Enhancement of botanical diversity of permanent grassland and impact on hay production in Environmentally Sensitive Areas in the UK

Published source details Hopkins A., Pywell R.F., Peel S., Johnson R.H. & Bowling P.J. (1999) Enhancement of botanical diversity of permanent grassland and impact on hay production in Environmentally Sensitive Areas in the UK. Grass and Forage Science, 54, 163-173.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Plant grassland plants Action Link
	Use slot/strip seeding Action Link
	Disturb soil before seeding/planting Action Link

Plant grassland plants

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1994–1996 at six improved grassland sites in the UK (Hopkins et al. 1999) found that planting individual plants increased grass and forb species richness in more than half of cases. In six of 12 comparisons, the number of grass species was higher in plots where individual plants had been planted (5–12 species/plot) than in areas where no plants were planted (4–10 species/plot), while in six comparisons the number of grass species was equal to or lower than that found in areas where no plants were planted (5–13 species/plot vs 5–13 species/plot). In 10 of 12 comparisons, forb species richness was higher in areas where plants were planted (7–22 species/plot) than where no plants were planted (4–15 species/plot), while in two comparisons there were equal or fewer numbers of forb species (4–5 species/plot vs 5 species/plot). In 1994, at each site, plants of nine forb species were planted in four 6 × 4 m plots, and no plants were planted in another four plots. In May/June of 1995 and 1996, the frequency of each grass and forb species was recorded in three 40 x 40 cm quadrats in each plot.

(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
Use slot/strip seeding

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1994–1996 at six improved grassland sites in the UK (Hopkins et al. 1999) found that strip seeding increased grass and forb species richness in most cases compared to not sowing seeds. No statistical analyses were carried out in this study. In 11 of 12 comparisons, strip seeded plots had more grass species (5–14 species/plot) than unsown plots (4–13 species/plot), while in one comparison, there were fewer grass species in strip seeded plots (7 species/plot) than unsown plots (8 species/plot). In eight of 12 comparisons, forb species richness was higher in strip seeded plots (7–25 species/plot) than unsown plots (4–15 species/plot), while in four comparisons, forb species richness in strip seeded plots was equal to or lower than that in unsown plots (both 5–8 species/plot). In August 1994, at each site, strip seeding (at a spacing of 23 cm and depth of <2 cm) was carried out in four 6 x 4 m plots, while four plots were left unseeded. Seed mixes contained seeds of five grass species and 18 forb species. In May/June of 1995 and 1996, three 40 x 40 cm quadrats were placed in each plot and the frequency of each grass and forb species recorded.

(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
Disturb soil before seeding/planting

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1994–1996 in six improved grassland sites in England and Wales, UK (Hopkins et al. 1999) found that disturbing soil by rotovating before sowing seeds increased grass and forb species richness in most cases compared to harrowing before sowing. No statistical analyses were carried out in this study. In seven of 12 comparisons, there were more grass species in plots where soil was rotovated and seeds sown (5–12 species/plot) than in plots where soil was harrowed and seeds sown (4–9 species/plot). In the five other comparisons, the number of grass species did not differ between plots that were rotovated or harrowed before sowing (both 8–13 species/plot). In all of 12 comparisons, there were more forb species in plots where soil was rotovated and seeds sown (7–25 species/plot) than in plots where soil was harrowed and seeds sown (3–21 species/plot). In 1994, at each site, eight 6 x 4 m plots were mown. In four plots/site, the soil was disturbed by rotovating (to give 50% bare ground), while the other four plots were harrowed. Seed mixes (five grass species and 18 forb species) were sown at a rate of 12–14 kg/ha in all plots in early August 1994. In May/June of 1995 and 1996, three 40 x 40 cm quadrats were placed in each plot and the frequency of each grass and forb species recorded.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)