Functional and coenological changes under different long-term management conditions in Apennine meadows (central Italy)

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the fl oristic and ecological changes in sub-Mediterranean meadows due to three kinds of management entailing different disturbance intensities. The theoretic framework follows Grime's theory about the correlation between species richness and disturbance intensities. Phytosociological relevés were carried out in three different management-disturbance situations, namely mowing and grazing, mowing alone, and abandonment. The data from these relevés were processed through statistical analysis, and examined together with ecological parameters (bioindication values and twenty functional plant traits) in order to indicate signifi cant differences within the diversely disturbed meadows. It was found that three identifi ed plant communities corresponded to three different disturbance intensities, and that species richness was comparable between high disturbance situation and those of void disturbance, whilst it considerably decreased under intermediate disturbance. High disturbance condition vs. void disturbance comparison showed the higher differences regarding: species turnover (57% of Sørensen similarity index and 45 differential species), light request and pH soil reaction. Hemicryptophytes, fringe social behaviour type (SBT3), upright forbs, clonal ability, late fl owering period emerged as differential traits and species height increases moving to undisturbed situation. Other important evidences concern avoidance strategies which are favoured by mowing and grazing, whereas species equipped with late fl owering period and clonal ability are advantaged under intermediate and void disturbance conditions. Our fi ndings indicated that the species more threatened by abandonment are the accidental ones.

Effect of tall-grass invasion on the flowering-related functional pattern of submediterranean hay-meadows

“…In the last decades, these practices underwent a collapse, and starting from 1980 to 1985, only mown (in mid-to late July) or abandoned grasslands are present. Catorci et al (2011b) demonstrated that the change of the traditional management (mowing and grazing) mostly reflects on a decrease in the number of accidental species, like the annual ones. Thus, because of the long-term cessation of grazing, we can argue that at present the managed grasslands are likely evolutionary adapted to mowing.…”

“…Abandoned meadows are referred to the Nardo strictae-Brachypodietum genuensis (Di Pietro et al 2005). Catorci et al (2011b) demonstrated that, after management cessation, dominant species (sensu Grime 2001) spread quickly. Indeed, the cover value of Brachypodium genuense is greater than 80% in the abandoned condition and ranges from 15% to 30% in mown meadows.…”

Grazed Pannonian grassland beta-diversity changes due to C4 yellow bluestem

“…Studies reporting the spread of these species agree that climate change can strengthen this process worldwide [16]. On the other hand overgrazing and improper management can lead to the spread of C 3 grasses for example Brachypodium genuense [17,18]. Yellow bluestem as a typical C 4 grass appears invasive in several part of the world reducing biodiversity [19][20][21] and the economic value of grasslands [22].…”

Effect of Red Deer Grazing on Alpine Hay Meadows: Biodiversity and Management Implications

“…In addition, it emerged that grazing strongly reduces the feed value of pastures; actually legumes and forbs, preferentially selected by red deer (Radkowski and BarabaszKrasny, 2007), were indicators of mowed condition. On the other hand, mowing allows the establishment of plants with leaves concentrated at the ground level (prostrate, rosulate), or just above it (hemirosulate), and of geophytes and therophytes, which benefit from canopy removal, thus avoiding competitive exclusion due to light depletion (Catorci et al, 2011b). Moreover, the vegetative reproduction types fostered by mowing (root, tuber and bulb splitters) allow a fast canopy pre-emption and the coexistence with competitive grasses by spatial and temporal niche differentiation in highly productive grassland communities (Catorci et al, 2012a).…”

“…Mowing has the same output (Bonanomi et al, 2009). However, mowing alone does not ensure the total control of dominant species endowed with competitive strategies (Catorci et al, 2011b), thus calling for management integration with different type of grazers (Gordon, 1988), such as late summer grazing by very little selective herbivores (i.e. equines).…”