Effect of litter removal on species richness and acidification of a mixed oak-pine woodland

Published source details Dzwonko Z. & Gawroński S. (2002) Effect of litter removal on species richness and acidification of a mixed oak-pine woodland. Biological Conservation, 106, 389-398.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Remove or disturb leaf litter to enhance germination Action Link

Remove or disturb leaf litter to enhance germination

A replicated, controlled study in 1983-1999 in temperate mixed woodland in Poland (1) found that annual removal of leaf litter increased species richness and cover of mosses after 12 years and temporarily increased vascular plant species richness after 10 years, but decreased vascular plant cover after 13 years. Species richness and cover of mosses was higher in leaf litter removal plots than in control plots after four years and remained higher until the end of the experiment (average 4-15 years of removal: 8 species, 35% cover; control: 0 species and 0% cover). Vascular plant cover was lower in leaf litter removal plots than in control plots after 13 years of treatment (average 13-15 years of removal: 55%; control: 85%). Vascular plant species richness was higher in leaf litter removal plots than in control plots after 10 years (average 10-13 years of removal: 17; control: 9 species) and then became similar between treatments after 14 years of treatment (average 14-15 years: 16; control: 11 species). Monitoring was in three pairs of 5 × 5 m plots for two treatments: leaf litter removed (litter raked and removed every year 1983-1998) and controls (litter not removed).