Forty years of change in Scottish grassland vegetation: Increased richness, decreased diversity and increased dominance

Mitchell, Ruth J.; Hewison, Richard L.; Britton, Andrea J.; Brooker, Rob W.; Cummins, R. P.; Fielding, Debbie A.; Fisher, Julia M.; Gilbert, Diana; Hester, Alison J.; Hurskainen, Sonja; Pakeman, Robin J.; Potts, Jacqueline M.; Riach, David

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2017.06.027

Cited by 35 publications

(30 citation statements)

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“…Climate warming has been identified as a major driver, causing declines in both species richness and diversity in upland vegetation in the last 50 years (Ross et al, ). Surveys of European grasslands indicate that in general, these trends have also been facilitated by atmospheric pollution and nitrogen deposition (Milligan et al., ; Ross et al., ; Stevens et al., ), although a recent study of Scottish calcareous grasslands reported a rise in species richness in the last 40 years (Mitchell et al., ). Increasing Ellenberg R values could be related to a reduction in sulphur emissions, which Mitchell et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazing exclusion and vegetation change in an upland grassland with patches of tall herbs

Watts

Griffith²,

Mackinlay³

2019

Applied Vegetation Science

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Questions:The hydrophilous tall herb community is an important refuge for grazing-sensitive broad-leaved flowering plants. It is distributed throughout upland Europe but overgrazing has contributed to an unfavourable conservation status. To guide tall herb restoration, we asked: (a) Does using grazing exclusion where the tall herb habitat is confined to cliff ledge patches promote an expansion into the grassland below? (b) Does this management negatively affect vascular plant diversity?Location: Ben Lawers NNR, Scotland.Methods: Large herbivores have been excluded from a 180-ha area containing patches of outcrops rich in tall herb habitat. Using 1999 and 2017 surveys of permanent plot transects located in the grassland below (Before-After design), we quantify impacts on community composition and tall herb abundance.Results: Species diversity remained constant although total species richness declined slightly and tall herb species richness increased significantly. There was a large expansion in tall herb cover (+29.67%) and a corresponding decrease in grass cover (−26.16%), as well as smaller increases in bryophytes and small herbs and a reduction in bare ground. Community composition shifted significantly from species typical of upland calcareous grassland towards those found in tall herb habitats. Seven tall herb species were amongst those showing the greatest increase in cover, along with taller grasses and understory herbs. Grazing tolerant grasses and low-growing, prostrate and annual herbs decreased. Competition for light, rather than resilience to herbivory, now has a major influence on the vegetation. Conclusions:Using grazing exclusion where the tall herb habitat is largely confined to patches on cliff ledges facilitates an expansion into the upland grassland below.Although this management favours species tolerant of shadier conditions, there is no evidence of a negative impact on vascular plant community composition. It is therefore an effective strategy for promoting the restoration and favourable condition of this grazing-sensitive habitat.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazing exclusion and vegetation change in an upland grassland with patches of tall herbs

Watts

Griffith²,

Mackinlay³

2019

Applied Vegetation Science

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“…Mitchell et al (2017) found that in Scottish grasslands over the are likely to be long-lasting (Melts et al, 2018). Mitchell et al (2017) found that in Scottish grasslands over the are likely to be long-lasting (Melts et al, 2018).…”

Section: Chillingham Cattle and Their Botanical And Cultural Enviromentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vicia cracca 1 TA B L E 2 (Continued) TA B L E 2 Numbers of quadrats in which selected plant species occurred that showed changes or stasis in occurrence (numbers of quadrats in which recorded) over the period 1979-2017. In 1979in 2017, 46 have been observed in only two years since 1947 and management policy is to avoid these as they could raise concerns for animal welfare, as has happened at Oostvaardersplassen (Gamborg, Gremmen, Christiansen, & Sandøe, 2010).…”

Section: Vaccinium Myrtillus 6 Xmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At Chillingham, AC IV is therefore comparatively species-rich, with more species in a smaller quadrat (25.7 species per 100 m 2 quadrat) and is therefore an important resource of this biodiverse habitat. Mitchell et al (2017) found that in Scottish grasslands over the are likely to be long-lasting (Melts et al, 2018). For example, in arable land in Canada, the effect of a single application of lime on soil pH was still detectable 30 years later (Beckie & Ukrainetz, 1996).…”

Section: Chillingham Cattle and Their Botanical And Cultural Enviromentioning

confidence: 99%

“…I G U R E 2 Numbers (sexes combined) of cattle in the Chillingham herd, onDecember 31, 1945-2017. Period of lime application (1980- 2004 and the subjectively defined phases of the study are indicated (see text) numbers 19, 10, and 18.…”

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confidence: 99%

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The use of cattle Bos taurus for restoring and maintaining holarctic landscapes: Conclusions from a long‐term study (1946–2017) in northern England

Hall

Bunce

2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Cattle Bos taurus can perform valuable ecological functions in the maintenance of high nature value (HNV) pastoral systems. They have also attracted attention as potentially filling the ecological niches of megaherbivores, notably the extinct aurochs Bos primigenius, in rewilding initiatives. Native cattle breeds are recognized under the 1992 Rio Convention as components of biodiversity. They are used in HNV settings, but their conservation as breeds has rarely been an important consideration for their management in these contexts. The Chillingham herd has been kept under minimal management in Chillingham Park (northern England) for several centuries. Chillingham Park is not a rewilding scenario, but the long‐term study of the cattle can be informative for the design of rewilding schemes that involve cattle as megaherbivores. The pastures of the park are species‐rich seminatural grasslands. To 2004, pasture management was influenced by the need to provide herbage for a flock of sheep that was under separate ownership, as well as for the cattle. Surveys of the vegetation conducted in 1979 and 2006–2008 showed a decline of plant species richness (species per 100 m2 quadrat) from 33.8 in 1979 to 22.6 in 2006–2008. This was acceptable as the conservation priority has always been the cattle herd. With removal of the sheep from 2004, it became possible to include recovery of plant diversity as a management goal. In 2017, the cattle numbered 111 (64 in 1979). Plant species richness in 2017 had increased to 26.3 species per quadrat. It has therefore been possible at Chillingham both to conserve the cattle herd and to improve plant diversity. While providing basic information of relevance to the management of cattle in free‐ranging situations, this study also suggests a general principle, that the management of pastoral landscapes by native breeds of cattle, can deliver multiple conservation benefits.

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Between‐year weather differences and long‐term environmental trends both contribute to observed vegetation changes in a plot resurvey study

Erdős,

Ónodi,

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Repeated surveys of vegetation plots offer a viable tool to detect fine‐scale responses of vegetation to environmental changes. In this study, our aim was to explore how the species composition and species richness of dry grasslands changed over a period of 17 years, how these changes relate to environmental changes and how the presence of spring ephemerals, which may react to short‐term weather fluctuations rather than long‐term climatic trends, may influence the results. A total of 95 plots was surveyed in 2005 and resurveyed in 2022 in dry grasslands of the Kiskunság Sand Ridge (Hungary, Eastern Central Europe), where there has been a significant increase in mean annual temperature during the last decades, while no trends in precipitation can be identified. Db‐RDA was performed to reveal compositional changes. The changes in environmental conditions and naturalness state were assessed using ecological and naturalness indicator values. We also compared per‐plot richness of all species, native species and non‐native species of the old and the new relevés. All analyses were repeated after removing all spring ephemerals. We found clear temporal changes in species composition. Mean temperature indicator values increased, while mean soil moisture indicator values decreased during the 17 years. Also, decreasing per‐plot richness was detected both for all species and for native species, while mean naturalness increased. After the removal of spring ephemerals, the compositional changes were less obvious although still significant. The increase in the temperature indicator values remained significant even without the spring ephemerals. However, the decrease in the moisture indicator values, the decrease in the number of all species and native species, as well as the increase in naturalness indicator values disappeared when spring ephemerals were excluded from the analyses. Our study demonstrates that between‐year weather differences and long‐term environmental trends both contribute to observed vegetation changes.

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Forty years of change in Scottish grassland vegetation: Increased richness, decreased diversity and increased dominance

Cited by 35 publications

References 51 publications

Grazing exclusion and vegetation change in an upland grassland with patches of tall herbs

Grazing exclusion and vegetation change in an upland grassland with patches of tall herbs

The use of cattle Bos taurus for restoring and maintaining holarctic landscapes: Conclusions from a long‐term study (1946–2017) in northern England

Between‐year weather differences and long‐term environmental trends both contribute to observed vegetation changes in a plot resurvey study

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