Reed cutting affects arthropod communities, potentially reducing food for passerine birds
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Published source details
Schmidt M.H., Lefebvre G., Poulin B. & Tscharntke T. (2005) Reed cutting affects arthropod communities, potentially reducing food for passerine birds. Biological Conservation, 121, 157-166.
Published source details Schmidt M.H., Lefebvre G., Poulin B. & Tscharntke T. (2005) Reed cutting affects arthropod communities, potentially reducing food for passerine birds. Biological Conservation, 121, 157-166.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Cut/mow herbaceous plants to maintain or restore disturbance: brackish/salt marshes Action Link |
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Cut/mow herbaceous plants to maintain or restore disturbance: brackish/salt marshes
A replicated, site comparison study in 1999 of eight brackish reedbeds in southern France (Schmidt et al. 2005) found that cut reedbeds contained fewer dead reeds than uncut reedbeds, but that cutting had no significant effect on live reed density, live reed height, plant species richness and non-reed cover. Cut reedbeds contained a significantly lower density of dead common reed Phragmites australis (5 stems/m2) than uncut reedbeds (224 stems/m2). However, there was no significant difference between treatments for live reed density (cut: 198; uncut: 107 stems/m2), live reed height (cut: 129; uncut: 165 cm), total plant species richness (cut: 5.0; uncut: 5.0 species/reedbed) and cover of plants other than common reed (cut: 12%; uncut: 10%). Methods: In late July 1999, vegetation was surveyed in five cut reedbeds (harvested each winter for ≥5 years) and eight uncut reedbeds (not harvested for >5 years). The average salinity was 3 ppt. Vegetation was surveyed in 24 quadrats (50 x 50 cm) in each reedbed. This included counting all standing reed stems and measuring one random living reed stem/quadrat.
(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)
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