Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the relations between the intensity of land
use and the characteristics of different habitat types within the grassland
ecosystem in the Biosphere Area “Schwäbische Alb” in Germany. Data has been
collected based on 50 examination plots (4×4 m) of the Biodiversity
Exploratories project. These plots represented different land use types and levels
of intensity which are 1) grazed, ungrazed 2) once, twice, three times mowed, 3)
fertilised, unfertilised. All vascular plants, their ground cover and several
environmental parameters (soil type, solum thickness, inclination and exposition)
were recorded. Biomass was taken (g/0.2 m²) and was examined. Data analyses
were taken from several bivariate and multivariate statistics. The results
indicated that the land use parameters grazing, mowing and fertilisation were the
most important determinants for species richness (species number/16 m²),
evenness, (Shannon) diversity, composition and biomass production. Inclination
was an important environmental factor. DCA showed an overlap between
frequently mowed meadows and mowed pastures due to the similar species
composition. Grazed pastures were clearly separated from all other samples due
to a different species composition, high species richness and a rather low
biomass production. Highest species richness and diversity and lowest biomass
were found in semi-dry grasslands. Traditional used meadows with low mowing
frequency and low or none fertilisation reached high species richness and
diversity and low to intermediate biomass production compared to all other
samples. Through raising the cutting frequency and the degree of fertilisation
Wuchter, K (2021). The Influence Of Land Use On Plant Species Diversity In The Biosphere Area “Schwäbische Alb”, Southwest Germany. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/the-influence-of-land-use-on-plant-species-diversity-in-the-biosphere-area-schwaebische-alb-southwest-germany
Wuchter, Katrin "The Influence Of Land Use On Plant Species Diversity In The Biosphere Area “Schwäbische Alb”, Southwest Germany" Afribary. Afribary, 28 Apr. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/the-influence-of-land-use-on-plant-species-diversity-in-the-biosphere-area-schwaebische-alb-southwest-germany. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
Wuchter, Katrin . "The Influence Of Land Use On Plant Species Diversity In The Biosphere Area “Schwäbische Alb”, Southwest Germany". Afribary, Afribary, 28 Apr. 2021. Web. 26 Dec. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/the-influence-of-land-use-on-plant-species-diversity-in-the-biosphere-area-schwaebische-alb-southwest-germany >.
Wuchter, Katrin . "The Influence Of Land Use On Plant Species Diversity In The Biosphere Area “Schwäbische Alb”, Southwest Germany" Afribary (2021). Accessed December 26, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/the-influence-of-land-use-on-plant-species-diversity-in-the-biosphere-area-schwaebische-alb-southwest-germany