Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Over the past century, changes in land use have led to large scale abandonment of semi-natural
grasslands throughout northern Europe. During the ensuing succession species richness declines as
grassland specialist plants are out-competed by a few dominant species.
The aim of this study is to document extinction/survival rates of plants at the functional group
and species levels. Factors tested for effect on species composition are time since abandonment,
borders to forests/agricultural land and re-forestation model (spontaneous vs plantation).
I surveyed 22 pastures in Västmanland, Sweden, abandoned either 1-13 or 14-27 years ago. A
near significant tendency towards higher species richness was observed on newly abandoned sites.
Otherwise, early and newly abandoned sites showed no significant differences in species
representation.
Nearly all pastures were dominated by Alopecurus pratensis, accompanied by Filipendula
ulmaria, Ranunculus acris, Anthriscus sylvestris and Geranium sylvaticum. Early successional
species were less likely to be found on five or more pastures than late successional species.
However, small populations of grassland specialist species persisted on most pastures – mainly in
dry, stony areas.
When compared to surveys conducted in 1988 and 2002, some species, for example Galium
verum, Pilosella officinarum and Anthoxanthum odoratum, were among the most likely to survive a
period without management – whereas other species such as Bistorta vivipara, Antennaria dioica,
Euphrasia sp. and Rhinanthus sp were unlikely to survive.
Pastures surrounded mainly by forest had a significantly larger number of late successional
species. Pastures where re-forestation after abandonment was spontaneous (rather than planted)
showed a significantly higher number of grassland specialist plant species.
The results indicate that restoration measures may be worthwhile even after two to three decades
without management.