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Supporting grassland biodiversity through small-scale fallows
Fabšičová, Martina ; Frei, I. ; Jiroušek, M. ; Smetanová, S. ; Šipoš, Jan ; Trnka, F. ; Vymyslický, T. ; Winkler, J. ; Zdražílková, M.
The main goal of the methodology presented here is to propose a system of recommendations for applying fallow in nature conservation based on our experiments. Due to the independence of agricultural land outside specially protected areas with direct payments from the Ministry of Agriculture, it is currently important to apply the methodology, especially in large protected areas where the primary objective is to preserve natural and cultural heritage. Annual and perennial fallows, i.e. biotopes adapted toregular soil disturbance, offer suitable habitats for a number of now-threatened plant and animal species. This is a technically and economically easy solution, but it is challenging to select a suitable location to achieve maximum efficiency. Ploughing must not be used in species-rich grasslands which would lead to ruderalization and degradation of the native vegetation. Furthermore, it must not be carried out on land at risk of erosion. Linear grassland margins, which have been ploughed in the past, recently grassed fields, fallows, and field margins should be selected for fallow management. Nearby populations of invasive plant species can be a problem. Our recommendations for the use of fallow management relate primarily to land in lowland and upland areas with a lower soil nutrient supply.
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Fallow management on grasslands and pastures
Fabšičová, Martina ; Frei, I. ; Jiroušek, M. ; Smetanová, S. ; Šipoš, Jan ; Trnka, F. ; Vymyslický, T. ; Winkler, J. ; Zdražílková, M.
The presented methodology summarizes the results of long-term research of fallows and provides important information for a large spectrum of users. We present here thepossibilities, of how small-scale fallow management can practically adapt into the current meadow and pasture management system. The methodology is aimed primarily at theagricultural public. The users will find here the tested methodological procedures and recommendations for practical inclusion of fallows into the management plans. It isrecommended here to create fallows on the edges of meadows and pastures adjacent to other habitats, such as steppes, balks, bushes, forests, or arable land. Fallows then play the role of ecotones, i.e. transitional habitats. The greatest diversity of both plant and animal species is generally concentrated in such habitats. Fallows enable the survival, restoration, and strengthening of populations of rare and endangered plant species, not only weeds. Furthermore, fallows will support the occurrence of a whole range of groups of invertebrates,including useful pollinators and predators of cultivated plant pests. Last but not least, follows create a valuable habitat for different vertebrates, especially birds. Fallows are becoming then the islands of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape.
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Management trvalých trávnych porastov v územiach so zvláštnym ochranným režimom : metodika obnovy trávnych porastov /
Frei, Ivana
Four methods of grassland restoration on arable land using species-rich seed material harvested directly in the source Bromion meadows (Vojšické louky, Bílé Karpaty protected landscape area (PLA), Czech Republic) were compared. Species composition of established grasslands was evaluated through the vegetation development. The restoration methods comprised of i) green hay application, ii) sowing of seed mixture obtained from brush harvester collecting once in the vegetation period, c) sowing of seed mixture obtained from brush harvester collecting three times during the vegetation period per site and d) spontaneous succession were compared. The experimental plots were established in the surroundings of Malá Vrbka (Bílé Karpaty PLA) in 2009. Species composition and vegetation cover were recorded in 16 m2 plots in spring and autumn of 2010 and 2011. Altogether 144 releves were statistically analysed using direct (CCA) and indirect (PCA) gradient analysis; cluster analysis (Statistica for Windows), and Simpson, Jaccard and Sorrensen similarity coefficients. Species composition was significantly affected by the plot establishment period which explained 49.6% of variability in the species data set. Species composition was also affected by used restoration method. However, the restoration method had no significant effect on the plant species richness.
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