Sow seeds in prepared gaps within vegetation

Overall effectiveness category Evidence not assessed
Number of studies: 1
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Effectiveness

not assessed
Certainty

not assessed
Harms

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Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Seeds may be sown within gaps (sometimes referred to as ‘establishment gaps’) created within existing grassland. Gaps are prepared prior to sowing by breaking up the grass sward and disturbing the soil, e.g. by digging. The aim is to reduce competition by resident grasses and provide optimal conditions for the establishment of sown target grassland species. This may be particularly beneficial within dense species-poor grasslands.

Study locations

Key messages

One study examined the effects of sowing seeds in prepared gaps within vegetation on grasslands. The study was in Hungary.

VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES)

VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY)

Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated study in Hungary found that sowing seeds in large gaps within vegetation led to a greater cover of sown target plant species than sowing in smaller gaps.

VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated study in 2013–2015 in eight species-poor grassland sites in east Hungary (Valkó et al. 2016) found that sowing seeds in large gaps created in grassland led to a greater cover of sown target plant species than sowing in smaller gaps but the cover of weeds was similar. During the first two years after sowing, the average cover of target plant species was higher when seeds were sown in large gaps (4 x 4 m: 52–59%) than in smaller gaps (1 x 1 m: 27–31%; 2 x 2 m: 16–39%). The cover of weed species did not differ significantly between the three gap sizes (1 x 1 m: 19–26%; 2 x 2 m: 16–29%; 4 x 4 m: 19%). In October 2013, gaps of three sizes (1 x 1 m, 2 x 2 m, 4 x 4 m) were created >50 m apart within existing grassland at each of eight sites. All sites were former arable fields sown with a low diversity grass seed mix in October 2005. Gaps were prepared by digging, rotary hoeing and raking the soil. All gaps were sown with a seed mixture of 35 native grassland species at a rate of 10 g/m² and grazed by cattle in April–October each year. Vegetation cover was recorded in each of the 24 gaps in June 2014 and 2015.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Valkó O., Deák B., Török P., Kirmer A., Tischew S., Kelemen A., Tóth K., Miglécz T., Radócz S. & Sonkoly J. (2016) High-diversity sowing in establishment gaps: A promising new tool for enhancing grassland biodiversity. Tuexenia, 36, 359-378.

Please cite as:

Martin, P.A., Ockendon, N., Berthinussen, A, Smith, R.K. and Sutherland W.J. (2021) Grassland Conservation: Global evidence for the effects of selected interventions. Conservation Evidence Series Synopses. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Grassland Conservation

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Sow grassland seeds from a local source Action Link	Evidence not assessed	5	Synopsis Link
Inoculate soil with mycorrhiza before seeding/planting Action Link	Evidence not assessed	5	Synopsis Link
Sow seeds in prepared gaps within vegetation Action Link	Evidence not assessed	1	Synopsis Link