Litter and graminoid biomass accumulation suppresses weedy forbs in grassland restoration

Deák, Balázs; Valkó, Orsolya; Kelemen, András; Török, Péter; Miglécz, Tamás; Ölvedi, Tamás B.; Lengyel, Szabolcs; Tóthmérész, Béla

doi:10.1080/11263504.2011.601336

Cited by 47 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…In this study, the coverage, plant height, and productivity significantly increased over time, whereas species richness, diversity, and density declined greatly. The decrease in diversity that accompanies the increase in standing crop has been explained by the intensification of asymmetric light competition (Deák et al , ; Liira et al , ). These results are consistent with previous result (Martin et al , ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity–Productivity Trade‐off During Converting Cropland to Perennial Grassland in the Semi‐arid Areas of China

Liu

Ding

et al. 2016

Land Degrad Dev

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The trade‐off between plant community structure and function is an important issue during grassland restoration. It is essential to assess changes of structure and function after converting farmland to grassland. Three restoration stages (5, 15, and 30 years) were studied to determine the optimum time when the trade‐off between diversity and productivity occurs. The results showed that the vegetation coverage, height, and productivity significantly increased, but the species richness, diversity, and density significantly decreased along the restoration time. Grassland community presented a succession from small individuals and high density to larger individuals and lower density. The community changed from being dominated by grass and forb functional groups to being dominated only by the grass functional group. The dominant grass functional group plays a decisive role on community structure and function (productivity, diversity, and density) during grassland succession. Our results suggest that community structure and function were mainly driven by the dominant grass functional group during the long‐term succession. Grassland should be utilized to suppress the leading role of the dominant functional groups in the 20th year for keeping the trade‐off of diversity and productivity. We suggest that the restoration grassland should be considered to use appropriately in the 20th year. Our study could provide a key guidance for maintaining the community structure and function trade‐off for cropland‐converted grassland management in the semi‐arid areas. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity–Productivity Trade‐off During Converting Cropland to Perennial Grassland in the Semi‐arid Areas of China

Liu

Ding

et al. 2016

Land Degrad Dev

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“…; Carson & Peterson ); when the amount of litter exceeded 900 g·m −2 , a negative litter effect was detected (Carson & Peterson ; Deák et al. ); between 300 and 900 g·m −2 litter scores there were no correlations between litter and species richness, or contradictory findings were reported (Willms et al. ; Facelli & Carson ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms shaping plant biomass and species richness: plant strategies and litter effect in alkali and loess grasslands

Kelemen

Török

Valkó

et al. 2012

J Vegetation Science

105

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Question Explaining the biomass–species richness relationship is key to understanding vegetation dynamics. Several possible mechanisms have been suggested, but complex analysis of plant strategies, major biomass and species richness components along a long productivity gradient is still lacking. We provide a detailed analysis of the relationship between major biomass components (total above‐ground biomass, green biomass and litter), plant strategies and species richness along a long gradient of alkali and loess grasslands in a steppe landscape in Central Europe. Location Hortobágy, Great Hungarian Plain, East Hungary. Methods Above‐ground biomass of characteristic alkali and loess grassland stands was sampled along a gradient of increasing productivity. In each grassland stand, a 25‐m2 sample site was randomly selected. Within each site, ten above‐ground biomass samples (20 × 20 cm) were collected randomly in June 2009, at the peak of biomass production. We classified all species into mixed C‐S‐R strategy types. To obtain correlations between various biomass and species richness data, Spearman rank correlation was used. The relationship between plant strategies and species composition were displayed with a DCA ordination. Results The frequently detected humped‐back relationship was valid for the relation of total biomass and species richness. With increasing amount of total biomass, we detected an increasing proportion of competitors, and a decreasing proportion of stress tolerators in green biomass. A low proportion of ruderals was detected at both low and high biomass levels. Species richness was affected positively by litter at low litter scores, but there was a negative litter effect from much lower scores than detected previously (from 400 g·m−2). There was a positive relationship between green biomass production and species richness. Conclusions The study revealed that at the initial part of a productivity gradient, stress is likely responsible for low species richness. Our results show that litter can shape changes in species richness along the whole biomass gradient, thus the litter effect is one of the major mechanisms structuring grassland diversity.

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“…The Special Feature includes nine articles on dry grassland communities of the classes FestucoBrometea, Koelerio-Corynephoretea (including F. vaginatae), Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei, Juncetea trifidi, as well as Mediterranean dry grasslands ranging from (Házi et al 2011;Henkin & Seligman 2011), and regeneration and restoration (Csecserits et al 2011;Deák et al 2011;MadrugaAndreu et al 2011).…”

Section: Contributions In This Special Featurementioning

confidence: 98%

“…Their negative effects on the surrounding vegetation include changes in microclimatic conditions on the soil surface; inhibition of germination; and reduction of space, water and nutrients available for other species (Facelli & Pickett 1991;Foster & Gross 1998;Eckstein & Donath 2005). Deák et al (2011) found that the accumulation of litter and graminoid biomass of species (Festuca pseudovina, F. rupicola, Poa angustifolia, Bromus inermis) sown during the grassland restoration of an old field in Hungary may have both positive and negative impacts on the recovered grassland community; it suppresses the development of weedy forbs, but at the same time the immigration of target species. Therefore, the reduction of litter and graminoid biomass is necessary to facilitate the development of the target grassland communities.…”

Section: Regeneration and Restorationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in the conservation of dry grasslands: Introduction to contributions from the seventh European Dry Grassland Meeting

Janišová

Bartha

Kiehl

et al. 2011

Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all As

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Litter and graminoid biomass accumulation suppresses weedy forbs in grassland restoration

Cited by 47 publications

References 46 publications

Diversity–Productivity Trade‐off During Converting Cropland to Perennial Grassland in the Semi‐arid Areas of China

Diversity–Productivity Trade‐off During Converting Cropland to Perennial Grassland in the Semi‐arid Areas of China

Mechanisms shaping plant biomass and species richness: plant strategies and litter effect in alkali and loess grasslands

Advances in the conservation of dry grasslands: Introduction to contributions from the seventh European Dry Grassland Meeting

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