Effects of Long-Term Mowing on Biomass Composition in Pannonian Dry Grasslands

Abstract

This study is focused on the vegetation of seminatural dry grasslands. These grasslands are valuable with large biodiversity; however, their long-term preservation requires regular conservation management. This report demonstrates the results of a 13-years mowing experiment, designed to suppress the spread of an unpalatable grass species, Calamagrostis epigejos. The study site was located in mid-successional grasslands, in the Western-Cserhát, near Rád, Northern Hungary. The experimental design consisted of eight permanent plots, where mowing was applied twice a year. The vegetation was sampled annually (from 2001 to 2013). The impacts of mowing were tested using repeated–measures analyses of variance (ANOVA). In 2001, Calamagrostis epigejos was the species with the highest cover in both the mown and control sites, with an average cover value of 63%. However, as a result of mowing, a significant difference was detected in the amount of litter and legumes species as well. The number of species showed an increase in both types of treatment, from 15 to 37 in the mowed plots, but also from 18 to 27 in the control plots. We concluded that mowing twice a year proved to be a useful measure for modifying botanical composition of a grassland. It was well suited for agricultural usage, in particular grazing, which can replace the expensive and time-consuming scythe. Mowing can also be a suitable management measure for controlling native invader species such as Calamagrostis epigejos, and can significantly increase the proportion of species with higher forage values.

Kaszálás és legeltetés felhagyásának hatása a badacsonytördemici üde fekvésű gyepterületek vegetációjára

“…Általánosságban elmondható, hogy a területek fajszáma drasztikusan lecsökkent. Tájidegen, agresszív kompetítor 2010-ben még nem volt megtalálható, azonban az újabb felvételezések során azzal voltunk kénytelenek szembesülni, hogy az egykori legelőterületen a magas aranyvessző (Solidago gigantea) kezd uralkodóvá válni (Besnyői, 2012a, b;Fülöp et al, 2021;Bódis et al, 2021;Penksza és Saláta, 2022;Penksza et al, 2021;Fűrész et al, 2022;Rácz et al, 2021;Péter et al, 2020;Hajnáczki et al, 2014Hajnáczki et al, , 2018Hajnáczki et al, , 2021Házi et al, 2009Házi et al, , 2011Házi et al, , 2012Házi et al, , 2022Schaffers, 2002).…”