Aboveground Biomass Removal by Burning and Raking Increases Diversity in a Reconstructed Prairie

Prescribed spring burning often contributes to a predominance of C₄ grasses and low forb abundance and is impractical at many sites, especially near development. We tested raking after mowing as an alternative to prescribed burning in a reconstructed Minnesota prairie. We also tested mowing without raking as a possible means of maintaining prairie communities. Frequency, flowering stem abundance, and cover were measured for all plant species and native functional groups (C₄ grasses, C₃ graminoids, forbs, legumes, and annual or biennial forbs). Mowing alone did not differ from the control in its effect on any functional groups of plants. Round‐headed bush clover (Lespedeza capitata), a legume, and Black‐eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), a biennial, increased in frequency with treatments that removed biomass (i.e., fire or raking), but they did not have significantly more flowering stems. Thus, new plants established well from seed, whereas the vitality of mature plants did not change. Raking had similar effects to burning on most functional groups, although flowering stems of C₄ grasses were significantly more abundant after fire than after raking. Burning reduced some C₃ forbs and grasses and favored the dominance of C₄ grasses. Therefore, raking after mowing in the spring provides an alternative to prescribed burning that has many of the same positive aspects as fire but does not promote aggressive C₄ grasses to the same extent.     

Timing of autumn migration of young Corncrakes Crex crex

Knowledge of the timing of migration of young Corncrakes is required for effective implementation of conservation measures. Forty Corncrake chicks were radiotracked during the period between independence and departure from the natal area to determine the age and time at which fledged juveniles depart on migration. Departure occurred between early August and mid‐September at a mean age of 44 days, around the age at which growth of the primary feathers ceases. Chicks from later broods are exposed to greater risk of being killed during mowing, but provision of late mowing options in conservation schemes could enhance their survival.     

How environmental stressors affect reproductive potential in a saltmarsh plant species Plantago maritima

We examined whether the presence or absence of different environmental stressors influenced the reproductive potential of a saltmarsh species—Plantago maritima. We focused on total seed output, seed quality, and biomass of progeny. So far, there are no studies trying to answer the question of how different saltmarsh management affects the quality of seed in saltmarsh species. For the purposes of the study, plots subjected to light mowing, light or heavy grazing, trampling, or rooting were designated in three nature reserves in Poland. On each plot, the abundance of infructescences per sq. meter was calculated. Mature infructescences were collected, and their length and number of fruit capsules were measured. The seeds obtained from fruit capsules were weighted and sown in controlled conditions. The germination rate and the final germination percentage were calculated. A representative number of sprouts were grown. After a period of 2 months, the individuals of P. maritima were harvested and their total dry mass was measured. It was found that heavy grazing had the greatest effect on all of the studied characteristics. The presence of this factor resulted in shorter infructescences with a smaller number of fruit capsules. However, this phenomenon was compensated by the higher abundance of infructescences per sq. meter. At the same time, seeds produced by grazed individuals were significantly lighter. Interestingly, intensive trampling by people affected P. maritima individuals in a similar way to heavy grazing, while mowing and rooting had less impact on the considered characteristics. Although a positive correlation between seed mass and germination success was found, the altogether lower seed mass had a negligible effect on germination parameters. Also, the differences in seed parameters did not affect dry mass of obtained progeny grown in laboratory conditions. Synthesis and applications: Different environmental stressors, such as grazing and mowing, have an effect on reproductive potential of a saltmarsh species P. maritima. In the case of habitats created anthropogenically, such as brackish saltmarshes, the role of management is crucial for their conservation. Therefore, searching for the best active protection methods is important. In light of the results obtained, extensive or rotational grazing appears to be the best form of saltmarsh management.     

Effects of nitrogen addition and mowing on nitrogen- and water-use efficiency of Artemisia frigida in a grassland restored from an abandoned cropland

氮添加和刈割对内蒙古弃耕草地冷蒿氮和水分利用效率的影响 在氮和水分限制的区域，植物氮利用效率(NUE)和水分利用效率(WUE)决定了它们在群落中的竞争优势。冷蒿(Artemisia frigida)是半干旱草地重度退化的先锋物种，在不同退化程度的草地中具有不 同的优势度，经常被认为是退化草地群落演替的指示物种。退化草地恢复过程中，氮添加和割草如何影响冷蒿的NUE和WUE尚不清晰。以内蒙古多伦县弃耕草地为研究对象，选取两个不同群落斑块(禾草和冷蒿为优势物种的斑块)，经过长期(2006–2013)氮添加和刈割(对照、氮添加、刈割、氮添加+刈割)处理后，研究冷蒿的NUE (叶片碳氮比)和WUE (叶片碳同位素，δ¹³C)对氮添加、刈割及其交互作用的响应； 结合植物和土壤的碳、氮同位素(δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N)及碳、氮库探究退化草地恢复过程中植物的资源利用策略及其机制。研究结果表明：(1)氮添加对冷蒿的WUE没有显著影响(P > 0.05)，但NUE 在禾草和冷蒿斑块 中分别显著降低了42.9%和26.6% (P < 0.05)；(2)植物对不同氮源(NH₄₊或NO_3-)的利用会引起植物和土壤δ¹⁵N的分馏，研究表明叶片和土壤的δ¹⁵N与NUE呈现相反的变化趋势，因此冷蒿的NUE对氮添加的响应与不同氮源的利用有关；(3)刈割不影响冷蒿的NUE (P > 0.05)，但在禾草斑块，冷蒿的WUE在刈割处理下显著提高了2.3% (P < 0.05)；(4)在禾草斑块，氮添加减缓了割草对冷蒿WUE的促进作用；(5)结构方程模型显示，土壤含水量直接或间接的调控着冷蒿的WUE和NUE。综上所述，在禾草斑块，氮添加+刈割处理维持较低的NUE和WUE，不利于冷蒿对资源的竞争，进一步降低其优势度，这也预示着氮添加+ 刈割处理会促进退化草地的恢复。