Changes in grassland management and plant diversity in a marginal region of the Carpathian Mts. in 1999–2015

Halada, L.; David, Stanislav; Hreško, Juraj; Klimantová, Alexandra; Bača, Andrej; Rusňák, Tomáš; Buraľ, Miroslav; Vadel, Ľuboš

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.066

Cited by 27 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…However, the Shannon-Wiener index showed their lowest floristic diversity and lowest mean number of species found on that unmanaged terrains amounted to 14 in one vegetation sample (1 m 2 ) ( Table 3). Many studies in Central and Northern Europe have revealed a decline in species diversity (richness) when ecological succession is beginning [26][27][28] and it also has been stated in this study. Some of the researchers noted no difference in species richness between permanently managed and abandoned meadows [29,30].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 84%

The Succession and Regression of Plant Species on Lowland Hay Meadows in Poland

Brzank¹,

Piekut²,

Dąbrowski³

et al. 2019

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

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Our paper presents the results of research conducted in the Mala River Valley located 22 km south of Warsaw, Poland. The study examines successional changes under different management regimes in natural meadow habitats included in the European Union's Natura 2000 network. The meadow species composition, structure, and diversity in areas mown early, late, sporadically, and the unmown ones were examined. Changes in the natural habitat and woody vegetation areas were also analysed. The results showed a 40% reduction in natural habitat and a 57% increase in woody vegetation coverage over a six-year period, which indicates rapid and progressive succession. The increases in abundance of Deschampsia caespitose, Alopecurus pratensis, Holcus lanatus , and Anthoxanthum odoratum indicated the progressive degradation of fresh hay meadow communities attributed to the cessation of mowing. The expansive species Urtica dioica increased in abundance and persistence with reduced mowing intensity. Alien species such as Solidago canadensis and S. gigantea were noticed mainly in abandoned areas for at least five years.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 84%

The Succession and Regression of Plant Species on Lowland Hay Meadows in Poland

Brzank¹,

Piekut²,

Dąbrowski³

et al. 2019

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

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“…This somehow counterintuitive outcome of our analysis means that despite the storyline of high ecological awareness [36], threats to biodiversity related to land use changes are very complex. While the projected increase in forest cover would support habitats and habitat connectivity for forest-dwelling species, the agricultural land abandonment and decrease in grassland areas could be an important threat to many open farmland or grassland-associated species [50,51]. Even in national parks, there are considerable challenges facing the management and maintenance of grasslands for conservation and protection [52], with often greater difficulties outside the protected areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Future Land Use Change on Large Carnivores Connectivity in the Polish Carpathians

Kaim

Ziółkowska

Szwagrzyk

et al. 2019

Land

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The Polish Carpathians, like many mountain areas in Europe, are currently facing dynamic land use changes that will shape their future landscapes. As there are many different possible scenarios of potential change, we compared three different land use scenarios up until the year 2060 and assessed their impact on the potential habitat connectivity of two large carnivores—wolf (Canis lupus) and lynx (Lynx lynx). We first analysed the main directions of change within and outside the pan-European wildlife corridor located in the western part of the Polish Carpathians. Then we calculated and compared least-cost paths among randomly selected points for each land use scenario separately. Our results showed that the main direction of change—forest cover increase—may positively influence habitat connectivity for both wolf and lynx. However, due to the future spread of settlements, this positive impact might be locally limited. Therefore, to realise the potential conservation opportunities resulting from on-going land use changes, adequate orientation of spatial planning towards habitat connectivity is crucial.

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“…Agricultural intensification and urbanisation have directly caused an increasing depopulation of rural areas in several regions of Europe (Halada et al 2017, Balázsi 2018, which has led to the abandonment of many traditionally managed agricultural areas (Gracheva et al 2018, this issue). In Western Europe, early urbanisation, industrialisation and agricultural intensification have caused reductions in the cover of traditionally managed grasslands to a small fraction of their former extent (Kovács-Hostyánszki et al 2016, Janssen et al 2016.…”

Section: Causes and Degree Of Abandonmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The challenge of abandonment for the sustainable management of Palaearctic natural and semi-natural grasslands

Valkó¹,

Venn

Żmihorski

et al. 2018

Hacquetia

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Disturbance by biomass removal is a crucial mechanism maintaining the diversity of Palaearctic grasslands, which are unique biodiversity hotspots. The century-long traditional land use of mowing, grazing and burning, has been fundamentally changed in many parts of the Palaearctic. Due to socio-economic changes, large areas of former pastures and meadows have been abandoned, leading to a succession towards secondary scrublands or forest and the encroachment of competitor grass species, all leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Here we report the causes and consequences of the cessation of traditional grassland management regimes, provide strategies for reducing the impact of abandonment and consider these from the perspective of sustainability. We consider the possibilities for initiating sustainable management regimes in the contemporary socio-economic environment, and discuss the prospects and limitation of alternative management regimes in the conservation of grassland biodiversity. These themes are also the core topics of this Special Feature, edited by the EDGG. We hope that this Special Feature will encourage steps towards more sustainable strategies for the conservation of Palaearctic grasslands and the integration of the sustainability perspective into their conservation.

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Changes in grassland management and plant diversity in a marginal region of the Carpathian Mts. in 1999–2015

Cited by 27 publications

References 26 publications

The Succession and Regression of Plant Species on Lowland Hay Meadows in Poland

The Succession and Regression of Plant Species on Lowland Hay Meadows in Poland

Impact of Future Land Use Change on Large Carnivores Connectivity in the Polish Carpathians

The challenge of abandonment for the sustainable management of Palaearctic natural and semi-natural grasslands

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