Exotic plant species that spread into natural and seminatural plant communities are a serious threat to native species and affect the structure and dynamics of the vegetation [1]. The majority of invasive plant species are strong competitors that displace native species, decrease biodiversity, and alter ecosystem services [2][3].Traditional grasslands in Europe include some of the most species-rich habitats and richest soil biodiversity. A grassland provides a range of ecosystem services, from meat and dairy products to recreational and tourism opportunities, and also creates a considerable carbon sink. More than 80% of semi-natural grasslands have been Pol. J. Environ. Stud. Vol. 26, No. 3 (2017), [1251][1252][1253][1254][1255][1256][1257][1258] *e-mail: sebastian.swierszcz@upwr.edu.pl DOI: 10.15244/pjoes/67338 Original Research
Comparison of methods for restoring meadowsInvaded by Solidago species
AbstractSemi-natural meadows are valuable for maintaining biodiversity and providing a range of ecosystem services. The majority of these communities are protected by the European Natura 2000 system. However, grasslands are threatened by invasions by alien species, particularly Solidago spp. The invaders should be eradicated because of their negative impact on biodiversity, the environment, and the economy. A field experiment was conducted to compare the effect of different treatments (scalping, rototilling, and use of herbicide) on restoration of a meadow seriously invaded by Solidago spp. Fresh hay was transferred to the experimental plots to provide target meadow species seeds. Significant differences in species composition and coverage were detected between the herbicide-treated and plots that received other treatments and between the use of a rototiller and the control. Applying the herbicide glyphosate quickly reduced the cover of Solidago spp. (0.5±0.4%) and increased target species cover (84.8±13.6%). The Solidago spp. cover rates were 79.5±17.1% and 65±31.4% when scalping and rototilling were used, respectively, whereas the target species cover rates were 25.8±16% and 30±15.8%, respectively. The sward that grew after applying glyphosate had the highest forage value and resistance to cutting. These results show that short-term eradication of invasive Solidago spp. and restoration of a meadow are possible using glyphosate. However, use of a herbicide may have a negative impact on the environment and native species.Keywords: invasive species, semi-natural meadows, species composition, hay transfer, restoration 1252 Świerszcz S., et al. lost in the last 100 years due to intensified production or abandonment. A large number of grassland species have declined or become extinct [4][5][6][7]. Therefore, many semi-natural grasslands in the pan-European Nature 2000 network are protected, as specified in Annex I of the Habitat Directive. Despite this protection, the effects of abandoning agriculture remain visible in Central and Eastern Europe. It is an effect of the collapse of the socialist regime in the early...