Study

The cost and practicality of techniques for the reversion of arable land to lowland wet grassland - an experimental study and review

  • Published source details Manchester S.J., McNally S., Treweek J.R., Sparks T.H. & Mountford J.O. (1999) The cost and practicality of techniques for the reversion of arable land to lowland wet grassland - an experimental study and review. Journal of Environmental Management, 55, 91-109.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Sow grass seeds

Action Link
Grassland Conservation

Sow native grass and forbs

Action Link
Grassland Conservation
  1. Sow grass seeds

    A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1993–1996 in ex-arable land in the UK (Manchester et al. 1999) found that sowing commercial grass seeds did not alter plant species richness. Plant species richness was the same in sown and unsown areas (28 vs 28 species). No statistical analyses were carried out in this study. A commercial seed mix containing four grass species was sown in 10 plots (size of plots unclear), while no seed was sown in 10 plots. The survey methods used to assess species richness in this study were not clear.

    (Summarised by: Philip Martin)

  2. Sow native grass and forbs

    A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1993–1996 in ex-arable land in the UK (Manchester et al. 1999) found that sowing grass and forb seeds increased plant species richness. No statistical analyses were carried out in this study. Plant species richness was higher in areas where seeds were sown (36–45 species) than in areas where no seeds were sown (28 species). Seeds of grass and forb species were collected from hay harvested in a nearby intact wet meadow and sown in 10 plots (size of plots unclear), commercial seed mixes containing 11–23 grass and forb species were sown in 20 plots, while no seeds were sown in 10 plots. The survey methods used to assess species richness in this study were not clear.

    (Summarised by: Philip Martin)

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