Last Remnants of Riparian Wooded Meadows along the Middle Drava River (Slovenia): Species Composition Is a Response to Light Conditions and Management

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the species richness and species composition in relation to light and management regime in remnants of wooded meadows within the riparian forests along the middle Drava River in Slovenia. 41 plots of still managed and, at different time periods (<5 yrs, 5-15 yrs, >15 yrs), abandoned riparian wooded meadows (RWM) were sampled. In addition to vegetation relevés, light intensity (PAR) was also measured in plots. Within the still-managed RWM, two floristically distinct types were recognized using TWINSPAN analysis: meadow-like and forest-like. Light intensity differed significantly between types. The CCA of active RWM showed a significant relation between species composition and light conditions. The number of species per relevé on active RWM was negatively correlated with light intensity -in contrast to North European wooded grasslands. This could be explained by the influence of speciesrich riparian hornbeam forests that contribute many understorey species, in contrast to naturally mesotrophic meadows. CCA of both active and abandoned RWM demonstrated that light was a good predictor of RWM species composition and that abandonment caused profound changes in floristic composition. The species turnover during succession was more pronounced in less shaded meadow-like Folia Geobot (2008) 43:431-445

Changes in stand structure due to the cessation of traditional land use in wooded meadows impoverish epiphytic lichen communities

“…This rate of loss has even accelerated since the 1940s and 1950s Poschlod & WallisDeVries 2002;Pykälä et al 2005). In abandoned wooded meadows the diversity of vascular plants decreases rapidly (Haeggström 1983;Hansson & Fogelfors 2000;Pykälä et al 2005;Aavik et al 2008;Škornik et al 2008). In abandoned wooded meadows the diversity of vascular plants decreases rapidly (Haeggström 1983;Hansson & Fogelfors 2000;Pykälä et al 2005;Aavik et al 2008;Škornik et al 2008).…”

The Rengen Grassland Experiment: Effect of Soil Chemical Properties on Biomass Production, Plant Species Composition and Species Richness

“…In Europe, moisture, nutrients, soil pH and the intensity of the defoliation regime have been identified as the main environmental variables controlling the plant species composition of grasslands (Havlová et al 2004;Klimek et al 2007;Olofsson and Shams 2007;Pavlů et al 2007;Auestad et al 2008;Prach 2008;Škornik et al 2008). In such grasslands, N, P and/or K are generally recognized as the most growth-limiting nutrients responsible for variation in floristic composition and biomass production (Tessier and Raynal 2003;Güsewell 2005;Mamolos et al 2005;Niinements and Kull 2005;Hejcman et al 2007b;Honsová et al 2007;Smits et al 2008).…”

Occurrence of invasive alien plant species in the floodplain forests along the Mura River in Slovenia

“…proved as a plant which is not thriving in only one FHT, but it is in our case represented in all FHTs almost equally (Figure 4). At the comparable sites Škornik et al (11) found that Solidago gigantea expanded very rapidly after abandonment of wooded meadows. They found a clear positive correlation between cover-abundance values of S. gigantea and light intensity, but with the establishment of a shrub layer, their cover-abundance declines, however it does not disappear.…”

“…The importance of floodplain forests varied throughout the history, but nowadays their importance lies in high timber production, high biodiversity of flora and fauna, they serve as nature reserves, as a water retention device in case of flooding and have aesthetic landscape functions and are of recreational use (10). At the same time, these forests and their functions are disturbed and degraded by human activities, which include reducing the floodplain forest area, channelizing and shortening of watercourses, constructing hydropower plants and retention reservoirs, fragmenting ecosystems, extracting gravel and sand deposits and high game stock levels (10,11).…”

“…Although some researches of flora (e.g. 11,21) and IAS in various habitats in the area is made (13,15,22,23), indepth researches of IAS presence and their impacts on native plant communities and Natura 2000 forest habitats along the Mura River are scarce.…”