Study

Grassland restoration in practice: do we achieve the targets? A case study from Saxony-Anhalt/Germany

  • Published source details Conrad M.K. & Tischew S. (2011) Grassland restoration in practice: do we achieve the targets? A case study from Saxony-Anhalt/Germany. Ecological Engineering, 37, 1149-1157.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Sow native grass and forbs

Action Link
Grassland Conservation
  1. Sow native grass and forbs

    A replicated, controlled study in 1996–2005 in former arable fields in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany (Conrad & Tischew 2011) found that sowing grass and forb seeds did not increase plant community similarity to a nearby intact grassland compared to not sowing seeds. After nine years, the similarity of the plant community to a target intact grassland did not differ significantly between seeded and unseeded areas (data reported as Sørensen’s similarity index). In, 1996, 1997 and 1999, some sites were sown with seed mixes containing cultivars and non-local grass and forb species, while others were not sown with seeds (replication unclear from study). Before sowing, all sites were ploughed and harrowed. Vegetation was surveyed in 5–19 x 25-m2 plots/site in May/June 1998–2001, and again in June 2005. Twenty-one plots were sampled in species-rich mesophile grassland within the same region to allow for comparison with the target habitat.

    (Summarised by: Philip Martin)

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