Biodiversity in grassland
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Published source details
Nosberger J., Messerli M. & Carlen C. (1998) Biodiversity in grassland. Annales De Zootechnie, 47, 383-393.
Published source details Nosberger J., Messerli M. & Carlen C. (1998) Biodiversity in grassland. Annales De Zootechnie, 47, 383-393.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once) Action Link |
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Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once)
A 1998 review of two studies (Nösberger et al. 1998) concluded that reducing management intensity on permanent grassland is likely to benefit two important pasture species, white clover Trifolium repens and meadow fescue Festuca pratensis. The first study (Schwank et al. 1986) found that frequent cutting and fertilization reduced the yield of white clover from 5% (under traditional management) to 2%. This was probably due to clover leaves growing closer to the ground and being shaded by taller plants after fertilization. A second study (Carlen 1994) concluded that the decline in meadow fescue found under intensive management results from its low competitive ability (due to small leaves and low root activity), rather than direct effects of cutting or fertilization. The study locations are not given.
Additional references:
Schwank O., Blum H. & Nösberger J. (1986) The influence of irradiance distribution on the growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in differently managed canopies of permanent grassland. Annals of Botany, 57, 273-281.
Carlen C. (1994) Root competition and shoot competition between Festuca pratensis Huds. and Dactylis glomerata L. PhD thesis No. 10512, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich.
