The Rengen Grassland Experiment: Effect of Soil Chemical Properties on Biomass Production, Plant Species Composition and Species Richness

2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Hejcman ◽  
Michaela Češková ◽  
Jürgen Schellberg ◽  
Stefan Pätzold
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Chemical Properties ◽  
Production Plant ◽  
Plant Species Composition

scholarly journals Effects of Soil Physico-Chemical Properties on Plant Species Composition and Diversity Along an Elevation Gradient Over Alpine Grassland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wangya Han ◽  
Li Chen ◽  
Xukun Su ◽  
Dan Liu ◽  
Tiantian Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Alpine Grassland ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Soil Available Nitrogen

Abstract Background and aims Alpine grassland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is sensitive and fragile, and it is subject to serious degradation. It is essential to determine the effects of soil parameters on plant species to explain grassland degradation. Methods We classified plant communities into six types based on hierarchical clustering. Then we analyzed the effects of soil physico-chemical properties on plant species composition and diversity by canonical ordination and spatial regression from an elevation perspective. Results Elevation class had significant effects on soil moisture content, soil pH, and soil available nitrogen content. The primary soil parameter affecting plant species composition and diversity in alpine grassland was soil available nitrogen content. The effect of soil available nitrogen content on plant species richness varied at different elevations. For Gramineae plants (G), plant species richness declined with the increase in soil available nitrogen content at low elevation, but rose at middle elevation. Soil available nitrogen content had a more significant limiting effect on species richness at high elevation. Conclusion Analyzing the relationship between plant species and soil physico-chemical properties increases our understanding of grassland degradation, and will improve grassland restoration programs and responses to climate change.

scholarly journals Effects of cattle slurry application on plant species composition of moderately moist Arrhenatherion grassland

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 485-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Duffková ◽  
H. Libichová
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Cattle Slurry ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Application Rates

Cattle slurry is frequently used fertilizer on grasslands, but little is known about its effect on plant species composition. The aim of this study was therefore to assess effect of different application rates of cattle slurry (S0 – 0, S1 – 60, S2 – 120, S3 – 180, S4 – 240 kg N/ha/year) on the plant species composition of three-cut grassland. The study was performed over 6 years on moderately moist upland Arrhenatherion grassland in the Czech Republic dominated by Alopecurus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, and Poa spp. Species composition recorded in treatments with application of cattle slurry in rate up to 120 kg N/ha/year was similar to the unfertilized control. During first three years, species richness was similar in all treatments and then decreased the most in S4 followed by S3 treatment. Cover of short forbs increased in S0 and decreased with an increase in slurry application rate which supported tall grasses. Application of cattle slurry up to 120 kg N/ha/year can be considered as suitable compromise between maintenance of species rich grasslands and requirements of farmers for sufficient forage production.

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