Phytocenological research into the meadow associations on forest hunting grounds of Serbia

Tomić, Ž.; Bijedic, Zorica; Vilotić, Dragica; Gačić, Dragan

doi:10.2298/abs1002363t

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A frequent type of forest meadows is small forest clearings maintained for game animal grazing, which are commonly referred to as game meadows. Forest meadows are managed with low intensity and occur frequently in the forests of Central Europe (Brand et al, 2018; Petrak, 2003; Tomić et al, 2010). In Germany, since the end of the 19th century (Völk, 1999) forest meadows are often established by foresters to reduce browsing pressure on tree seedlings and saplings in managed forests (Petrak, 2003; Tomić et al, 2010; Türcke, 1955).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The biodiversity of forest meadows has rarely been investigated, especially not their conservation value for insects and only a few studies about forest meadows have been published at all (Aboling, 2003; Buse et al, 2018; Petrak, 2003; Petrak et al, 2015; Tomić et al, 2010). Forest meadows may contain a distinct insect assemblage, made up of forest‐ and open land‐dwelling species, as microclimate influences insects (Herrera, 1995) and insect groups are distributed differently over the landscape (Jauker et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mulching time of forest meadows influences insect diversity

Georgi

Gärtner

Förschler

et al. 2023

Insect Conserv Diversity

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The diversity in meadows is affected by numerous aspects, such as the amount and type of fertilisation and the timing and frequency of cutting. The effects of mowing on the diversity of plants and insects have been studied in detail. However, the effect of mulching (vegetation is cut, shredded, and left in place, instead of being removed) on insects in small forest meadows has received limited scrutiny to date. In this study, we examined how different mulching times influenced insect diversity of forest meadows. We sampled insect larvae and observed flower‐visiting insects at 24 sites in the Northern Black Forest in south‐west Germany. We applied four treatments with six replicates each: (i) mulching in June, (ii) mulching in September, (iii) mulching in June and September, and (iv) no mulching as a control. The overall larval community was dominated by Symphyta (45%, Hymenoptera) and Lepidoptera (44%). The flower‐visiting insect community was dominated by Syrphidae (80%, Diptera). The insect larvae were negatively influenced by all mulching treatments. The abundance and species richness of flower visitors was reduced by mulching in June only and by mulching in both June and September. Summary: Given that meadow management is required for conserving grassland diversity our results indicate that for insect larvae other mulching methods, than those we tested, such as mulching with an arthropod‐friendly mulching machine, strip‐mulching, or delayed mulching may help this crucial stage of insect development. For insect flower visitors mulching in September is beneficial.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mulching time of forest meadows influences insect diversity

Georgi

Gärtner

Förschler

et al. 2023

Insect Conserv Diversity

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“…It is grown primarily in grass-legume mixtures, resulting in considerably higher yield and better forage quality (Tomić et al, 2007). Meadow fescue noticeably improves grassland forage quality under natural meadow conditions (Tomić et al, 2010;Vintu et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acid and Temperature Treatments Result in Increased Germination of Seeds of Three Fescue Species

Stanisavljević

Vuckovic

Simić

et al. 2012

Not Bot Hort Agrobot Cluj

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Efficient germination of fescue seeds is essential for successful establishment of meadows and pastures. This research was conducted to ascertain the effects of various acid and temperature treatments on seed germination in three fescue species: Festuca rubra, F. ovina, and F. pratensis. Seeds from different cultivars, populations, or lots were exposed either to four concentrations of sulfuric acid at three different time intervals (12 treatments) or six different temperatures at three different time intervals (18 treatments). Despite all belonging to the genus Festuca, the seed from different species responded differently to the treatments. The three optimum treatments for F. rubra seed involved soaking in a 75% solution of sulfuric acid for 20 minutes (improved the germination rate by 19%), soaking in a 50% solution of sulfuric acid for 30 minutes (improved the germination rate by 18%) and exposure to either 60°C or 70°C for 90 minutes (improved the germination rate by 17%). For F. ovina seed, optimal treatments included soaking seeds for either 10 or 20 minutes in a 50% sulfuric acid solution (both treatments improved germination rates by 13%) or exposing seeds for 30 minutes in a 25% sulfuric acid solution and 80°C for 60 minutes (improved germination rate by 12%). Two optimal treatments were identified for F. pratensis seed. Whereas the first involved soaking the seeds in a 75% sulfuric acid solution for 30 minutes (improved germination rates by 22%), the second involved either exposing the seeds to 90°C for 90 or 60 minutes, or exposing the seeds to 80°C for 90 minutes (improved germination rate by 21%). Our findings indicate that if fescue seed is to be sown during the autumn (two to three months after seed collecting), treating it with acid and temperature can significantly enhance its germination.

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Timing and mulching frequency affected the number of nests of cavity-nesting wasps that hunt for aphids in forest meadows

et al. 2022

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Mulching, cutting of the vegetation without plant biomass removal, is a common alternative to mowing. The aim of our study was to find out if the mulching of forest meadows at different time points affects cavity-nesting bees and wasps. We exposed trap nests for cavity-nesting bees and wasps at 24 forest meadows in south-western Germany over 2 years and applied four experimental mulching treatments with six replicates: (i) mulching in June, (ii) mulching in September, (iii) mulching in June and September, and (iv) no mulching as control. Nests were collected throughout the growing period. The insects were sorted and analyzed according to functional groups. Mulching in June and September reduced the nest number of all cavity-nesting insects in the second but not in the first year. The separation of insects into three functional groups (bees, herbivore-hunting wasps and carnivore-hunting wasps) showed that the number of herbivore-hunting wasp nests was reduced by mulching in September in both years and by mulching in June and September in the second year. Specifically, aphid-hunting wasps were influenced by mulching in September or mulching twice in the second year. Aphid-hunting wasps likely find their larval food in the vegetation of the forest meadows, while the other studied groups likely find their main larval food in the surrounding forests and are therefore not negatively affected. Implications for insect conservation For maintaining the reproductive success of cavity-nesting wasps that hunt for aphids, we recommend mulching once in June rather than mulching in September or twice a year.

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Phytocenological research into the meadow associations on forest hunting grounds of Serbia

Cited by 4 publications

References 13 publications

Mulching time of forest meadows influences insect diversity

Mulching time of forest meadows influences insect diversity

Acid and Temperature Treatments Result in Increased Germination of Seeds of Three Fescue Species

Timing and mulching frequency affected the number of nests of cavity-nesting wasps that hunt for aphids in forest meadows

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