The Influence of Fertilizers on the Plant Communities of Mesophytic Grasslands

Rabotnov, T. A.

doi:10.1007/978-94-010-1315-4_10

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This because short vegetation types in the 'layer width' sets will resemble each other strongly in their common zero scores for the higher 'layers', while tall vegetation types deviate in this from one another. Furthermore, tall vegetation types will tend to show higher total values for LAI and particularly phytomass than short vegetation types, and total amounts of LAI and phytomass in most stands of grassy vegetation show a direct relationship as well (r=0.8101, N=65, p<0.001) (see also Geyer, 1977;Rabotnov, 1977;Singh & Joshi, 1979;Fliervoet, 1984). The results confirm these expectations.…”

Section: Ordinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Types of phytomass ? and leaf area index profiles in grassland vegetation

1986

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Various types of grasslands in the Netherlands were catagorized by their structure: phytomass and leaf area were measured in arbitrarily chosen vegetation layers with width intervals of 2.5, 5, 10 or 20 cm, depending on the height of the sward. Data were standardized for fixed width of layers (layer width set), and for equal numbers of layers of varying width (layer number set). Data were clustered by Ward's method as well as ordinated by Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The duster method revealed 6 groups; those of the layer number sets could be contrasted in their vertical built-up of leaf area index (LAI) -and phytomass profiles and could be characterized ecologically. The ordinations confirmed the findings of the cluster analyses. In our data grassland structure varied mainly along a gradient from constant and sufficient to strongly varying soil water supply during the growing season, and a gradient in soil nutrients from rich to poor. Sites with constant water supply appeared more often nutrient-rich and those with a varying water supply more often poor in nutrients.

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Section: Ordinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Types of phytomass ? and leaf area index profiles in grassland vegetation

1986

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“…However, time series on legume dynamics that could be used to test predictions of these models are fairly rare and often not very long (see Rabotnov ; Stewart & Haycock ; Frame & Newbold ; Schneider et al . ; Ammann et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, time series on legume dynamics that could be used to test predictions of these models are fairly rare and often not very long (see Rabotnov 1977;Stewart & Haycock 1984;Frame & Newbold 1986;Schneider et al 2004;Ammann et al 2007 for some examples). Therefore, we do not have sufficient long-term information on such oscillations in the field, mainly in more natural systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long‐term time series of legume cycles in a semi‐natural montane grassland: evidence for nitrogen‐driven grass dynamics?

et al. 2017

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Summary Several dynamic models have shown that dynamics of legumes and grasses can result in periodic behaviour. These oscillations arise due to delays in nitrogen flows coupled with differences in ability to compete for light. However, long‐term time series on legume dynamics that could be used to test predictions of these models are almost non‐existent. We examine legume oscillations in a semi‐natural mountain grassland using a long‐term (Tilde; 30 years) data series on aboveground biomass of individual species and on nitrogen and phosphorus content over time. Using autocorrelation analysis, we show that there is a strong periodicity (with period of 8–9 years) of legume and grass biomass and nitrogen content in the grass biomass. These three variables are in fairly stable phase shifts relative to each other, with a grass peak followed by a peak in C : N ratio in grasses which is followed by a legume peak. Phosphorus content in either legume or grass biomass does not show synchronous cycling with legume or grass biomass or nitrogen content in grass. Fitting a dynamic linear model to the data showed that legumes affect nitrogen content in grasses, and grass biomass both affects and is affected by nitrogen content. In contrast, there is no negative effect of grasses on legumes, indicating some other process must be responsible for the legume decline. Manuring, which was occasionally applied to the plots, also does not seem to affect the cycling. Second‐order term for legumes showed some evidence of self‐inhibitory effects in legumes, but phosphorus content in legumes shows no support for phosphorus limitation. The most likely explanation of the legume decline should be sought elsewhere (pathogens, soil biota etc.). Synthesis. Long‐term data support the existing the claim that legume dynamics are the key driver of nitrogen dynamics in nutrient‐poor semi‐natural grasslands. Grasses benefit from the nutrient enrichment due to legume cycling, but are a passive element and do not play a role in legume limitation. Apart from the role of nutrient cycling, these legume‐driven nutrient dynamics also constitutes processes by which long‐term richness of meadows is maintained.

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“…Withdrawal from intensified agriculture could potentially contribute to the conservation of the plant and animal species that have been associated with lowintensity agriculture in a mosaic of fields and meadows over the past thousand years. However intensive fertilization of agricultural land during the 20th century has increased the abundance of competitive nitrophilous perennial plants (Rabotnov 1977) and reduced species richness of successional assemblages (Waldhardt & Schmidt 1991;Klotz & Schmiedeknecht 1992;Schwabe & Kratochwil 1994Trefflich 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of small‐scale animal disturbances on plant assemblages of set‐aside land in Central Germany

Milton

Dean

Klotz

1997

J Vegetation Science

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Abstract. The distribution, density and cover of small‐scale natural disturbances was surveyed in semi‐natural and set‐aside vegetation in a hilly landscape in Central Germany in the spring of 1995. More of the landscape was disturbed on set‐aside agricultural land in valley s (1.02 %) and on warm south‐facing slopes(1.33 %) than on rocky hilltops (0.3 %) and cool north‐facing slopes (0.56 %). The major agents of disturbance on set‐aside fields were moles, rodents (and their predators) and wild boars. In surrounding semi‐natural grasslands, rabbit warrens were common on south‐facing slopes and mound‐building ants on north‐facing slopes. Disturbances were significantly clustered and frequently superimposed. In order to investigate the effects of disturbance quality on plant assemblages in set‐aside fields, two common types of disturbances were compared. These were grazing lawns (0.4–1.0 m2) maintained throughout the summer by common voles (Microtus arvalis), and excavations, 0.7–1.6 m2 in area, where wild boars (Sus scrofd) grubbing for food had removed vegetation and top soil in early spring. Both types of disturbances increased plant species richness on the local scale. Wind‐dispersed annual and pauciennial forbs of ruderal habitats (e.g. Carduus acanthoides, Cirsium vulgare, Matricaria maritima, Senecio vernalis) were most abundant on the superficial disturbances made by voles, whereas small, ephemeral field weeds (e.g. Polygonum aviculare, Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Fallopia convolvulus) predominated on patches grubbed by boars. This study confirms that small‐scale disturbances by animals provide a variety of regeneration niches for field weeds and ruderals. The rate of decline in plant species richness on set‐aside land is likely to be reduced where land is utilized by a variety of herbivorous and soil‐moving mammals.

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The Influence of Fertilizers on the Plant Communities of Mesophytic Grasslands

Cited by 16 publications

References 33 publications

Types of phytomass ? and leaf area index profiles in grassland vegetation

Types of phytomass ? and leaf area index profiles in grassland vegetation

Long‐term time series of legume cycles in a semi‐natural montane grassland: evidence for nitrogen‐driven grass dynamics?

Effects of small‐scale animal disturbances on plant assemblages of set‐aside land in Central Germany

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