Effects of topsoil removal, seed transfer with plants material and moderate grazing on restoration of riparian fen grasslands
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Authors: L. Rasran, K. Vogt, and K. Jensen
Date: 2007
Journal: Applied Vegetation Science
Volume: 10
Number: 3
Pages: 451-460
Summary of Methods: The effects of moderate grazing, topsoil removal and hay transfer on species diversity and abundance on a eutrophic fen grassland site in northern Germany of Schleswigös-Holstein (54° 13' N, 10° 01' E) within the Eider Valley pasture landscape were examined. Vegetation monitoring spanned four growing seasons from 2002 to 2005 where species occurrence was designated as target species or dominant species and further assigned to five ecological groups. Groundwater and soil properties were also taken into consideration as one of the four blocks remained nearly inundated by the high water table. Soils nutrient analysis was conducted in addition to monitoring light conditions at a predetermined height. Soil seed bank samples were taken within all four blocks following the removal of topsoil and were analyzed over a period of one year for seedling emergence.
Article Summary / Main Points: The re-establishment of traditional land use management alone is often inadequate for restoring species diversity by target species after they become locally extinct. Removal of nutrient-rich topsoil i.e. a reduction in soil fertility led to reduce competition by dominant vegetation. The combination of topsoil removal and hay transfer led to a significant increase of target species richness and frequency in riparian fen grasslands. Short-term grazing showed to significantly increase the cumulative frequency and richness of wet meadow species, but should be implemented as a long-term management tool. In riparian restoration projects, areas treated with hay transfer can act as sources for further colonization by target species. Hay transfer from species rich areas should be timed with target species seed and rain to improve regeneration success along with seed bank deposition.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Grazing Riparian zones Seed dispersal
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: grazing, colonization, dispersal, hay transfer, peat, seed bank, seed limitation, species-rich hay material, three-factorial field experiment, topsoil removal, riparian area, seed transfer
Annotation: This study could be used as a potential reference when conducting riparian restorations on areas that exhibit excessive soil nutrient concentrations that favor dominate native and exotic species. Also, this study illustrates that topsoil removal in this particular environment is beneficial; however, topsoil removal to enhance restoration success in semi-arid environments is generally not advisable.
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