Vegetation changes in an abandoned montane grassland, compared to changes in a habitat with low-intensity sheep grazing – a case study in Styria, Austria

Abstract

In protected areas maintaining existing phytodiversity is an important conservation target. In this study we analysed the effects of abandonment on plant species composition and species richness over a period of nine years in a montane grassland in the Long-term Ecosystem Research (LTER) region Eisenwurzen (Styria, Austria). Additional investigations concerned the number of Red Data List species, plant strategy types, Ellenberg indicator values, indicator values for mowing, grazing and trampling tolerance, temporal sequence of phenological phases and seven plant traits. We differentiated two topography-related habitat types: an initially species-rich sheep pasture on a steep, south-facing slope and a less species-rich meadow on a flat site immediately below, with a comparatively higher nutrient and water supply in the topsoil. Testing a possible management alternative, the effects of continued low-intensity sheep grazing on the slope were also analysed. In spring 2001, one permanent plot of 50 m² was established in the centre of each habitat type and treatment. Our results show that the long-term effects of abandonment on grassland vegetation depend largely on local site conditions. Nutrient availability in the soil seems to be an especially important factor. On the abandoned flat site, floristic composition and physiognomy changed dramatically within four years; a high species turnover and a decline in phytodiversity could be observed. In contrast, we found only minor effects on the abandoned slope site even nine years after abandonment. If the maintenance of existing phytodiversity is a conservation target, suitable management operations have to be carried out at shorter intervals (at least every 3 years) in habitats with nutrient-rich soils than in nutrient-poor habitats (approx. 5 to 10 years). From a nature conservation point of view, low-intensity sheep grazing may be a suitable management alternative to mowing.

Ecological responses of semi-natural grasslands to abandonment: case studies in three mountain regions in the Eastern Alps

“…Vegetation changes due to abandonment Abandonment caused a marked decrease in species richness, Shannon-Index and evenness on all study sites, illustrating the importance of regular mowing for the maintenance of high plant species richness in seminatural grasslands (Ryser et al 1995;Bohner et al 2012). Our findings also suggested that the similarity in plant species composition between abandoned and adjacent managed grasslands decrease with increasing successional age.…”

“…Based on results from this study and in accordance with Table 6 Basic soil physical and chemical properties of the studied managed and abandoned grasslands. Mean values from two sampling dates in June and August 2015 other studies (Bohner et al 2012;Prévosto et al 2011), the following plant attributes appear to be important in grassland succession: tall stature, leaves evenly distributed along the erect stem (erosulate plants), broad leaves, competitive strategy, perennial life cycle, below-ground reserve organs (geophytes), vegetative propagation via rhizomes (rhizomatous species), scrambling life form (leaf tendrils), tolerance to low light availability at different stages.…”

Diversity of bumblebees, heteropteran bugs and grasshoppers maintained by both: abandonment and extensive management of mountain meadows in three regions across the Austrian and Swiss Alps

“…Mountain meadows were maintained for centuries by local farmers (Tappeiner and Cernusca 1993). Due to socioeconomic factors, a cessation of grassland management is taking place, especially on grassland with marginal agricultural value (Bohner et al 2012;Hinojosa et al 2016) such as extensively managed meadows in mountain regions. Changes in agriculture either by intensification or abandonment have resulted in a reduction of semi-natural grasslands in Europe (Baur et al 2006a;Graf et al 2014).…”

Ongoing changes at the long-term monitoring sites of Gurgler Kamm Biosphere Reserve, Tyrol, Austria

“…Recently, range shifts of species and migrations were reported by several revisitation studies from high altitudes in the Alps (Walther et al 2005;Pauli et al , 2012Erschbamer et al 2006Erschbamer et al , 2009Erschbamer et al , 2011Holzinger et al 2008;Gottfried et al 2012). Long-term observations are also necessary to record changes due to grazing cessation (Bohner et al 2012). It is well known that grazing cessation causes major alterations in vegetation structure, species composition and richness in the lowlands and in the montane zone (Altesor et al 2005;Pavlu et al 2007;Isselstein et al 2007;Bohner et al 2012).…”

“…Long-term observations are also necessary to record changes due to grazing cessation (Bohner et al 2012). It is well known that grazing cessation causes major alterations in vegetation structure, species composition and richness in the lowlands and in the montane zone (Altesor et al 2005;Pavlu et al 2007;Isselstein et al 2007;Bohner et al 2012). An increasing number of research projects also analysed grazing effects at higher altitudes (Schneiter 1997;Camenisch & Schütz 2000;Scheurer 2000;Kala et al 2002;Binkley et al 2003;Dullinger et al 2003;Buttolph & Coppock 2004;Jewell et al 2007;Miller et al 2010;Deléglise et al 2011).…”