Biotic interactions and vegetation management on coastal meadows |
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Author: | Niemelä, Marika1 |
Organizations: |
1University of Oulu, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology |
Format: | ebook |
Version: | published version |
Access: | open |
Online Access: | PDF Full Text (PDF, 1 MB) |
Persistent link: | http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789514291234 |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2009
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Publish Date: | 2009-05-12 |
Thesis type: | Doctoral Dissertation |
Defence Note: | Academic dissertation to be presented with the assent of the Faculty of Science of the University of Oulu for public defence in Kuusamonsali (Auditorium YB210), Linnanmaa, on 22 May 2009, at 12 noon |
Reviewer: |
Professor Robert L. Jefferies Doctor Ann Norderhaug |
Description: |
AbstractConservation of rare habitats and species are central elements in the management of semi-natural grasslands of high biodiversity. Understanding the impacts of various abiotic and biotic interactions and management methods on threatened species is fundamental to their conservation. In the present study, effects of competition, plant parasitism, grazing and mowing were studied at the community level in Bothnian Bay coastal meadows and in greenhouse. This was the first time when the impacts of various biotic interactions on the critically endangered creeping alkali grass (Puccinellia phryganodes) have been explored in detail in one of its rare occurrences in the boreal vegetation zone in Europe. In addition, questions related to ecological and economical sustainability of cattle grazing on coastal meadows were examined. Puccinellia phryganodes was found to suffer severely from competition with taller graminoids. Simulated and actual grazing by greylag goose, Anser anser, as well as infection by a hemiparasitic plant, Odontites litoralis, were found to indirectly benefit P. phryganodes by decreasing the competitive advantage of its competitors. In spite of the relatively intensive grazing by greylag goose in the field, P. phryganodes experienced a drastic decrease during four years in the grazed experimental quadrats and simultaneously the proportion of the taller graminoids increased substantially. Primary succession of coastal meadow vegetation was found to progress rapidly and continuous formation of suitable open habitats is therefore crucial for the subordinate species. Mowing was found to be an effective management method for some threatened plant species in coastal meadows, but not for P. phryganodes, which would probably benefit more, for example, from livestock grazing. Both lightly and rather intensively managed large open meadows could provide optimal habitats for the critically endangered lesser white fronted goose (Anser erythropus) as well as for the greylag goose. The relatively low and variable yield of the coastal meadow vegetation compared to that of cultivated grasslands sets limits how management by cattle grazing can be implemented. Key factors for both the biodiversity management and livestock production in coastal meadows are timing of the grazing season, intensity of grazing and selection of suitable types of animals. see all
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Series: |
Acta Universitatis Ouluensis. A, Scientiae rerum naturalium |
ISSN-E: | 1796-220X |
ISBN: | 978-951-42-9123-4 |
ISBN Print: | 978-951-42-9122-7 |
Issue: | 529 |
Subjects: | |
Copyright information: |
© University of Oulu, 2009. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited. |