Trends in soil chemistry and floristics associated with the establishment of a low-input meadow system on an arable clay soil in Essex

Snow, C.S.R.; Marrs, Rob H.; Merrick, Laura C.

doi:10.1016/s0006-3207(96)00103-6

Cited by 26 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…In the same way, Ash et al (1992) observed that intermediate concentration of phosphorus (20 ~ 80 mg·kg -1 ) represented optimal concentration of extractable phosphorus (extraction with Olsen's reagent) for high levels of species richness in created meadows. An even lower range was suggested for rapid and successful establishment of species-rich grassland (Snow et al 1997). In relation to potassium, Janssens et al (1998) also found that high K soil content was just compatible with high values of plant diversity.…”

Section: Plant-soil Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of livestock soil eutrophication on floral composition in the Pyrenees mountains

et al. 2008

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Livestock behaviour in the Pyrenees includes free grazing and a long resting period that provokes the accumulation of dung and urine in some places, so-called camping areas. The aims of this study were (i) to analyze any change in floral composition, and in nutritional and chemical contents of plants in a livestock camping area; and (ii) to relate the floral composition with soil chemical properties. In a linear transect, five sampling zones were established, from the centre of the camping area to the surrounding Nardus stricta-dominant pasture. The above ground plant biomass and the topsoil were sampled in each zone with 6 replicates per zone. Plant species were classified and weighed to calculate above ground biomass, nutritional and chemical contents, and Shannon diversity and evenness indices. Additionally, soils were sampled in two periods, at the beginning and at the end of grazing period. Soil available nutrients (nitrate, ammonium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium), total nitrogen, organic carbon and pH were measured.Plant chemical contents (protein, lignin and others) were significantly related to the proportions of grasses, legumes and other plants; so, the protein content is positively correlated with legumes plant biomass while lignin content is negatively correlated with grasses. Both plant and soil nutrients increased linearly towards the centre of the camping area. However, the relationship among plant species richness, diversity and evenness relative to its position along the studied transect was bell-shaped. From the outskirts to the centre of the camping area, plants with low nutrient demand were progressively replaced by those with medium and high nutrients demand and by pioneers.Nardus stricta-dominant pasture has low plant diversity and plant nutrient content as well as a poor soil nutrient availability. The presence of the camping area introduced patches with more soil nutrients and new species in the large spatial scale. However at a small spatial scale, the strong soil nutrient concentration into the centre of the camping area reduced floral composition again. To ensure positive effects of camping areas on plant diversity, and to manage more effectively the nutrients returned to the soil, a reduction in the stocking rate should be pursued.

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Section: Plant-soil Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of livestock soil eutrophication on floral composition in the Pyrenees mountains

et al. 2008

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“…The increased competitive strength of E. repens may be associated with the higher levels of organic matter, soil water, and phosphate within the soil of these plots. In contrast, the levels of phosphate within the TR plots fall within the optimum range of phosphorus of 0.5–1.0 mg P 100 g −1 as identified by Gough and Marrs (1990b) and Snow et al (1997) in their research into grassland creation on arable land. Nitrate levels were not found to be significantly different between the treatments, although nitrogen additions to formerly species‐rich grassland are associated with the decline in diversity (Thurston 1969; Harper 1971; Van der Bergh 1979; Berendse et al 1992).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

An Investigation into the Effect of Soil and Vegetation on the Successful Creation of a Hay Meadow on a Clay‐Capped Landfill

Carrington

Díaz

2011

Restoration Ecology

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This paper investigates the effect that manipulation of soil and vegetation conditions has on plant community development during attempts to create neutral hay meadow communities on a clay-capped landfill in Somerset, United Kingdom. The objectives are (1) to determine the effect of manipulation of soil and vegetation on the development of the target plant community, (2) to identify whether these treatments had an effect on edaphic factors (physical and chemical properties, earthworm populations), and (3) to establish which, if any, of these edaphic parameters are underlying factors in determining the vascular plant community composition. In 2001 a commercial hay meadow seed mix was sown on three substrate treatments: (i) bare clay, (ii) a mixture of topsoil and compost ameliorant in equal proportions, and (iii) over naturally colonized vegetation. Plant community development and edaphic factors were monitored between 2001 and 2007. Although initially the presence of ameliorant promoted germination and growth of seeded species, after 2004 nonseeded competitive grasses dominated the sward.Where ameliorant was removed the target community continued to develop proving this to be the most successful treatment. This was found to be a due to suppression of competition from Elytrigia repens (Common couch), which grew most abundantly on soils with high organic matter and high soil water levels within the soil. Contrary to previous research, Trifolium repens (white clover) was not found to reduce forb diversity in this study. No evidence was found of earthworm abundance affecting plant community development.

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“…Soil extractable (easily soluble) P is often considered a key element in restoring vegetation of high conservational interest (Snow et al 1997). Low levels of P promote species richness of less frequent, often late successional grassland elements.…”

Section: Species Positively Related To Phosphorusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated analysis of conditions accounting for intersite distribution of grassland plants

Tyler

2000

Nordic Journal of Botany

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The objectives are to relate species distributions among 110 non‐fertilized grassland (‘dry meadow’) sites in soutoheastern Sweden to soil chemical, physical, exposure and management variables using correlation, stepwise regression and factor (PCA) analysis based on quantitative data. It was suggested that soil acidity variables (pH, base saturation, exchangeable Ca, Al, Mn, and Fe), P, K, Mg, and N conditions, water‐retaining properties, soil texture and contents of organic matter, as well as degree of grazing, total cover of the vegetation and exposure (inclination and orientation) of the sites, to a variable extent are able to account for the intersite distribution of vascular plant species. Frequent enough to consider separately were 64 species. A majority of them displayed significant relationships, either positive or negative, to soil acidity. At least 10 species were related to both soil acidity and grazing and/or exposure, and another 10 species mainly (always positively) to grazing and/or exposure. The distribution of 8–10 species was closely positively related to the phosphorus status of the soils, mainly plants which are even more abundant in fertilized pastures or abandoned fields. Magnesium appeared important to the distribution of at least 6 species and K to a few. Many variables tested, including those related to water‐retaining properties and soil texture, as well as density (total cover) of the vegetation, were only significant in few cases. Nitrogen mineralization rate, as determined by standard incubation technique, was not related to the distribution of any species. Species richness was positively correlated with total cover of the vegetation, negatively with soil acidity and phosphorus status.

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Trends in soil chemistry and floristics associated with the establishment of a low-input meadow system on an arable clay soil in Essex

Cited by 26 publications

References 36 publications

Influence of livestock soil eutrophication on floral composition in the Pyrenees mountains

Influence of livestock soil eutrophication on floral composition in the Pyrenees mountains

An Investigation into the Effect of Soil and Vegetation on the Successful Creation of a Hay Meadow on a Clay‐Capped Landfill

Integrated analysis of conditions accounting for intersite distribution of grassland plants

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