Study

Long-term effects of various conservation management treatments on selected soil properties of chalk grassland

  • Published source details Rizand A., Marrs R.H., Gough M.W. & Wells T.C.E. (1989) Long-term effects of various conservation management treatments on selected soil properties of chalk grassland. Biological Conservation, 49, 105-112.

Summary

Floristically rich grassland tends to occur on infertile soils, conservation management should thus aim to maintain low fertility. It has been suggested that during succession to scrub, fertility increases. A study was undertaken at Knocking Hoe (grid reference TL 131308), Bedfordshire (central England). The effects of several management treatments (including allowing scrub development) applied for 22 years on nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) status (i.e. elements most likely to control plant growth) in chalk grassland soils under vegetation, were investigated.

This experiment compared the effects of different annual cutting frequencies (with and without removal of clippings) with unmanaged plots (allowing scrub development) and adjacent grazed area.
 
In 1965, the following four treatments were applied randomly to plots (2.4 × 1.5 m) in each of four replicate blocks: 1) unmanaged; 2) cut once/year (May); 3) cut twice/year (May and June); 4) cut 3-time/year (May, June, July). The cut plots were divided into two; one half had clippings returned, the other had clippings removed. (No details of the grazing regime are given in the original paper).
 
In June 1987, soil samples were collected. Concentrations of inorganic N, rates of nitrogen mineralization and nitrification were estimated, and phosphate adsorption curves calculated.

There were no significant differences in NO3-N concentration between any treatments (including the unmanaged plots). Effects were detected in two measures of soil fertility:
 
1) highest N mineralization rate occurred in unmanaged plots, but this was significantly greater than only two treated plots (those cut once and 3-time/year with clippings returned); N mineralization is the main limiting factor controlling N supply to plants;
 
2) the most consistent result was a reduction in P sorption in plots where clippings were returned implying greater P availability; if this trend continued, changes in species composition might be expected.
 
It was also apparent that successional change to scrub led to a change in grass species from mixed Bromus erectus/Festuca ovina grassland towards one mainly dominated by B.erectus.
 
 
Note: If using or referring to this published study, please read and quote the original paper, this can be viewed at: http://www.sciencedirect.com

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust