Study

Enhancing success in grassland restoration by adding regionally propagated target species

  • Published source details Baasch A., Engst K., Schmeide R., May K. & Tischew S. (2016) Enhancing success in grassland restoration by adding regionally propagated target species. Ecological Engineering, 94, 583-591.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Transfer plant material from intact grassland alongside seeding/planting

Action Link
Grassland Conservation

Sow native grass and forbs

Action Link
Grassland Conservation
  1. Transfer plant material from intact grassland alongside seeding/planting

    A replicated, paired, controlled study in 2009–2015 in a species-poor grassland near Wittenberg, Germany (Baasch et al. 2016) found that transferring hay alongside sowing seeds did not alter the species richness or cover of target grasses and forbs compared to sowing seeds without hay. During six years after sowing seeds, plots with hay added had on average a similar number and cover of target grass and forb species (13–19 species, 12–26%) to plots that had no hay added (14–19 species, 12–20%). In 2009, two 30 x 6 m plots in each of six blocks were rotovated (10 cm depth) and rolled. In each block, green hay and a regional seed mixture were added to one plot. Seeds (obtained from threshing and a regional seed mixture) were sown in the other plot but no hay was added. Hay was obtained from a meadow 3 km away. All plots were mulched twice and mown once in 2009, and mown twice/year in 2010–2015. Vegetation was recorded annually within a 4 x 4 m quadrat in each of the 12 plots in 2010–2015.

    (Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)

  2. Sow native grass and forbs

    A replicated, controlled study in 2009–2015 in a species-poor grassland near Wittenberg, Germany (Baasch et al. 2016) found that sowing grass and forb seeds increased the species richness of target grasses and forbs but did not alter their cover. After six years, plots sown with seeds had more target grass and forb species than unsown plots (data reported as statistical model results). However, the cover of target grass and forb species did not differ significantly between sown and unsown plots (data reported as statistical model results). In 2010–2015, plots sown with seeds had on average 9–19 target grass and forb species/year (6–20% cover), whereas unsown plots had 3–7 target species/year (4–13% cover). In 2009, three 30 x 6 m plots in each of six blocks were rotovated and rolled. In each block, two plots were sown with seeds (obtained by threshing with or without a regional seed mixture added), and one plot was left unsown. On-site threshing was carried out at a meadow 3 km away. All plots were mulched twice and mown once in 2009, and mown twice/year in 2010–2015. Vegetation was recorded annually within a 4 x 4 m quadrat in each of the 18 plots in 2010–2015.

     

    (Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)

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