Restoration of a species‐rich meadow on arable land by transferring meadow blocks

Question: Does transplantation of small blocks of turfs contribute to restoration of species‐rich meadows on fallow land? What is the role of vegetative spread and seedling establishment of meadow plants in the neighbourhood of the transplanted turfs? Location: Bílé Karpaty Mountains, SE Czech Republic. Methods: Twenty‐five meadow blocks, 0.4 m × 0.4 m in size, were transplanted to fallow land (unfertile and dry) and species composition was monitored in the source area, in the transferred turfs and in their neighbourhood for 3 yr. Multivariate analyses were used to assess successional trends. Results: The transferred meadow blocks served as a source of diaspores for the seed‐limited fallow land. Out of 80 transplanted species 17 species spread to adjacent plots within 3 yr. The frequency of plants expanding from the transferred turfs, either vegetatively or by seeds, was relatively low and from 2002 to 2004 a total of 22 species declined in the transferred turfs before expanding to the neighbourhood. Successional trends in species composition of the plots adjacent to the transferred blocks were strongly significant compared with the vegetation of the source area despite the short‐term data used for the evaluation. The role of the seed bank in restoration was negligible. Conclusions: In infertile and dry environments, transplanted turfs may significantly speed up restoration, especially if natural sources of target plant seeds are not available in the neighbourhood. However, the restoration process is long‐term and not all transferred plants can be expected to establish in the fallow land.     

Classification of meadow vegetation in the USSR

The scientific classification of meadow vegetation (mesophilous grasslands) was already available in the 1930's due to A. P. Shennikov who suggested to apply new classification principles, on the basis of species dominance. This classification became subjected to criticism, as the criteria proposed did not correspond to the nature of the classification object and as meadow community dominants were instable. In 1971 the Soviet phytocenology was influenced by the ideas of the Braun-Blanquet classification, but before completely adopting it, the Soviet geobotanists employed the so-called dominant-determinant principles of classification, when differential species and dominants were simultaneously used for association determination. In the seventies phytocenoses on the floristic basis, were used though their syntaxonomic analysis was not performed. In 1981, the All-Union conference on vegetation classification was held in Ufa. This conference gave careful consideration to the problem of the floristic classification in the USSR, stated that impressive progress had been achieved in meadow classification on the floristic basis and recommended to use more strict principles for phytocenosis determination alongside with syntaxonomic analysis and subordination of the existing higher syntaxons of the Braun-Blanquet system. The perspectives for implementation of the Braun-Blanquet principles in the USSR are elucidated and a tentative question is raised on the necessity to develop some new classes in order to reflect the specific character of the meadows in the USSR.     

Mating systems of three meadow plant species

Norderhaug, A. 1995. Mating systems of three meadow plant species — Nord. J. Bot. 15: 243–250. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
The area of species-rich hay meadows in Norway has been drastically reduced during the 20th century. This continuing process results in fragmentation and isolation of remaining habitats. Small and isolated populations may have reduced gene flow. This is a crucial factor for the structure and cohesiveness of populations. Gene flow in plant species is regulated by pollen and seed dispersal, and pollen dispersal is controlled by the species' mating system. As part of a research project on habitat fragmentation three meadow species ( Dactylorhiza sambucina, Hypochoeris maculata, Polygala vulgaris ) with different life strategies were therefore selected for studies of their mating systems. A hand pollination experiment showed that both Dactylorhiza sambucina and Polygala vulgaris were self-compatible. Seed set in H. maculata was low and the species may be considered as pseudo-self-compatible or self-incompatible. Using Bawa's (1974) criteria, however, also Hypochoeris maculata should be considered as self-compatible. All three species enhanced outbreeding but P vulguris also proved to be a good selfer and autogamous.     

北方草甸退化草地治理技术与示范

国家重点研发计划"北方草甸退化草地治理技术与示范"项目(2016YFC0500600),重点针对我国草甸和草甸草原生态系统所受干扰强度大、退化机理错综复杂、恢复机制及有效治理技术缺乏等问题,从"十三五"规划有关"美丽中国"、"绿色发展"与"生态文明"建设的战略需求出发,着重开展草地退化恢复机理、恢复治理技术、生态产业技术创新应用等三个方面的研究,创建可复制、可移植、系统性的综合治理技术及新型生态产业技术,提出草甸退化草地治理的整套技术方案,为我国草牧业与生态环境和谐发展、牧民稳定增收提供技术支撑。     

高寒草甸常见雀形目鸟类共存机制的生态形态学解释

生态形态学特征是生物在选择压力下长期进化的结果,对生物的生存和繁衍具重要影响。为使种间竞争最小化,同质环境中关系密切的物种一般具有不同的生态形态学特征,以实现对有限资源的分割。1983—2012年,对高寒草甸生态系统中常见的9种雀形目鸟类的生态形态学特征所进行的研究结果表明:9种雀形目鸟类的各个生态形态学特征指标均具有显著差异;～92.0%的个体被正确归类,除小云雀(Eremophila alpestris,79.2%)外,其余各物种判别正确率均较高(84.5%~100%),9个物种被分成5个集团(guild)。各集团独特的生态形态学特征与集团内物种的栖息地环境和取食行为相关,最终解释了各个物种如何在高寒草甸生态系统中实现共存。     

高寒草甸生态系统氮素循环

应用分室模型,研究了高寒草甸（矮嵩草草甸）生态系统中氮素的分布与循环。结果表明：系统中,土壤库氮素总储量为 １０６３ｔ／ｈｍ ２,主要以有机态存在,土壤氮素全量养分丰富,而有效养分贫乏,仅能满足较低水平生产的供求关系;植物氮素主要储存于植物活根中,根系氮素储量为 １９０１１±４９６２ｋｇ／ｈｍ ２·ａ,活根内氮素占 ７９２６％ 。通过对该系统氮素收支平衡计算结果表明,氮素输出为 １５９３５ｋｇ／ｈｍ ２·ａ,大于系统的输入 ８４７３ｋｇ／ｈｍ ２·ａ,系统中氮素亏缺,成为限制草场生产力提高的限制因子。     

Comparative RFLP mapping of meadow and tall fescue

 Molecular markers based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used to construct a genetic linkage map in diploid meadow fescue, Festuca pratensis Huds. (2n=2x=14, genomic designation PP), and to compare its genomic relationship with a related species, hexaploid tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; 2n=6x=42, PPG₁G₁G₂G₂). Using a collection of 66 tall-fescue (heterologous) markers, an RFLP linkage map was constructed in F. pratensis. This map, which has a total length of 280.1 cM, includes seven linkage groups. A comparison of 33 markers that were mapped in both F. pratensis and F. arundinacea detected highly conserved linkage groups between these two species. Our data are consistent with the proposal that one of the genomes of F. arundinacea was derived from F. pratensis. However, since significant changes in marker sequences, map distances, and homoeologous linkage groups were also detected between the two species, it appears that the P genome diverged substantially during evolution from the diploid to the hexaploid Festuca. Received: 23 May 1997 / Accepted: 15 January 1998     

High species richness in an Estonian wooded meadow

Abstract. A wooded meadow at Laelatu in western Estonia was found to be very rich in vascular plants. The maximum number of species found was 25 in a 10 cm x 10 cm plot, 42 in a 20 cm x 20 cm plot and 63 in a 1 m² plot. Species richness is related to the management history of the site. The highest richness was found in sites with the most regular long-term mowing. Species density was lower in the case of fertilization or temporary cessation of mowing. The richest community had an LAI of 2.8 and an above-ground dry biomass of 175 g/m². With increasing height of the herb layer the number of species decreases. Small disturbances cause a remarkable decrease in species density.     

Neighbour interaction and stability in subalpine meadow communities

Abstract. The ability of a plant community to maintain favourable conditions within its canopy was examined by means of removing the vegetation around individual plants (radius ca. 1 m) and measuring light and temperature relations and rates of net photosynthesis in both isolated and sward plants. The results suggest that neighbour interactions are important for the stabilization of environmental relations within the canopy, at least in hay meadows as compared to intensively grazed pastures. The canopy may maintain optimal conditions for plant life within a wider variation of environmental factors. At the same time, plants have to adapt to contrasting (sunny vs. cloudy) weather conditions occurring with about equal frequency during the vegetation period in the central Caucasus.     

Effects of uncut hay meadow strips on spiders

Standard management of Czech hay meadows consists of machine mowing twice a year, with the first mowing in or before mid-June and the second mowing 40–60 days later. Here, we aimed to analyse the effects of the first year of implementation of the agri-environment scheme (AES), which consisted of allowing 3–10% of permanent grasslands within each land block to remain unmown until at least August 15, on the abundance and diversity of spiders. We conducted the study at 40 paired sampling sites in three meadow types in northern Czechia. Spiders were sampled using pitfall traps and sweeping, and the plant cover and vascular plant species composition were analysed. Nearly all study sites were associated with 100% vegetation cover, and hosted 209 vascular plant species, of which 12 were threatened. The number of vascular plant species exhibited only modest differences between the study sites under standard and AES-prescribed management. We captured a total of 3889 individuals of 103 spider species. The abundance of spiders was three-times higher at sites subjected to AES management. The number of species was similar irrespective of the management applied, but the species composition differed in response to the management (Sørensen index 0.562–0.736). The AES management was associated with higher abundance of common vegetation-dwelling farmland spiders, but epigeic spiders decreased there or were insensitive to AES management. It remains to be investigated whether threatened vegetation-dwelling spiders may benefit from similar AESs at sites of their occurrence, such as in fen meadows or steppes.     

Factors affecting tissue nutrient concentrations in aCarex meadow

Summary The influence of community and edaphic variables on tissue nutrient concentration was assessed for seven species on aCarex wetland in southern Quebec, Canada.Potassium and sodium tissue levels were considerably higher and Ca and Mg 35% lower than in a deciduous forest. Macronutrient concentrations decreased in the order K>N>Ca>Mg>Na>P. Micronutrient concentrations (Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu) ranged from 0.038–0.005 mg/g. This was 2–3 times less abundant than in an adjacentScirpus wetland. Inter-species coefficient of variation in N, P and K was low (14%) compared to variation in Ca, Mg, and the micronutrients (35%).Principal components analysis of interrelations between tissue elements indicated a clear distinction between N, P, K, Cu, Mn, and Zn levels and ash, Ca, Mg, Na, and Fe levels on the first component. This difference related closely to water depth and fire incidence. The coincidence of burning with water depth and the period of maximum snowmelt and runoff in the Spring suggested the loss of N, P, K, Cu, Mn and Zn by volotilization, runoff, or leaching.Stem density was the most important parameter influencing tissue N, P, and K concentrations whereas soil nitrogen levels were important in ash, Ca, and Mg concentrations. Water depth was the most important variable in the case of Cu, Fe, Mn, Na and Zn levels. Typha angustifolia had the highest level of total nutrients in green tissue,Carex lanuginosa the lowest. Principal components analysis indicated soil nitrogen, water depth, and soil potassium levels, in that order, were the three most important variables influencing the patterns of tissue element variation among species.Potassium and sodium levels in 1-year old litter were 11% and 0.4% compared to concentrations in green tissue. Iron and manganese, both subject to oxidation and adsorption to litter at the soil surface, were distinctly higher (2247% and 199%) in litter than green tissue. Concentrations of these and other elements in litter were consistent with results reported in literature and indicated litter was especially active as a site of cation exchange in the system.     

Energy exchange within individual layers of a meadow

Summary Measurements of the radiation extinction in a meadow at Baumkirchen (Tyrol) show that the decrease in the photosynthetically active radiation (PhAR: 400–700 nm) is different to that of the total net-radiation in a characteristic way. The photosynthetically active radiation is distributed evenly to all vegetation layers, the active surface comprises practically the entire 90 cm high canopy. The total radiation energy (net-radiation) is absorbed and 45% is converted into sensible and latent heat only in a 25 cm wide layer, i.e., between 30 and 55 cm within the canopy. A second active surface lies in the lowermost 10 cm of the meadow and at the soil surface where additional 28% of the radiation energy is transformed into heat.     

Actinomycetes of the genus Micromonospora in meadow ecosystems

Investigations showed that micromonosporas, along with streptomycetes, are the major inhabitants of floodplain meadow ecosystems, where their population varies from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of CFU per g substrate. In spring, the population of micromonosporas in soil and on the plant roots was found to be denser than that of streptomycetes.     

Stimulation of seed germination in an abandoned hay meadow

Abstract. In order to stimulate germination from the soil seed bank in a formerly species-rich hay meadow for conservation purposes, eight gaps were made in each of four habitat types: (1) Dry/open, (2) Dry/shaded, (3) Moist/open and (4) Moist/ shaded; the meadow was abandoned 12 yr before the experiment started. The mean tree cover of the gaps was reduced from 50 % to 22 %. Light was estimated as distance to nearest tree towards south and shade as tree cover. Soil moisture content was estimated from topography and measured from soil samples. There were no significant differences in total herb number between strata before the experiment started. The number of the target group herb indicators of old, traditional management, was however higher in dry, open areas than in shaded areas whether moist or dry. After the treatment, 15 herbs appeared anew in the gaps, nine of these were indicators of traditional management. 80 % of the indicators present after treatment were either new or had increased in frequency in the gaps. More indicators of traditional management appeared in gaps in the open, on dry soils in slopes than in shaded gaps, on moist soils and flat surface. In order to stimulate germination from the seed bank of as many herb indicators of traditional management as possible in abandoned hay meadows of the region, dry, sloping areas, situated as far as possible from large trees towards south and in the open, should be chosen for making gaps for germination.