in fen habitats of high conservation importance. Small‐scale Sphagnum removal is a rarely implemented conservational measure, whose success may depend on soil alkalinity and fertility (i.e., nutrient availability). Therefore, characterizing the effects of pH and fertility levels would potentially allow for the development of better Sphagnum removal strategies. Two experiments were conducted across 24 rich fens of different alkalinity and fertility located in an area of ~32,000 km2 spanning from the Bohemian Massif to the Western Carpathians (Europe). We hypothesized that high alkalinity and low fertility support the restoration of rich fen vegetation after Sphagnum removal. Our study focused on four different Sphagnum groups. In Experiment 1, the treatment plots remained unfenced. In Experiment 2, the treatment plots were fenced off and target brown mosses were transplanted from the surroundings to overcome dispersal limitations. A repeated‐measures design was used, with vegetation composition recorded over a 5‐year period. High alkalinity rather than fertility facilitated species richness and the appearance of target brown mosses. High alkalinity generally hindered Sphagnum recovery, whereas high fertility supported the recurrence of S. teres and S. recurvum agg. Under high pH conditions, enhanced fertility further correlated with the spread of nonsphagnaceous generalist bryophytes of low conservation value. Despite sustaining a significant overall reduction, all Sphagnum taxa began to recover throughout the experiment, albeit less obviously in fens with S. warnstorfii. Sphagnum removal may reverse biodiversity loss and allow for the restoration of brown mosses in rich fens where Sphagnum cover had increased due to slight eutrophication, acidification, or a decrease in the water table. In alkaline and nutrient‐poor conditions (e.g., S. warnstorfii fens), the effect is evident and long lasting and the intervention may not be extensive. In fens dominated by S. teres or S. recurvum agg., repeated or large‐scale removal may be needed if high nutrient availability (potassium, phosphorus) or low alkalinity supports Sphagnum recolonization. Treatment plots with S. subgenus Sphagnum exhibited the least promising brown‐moss restoration prospects.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Sphagnum removal reverse the undesired succession of rich fens under different alkalinity and fertility levels?

Singh

Hájková

Jiroušek

et al. 2022

Ecological Applications

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“…High financial expenditure may result in farmers ceasing their production. A specific example is naturally valuable permanent grassland that is threatened by a land-use change, abandonment and afforestation [ 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ]. It is therefore essential to implement programmes that support farmers financially, at least for a certain period, which will compensate for keeping the area under extensive agricultural use, including under the organic system [ 80 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic Farming as an Alternative Maintenance Strategy in the Opinion of Farmers from Natura 2000 Areas

Pawlewicz

Gotkiewicz

Brodzińska

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Agricultural land accounts for approximately 40% of the total Natura 2000 (N2K) network area. Therefore, many habitats and species protected under the Habitats and Birds Directives are dependent on or linked to agricultural practices. This implies that sustaining agriculture of a high natural value is a priority in achieving the aim of halting the loss of biodiversity in the European Union (EU). However, extensive agriculture is unprofitable in many regions of the EU, which results in it being either abandoned or intensified in the absence of financial support. Hence, organic farming (OF), which is most often supported with public funds, can be an alternative to conventional agriculture in N2K areas. This article is an empirical study of the differences in perceiving the possibilities of farm functioning in a protected area (PA) by organic and conventional farm owners. It was examined whether this could be the actual path to improving farmers’ living conditions in the context of legal protection of naturally valuable areas. The study material comprises the results of a survey conducted at the turn of 2016 and 2017, which addressed a total of 292 farmers, including 152 organic farm operators and 140 conventional farm operators, whose areas under cultivation were located within the N2K “Dolina Biebrzy” (“Biebrza Valley”) PLH200008 area in Poland. For the analysis of the data collected using structured questionnaires, a variety of statistical methods and techniques were applied. The study results indicated that in terms of satisfaction with the economic performance of their farms, there is no major difference between the opinions expressed by organic and conventional farm owners. However, organic farming could be an alternative livelihood strategy from the environmental policy perspective.

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“…Furthermore, it is possible that grazing leads to higher nutrient levels in mires (Küchler et al, 2009), or initiates the loss of typical fen species (Sienkiewicz-Paderewska et al, 2020). Another controversy is whether cattle trampling is beneficial or damaging to mire vegetation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of grazing versus mowing on the vegetation of wet grasslands in the northern Pre‐Alps, Switzerland

Reutimann

Billeter

Dengler

2023

Applied Vegetation Science

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Question Wet grasslands are among the most threatened habitats in Central Europe and are subject to loss of their unique species assemblages. Grazing and mowing are important conservation management tools for such semi‐natural habitats. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the influence of grazing and mowing on the diversity and species composition of wet grassland vegetation. Location Montane wet grasslands in the Gantrisch Nature Park, Switzerland. Methods We sampled 18 pairs of vegetation plots along land‐use borders between grazing and mowing (fence‐line contrasts), distributed over six fens, mostly belonging to the phytosociological alliance Calthion palustris. We tested for differences in structural parameters, biodiversity indices, mean ecological indicator values and the frequency of individual species. In addition, a detrended correspondence analysis was carried out. Results Management type had no influence on species richness, Shannon index or Shannon evenness. Maximum microrelief, vegetation height, mean nutrient indicator value and mean competitive strategy were significantly higher with grazing, whereas the mean aeration indicator value and the mean ruderal strategy were significantly higher with mowing. Cirsium oleraceum, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale and Juncus effusus, species of nutrient‐rich wet meadows, were more frequent under grazing, whereas mowing favoured grassland species with wide ecological amplitude, such as Plantago lanceolata and Trifolium pratense. Conclusions At the plot scale, vascular plant diversity did not differ between these management regimes. Thus, from the conservation point of view, in the study region, there is no clear preference for either management type, and both should be eligible for subsidies. At the landscape scale, it is beneficial to have both management types present to ensure high gamma‐diversity, as they favour different species.

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Fen grassland vegetation under different land uses (Biebrza National Park, Poland)

Cited by 11 publications

References 47 publications

Can Sphagnum removal reverse the undesired succession of rich fens under different alkalinity and fertility levels?

Can Sphagnum removal reverse the undesired succession of rich fens under different alkalinity and fertility levels?

Organic Farming as an Alternative Maintenance Strategy in the Opinion of Farmers from Natura 2000 Areas

Effects of grazing versus mowing on the vegetation of wet grasslands in the northern Pre‐Alps, Switzerland

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